Two proposed charter schools are getting poor reviews from the Pittsburgh Public Schools.

Citing academic shortfalls and other concerns, district administrators last night recommended that the city school board reject proposals for the Quest International Charter School and the Community Service Leadership Development Charter School.

The school board will vote on the recommendations at its legislative meeting Feb. 24.

Organizers of Quest International proposed a school for kindergarten through 12th grade. They have been exploring a North Side location and proposed themes of social justice and social service.

City school officials said the proposed school lacked a coherent curriculum and questioned its financial plan, estimating it would run a $744,440 deficit its first year.

The Community Service charter would serve students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Organizers expressed interest in locating the charter at the former Burgwin elementary building in Hazelwood, though the city school district doesn't like to sell its closed buildings to competitors.

The charter would be managed by Imagine Schools, a Virginia-based organization that already manages the Environmental Charter School at Frick Park.

City school officials said the proposed school lacked a comprehensive curriculum. They also expressed concern about the management fees that would be paid to Imagine -- nearly $490,000 in the school's first year and more than $985,000 in year five.

Charter schools are public schools that admit students without tuition; funding is provided by a student's home school district. If the city school board rejects the Quest International and Community Service proposals, organizers may appeal to the state.