Archive for the ‘Cherokee’ Category

In response to a call for greater school choice in his county, Cherokee Superintendent Frank R. Petruzielo has proposed an ambitious academies model that would offer specialized programs in science, technology, fine arts and performance arts, as well as a rigorous IB academy.

These desirable new programs would be county-wide and require students to meet admissions criteria.

Here is a memo Petruzielo sent on the academy programs, which I think parents in Cherokee will find very appealing.  In the case of the science, technology, engineering and math academy, Cherokee could tap its Race to the Top funds, which have the expansion of STEM programs as a stated goal.

In response to Board Member Mike Chapman’s request at the August 18 School Board meeting that staff develop a conceptual framework and ideas for increased school choice within the School District, I am proposing for the Board’s consideration establishment of a Cherokee Academies initiative – – a system of specialized …

Continue reading Cherokee to consider ambitious expansion of choice programs in its public schools »

The 16 commission charter schools are scrambling to win local approval now that the state high court has ruled against them. (AJC photo)

Despite initial pessimism from some charter school advocates, both the Cherokee and Gwinnett boards of education appear open to two  charter schools whose futures were jeopardized by a recent Georgia Supreme Court decision.

The high court ruled that a state commission created by the Legislature in 2008 could not approve charter schools over the objections of the local boards. The commission had approved 16 such schools, most of which now must be legitimatized by their local boards to continue to operate. (There are also statewide virtual schools in the mix, and their fate remains unclear.)

The charter schools and the state are asking the state Supreme Court to reconsider its 4-3 vote, but legal experts say that is unlikely. In any case, the affected charters are not taking any chances and are pleading their cases to their local boards.

In the …

Continue reading Gwinnett willing to work with Ivy Prep to keep charter school alive. Lawmakers meet Friday. »

As metro areas grow, school lines shift. Several districts are in the midst of redistricting, and the process is rife with emotions, recriminations and strife.

Many homeowners contend that they bought their homes because of the local schools and rebel when they’re told five years later that their fifth grader will now be leaving friends and the familiar to journey to a new school.

My mailbox is full of e-mails from parents across metro Atlanta telling me about proposed redistrictings that they feel send their children to either a less successful school or a school where the kids won’t know anyone. Some of the parents have maps to show how their small area is being carved out to attend a new school while everyone around them is staying put.

They often report that the school board members carefully drew the maps so their own kids or grandkids or constituents have the least turmoil. (Such accusations are common in DeKalb where most changes are perceived to have a political …

Continue reading Should family income play a role in redistricting? What should matter? »