Community Still Learning About Proposed Bibb Charter School

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – About 50 interested citizens filled the sanctuary at Northway Church Tuesday night to learn more about a proposed charter school that plans to place its focus on reading.

“What works well is a well-structured, well-run school that has discipline in place where kids want to be,” says one of the school’s founders, Laura Perkins, who also happens to be Westside High School’s former principal.  “Once you put all those things into play, you’ve got a great school.”

Questions centered around the school’s selection process, which happens to be by lottery.

People also wanted to know about clubs and athletics, and whether or not a diploma from the Academy for Classical Education will match up with a diploma from any other public school.

“Obviously, you can tell it’s in the very beginning,” says interested citizen, Scott Dennard.  “There’s a lot of information that needs to still be put out there, but I believe that Mrs. Laura Perkins and Mrs. Esterine Stokes will be able to put together a great school system with a great curriculum and at least give our students in Bibb County a chance to succeed.”

The school won’t open until August 2014, but parents are already behind the efforts of former Bibb educators Perkins and Stokes.

Perkins received applause while speaking Tuesday night.

“People are looking for answers,” says Perkins.  “I’m a parent; I’ve got two grown boys.  I want my children in a safe, rigorous setting.  That’s what all parents want.  They want the best for their children.  If they’re applauding, that’s because we’re speaking the same language they speak.  That’s it in a nutshell.”

If you weren’t able to make it to Tuesday’s forum, they’re planning on holding another one on April 23.  That one will be at Harvest Cathedral in Macon  and will start at 7 p.m.

If you can’t make it and need more info, visit their website here or read 41NBC’s Ashley Minelli’s feature on the school here.