LAST WEEK: SHOULD DEKALB HAVE A DISTRICT-WIDE CHARTER SCHOOL PROGRAM?
The DeKalb County School District earlier this month delayed submitting an application for a charter district designation, taking more time to study other options following public hearings on the potential system change.
Superintendent Steve Green recommended seeking an extension on the application deadline.
To become a charter district, a school system pledges to increase student performance in return for freedom from mandates such as state rules on pay scales, teacher certification and in-seat time for students.
All districts across the state had to submit letters of intent with regards to their governance by June 30. Options for the school districts include charter, a Strategic Waivers program and Status Quo, or no change.
However, DeKalb has about two dozen schools that could be at risk of being taken over by the state. A proposed change to the constitution would allow the state to take over “failing” schools and close them, run them or convert them to independent charter schools. The schools would be part of a new statewide district for up to a decade.
Georgia Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Chris Clark recently said the independent school system bill isn’t necessary, and spoke out in favor of the measure.
Here’s what readers had to say:
No. The money needs to go where it's needed the most. The forgotten kids of the inner city. — Charles Alver Rogers
If you have a charter school program like KIPP academy, then it does help inner city children. — Ivan Sharpe
I have been following Dekalb's charter application for quite some time. . Since it became state law, I have not heard how other counties are handling this same issue. I'd like to know more, especially about metro Atlanta counties to compare Dekalb's progress. I am glad that our new superintendent put this process on hold. DeKalb had been rushing full speed ahead and had disregarded several options long ago. I feel strongly that Status Quo deserves more review by the AJC and parents. It would mean that districts have to abide by federal and state laws. For example, if the districts had to abide by maximum class sizes, we would see our class sizes shrink. Yes, it would cost more. But I'd like to see this being talked about openly. I am thrilled that the System of Charters Option is being reconsidered. This would basically enable Druid Hills Cluster, Brookhaven, Dunwoody and others to have exactly what they want: local control, while the district gets what it wants: flexibility. I understand there are tough choices and that there is never enough money in a district's education budget. However, we have so many problems in Dekalb county right now, so we should make some educated decisions about this charter application. I'd like to see Dekalb County Schools following sound business and educational practices. — Karen Zeliff
Whatever we do, let's keep the children's welfare in mind. Let's keep politics out of it. — Tammy Smith
I'm in favor of anything that lowers my taxes and keeps kids in school learning. — Mr. Joe
— Dionne Kinch for the AJC
If you’ve ever traveled on the stretch of Ga. 20 between Interstate 575 in Canton and Ga. 400 in Cumming, you’ve probably experienced the increasingly gridlock conditions. The Georgia Department of Transportation has heard the complaints and is seeking to identify potential improvements. Ga. 20 is a major east-west thoroughfare on the northern edge of metropolitan Atlanta. Residents and the commuting public experience congestion, limited mobility, and safety issues along this heavily traveled corridor.
After earlier considering several options including building a freeway either north or south of the current road, the Georgia DOT earlier this year narrowed improvement alternatives to two: either widen the existing road or keep much of the highway as it is while building localized bypasses around several small communities and congestion points. GDOT has been collecting public feedback on the alternatives.
The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners earlier this month voted to send a letter to state officials supporting widening as the only alternative. Commissioners feared that localized bypasses would unduly impact such small communities as Buffington and Lathemtown along the route, plus go through a portion of the planned Veterans Park.
But is that the best alternative? What do you think is the best way to upgrade Ga. 20, in line with the state’s stated goals of easing jam-ups and improving safety along the route? Widen it? Build localized bypasses? Resurrect the freeway option?
Let us know what you think.
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