Legislative plea, amendment for Fulton Science Academy rejected

By D. Aileen Dodd

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A nationally acclaimed charter school whose contract was cancelled by the Fulton school board is running out of options to keep their doors open past June 30.

Enlarge photo

Jason Getz, jgetz@ajc.com Sandy Springs, Ga; Fulton Science Academy Middle School supporters fill the Fulton County School Board meeting at Dunwoody Springs Elementary School Tuesday night in Sandy Springs, Ga., December 20, 2011. The school board voted to deny the school's charter renewal. Over 230 supporters of the charter school were in attendance during the school board meeting. There were also dozens of supporters outside the hallways of the school and outside in the rain. Jason Getz jgetz@ajc.com

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A  plea by legislators and school leaders for a speedy reconsideration of Fulton Science Academy Middle School's charter contract were both rejected.

Fulton County Public Schools officials said Thursday they could not give the school special treatment. The Fulton school board denied the charter school's renewal application Tuesday because it did not meet district mandates for a three-year term allowing for more oversight of how public funds are spent. Fulton Science had initially asked for a 10-year contract.

Samantha Evans, Fulton School's spokeswoman said the district received an amended application meeting their demands for a three-year term Thursday, but it was too late. "This vote is a legally binding action," she said.

Members of the Fulton County legislative delegation - which includes Speaker Pro-Tem Jan Jones, a charter school advocate - also signed a letter of appeal asking the school board to reconsider the amended application. In November, Fulton Science, an Alpharetta school of more than 500, was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a national Blue Ribbon School of Excellence for its standardized test achievement.

"We were very disappointed to learn that the Fulton Science Academy was denied a charter renewal," the letter stated. "The ramifications of closing this school have far reaching negative effects for all of Georgia. The fallout and negative press will hurt us economically and academically. This news will go nationwide very quickly and add to the list of educational black marks similar to the City of Atlanta and Clayton County schools ... We received numerous telephone calls today from parents and in some cases we could hear their children crying over losing their school."

The letter also stated that the denial could cause the "demise" of Fulton Sunshine Academy and Fulton Science Academy high school, which are financially linked to the school. The schools share a mutual obligation to pay back $18 million in revenue bonds for a new joint 44 acre campus.

Nevertheless, a statement from Fulton Superintendent Robert Avossa and the board stated:  "Fulton County Schools cannot set a precedent that would treat any charter school differently from another."

Evans said Fulton Science's latest contract will be reviewed in March with other hopefuls seeking a charter school contract, including two campuses formerly approved by the defunct Georgia Charter Schools Commission, which was disbanded by a state Supreme Court ruling.

"It would be a new application ... that would be for the 2013-14 school year," Evans said of Fulton Science.

In order to remain open for the 2012-13 school year, Fulton Science would have to apply to the state for a new charter. If it is  approved, it would lose its local funding, about half of its allocations. The school receives $3.9 million.