Charter School Board Members Still Optimistic after Peach School Board’s Decision

BYRON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Charter school board members have taken steps to continue their push to open a charter school in Peach County.

Members sent a petition to the state Board of Education four weeks before the local board’s decision to deny the petition to open the charter school.

If the state board approves the petition, that decision can override the local school board’s vote.

Peach County’s board voted 4 to 1 in a work session to deny the petition.

Members are concerned about the financial impact on the school system and believe students can get the same education within Peach County schools.

41NBC spoke with Peach Board of Education Chair, Jamie Johnson, about the board’s choice.

“I think for us to approve a charter school opening, there needs to be some uniqueness,” Johnson said. “I just don’t feel like the proposed plan has anything different from what we’re already doing.”

B.J. Walker is a member of the charter’s school board and says student’s college readiness isn’t as high as it could be and something needs to be done about it.

“We have got to at least to try to do something different and I think it all starts in the community. When you have a group coming together that cares about the kids that have ideas and they’re invested…things will change,” Walker said.

“We’re going to keep pushing, it’s something we all believe in, it’s something that needs to happen, I think you’ll see more and more of it.”

The state will make a decision in October.

Walker says he’s confident the state’s board will approve the push for the new Byron Peach Charter High School.

Charter members will continue to move forward with building renovations.

Board members have plans to include a longer school year with extended breaks, mandatory study halls, and longer school days in a push for higher academic scores.

The charter school is scheduled to open in the Fall of 2014.