The Charter Advisory Committee voted and overwhelmingly approved a document reinforcing their recommendation that the remaining petitions of City Schools of Decatur, Marietta City Schools, Gainesville City Schools and Chattahoochee County Schools be approved for charter system status...
During a meeting on Friday, the Charter Advisory Committee voted and overwhelmingly approved a document reinforcing their recommendation that the remaining petitions of City Schools of Decatur, Marietta City Schools, Gainesville City Schools and Chattahoochee County Schools be approved for charter system status by the state board of education.
"The Charter Advisory Committee is composed of well-respected and experienced members of the education community. Their support and reinforced recommendation sends a strong message to the validity and strength of each of these charters. The enormous amount of time each member of the Charter Advisory Committee took to not only visit each system, but personally meet with the school system leadership, demonstrates their clear understanding of each system and belief that they are prepared to undertake the charter system status.
"The Charter Systems Act provides school systems the opportunity to increase student achievement by giving them more freedoms and flexibility to be innovative and gives parents and teachers the opportunity to have meaningful participation in the governance of their schools.
"It is important for the State Board of Education to be confident in their decisions. That is why the law calls for a Charter Advisory Committee, to thoroughly review these petitions and work with them in the design and implementation of innovative education programs and school level governance. The Charter Advisory Committee worked very hard and now the State Board of Education is called by law to give credence to their work and expertise. I remain confident that the State Board of Education will do the right thing and give these systems charter status. All of the school systems have done a great deal of hard work, it is time to approve their petitions and allow them to provide children the opportunity to learn in a new environment tailored to their needs."
The State board is expected to meet June 11 and 12 to consider the remaining charters. In May, Warren County was approved as the first charter system in the State of Georgia.
To read the Charter Advisory Statement and Recommendation, click on the following link: