The state's charter school board is recommending the state board approve four new charter schools to open in 2010 and the expansion of five existing schools that year. That could mean room for another 3,565 students in charter schools, which is on top of additional student slots already approved for 2010-11 and new students who might attend charter schools next school year.

All together, proposed expansion would create room for 12,925 more students in charter schools in 2010-11 compared with this school year, although Marlies Burns, state charter school office director, said not all those spots will necessarily be filled.

Now, about 27,369 students attend the state's 66 charter schools, which are public schools created by groups of parents, teachers and community members and approved by the state. Charter schools have their own governing boards and often are created to meet student needs through different educational approaches.

By law, charter school enrollment can expand by only a certain amount each year. The board could have recommended more charter schools to open in 2010-11 but only four met the board's standards.

"We have to make a decision: Are they ready?" said Scott Smith, board vice-chairman.

Schools recommended to open in 2010 include a satellite school of American Preparatory Academy and a Montessori school. And schools recommended to expand in 2010 include Spectrum Academy, which serves mostly students with high-functioning autism and Asperger Syndrome. That school, which now includes kindergarten through eighth grade will be able to add a ninth grade in 2010 if its plan gains final approval. Spectrum Principal Jaime Christensen said the school now has about 200 students on its waiting list.

"For the students here getting ready to go to high school, it's kind of crisis time for the parents because there's really nowhere to send them other than the traditional public schools and the reason they have come here is their lack of success with the traditional schools," Christensen said.

Some charter officials, however, left Wednesday's charter school board meeting disappointed.

The charter board recommended the state board not approve the openings of Lyceum Academy and a Beehive Science & Technology Academy satellite school. The board also recommended two existing charter schools not be allowed to expand - Paradigm High School in South Jordan and C.S. Lewis Academy in Santaquin.

Board members still had questions and concerns about Lyceum and Beehive and were upset some questions weren't answered earlier. Burns said when a school doesn't answer board members promptly, that raises a red flag.

"If we're to be certain the image of charter schools and the perception of charter schools is where we want it to be, we [need to] implement these things and work as professionals," board member Tom Morgan said.

Lynn Farley, Lyceum board vice president, said she isn't sure if her school will try for approval again next year.

"The purpose of charter schools is to be different and innovative, and we did it, and it didn't work," Farley said.

Reba Vest, vice chairwoman of the C.S. Lewis board, said her school will re-apply for expansion next year. Board members turned down C.S. Lewis Academy partly because it's relatively new and didn't meet state testing goals last year. She said re-applying will only make the school stronger.

"When we first came before you, you denied us and then we came back a year later and now we're amazing, in part because you denied us," Vest said.

Another possible new charter school, Cache Valley Learning, is pending approval. The state school board will likely consider the recommendations at its next meeting on Nov. 7.

A look at pending new schools

New charter schools recommended for approval for 2010-11:

* American Preparatory Academy Accelerated School, K-9, Jordan School District

* Quail Run Primary School, K-8, Alpine School District

* Maria Montessori Academy, K-8, Weber School District

* Weilenmann School of Discovery, K-8, Park City School District

Charter schools recommended for expansion in 2010-2011:

* American Leadership Academy, Spanish Fork

* George Washington Academy, St. George

* North Star Academy, Bluffdale

* Summit Academy, Draper

* Spectrum Academy, North Salt Lake