ATLANTA (AP) - Georgia schools Superintendent John Barge will oppose a constitutional amendment that would guarantee the state's authority to charter independent schools.

Spokeswoman Dorie Nolt said Barge on Tuesday informed fellow Republicans, Gov. Nathan Deal and Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, of his position. Deal had personally lobbied lawmakers to approve the amendment for the Nov. 6 ballot and has urged Georgia voters to support it.

The General Assembly adopted the constitutional change after the Georgia Supreme Court struck down an earlier statute that allowed the state to create the publicly financed, but privately operated schools.

The superintendent's opposition puts him in an unusual alliance with many public school teachers and the Georgia Democratic Party. Those opponents argue charter schools take money from traditional public schools.