Ten questions — Ask them before you vote on Charter School Amendment
by Roger Hines
November 04, 2012 12:25 AM | 1515 views | 4 4 comments | 4 4 recommendations | email to a friend | print








Eight: Are state legislators supporting the amendment in order to receive campaign contributions from for-profit charter school management companies? Not the legislators I know, and that’s a bunch. Probably the most eloquent General Assembly supporter of the amendment is state Representative Ed Setzler of Acworth. If anybody thinks Ed Setzler can be bought, they have never met him.






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Senior Voter
November 05, 2012
raharkne, Georgia leaders aren't letting you decide.. They are letting the lobbyist and big donors decide. If they were truly leaving it up to the communities then this amendment wouldn't be on the ballot. This bill is only a power grab created by the most unethical legislature in the nation to reward corporate donors to their campaigns. IT is a shame that so many people blindly follow their "leaders."
November 05, 2012
These are reasons why I voted yes. Charter schools may not be the best choice for every child, but as a parent, I value added choices. Thanks to the Georgia leaders for letting us decide.
Vote No on One
November 04, 2012
This is the most asinine list of reasons I’ve ever seen given to vote for something in my life. First, CHARTER SCHOOLS ALREADY HAVE TWO METHODS OF BEING APPROVED IN THIS STATE. We don’t need another one. But, point by point, briefly, here we go: 1) I’ve never seen metal detectors in any public school I’ve been in. As we have tragically seen, all it takes is one disturbed student to create a tragedy. 2) That’s because charters simply turn down applicants when they are full. Public schools don’t do that. Let’s fully fund public schools according to QBE and see what happens. 3) Not yet. See point 1. 4) Public schools are all about academics as well. Go visit and see. 5) Public schools can encourage, but not mandate, uniforms. That’s the law. But they do have a dress code. Public schools require guys to cover their undergarments too. 6) Maybe the kids plant some trees on Earth Day as part of a science unit, but at the charters they are loading them on buses and dragging them to the gold dome to be pawns in the political frenzy. I’d rather my child plant the tree. 7) Parents AREN’T footing the bill. It costs approximately $9000 a year to educate a child in Georgia. . When was the last time you paid $9000 in taxes to the state? Probably never. And if you have more than one child? It’s NOT “your” money. 8) Uh, yeah they are. Follow the money. 9) See yesterday’s story on Deal’s friend getting a cozy job for $150 K. Do we really need more of this? No, thank you. 10) Have you forgotten that HB 797 is tied to this ridiculous amendment? It will fund charters at 2.5 times the rate of the public schools. That has been CONFIRMED. And this commission that will be created if 1 passes will earn a cozy 3% commission for each charter opened. Conflict of interest, anyone? Vote NO on amendment 1!
Cherokee Home Owner
November 04, 2012
Let me tell you 10 things Mr. Hines you should consider before voting:

1. Why is another unelected, costly commission needed to do a job that is ALREADY being done?

2. Do you honestly trust Gov. Deal to appoint qualified people to this board or will he continue try and reward his friends like he has been doing?

3. What happens to the existing school districts when this onslaught of For-profit charter schools descend on Georgia? Where is the money going to come from?

4. When is the last time you have set foot in a traditional public school and saw some of the great achievements coming out of them?

5. How many charter schools have failed in Ohio or Florida? Where did those kids go after their school abruptly closed due to mismanagement of funds?

6. Are there charter schools who are beating the traditional public schools scores?

7. Why is another commission needed if we already have over 200 Charter Schools in Georgia? Isn’t there a system already set in place or isn’t that quick enough for the Charter Lobby?

8. Why are the For-profit charters schools now focusing on mostly high performing school districts?

9. Why should Charter Schools get 2.5 times the funding as traditional students?

10. And finally, what have you done Mr. Hines to help the traditional public schools against the assault of an unethical legislature which has cut the budgets of traditional public schools while enjoying lining their pockets with the money from the Charter Lobbyists.

Mr. Hines I am disappointed in you trying to use fear to promote your cause. That is beneath the majority of Georgia citizens and you know it. Any logical thinking person would just have to shake their head in disbelief at your editorial.
