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Rep. Karla Drenner Comments on Charter School Amendment

ATLANTA – State Representative Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates) issued the following statement today regarding her vote on House Resolution 1162, a proposed amendment to the state constitution that would clarify the constitutional meaning of “special schools” by expressly stating that the term “special schools” includes charter schools and that the term “special schools” only refers to public schools:

“Given the success of the several charter schools located in my district and the feedback I’ve received from concerned parents who support charter schools, I chose to vote in favor of HR 1162.

“I first and foremost I support public schools and public school teachers, which is why I support amending our state constitution so that it is absolutely clear and indisputable that charter schools are in fact public schools.

“The resolution would allow voters in my district to voice their opinion at the ballot box in November as to whether or not the state should be able to authorize and fund high quality charter schools. I believe this to be a positive step toward improving public education in our state.”

Representative Karla Drenner represents the citizens of District 86, which includes portions of DeKalb County. She was elected into the House of Representatives in 2000, and currently serves on the Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications, Health & Human Services, Natural Resources & Environment, and Rules committees. She also serves on the Special Committee on Small Business Development and Job Creation.

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House Passes Rep. Doug Collins’ Legislation to Consolidate Government Agencies

ATLANTA – The Georgia House of Representatives today passed State Representative Doug Collins’ (R-Gainesville) legislation to abolish two state agencies and save taxpayers an estimated $1 million to $2.6 million. The legislation, House Bill 642, passed by a vote of 134 to 27, showing broad bipartisan support for the measure.

“Since I took office, one of my main goals has been to cut the size of government with common sense solutions in order to make government more cost-effective,” said Rep. Collins. “HB 642 consolidates two state agencies so that taxpayers’ dollars are saved and unnecessary bureaucracy is trimmed.”

HB 642 would abolish the State Properties Commission and the State Personnel Administration, transferring the agencies’ functions to the Georgia Services Administration. The Georgia Services Administration would be a newly formed agency that succeeds the Department of Administrative Services. The Georgia Aviation Authority, the State Accounting Office, the Office of Treasury and Fiscal Services, the Georgia Building Authority, the Office of State Administrative Hearings, and the Georgia Technology Authority would receive administrative assignment to the Georgia Services Administration.

Representative Doug Collins represents the citizens of District 27, which includes portions of Hall, Lumpkin, and White counties. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2006, and is currently one of the Governor’s Administrative Floor Leaders. Rep. Collins serves on the Defense and Veterans Affairs Committee, the Appropriations Committee, Health & Human Services, Judiciary Non- Civil and Public Safety & Homeland Security committees.

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Clergy Attempts to Bring Parties Together in Support of Charter School Amendment: Urges Legislators to Put Kids First

ATLANTA – State Representatives Alisha Morgan (D-Austell), Margaret Kaiser (D-Atlanta) and Rahn Mayo (D-Decatur) will meet today with metro Atlanta clergy and the Brighter Georgia Education Coalition in supporting HR 1162, a constitutional amendment to help charter schools in Georgia. The group of clergy hopes to bring political parties together on the issue of education at a time when political differences threaten to dominate the discussion.

“When it comes to educating our kids, one size does not fit all. That’s why we need as many high-quality educational options as possible for our children,” said Bishop Brian Hodges from Gathering of Champions Church. “We say we want parental involvement, so we must put politics aside and give parents options in the public school system.”

“And yet, if local boards had exclusive control, as the Supreme Court has ruled, we’d be without such high quality options as Ivy Preparatory Academy and Fulton Science Academy,” said Tony Roberts, president of the Georgia Charter Schools Association, which is a member of the Brighter Georgia Education Coalition. “Which is why we need an appeals process for these schools that are too often wrongly denied at the local level. And why we need this amendment.”

“This is not a Republican issue or a Democrat issue. It’s not about black or white. It’s about coming together to close the achievement gap and give every child in Georgia an opportunity to learn. Until every child has a chance, every option is on the table,” said Pastor Wilbur Purvis of Destiny World Church.

For more information, visit brightergeorgia.org.

Since 2003, Alisha Thomas Morgan has represented Georgia’s 39th House District, serving Cobb County. She is the first African-American to serve in the Georgia House of Representatives from Cobb County and currently serves on the Children & Youth, Education, Governmental Affairs, and Health & Human Services committees. Rep. Morgan may be reached at 404-656-0109 or by e-mail at Alisha.Morgan@house.ga.gov.

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Guest Editorial: Constitutional Amendment Gives Parents Education Control

Most people agree local school boards play a critical role in Georgia public education. Most people also agree, however, that local school boards should not have exclusive control over public education.

Businesses considering relocating to Georgia place a top priority on an overall educated workforce. Clearly, we have a state education brand to foster and protect in attracting jobs.

