Charter school vote looms

Today's education page tackles the charter school amendment that Georgia voters will decide next week. Essentially, the ballot question will settle whether the state can approve and fund charter schools over the objections of local boards of education. Proponents contend the amendment is necessary because the state Supreme Court ruled last year that an appointed Charter Schools Commission was unconstitutional. Opponents counter that the high court abolished the appointed commission, but the state Board of Education continues to approve charter schools, so an amendment recreating the commission is unnecessary. In pro/con columns, two DeKalb County state senators take opposite positions on Amendment One. An Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll found that voters are divided on the question, as the reader comments reflect. To learn more about the amendment and charter schools, go to www.ajc.com/s/news/charter-schools.