Georgia Schools Superintendent John Barge continues to be ripped - and praised - for announcing his opposition to the charter schools constitutional amendment on the ball this fall.

The amendment would re-create a commission empowered to approve charter schools, and it would guarantee the state's power in that area.

Barge, however, said he opposes the amendment as unnecessary and costly at a time when traditional public school districts are struggling for funding. He has been heavily criticized by fellow Republicans, just as he has been praised by others who oppose the proposed amendment.

"We are glad to see that your perception of reality is consistent with reality," said Verdaillia Turner, president of the Georgia Federation of Teachers. "We applaud you."

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Georgia Lt. Gov. Lester Maddox, angry about an article, burns a copy of The Atlanta Constitution in the state Senate on March 10, 1971, saying the paper did not have the "guts, integrity, manhood or decency" to report the situation accurately. (AJC file)

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Ja’Quon Stembridge, shown here in July at the Henry County Republican Party monthly meeting, recently stepped from his position with the Georgia GOP. (Jenni Girtman for the AJC)

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