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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