Politics
Politics

Gov. Deal to visit Utopian Academy on Thursday

Utopian Academy for the Arts in Riverdale overcame a slew of challenges, including last-minute fixes, prior to its August 14 opening.

Credit: TAMMY JOYNER / TJOYNER@AJC.COM

Credit: TAMMY JOYNER / TJOYNER@AJC.COM

Utopian Academy for the Arts in Riverdale overcame a slew of challenges, including last-minute fixes, prior to its August 14 opening.
By Tammy Joyner
Aug 19, 2014

Gov. Nathan Deal will visit Utopian Academy for the Arts on Thursday at 9:30 a.m.

The Riverdale charter school opened its doors late last week after a lengthy three-year fight that climaxed in recent weeks over bureaucratic red tape. The school had tried unsuccessfully to get a charter through the Clayton school district but ended up getting approval through the state. It’s Aug. 4 opening was postponed more than a week while school officials tangled with Riverdale city officials over a series of issues that included licenses and the lease, which is held by the county school board. The school has about 200 sixth and seventh graders.

A spokeswoman for Gov. Deal declined to give details about his Thursday visit, saying his office would be issuing an advisory on Wednesday about the Utopian visit.

Come back for more details on this developing story.

About the Author

Tammy Joyner covers local government in Clayton, Fayette and Henry counties.

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