A group of Northeast Richland residents is holding a signature drive to begin a Richland Two Public Charter School year round.

The Hope Academy Charter school committee has submitted its charter- school application to the S.C. Department of Education, and is currently in the process of collecting signatures from current Richland Two parents. Signatures are considered a barometer of community support for charter schools by the South Carolina Education Department.

Supporters of the new charter school will meet before the South Carolina Department of Education Charter School Advisory Committee on June 23 .

Volunteers will be collecting signatures of support through June 21. Volunteers will be located outside of grocery stores, local businesses, churches, and attending Richland Two events.

Parents who show their support are not required to send their children to the Charter School but are instead saying they would like to see the new year round school formed as another choice. Hope Charter Academy is offering year- round schooling and a rigorous curricula.

The charter school movement is considered to be growing in the U.S., and during the last presidential election it's one of just a few subjects the two candidates agreed upon.

To sign a petition, or to volunteer in the petition drive, call 556-2528.