Local Pastor and Youth Mentor Chosen for GA Charter Schools Commission

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) - A local pastor is selected to get the ball rolling on charter schools around the Peach State.

Pastor Tony Lowden, who runs the after-school program STONE Academy for at-risk kids in Macon, was recommended by the Governor to be part of the State Charter Schools commission. Friday, he was chosen along with 6 other people around the state to start implementing Amendment 1, which allows the creation of specialized schools.

Lowden says he's humbled by the opportunity to serve the Peach State-- he's the only one from Middle Georgia on the commission.
41NBC caught up with him at STONE academy Friday, where he talked about his vision for charter schools in the Middle Georgia area.

"What this will do is allow us to create special charter schools around the state, with a separate budget, and allow parents who are trapped in those poor performing schools a way out," says Lowden. "I'm excited about it because I think what I bring to the commission is a lot different than some; I'm in the trenches, I see kids every day; I grew up in a community similar to Bibb County, a community that was poor, in a poor performing school. I had an opportunity to make it. I think what I bring to the commission, is I want to see every child make it."

Lowden says he'll start work as early as next week, heading to Atlanta to meet with the commission weekly.