By GORDON D KING

Staff Writer

FRANKLIN — Governor Craig Benson renewed his pledge to improve the state’s education system when he met with school, business and community leaders on Friday where a proposed charter school was discussed.

The governor said his proposed budget includes funds for both charter schools and for home schooled children.

"The American dream is to make thing better for our children than what we had. If we don’t, then we have failed them and I don’t want to be the first governor who is a part of it," the governor said.

The governor’s visit was part of the teleconference between officials of the Textron Chamber of Commerce Academy, a charter school in Providence, and supporters of the development of a similar school here.

Benson said his budget emphasis is on health care, diversifying the economy and improving education.

The governor said he supports home schooling and noted that those who study that way score much higher on SAT scores. He said he also supports distant learning by bringing technology into the classrooms and doing something to lower the dropout rate.

"We have too big a drop out rate. We also have lower the mental drop out rate. These are the ones who are in school but don’t learn," the governor sad.

His proposed budget contains $4 million for matching grants to help communities developing charter schools.

The idea of considering a charter school arose last year when it was learned that Franklin had a very high drop out rate.

Franklin School Board member Bill Grimm, who first proposed exploration of this type of school, hosted the teleconference.

Grimm said the school district has made significant improvement since then.

"We identified the problems and committed to solving it. The students and teachers made it happen," Grimm said.

The school board has also implemented a program for at-risk high school students.

"We are still loosing too many students," Grimm said.

He added that with the tight budget restrictions in the city, people had to look elsewhere to help solve the problem. This lead to the business/school partnership, which is exploring the charter proposal as an alternative way to help solve the drop out problem.

Mayor Tony Giunta said the high drop out rate was announced during the political season.

"We all said this was not acceptable," the mayor said.

Giunta said he doesn’t know if a charter school is right for Franklin, but it has to be looked at as long as there is no cost to the school district.

Supporters of the charter proposal have developed their plans based on the one in Providence.

In their discussions with leaders here, officials with the Providence school said a strong tie to the business community is key to success of their institution, which has been in existence for six years.