Fulton County school board members discussed ways to improve the system’s charter school petition process in the wake of high-profile controversies involving some metro Atlanta schools.
Board members said at a meeting Thursday that when a proposed charter comes before the district hoping to establish a new school it’s important to look at how the school plans to govern itself. How the charter manages its finances is also key, as well as the charter group’s reputation and past record of success or failure.
Fulton school board members did not take any action on the subject. New Fulton Superintendent Jeff Rose, who started the job leading the district June 1, asked for the input from board members.
Nearly two years ago, Fulton school board members denied the renewal of charters for a high school and elementary school in the district, citing weaknesses with governance and problematic finances.
In a separate case involving two other charter schools in Fulton County, some $100,000 in schools funds was reported missing. Those schools remain open.
“We don’t want to repeat past mistakes,” said Fulton school board president Linda McCain at the meeting.
State legislation in recent years has pushed for more charter schools throughout Georgia and alternatives to the traditional public school model, but state educators and others say they have not seen enough high-qualified groups applying for charter schools to fill the demand.
Fulton is among the school districts which has tried to create charter schools and other so-called school choice models. The fourth-largest school system in Georgia, Fulton has approximately 96,200 students and 101 schools. Of those, there are at least eight charter organizations – some charters have multiple campuses but are considered one school, according to Fulton schools.
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