Senate passes state charter schools bill

The nuts and bolts of how Georgia could establish state-sponsored charter schools were defined under a bill passed Monday by the state Senate.

House Bill 797 would approve money for the schools from the state, and charter schools could also apply for transportation and nutrition funding.

The bill is contingent upon voters passing a change to the state constitution that would allow state-sponsored charter schools. The question will be included on the November ballot.

The GOP-controlled General Assembly has wanted the change because of a 4-3 state Supreme Court decision in May that declared the Georgia Charter Schools Commission, created by lawmakers in 2008, did not have the authority to create or fund charter schools over the objections of local school authorities.

The House approved HB 797 earlier this month. The Senate vote was 38-14. Because of tweaks made to the bill in committee, it now goes back to the House.

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Kristina Torres

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