For Immediate Release
August 6, 2019
ATLANTA – Charter schools are tuition-free, independently-operated public schools that have the freedom to put students first and meet their individual needs. In exchange for autonomy and flexibility, charter schools are held to higher standards for student and operational performance.
In Georgia, all charter public schools operate under the sole governance of a nonprofit, volunteer board of directors that is responsible for making decisions about school leadership, fiduciary matters and the use of contracted vendors and service providers.
During the past year, the governing board of Georgia Cyber Academy (GCA) determined the school needed to shift direction in terms of curriculum, programming, and oversight in order to improve student achievement outcomes and strengthen fiscal responsibility. As a part of this shift, GCA chose to sever its working relationship with K12 Inc., a national online educational vendor.
We support the right and responsibility of charter school governing boards to make changes regarding vendors and service providers. We support GCA’s right to sever its contract with K12, Inc. or any other contracted service provider if the board determines such changes are necessary. We support the right and responsibility of the State Charter Schools Commission to support, monitor, and enforce all matters of policy and law regarding the operation of GCA.
Most importantly, we support families seeking quality school choice options throughout the state, and—as a result—we decry any actions (or lack thereof) by K12 or other parties that attempt to impede or deny the right of the GCA charter school board to perform its duties or do what it considers to be in the best interests of students. As their contractual agreement comes to an end, we encourage K12 Inc. and GCA to do everything possible to minimize disruption for children and families and maximize student achievement and success.
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About Georgia Charter Schools Association
The Georgia Charter Schools Association is a nonprofit membership organization for Georgia’s public charter schools and petitioners. Our mission is to advocate for, foster and support autonomous, high-quality charter public schools throughout Georgia. We believe every child in Georgia should have equal access to a high-quality, transformative public education.
