New legislation targets “unacceptable” public schools

New legislation proposes a state takeover of struggling Georgia schools, in a reaction to the constitutional amendment for “chronically failing” schools that was rejected by voters in November.

House Bill 338, introduced Friday, had been anticipated since last year, when Gov. Nathan Deal vowed to push a "plan B" after his proposed Opportunity School District failed at the polls.

Like that measure, HB 338 would create a new position for a state official to oversee schools with low ratings on various state measures, but in this case the official would not answer directly to the governor. The chief turnaround officer would instead report to the state board of education, whose members are appointed by the governor.