Our ability to do so was jeopardized in a controversial 4-3 Georgia Supreme Court decision last May striking down a 2008 state law.

The problem with the state supreme court’s decision is that it explicitly stated that school boards have exclusive control over general K-12 public education. The decision calls into question whether state government has any meaningful role, except, perhaps, for putting a check in the mail.

The broad court decision deviated sharply from the state’s historically significant role in public education, including funding half its costs, establishing graduation standards and providing a teacher pay scale.

Thanks primarily to these state policies, when adjusted for cost of living, Georgia ranks first nationally in teacher salary and benefits.

With that in mind, House Resolution 1162 would re-assert the state’s partnership role in public education through a constitutional amendment. The legislation says, “the General Assembly may…provide for the establishment of education policies for such public education.”

HR 1162 would clarify the Constitution in the way most people thought existed prior to the Court’s action.

The headline-grabbing issue, though, is that the Court decision also invalidated the state’s general ability to authorize public charter schools, a practice exercised prudently for over 10 years. Since 2008, only 12 state charter schools opened.

The legislation would allow existing charter schools approved and fully funded by the state to continue teaching students.

The state could also approve additional charter schools as do other states. Georgia would have another tool to give students learning opportunities, which sometimes cannot be offered within attendance lines.

For example, a technical college covering several counties, as is typically the case in rural Georgia, could partner with a charter school to offer vocational certification while students are still in high school.

Charter schools, in some instances, could place added focus on science and math, vocational or International Baccalaureate certification, or the arts. They could even offer a longer day and extra tutoring.

Parents, though, would choose whether their children attend optional public charter schools. If HR 1162 passes, the voters of the state can decide to put “local control” where it counts the most – with parents.

History has shown that charter schools are better performing and more apt to grow if school districts are not the sole authorizer allowed by law.

To find a middle ground, the Education Committee omitted from the resolution a narrow reference to charter school funding as lobbyists for school boards and superintendents requested. This allows the legislature to reconsider a better method to fund charter schools.

HR 1162 recognizes public education policy has been and should be a shared effort by the state and school boards to deliver the best educational opportunities to students.

Speaker Pro-Tempore Jan Jones represents the citizens of District 46. She was elected into the House of Representatives in 2003, and currently serves on the Appropriations, Education, Ethics, and Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment committees. Speaker Pro-Temp Jones also serves as a member of the Special Joint Committee on Georgia Revenue Structure and as an ex-officio member on the Rules Committee.

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Rep. Ramsey Introduces Legislation to Increase Safety of Diabetic Students

ATLANTA – State Representative Matt Ramsey (R-Peachtree City) announced today the introduction of House Bill 879, legislation that would ensure schools are prepared to care for students with diabetes.

“This measure will ensure that every diabetic child in Georgia has the opportunity to strive for excellence in a safe, healthy, and supportive school environment,” said Rep. Ramsey. “My child was diagnosed last year with Type 1 Diabetes, and I have learned first-hand the hourly challenges a child with diabetes faces in managing their disease in a school setting. Our family has seen the tremendous benefit of having a school nurse, teachers, and school administrators willing to seek the training and information necessary to provide a safe school environment for our diabetic child. HB 879 will ensure that every child receives that same benefit.”

HB 879 would require each school system to have a minimum of two personnel trained in the administration of diabetes treatment. The Department of Education and the Department of Public Health, in conjunction with the Georgia Board of Nursing and the Georgia Composite Medical Board, would develop guidelines for the designated personnel who care for students with diabetes. The training guidelines would include recognizing and treating hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, understanding the appropriate actions to take when blood glucose levels are out of the target ranges, and understanding physician instructions. Trained personnel would also be required to administer tests to check blood glucose levels and recognize situations that require emergency assistance.

Additionally, HB 879 allows students with diabetes to check and regulate their own blood glucose levels with permission from a parent or guardian. This would include checking blood glucose levels, administering insulin and treating hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.

Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases in children and adolescents. Approximately 151,000 people below the age of 20 years have diabetes, and more than 13,000 children every year are newly diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.

HB 879 is co-sponsored by Health and Human Services Committee Chairman Sharon Cooper (R-Marietta), House Education Committee Chairman Brooks Coleman (R-Duluth), and Representative Ben Watson (R-Savannah), a family physician.

For more information on HB 879, please click here.

Representative Matt Ramsey represents the citizens of District 72, which includes portions of Fayette County. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2007, and was elected by the House Majority Caucus to serve as their Caucus Vice-Chairman in 2010. He also serves on the Appropriations, Congressional and Legislative Reapportionment, Judiciary Non-Civil, and Regulated Industries committees.

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