DeKalb could soon unseat Fulton County as the largest charter school district in the state.
To become a charter district, a school system pledges to increase student performance in return for freedom from mandates such as state rules on pay scales, teacher certification and in-seat time for students.
The DeKalb County School District will hold two hearings on Oct. 5 to listen to parents, teachers and students before the board submits an application to the state to be declared a charter district. Several other meetings already have taken place.
The public hearings will be held at 1:30 and 5 p.m. in the J. David Williamson Board Room at the DeKalb County Schools headquarters in Stone Mountain.
The state board of education could vote that same day to approve the district’s application for charter status. All districts across the state had to submit letters of intent with regards to their governance by June 30. Options for the school districts include charter, a Strategic Waivers program and Status Quo, or no change. DeKalb’s board has until the end of October to vote on its application.
“From the suggestions, charter district arose as the best option,” Trenton Arnold said Friday. “But what should it look like? We’ve tried to listen to the community and glean what the application would look like.”
One thing that would change, he said, is the role parents play in their child’s education. Becoming a charter district allow more local governance in the schools, beefing up the importance of parental engagement.
“It’s a key factor for the success of any school,” Arnold said.
Melvin Johnson, chair of the DeKalb County Board of Education, said he’s hoping the district is receiving all the information it needs through public hearings on the matters.
“I just hope that and have asked the superintendent to make sure we thoroughly review all the options we have so we can make the appropriate decision,” he said. “It’s nothing to say we have to do charter or flexibility. We need to make sure we assess our total situation so we can make a wise decision.”
Once the local board of education approves the application, it is sent to the Georgia Department of Education, which would make any needed revisions and adjustments to the plan. Once it’s approved there, it goes before the state Board of Education for final approval.
“It’s a lengthy process,” Arnold said, “but it’s just to make sure it’s right and meets requirements of the (department of education) and make sure the local board is the best way to serve our charter.”
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