Commonwealth Court has affirmed a decision by the state Charter School Appeals Board to allow Propel Charter Schools to open in Steel Valley School District.

Propel was denied a charter from the Steel Valley school board in December 2002. Propel officials filed an appeal with the Charter School Appeals Board and won that appeal last July.

Last fall, Propel opened in the former St. Mary's School in Homestead. Steel Valley officials continued to fight the charter, appealing to Commonwealth Court. That action was supported by two teachers unions, the Steel Valley Education Association and the Pennsylvania State Education Association.

In a decision released yesterday, the court found that Propel met the requirements of the state charter school law.

Last month, the Montour school board voted against giving Propel a charter for an elementary school. The McKeesport school board also has denied the school's request for a charter. Propel is appealing those denials.

School districts have complained that charter schools siphon tax dollars away.