Let me begin by sharing that my background in the military taught me to analyze issues with facts, not emotions. After 20 years in the military, I believe I have gotten this down pretty well. So I will share with you the facts as I see them.
First, John Barge, the Republican state school superintendent, has presented the best set of facts for you to consider. His press release of his opposition to the amendment and the supporting facts are public documents and available for you to read. (See Mr. Barge’s press release on the Georgia Department of Education website, dated Aug. 14, 2012.) I believe the best reason for most to accept Mr. Barge’s facts are two-fold: one, neither Gov. Deal nor the proponents for the amendment dispute Mr. Barge’s facts. They criticize him for flip-flopping on the issue, but PolitiFact did some homework and determined Mr. Barge did not flip-flop on the issue. So look at Mr. Barge’s facts, not his conclusion, and make up your own mind.
Others who are involved with this debate are expressing opinions. Herb Garrett, an opponent of the amendment, says the amendment, if passed, would create a dual public school system. No one is arguing with this. He goes on to suggest that the commission charter schools would be funded at a rate almost twice what traditional schools receive.
The governor’s office says, “Not so fast.” They say local schools get local tax dollars to combine with state money to run schools and that commission charter schools should be treated the same. In fact, a new state law that was approved last spring allows state-approved charter schools to receive funding that is about 85 percent of what traditional schools receive. Who is right?
My view is that both sides are being truthful. Commission charter schools will receive about twice as much state funding than local schools; but commission charter schools don’t receive any local dollars. So when total funding is considered, the 85 percent number is reasonable. The real question is, with all things being equal, should the state provide more funding to one type of school than another? You decide.
For me, four things are clear. One, I learned a long time ago to keep it simple. In this situation, we should have one public school system, not two. Two, money does not grow on trees. The state is under-funding the current public school system, and I don’t see how it can fund two. Three, I know about unintended consequences. I don’t believe anyone knows what the results will be if a new system of public schools is created. And four, this amendment is not about charter schools. We have charter schools now, and regardless of the vote, we will have more after Nov. 6. This is about local control versus state control.
Bottom line, I am voting no on Nov. 6. I hope you do, too.
CURTIS JONES, ED.D.
Superintendent
Griffin-Spalding County Schools
ignitelearning.com has a study titled The Silent Epidemic that provides a wealth of information on the problem of high school dropouts. If you have time to read this I think you will find it interesting. I know you are, and have been, concerned about the dropout problem, but I haven't seen this concern addressed publicly with much emphasis. With the new graduation rate formula being used this year (I never understood why the "leaver" formula was used because all it did was allow for systems to statistically mask reality.) perhaps the timing is good for an all out war against this problem that has plagued our schools for several generations.
You are correct in saying that there should be criteria established. I would like to think that if someone had an idea that would benefit the students , which should be our first concern, then I would hope that person or group would come to the school board with these ideas and give the challenge to the public school to take these ideas and try them. This would benefit the students, the community and the taxpayers. Let's share these ideas. Our public school system is open to ideas that will help our students. Our teachers have been trained to be open and positive about new ideas and strategies for the students. Dropouts are serious business to everyone. If a group would like to address that specific thing and they have evidence of the research that will work- why wouldn't they share it with the public system so we could help every student? Why would anyone want to open a "new" school and spend more taxpayer money? Let's pull together!