Thursday, February 28, 2013
One of seven newly appointed members of the Georgia Charter School Commission, Patch contacted Perez, a resident of Peachtree Corners, for his thoughts on serving on the commission.
The newly re-established Georgia Charter Schools Commission is in its second month of operation, having started in late January. Seven members, including Gwinnett County resident Jose Perez, were appointed by Gov. Nathan Deal last month to sit on the commission. It's been a fast two months for the commission, and there's much that needs to be done. The members recently hired an executive director to help do just that. Following a contentious debate about whether such a commission hurts or helps public education in Georgia, the members know all eyes are on them. For Perez, who served on the state Board of Education from 2004-2011, the commission is about doing what's in the best interest of Georgia's children. Patch caught up with Perez to…
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
The bill will allow a simple majority of parents and/or teachers at ANY public school to petition a local board to convert a school to a charter school.
Does anyone remember the constitutional amendment battle last year? The battle where our Republican leadership wanted us to pass an amendment which expanded the role of government in Georgia and removed local control by giving it to an appointed State Charter Commission? We bought that one hook, line and sinker. Republicans convinced Republicans - some, not all - to forget about the other part of the party platform that talks about limited government and local control. The same group is back at it in the legislature trying to pass more bills which will eventually destroy our open public schools (vs. closed charter public schools – try moving here in January and getting into one). Why? Because promoting charter schools and vouchers is also…
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Parents now have a choice - but does more choices translate to better choices?
The heated debate over Charter Schools ended Nov. 6, 2012 when the majority of voters cast their ballots in favor of allowing the state to grant charter schools. In 2013 the General Assembly will be setting up a new Charter School Commission, similar to the one that was struck down in 2011 when the Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional. The new commission will have the authority to approve - and fund - schools without the approval of local school boards. In the future as more charter schools open parents will have more choices on where to send their children - their neighborhood public school - or a publicly funded charter school. But are Charter Schools the answer to Georgia's dilemma as one of the lowest-ranked states in the nation in …
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Wilbanks' statement on Charter School Amendment cites 'efforts by some to ... dismantle public education.'
Gwinnett Schools Superintendent Alvin Wilbanks has issued a statement expressing disappointment that Georgia voters passed the Charter Schools Amendment on Tuesday (November 6). The state's voters, by a strong majority, approved Amendment One, which allows for state officials to approve publicly funded charter schools, without the permission of local school boards. Wilbanks' statement said the amendment "is not in the best interest of students and public education in this state." "We are disappointed that with the passage of Amendment 1 the state, rather than being our partner, has become our opponent in the all-important work of educating the state’s children," the statement read. The Gwinnett system, which is the state's largest with …
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Republican-heavy Gwinnett County came out in large numbers. in Peachtree Corners incumbants Tom Rice and Mary Kay Murphy are re-elected.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Checking the "yes" box in favor of amending the state's constitution was not an easy one to make said one voter who is still not sure she made the right decision.
For Georgia voters the Charter School Amendment has almost overshadowed the race for the presidency. The decision to give the state the authority to create a charter school commission has been a subject of major debate over the past few months. And the decision to vote "yes" was no easy decision for Camille Cottrell, an Emory University instructor and card-carrying Democrat who said she's still not sure she made the right decision. "It was a very, very tough vote for me," said Cottrell a Berkeley Lake resident. "I believe very much in the public school system." It was a battle of heart versus intellect she said. "I know my vote is going to cause an argument with my mother when I get home tonight." But Cottrell said she couldn't help notice…
33.9716
-84.187129
Pinckneyville Park & Community Recreation Center
4650 Peachtree Industrial Blvd, Norcross, GA
/articles/charter-school-amendment-a-tough-decision-for-one-voter
1785294
/locations/8110504
Rain didn't stop Peachtree Corners voters, even those who stood in line in the morning rain Tuesday.
The rain didn't discourage a number of hardy souls this morning at Pinckneyville Community Center who stood in a long line in the rain waiting for the doors to open at 7:00 a.m. Tuesday "We had quite a line," said Jan Gilliam, poll manager at the Berkeley Lake facility. A poll worker standing nearby likened the line to what you see on an E ride at Disney World. "There was about a 60 minute wait," said Gilliam. After the initial morning rush, the lines had lessened, as well as the wait time. As of 1:30 p.m. Gilliam said 995 people had cast their votes with another 740 who had voted early. Camille Cottrell, who teaches at Emory University, was surprised how quickly she was able to get in and out when she stopped by around 1 p.m. "It took me …
33.9716
-84.187129
Pinckneyville Park & Community Recreation Center
4650 Peachtree Industrial Blvd, Norcross, GA
/articles/election-day-story
1785294
/locations/8111098
Charter school amendment appears headed for win.
UPATE 5:50 pm If you are in line to vote at 7 pm, you will get to vote even though the polls close then. Tens of thousands of Fulton County voters have already cast ballots today. Turnout is especially high for today’s General Election, as it is in most Presidential election years. It's too early to know how this year compares to 2008. In the evening after traditional work hours, peak turnout is anticipated, and tens of thousands of additional voters could exercise their right to vote. Fulton County elections officials released a statement advising that voters who are in line at 7 pm will be allowed to vote under Georgia law. As provided by Georgia law, voters who are over age 75 or who have a disability are eligible to ask to move ahead …
Monday, November 5, 2012
Tuesday's ballot includes a Georgia constitutional amendment to re-establish a state commission to approve charter schools. Your job is to decide if that's a good idea.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Tuesday's ballot includes a Georgia constitutional amendment to re-establish a state commission to approve charter schools. Your job is to decide if that's a good idea.
There aren't a lot of statewide issues on the ballot Nov. 6, but one has the potential to affect school districts, parents and children throughout Georgia. It's Amendment 1, and the ballot will say it "Provides for improving student achievement and parental involvement through more public charter school options." The question voters will answer yes or no to is, "Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended to allow state or local approval of public charter schools upon the request of local communities?" So what does a yes vote mean? If the amendment passes, the state will create a commission that can approve charter schools in local communities, even if local school boards oppose them. Supporters of the amendment believe this is necessary …
PTC Concerns
4:07 pm on Friday, November 9, 2012
Some other points you may find interesting Ivy Prep, the school GCPS Board was against was recently honored for academic performance.See the article here http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/news/2012/oct/31/state-honors-local-schools-for-performance/ I read this somewhere else and will try to relate it - the local public school should see a net increase in funds per student if a charter schools … more ›