Q&A With Charter School Commission Member Jose Perez

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…

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Have You Heard About HB 123 Parent/Teacher Empowerment Act?

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…

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Understanding the Charter School Amendment

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.

Understanding the Charter School Amendment

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 …

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BJ Van Gundy

2:58 pm on Monday, November 5, 2012

Curious. What lobbyists are you referring to? I'm NOT a lobbyist. Haven't done ANY lobbying for ANYONE for 6 years... so I'm SURE you aren't referring to me... For the record. I've not made a PENNY on Charter School issues. In fact. As a former member of the previous Commission... a VOLUNTEER position for ALL of us on it... I spent ~$1,400 a year serving. I do this because my 4 children in Public…   more ›

Charter Schools Give Students Opportunities

Speaker Pro Tem says she trusts parents more than government to make the best decisions for children.

By Jan Jones As a mother of four children currently enrolled in or graduates of Fulton County Schools, I care deeply about public education in my community and Georgia. I know public education changes lives by giving young people opportunities to fulfill their potential and achieve the American dream. In this regard, I support Amendment One on the Nov. 6 election ballot to give Georgia's students more educational options through public charter schools. I support all the ways that our young people can get a leg up, including charter schools, traditional schools, dual enrollment at technical schools and colleges, virtual schooling, homeschooling, and private schools. I trust parents more than I trust government to make the best decisions for…

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Carter: Amendment wouldn't compromise local control of schools

“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended to allow state or local approval of public charter schools upon the request of local communities?”

  Op-Ed by Sen. Buddy Carter, R-Pooler On March 19, during this year’s session of the Georgia General Assembly, I was one of 40 state senators who voted in favor of placing the above question on the general election ballot this fall. On Nov. 6, as a citizen of Georgia, I will be voting in favor of this proposed state constitutional amendment. If the proposed amendment is approved by voters, the state constitution will be changed to allow the General Assembly to create state charter schools that will operate under the terms of a charter between the state school board and a charter petitioner. The amendment requires that all state charter schools be public schools, and cannot include private, sectarian, religious or for-profit schools. …

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Charter School Amendment - An Important Tool in the GA Education Reform Tool Box

An Op-ed by State Rep. Edward Lindsey (R-Atlanta), Georgia House Majority Whip

  The Charter School Amendment is an important education reform for Georgia.  Statewide, the overall high school graduation rate hovers in the mid 60% range, and in many school districts serving mostly low income students the graduation rate is closer to the low 50% level.  This is morally and economically unacceptable for both our students and this great state. Like most voters, I believe that local school systems should have primary responsibility of education in our communities.  However, this local control should never be confused with exclusive control.  There must always be checks and balances for any government activity -- and this is especially true in the area of education.  Time and again in recent years, laws providing for …

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The Charter School Amendment: How Will You Vote?

The proposed referendum to allow the state the power to authorize charter schools is a hot-button issue. Which way will you vote?

On Nov. 6, voters will not only decide on a leader for our country, but on a more local level will also get a chance to decide on amending Georgia's state constitution to permit the state to authorize charter schools. Voters will be asked to decide "Yes" or "No" on the ballot that reads: "Provides for improving student achievement and parental involvement through more public charter school options." Basically, the Georgia charter school amendment gives the state legislature the right to create special schools without prior approval by local boards of education. The amendment also essentially reverses a 2011 Supreme Court decision which overturned a 2008 law that formed a state commission which had the power to create charter schools. If …

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Charter School Amendment: A Mother and Teacher Offers Her Passionate Plea

"This is not about money or anything else the opposition may want you to believe. This amendment is simply about these precious children."

Following is a letter from Kathy Bantz, a teacher and parent from Cuthbert, GA. She located Peachtree Corners Patch through a Google search on the upcoming Charter School Amendment and asked that her letter be published before the Nov. 6 elections. Although she is not from the Peachtree Corners area, this issue effects the entire state.   Dear Editor, I am writing as both a parent of students who attend a charter school and a teacher who works at one.  The school I speak of is Pataula Charter Academy (PCA) located in Edison, Georgia.  This is one of the controversial schools that was created by approval of a state commissioned board rather than the local school boards. Now we are in danger of having our doors closed unless an amendment to …

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Think about the Kids

10:04 pm on Monday, October 15, 2012

First of all, these middle schoolers were not being used as billboards for the school's political views. These students were simply being passionate about their school. They love their school and want it to remain open. They have been to other schools and do not want to return to them if this amendment doesn't pass. Secondly, tax dollars were not used to purchase the shirts or pay for the race …   more ›