Andy Young, Hank Aaron say no to Opportunity School District

Georgia’s proposed Opportunity School District got new opposition Tuesday as both former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young and baseball great Hank Aaron held a news conference to urge people to vote against Amendment 1.

The constitutional amendment on the Nov. 8 ballot would allow the governor to establish a new statewide school district with authority to take over schools deemed to be “chronically failing.”

African-American voters widely supported a constitutional amendment four years ago to authorize the state to establish charter schools. Backers of this new amendment are counting on similar support, and opposition from black icons like Young and Aaron could prove consequential.

The Opportunity district, if approved, would empower the state to close schools, remove the staff and run them directly or convert them to state charter schools.

You can see how your school compares to those around you in the new Ultimate Atlanta School Guide.

Here are Seven things you need to know about the proposed Opportunity School District.

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