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Ga. House Democrats hold hearing on alternate charter school proposal
Michelle Wirth (2012-02-15)
ATLANTA, GA (WABE) - Georgia House Democrats held a public hearing yesterday on their proposed constitutional amendment that would give the state the authority to create charter schools. The plan is an alternative to a proposed amendment put forward by Republican leaders and a small number of Democrats, which would overturn a Georgia Supreme Court ruling which declared state created charter schools unconstitutional.

Democrats holding the hearing say their legislation would ensure that only state funds go to charter schools. They say the other plan put forward by Republican leaders would take money intended for traditional schools and give it to charter schools. That's the fear of teacher and Cobb County Association of Educators president Connie Jackson.

"Pulling local funds for something that's not locally approved is not acceptable."

But Kylie Holly a Pataula Charter Academy parent says the proposal from Republican leaders does not say that funding intended for traditional schools would go to charter schools. But she says even if that were the case it wouldn't necessarily be that bad.

"Our charter school has I feel like pushed our local school board to a higher level, so I think competition can be a good thing."

Last week, the GOP led proposal fell short by 10 votes. Republicans say they will bring it up for reconsideration when they get the 120 votes needed to pass it.
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