School choice supporters converge on Capitol

By Nancy Badertscher

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Busloads of students, teachers and parents swarmed the state Capitol on Wednesday, urging lawmakers to support education options beyond traditional public schools.

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Brant Sanderlin, bsanderlin@ajc.com Laurel Blase, a first grader at Cherokee Charter Academy shouts her support for school choice while sitting on her dad's Larry Blase, shoulders during a rally at the state capitol Wednesday.

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Brant Sanderlin, bsanderlin@ajc.com State Rep. Alisha Morgan D-Austell speaks in support of school choice for parents during a School Choice Celebration and Rally in front of the state Capitol Wednesday January 25, 2011.

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"We do not believe that a ZIP code or a family’s financial status should determine a student’s options," said Rashaun Holliman, a former school principal and activist with the advocacy group Center for an Educated Georgia, kicking off a rally that spilled into a street beside the Capitol just as the General Assembly was coming into session for the day.

Many in the crowd -- estimated by organizers at more than 1,500 -- wore bright yellow scarfs and makeshift mortar boards that declared their support for the school choice movement being celebrated around the country this week.

Others had placards, banners and buttons, declaring: "Charters Schools Rock" and "Supreme Court: My charter is special."

Last year, the Georgia Supreme Court ruled that that the Georgia Charter Schools Commission could not, over the objection of local school boards, approve charter schools or require that they be given local tax dollars.

On the eve of Wednesday's rally, a constitutional amendment was filed in the state House that would overrule the high court's ruling.

The amendment has both Republican and Democrat supporters. However, there's strong opposition from local school superintendents and several other school organizations as school districts fight to keep dollars for traditional schools, especially after several years of budget cuts. The amendment would require at least two-thirds approval in both the House and Senate before it could be put before voters, possibly in November.

Although the crowd included supporters of private school scholarships, home schools and online schools, the overwhelming majority came to show their support of charter schools. Some area charter schools even made it a field trip for many of their students.

John Trainor, a father of three whose children attend a charter school in Fulton County, said having a choice made a difference in his sons’ educations.

"It’s the only thing we can truly give our kids for the rest of their life, and it’s vital that we get it right," he said. "Unlike every other political issue, school choice doesn’t see politics, it doesn’t see race, it doesn’t see gender. All it sees is the success of our children."

Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers, a longtime school choice supporter, told the crowd that Georgia children must be given every opportunity to obtain the best education possible.

"Education is the great equalizer," said Rogers, a Republican from Woodstock. "If you have an education, you can succeed. School choice equals freedom."

State Rep. Alisha Thomas Morgan, D-Austell, urged school choice supporters to lobby lawmakers to support the constitutional amendment.

"Real choice is not an indictment on traditional public education," she said. "Though we have had some hiccups along the way, we can’t give up."

Micah Victory was among a group of students from south Cobb County's Imagine Charter School, a school that has not has its charter renewed and is facing closure at the end of the school year.

Micah's mother, Merriam Wynn, said her third-grade son needs the individual attention that the charter school setting offers.

"We feel it's the best option for him," Wynn said.