DeKalb schools propose new governance model
The DeKalb County School District has released a proposed application to the state for a new form of governance.
DeKalb wants to become a “charter” system, which would allow ongoing access to waivers from Georgia mandates such as caps on class sizes or minimum number of days students must attend in a school year. Recent changes to state law would restrict waivers for districts that do not change their governance models to give schools more freedom.
DeKalb’s proposal would establish school governance councils and, in a nod to proponents of a charter school cluster near Emory University, also create cluster advisory councils. But the cluster councils would have only advisory capacity.
The petition emphasizes providing better service for low-income students and those who speak limited English, while also attracting, keeping and motivating high-quality teachers and principals. The 49-page document is posted on the school system website, www.dekalb.k12.ga.us.
About the Author
Ty Tagami is a staff writer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Since joining the newspaper in 2002, he has written about everything from hurricanes to homelessness. He has deep experience covering local government and education, and can often be found under the Gold Dome when lawmakers meet or in a school somewhere in the state.
