For Immediate Release:
Aug. 19, 2016
ATLANTA, Ga. — Georgia Charter Schools Association (GCSA) supports the Georgia Board of Education’s decision to close Macon Charter Academy (MCA). Charter schools promise to be self-governing, innovative, and accountable for higher student achievement, while also managing their financial and operational affairs with the highest fiduciary standards.
GCSA believes Macon Charter Academy is an example of a charter school that was not living up to the promises made in its charter, and the Georgia Board of Education’s decision to close MCA shows the state of Georgia is doing its job as an authorizer by holding schools accountable.
The Georgia Board of Education determined the school did not meet the “material terms of its charter; it failed to meet generally acceptable standards of fiscal management; it violated applicable federal, state or local laws and court orders; and that the continued operation of MCA would be contrary to the best interests of students…” As a result, the Georgia Board of Education acted swiftly to ensure children enrolled at Macon Charter Academy did not continue to suffer in a school that has been plagued by chaos on the school’s governing board, discipline problems and financial issues.
Macon Charter Academy opened last fall but was put on probation by state officials after a site visit on Sept. 25, 2015.
Macon Charter Academy is not a current or previous member of Georgia Charter Schools Association.
Georgia Charter Schools Association is the nonprofit membership organization for Georgia’s public charter schools and petitioners. Its mission is to advance awareness of high-quality public charter schools, communicate charter school needs to state and local officials, support legislation to strengthen public charter schools in Georgia and build partnerships, collaborations and grassroots support. GCSA also provides programs and services that advance student achievement, school accountability and professional learning for charter school leaders.
