The state charter authorizer isn't going to be statewide. Just for Memphis and Nashville.

Lawmakers have put a clear target on the Metro Nashville Public Schools system in a bill that would allow groups looking to open charter schools apply straight to the state Board of Education.

Under the proposal filed Monday, the option to circumvent the local school board would only be available in Nashville and Memphis.

The legislation singles out counties with a population of at least 600,000, subtracting all other towns and cities besides Nashville and Memphis. With 635,000 people in Davidson County and 935,000 people in Shelby County, the two school districts clearly qualify. Other big counties like Knox and Hamilton fall shot on the population benchmark by more than 150,000 people.

The measure also stipulates that charters can use the Board of Education as an authorizer only after the local school district has twice been asked by the BOE to reverse decisions to reject applications.