Gov. Nathan Deal on Thursday praised a Riverdale charter school for its perseverance, telling a packed auditorium at the start-up academy that the school’s years-long battle for approval and recent delays in starting classes will only make it stronger.
Utopian Academy for the Arts opened Aug. 14 after a 10-day delay, welcoming 200 sixth and seventh graders. The start of the school year was unexpectedly postponed because the city required the academy to have a license to operate. It didn't have a license because disputes involving the school's lease held up a prerequisite inspection.
“I’m proud of everything this school represents. You’re trailblazers. You’re pioneers,” Deal, a key advocate for charter schools, told a packed audience in the auditorium. Deal noted that the Riverdale middle school was the only charter school out of 16 applications statewide to be approved in the past year.
“I’m going to be watching you,” he said.
The governor said he had been following Utopian’s battle for several years as it tried in vain to get its charter school application approved by the Clayton school district. It finally won state approval last fall. He also he also monitored the school’s recent travails.
“It took some hard work to get to the opening of this school,” Deal told the crowd that included the county school superintendent, a county school board member, state and local politicians and the mayor of Riverdale. “Your school has been born out of a struggle and, because of that, your school will be stronger. This is your opportunity to show that this idea can work.”
He noted that 71 percent of Clayton voters are in favor of charter schools, the highest percentage of any county in the state.
“I know you’re not going to let them down.”
Sixth grader Xavier Foster said it was an honor to have the governor visit his school.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance,” the 11-year-old said.
During his time as governor, Deal passed legislation reviving the State Charter School Commission and he pushed for and got more state money for charter schools. Utopian is the third charter school Deal has visited in recent weeks. Deal, who is running for re-election, visited Utopian on his way to a forum in Macon.
“I appreciate the governor being here for this monumental occasion,” said Clayton Commission chairman Jeff Turner, who met with the governor briefly. “It’s great that Utopian finally has been able to open. It gives people another education option. The governor being here solidifies Utopian’s existence. (But) I do feel we have an excellent school system already. “
Deal was treated to a song by students, after which he invited them to sing at his inauguration, should he be re-elected. He also dropped by several classrooms before heading out.
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