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MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. -- Parents and residents in the Middletown City School District learned more about a plan to bring a charter school to the area.

Advocates for Liberty Public Charter School say the school would give parents a choice. Meanwhile, the Middletown City School District says opening a charter school would hurt the district because it takes tax payer money away from public schools.

If the charter school plan moves forward, the city will have to provide a number of services to the students there, including textbooks, software, hardware and transportation.

Speakers at the meeting say a charter school would negatively impact the school services that the city provides.

"Literally is taking money out of our districts hands that we so desperately need and we can't sustain," said Sheila Esposito.

"Basically tax payer money and it will divert funds from our children's public education," said Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther.

The proposal still needs to be approved by the SUNY system before the charter school plan can move forward. Trustees hope to open by fall 2013.