Last Thursday, the Georgia House approved House Bill 787 with a 111-54 vote. The proposed law increases funding equity for charter schools by increasing the state subsidy for Commission approved charters and by mandating “Forward Funding.” The “Forward Funding” provision will help 
address waiting lists and more parental demand with additional charter openings funded in advance of the growth.
The bill must now be approved by the Georgia Senate before being presented to the Governor for his approval. GCSA and its member schools are extremely indebted to members of the Brighter Georgia Education Coalition—American Federation of Children, Georgia CAN, and ExcelinED—for fostering passage of HB 787 through the House. Lobbyists representing the Coalition, GCSA, and member schools were also of vital importance.
The phone calls, emails and testimonies shared by parents, teachers and students with legislators also made a tremendous difference! We look for the Lt. Governor to play a huge role in moving this legislation through the Senate following his public pledge to work with GCSA to assist Georgia charters with funding equity and facilities.
(GCSA Vice President of Advocacy and Policy, Andrea Arroyo, is pictured above at the far right with International Charter School of Atlanta parents and students who advocated at the Georgia Capitol in support of HB 787)
