Departing charter schools chief sees continued growth, resistance

By D. Aileen Dodd

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The man who helped to make Georgia a national destination for charter schools and saw the campuses nearly triple under his watch is heading to Illinois to try and repeat his feat.

Andrew Broy, associate state superintendent, has been named president of the Illinois Network of Charter Schools.

His departure comes as Georgia prepares to defend a constitutional challenge that could unravel some of the work Broy did to grow charter campuses in the state.

Broy's staff served the state Board of Education and the Georgia Charter Schools Commission, the state's newest authorizer of charter schools, which get access to the same funding as other public schools. A handful of metro Atlanta districts have filed lawsuits challenging the ability of the commission to fund and authorize new schools.

Under Broy's  leadership, the number of Georgia charter schools increased from 42 in 2006 to 121. This year, the state has received 124 letters of intent to start up new campuses.

“Georgia would not be where it is today with charter schools and public school choice were it not for Andrew Broy and his work," said  Rep. Jan Jones (R- Milton).

Jones said the state legislature is determined to continue that progress no matter the outcome of a lawsuit. "I am absolutely convinced that either the state will prevail in that lawsuit or, if not, we will pass a constitutional amendment allowing this to go forward. There is extreme support in the legislature for giving students and their families options."

Broy predicts Georgia will see charters grow rapidly with two authorizers approving campuses, but there will still be some resistance, he said.

“Some of our metro districts have taken steps to demonstrate that charters are a part of their overall plan; other districts have never approved a charter school and are not inclined to do so,” he said. “We have to make sure all of our students, not just those who are fortunate enough to be raised in a certain zip code, get access to a high quality education."

Broy said one of the biggest problems facing groups looking to open charters schools is failure to assemble a team with the expertise to handle the job and understand its scope. “Far too many charter schools start drafting the application before they have given a lot of thought about location, facilities, curriculum, all of the decisions you have to make to run a good charter school.’’

Broy's last day at the Department of Education was Friday. He will be replaced by two people, including an internal hire, Garry McGiboney, an associate superintendent, who will take over Broy's job as head of policy and external affairs. A charter schools management company official will be named to oversee the Charter Division.

Broy begins his new job, which pays about $180,000 annually, in March, but will still keep roots in Georgia as an attorney and consultant. He is on the board of the Alliance of Public Charter School Attorneys  and will be working nationally to help shape policy and aid cash-strapped charter campuses in their efforts to access the funding they are entitled to as public schools.