Creel opposes charter amendment; BOE to discuss the issue Sept. 25

The Barrow County Board of Education will soon discuss its position on the upcoming Nov. 6 ballot amendment that would authorize the state to create charter schools even over the objections of local boards. The BOE’s next meeting is 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25.
Superintendent Wanda Creel’s comments Monday in opposition to the proposal echo those made by other public educators, including state superintendent John Barge, a Republican. He broke ranks with his party in August by opposing the constitutional amendment. How such charter schools would be state funded and the impact of that on local school systems is Creel’s main concern with the amendment.
“Traditionally, the local board of education has served as the voice of the community and been accountable to its citizens as it pertains to public education,” she said. “This proposed amendment would fundamentally alter that relationship by allowing public charter schools to be created that would exist outside of the board’s purview while simultaneously receiving tax funds that would otherwise go to the established public schools of the community. Such a change, whatever the pros and cons, is truly monumental in scope.”
Proponents of the amendment to the state’s constitution say if it passes, it would allow parents to choose to educate their children in charter schools that they say are higher performing than traditional public schools.
For the full story, see the Sept. 12 issue of the Barrow Journal.