On Monday, February 4, 2013, GCSA and members of the Amendment One Coalition were invited to the Governor’s Mansion for a reception celebrating the passage of the charter school amendment. Governor Deal thanked all the members of the Coalition for their hard work and persistence.The Governor said he hoped it would stimulate the creation of more high performing charter schools in rural parts of the state with high need.
GCSA President and CEO Tony Roberts presented a framed edition of the “Victory” poster to Governor and Mrs. Deal. “Critics who claimed the measure could never pass were many and very vocal,” Roberts said. “How, then, did we win? We won because of the strong, patient, and relentless leadership of the best friend our children have in Georgia — our Governor Nathan Deal.” Roberts went on to thank several key legislators in attendance including House Speaker Pro Temp Jan Jones, Representatives Rahn Mayo, Mike Dudgeon, Margaret Kaiser, Buzz Brockway, House Education Chairman Brooks Coleman, and Senator Fran Millar.
“With this vote, the people of Georgia roared that they are not happy with the status quo in public K-12 Education,” Roberts continued. “It is now our promise to them as public officials, advocates, philanthropists and educators to deliver real change, to expand the availability of high quality charter schools, and to leaven the existing public schools with the things that make for success in public charter schools.”
