Norcross, Statesboro charter schools cleared to get matching funds

“We ... have no objection,” said Linda Zechmann, chairwoman of the state’s charter schools committee at Wednesday’s work session. State school board members were also in agreement.

The new commission charter schools, however, still have not received their local share for students even though the school year has begun. The Georgia Charter Schools Commission approved the schools in June.

Calculations on how much money Ivy Prep and CCAT will be able to draw from state allocations given to local school districts that denied their original charter petitions are still being decided.

“These folks need their money,” said school board member Brian Burdette to members of the charter schools committee. “It is incumbent upon us to do everything we can to help. We are holding up their money.”

As a result, the schools have received the same allotments they did last year even though they have experienced growth.

State officials said Ivy Prep and CCAT first had to provide affidavits showing their enrollments and proof of residency for each student.

Some superintendents in districts that could be impacted by the re-allocation of funds have threatened legal action to block it.

“Once the local shares are determined and the home [school districts’ allocations] are reduced by those amounts ... when someone pulls that trigger, that is probably when the lawsuit will happen,” Zechmann said.

Meanwhile Ivy Prep officials said the school is doing everything it can to stay afloat. The school, which has doubled in size, has 310 students and receives $3,500 per pupil. It is eligible for $8,000 per student.

“We are doing everything we can to get the staff paid and meet our obligations,” said J. Neil Shorthouse, the Ivy Prep’s financial officer. “With little funding, it has been difficult.”