Atlanta school district leaders could put some of the city's worst schools under the management of charter school groups before the state does it for them.
Just before the December vacation, Atlanta Public Schools formally announced it was seeking organizations like charter school operators, local nonprofits and companies that run charter schools to improve the performance of the schools that could fall under Gov. Nathan Deal's Opportunity School District, if voters approve the plan this fall.
If the plan is approved, the state would be able take over a limited number of Georgia's lowest performing schools and close them, run them or convert them to charter schools.
Atlanta's proposal comes even though some members of a parent advisory committee on how to turn around Atlanta schools said they didn't support bringing in charter school operators.
Atlanta schools need to improve quickly, Deputy Superintendent David Jernigan said. "If that means doing some controversial things, then that means we have to do it."
State Sen. Vincent Fort (D-Atlanta) said he was “deeply skeptical” of the Atlanta’s proposal to bring in charter groups.
“One would hope that the superintendent would have a clear view and vision of how to solve the problem instead of farming it out to an outside company or entity,” he said.
The school board is scheduled to consider hiring groups in March. Anyone hired could begin work as early as this fall.
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