Newton County's Board of Education will discuss Tuesday whether or not to renew Challenge Charter Academy's charter. This comes on the heels of a resolution, signed by all members but District 1 representative Jeff Meadors, requesting that voters oppose the Constitutional amendment relative to the state approval of charter schools.
State School Superintendent John Barge released a statement recently, also opposing the amendment, arguing that it could threaten funding for regular public schools. It was taken down following a complaint that alleged Barge was using taxpayer resources to promote his political position. Rockdale County's BOE also recently opposed the amendment with a resolution as well.
Georgia Attorney General Samuel Olens sent a letter to superintendents on Wednesday, stating "Local school boards do not have the legal authority to expend funds or other resources to advocate or oppose the ratification of a constitutional amendment by the voters. They may not do this directly or indirectly through associations to which they may belong."
The amendment that is causing such a stir asks: "Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended to allow state or local approval of public charter schools upon the request of local communities?" stand in being a part of helping to find ways in making downtown Approval of the amendment would allow state legislature the authority to create charter schools despite protests by local boards of education. And while charter schools are not governed by local boards of education, their testing scores are factored in with the traditional public schools and funding is also given to those schools out of the same pot that regular public schools use to function.
Challenge Charter Academy has been in operation for five years and is currently seeking another five year charter. The Newton County BOE will hold a called meeting at 4 p.m. Tuesday, prior to their monthly work session, to discuss CCA and the school system's findings regarding the charter school. The board is expected to vote on whether or not to offer another
