Cyber charter schools celebrate two state victories, may get more funds

By D. Aileen Dodd

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

School choice took a leap forward Thursday as one state board supported the expansion of Georgia’s first cyber charter school and another moved to investigate funding virtual schools at a higher level.

After the outcries of parents and the embarrassment of having two approved cyber schools call off August openings, leaders of the Georgia Charter Schools Commission admitted that they may have low-balled the cost of virtual public education. The board has agreed to rethink its figures.

“The funding formula, I think we got it wrong,” said Ben Scafidi, chairman of the state commission. “We will get it right. I want a vigorous and competitive virtual education market in Georgia. ”

In June, the commission decided to fund cyber charter schools with only state dollars -- a fraction of what other charter schools and traditional public schools receive to educate students. Two proposed schools with national partners were offered about $3,200 per student -- less than half the $8,000 spent on average per pupil in Georgia’s other public schools.

Kaplan Academy of Georgia and Provost Academy Georgia still remain ideas on paper. Their leaders say costs to operate virtual schools and provide students with technology aren’t cheap, so they decided not to try at all until the money on the table is right.

“We had an outcry from parents, on my cell phone, on our website,” said Teresa Bensch, the board secretary for Kaplan Academy. “We are not willing to compromise the students of Georgia. We want them to have the quality education that they deserve and they need.”

The commission voted to launch a new study of how virtual schools are funded in the state and nationally before a new figure is released. Mark Peevy, executive director of the commission, said he will work with the Department of Education’s Charter Schools Committee and put together an advisory group to arrive at a new figure by December.

Commission member Charles Knapp said the matter should be treated as a “top priority.”

As the commission moved to reconsider funding virtual schools, Georgia Cyber Academy, a school of 6,000, got a vote of approval to add a ninth grade.

The state school board voted 8-2 in favor of the plan, with members Buzz Law and Charter Committee Chairwoman Linda Zechmann casting the votes of opposition. Zechmann said she voted no because the opportunity was limited to only one school instead of a group of competing campuses. Board member Jose Perez abstained from voting.

The approval will allow 660 GCA freshmen to take high school classes on Sept. 7.

“I’m relieved and ecstatic,” said Jennifer Anderson of Snellville, who has a special needs student. “She was at Shiloh Middle and she was failing. At GCA, she makes straight A's and almost exceeds expectations on all of her CRCT scores.”

Head of school Matt Arkin said K12, GCA's management partner, already has a curriculum ready for ninth grade. Other students may apply for enrollment, but first priority will go to existing students.

“The victory is for the students who will be able to continue their education on a path toward graduation,” Arkin said. “This is a historic day for public education in Georgia.”