Opinion
Opinion

Atlanta Forward: Education

Get Schooled: Should voters approve state school takeovers?
By Maureen Downey
Aug 23, 2015

The statewide referendum on Gov. Nathan Deal’s proposed state school district is 14 months away, but the battle is heating up. We offer two views of Deal’s Opportunity School District to give you a sense of what’s at stake and the arguments on both sides of the controversial issue. And readers share their views on Deal’s proposal and on the early efforts already underway in Atlanta Public Schools to keep the state from absorbing any of its schools into the new district.

» Join the conversation

About the Author

Maureen Downey has written editorials and opinion pieces about local, state and federal education policy since the 1990s.

Follow Maureen Downey on facebookFollow Maureen Downey on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Public Service Commission candidate Peter Hubbard talks with a supporter during an election night party thrown by Georgia Conservation Voters in Southwest Atlanta on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. He won his race against incumbent Fitz Johnson.  Ben Gray for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Credit: Ben Gray for the Atlanta Journal

OPINION

Democrats are hungry, Republicans complacent and all politics is national

Republicans have won statewide elections in Georgia for decades, but their streak ended because Democrats were motivated and GOP infighting has been a distraction.

OPINION

The rise and fall of the Kamala Harris campaign began in Atlanta

Former Vice President Kamala Harris wrote "107 Days" to reflect on her brief 2024 presidential campaign, but she reveals some hard truths that sabotaged her historic run.

OPINION

Readers write

San Francisco models how to respond to ICE, plus Democrats have anger management problem and Sen. Warnock disregards truth about tariffs, our readers write.

The Latest

ajc.com

Credit: Mike Luckovich

OPINION

Mike Luckovich: Insincere sisters

1h ago
OPINION

Mike Luckovich: Does she fit the profile?

OPINION

Democrats are hungry, Republicans complacent and all politics is national

Featured

Travelers walk around the baggage claim in the South Terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025. Atlanta is among the airports where the FAA will reduce flights due to the shutdown, and airports are facing a shortage of air traffic controllers. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Atlanta among airports where FAA will cut flights due to shutdown

The U.S. Department of Transportation will cut flights by 10% across 40 of the nation’s busiest airports on Friday to alleviate pressure on air traffic controllers.

2h ago

Metro Atlanta’s water smells, tastes weird again. Blame fall and Lake Lanier.

It’s safe to drink, but a seasonal change in Lake Lanier each fall means most of the metro’s water tastes like dirt and mold.

15 family-friendly things to do in metro Atlanta this weekend

Our list of 15 family-friendly doings in metro Atlanta for Oct. 31-Nov. 2 includes several festivals, a chili cookoff, a circus and so much more.