The Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce has dropped its opposition to a proposed constitutional amendment that would guarantee the state’s power to approve and fund charter schools. A Sept. 5 fundraiser that was to benefit opposition efforts has been canceled.
The chamber’s decision comes five days after Gov. Nathan Deal, who backs the proposed amendment, made a pitch for it in a speech to the group.
“With respect to all parties engaged in the issue, the executive committee of the board has decided the chamber shall remain neutral on this subject,” Jim Maran, president and chief executive officer of the Gwinnett chamber, wrote to board members Tuesday.
The chamber’s decision is a blow to opposition efforts.
“We obviously are disappointed, but I fully understand their position,” said Gwinnett Schools Superintendent Alvin Wilbanks, who opposes the proposed amendment. “I just think it means that we have to work harder to get the word out — and it just shows this is a state power grab.”
Deal and other supporters believe the proposed amendment, which would lead to the re-creation of a state commission to consider charter school applications, is needed to head off any potential legal challenges to the state’s authority to approve and fund charter schools.
Opponents of the proposed amendment, including Georgia Schools Superintendent John Barge and the Georgia PTA, argue that it is an unnecessary and costly usurpation of the authority of local school boards, which have initial say on charter school applications.
The Georgia PTA’s position is at odds with its parent organization, the National PTA, which recently altered its position on charter school approvals. The national association now backs having groups other than local school boards consider charter school applications.
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