You may recall that I vigorously opposed passage of a constitutional amendment in 2012 creating the State Charter School Commission that would allow an alternative method for authorizing charter schools in Georgia. You may recall, also, that the amendment passed handily. So much for my vigor. My primary objection to the amendment was a concern that for-profit charter school … [Read more...] about December 8, 2014: Commission Director Says Progress Being Made In State’s Charter School Efforts
charter schools
June 10, 2013: State Charter School Commission In Good Hands
I have said it before, but let me repeat: I have no problem with charter schools. I did have a big problem with the ham-handed way last November’s charter school referendum was rammed through by proponents. Of course, it passed. With all the money that was put behind it and the intimidation of those deigning to oppose it, I could have passed a referendum requiring pigs to … [Read more...] about June 10, 2013: State Charter School Commission In Good Hands
October 15, 2012: Pro-Charter Amendment Forces Trying To Bully Opponents
If the pro-charter amendment people are trying to win friends and influence voters to pass the measure in November, they have picked a bad way to do it. Attorney Glenn Delk and proponents are clearly trying to intimidate opponents of the amendment by accusing the state's 180 local school districts of illegally using taxpayer money to campaign against the amendment. … [Read more...] about October 15, 2012: Pro-Charter Amendment Forces Trying To Bully Opponents
September 10, 2012: Charter Amendment Advocates Present Their Case
Rep. Edward Lindsey, (R-Atlanta) majority whip of the Georgia House of Representatives asked me if I would talk to the proponents of the upcoming constitutional amendment on charter schools and get their side of the story. This was after Mr. Lindsey and I had publicly crossed swords over the issue. So I met with Tony Roberts, president of the Georgia Charter School Association … [Read more...] about September 10, 2012: Charter Amendment Advocates Present Their Case
August 20, 2012: Charter School Amendment Debate Gets Ugly Quickly
I knew it was going to get ugly but I didn’t know it would get this bad this quickly. I am talking about the constitutional amendment on charter schools to be voted on in November that asks, “Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended to allow state or local approval of public charter schools upon the request of local communities?” Dr. John Barge, Georgia state school … [Read more...] about August 20, 2012: Charter School Amendment Debate Gets Ugly Quickly