AUGUSTA – The two groups that want to start virtual charter schools have withdrawn their applications but plan to reapply for the 2013-14 school year.

The Maine Charter School Commission decided in June to postpone its decisions on Maine Virtual Academy and Maine Connections Academy because of concerns about school governance and quality.

On Tuesday, the commission accepted a letter of withdrawal from Amy Carlisle, president of Maine Learning Innovations, the nonprofit group that wants to open Maine Virtual Academy.

The group that hopes to start Maine Connections Academy withdrew its application last week, said commission Chairwoman Jana Lapoint.

Charter schools are free, publicly funded schools that are exempt from some of the regulations and restrictions on traditional public schools. They may offer innovative or alternative programs.

The Charter School Commission received six applications to open schools this fall; two are set to open.

The commission unanimously approved contracts last week for the Maine Academy of Natural Sciences in Fairfield, and Cornville Regional Charter School. Because Maine law requires a charter contract to be signed 60 days before classes start, those schools will open Oct. 1.

The last pending application is for Fiddlehead School of Arts and Sciences, an elementary school in Gray that would open next fall.

Commissioners will interview the applicants and hold a public hearing Sept. 11.