Georgia Charter Schools Association applauds Gov. Nathan Deal for signing House Bill 430 on Thursday. Under the new law, charter schools will receive dedicated facilities funding for the first time in Georgia鈥檚 history.
HB 430 also creates new minimum standards for districts that authorize charter schools.听The provisions included in House Bill 430 were based on recommendations made by the Governor鈥檚 Education Reform Commission in 2015 and are strongly supported by the Georgia Charter Schools Association and numerous education reform organizations.
鈥淭he children in Georgia鈥檚 charter schools deserve the same level of funding and support as all other public school students,鈥� said Georgia Charter Schools Association President and CEO Tony Roberts. 鈥淭his is a significant step to realizing that goal. We want to thank Gov. Deal, HB 430 sponsor Buzz Rep. Brockway and Senate and House cosponsors for putting Georgia鈥檚 students first.鈥�
House Bill 430 will create a new $100,000 annual block grant for every public charter school to use towards their facility needs pending legislative budget inclusion. The bill also clarifies how federal title funds are distributed.听
听
“This law is a step forward in receiving the funding equity our children deserve,鈥� said Tybee Island Maritime Academy Principal Patrick Rossiter.听
听
Currently, Georgia鈥檚 public charter schools receive as much as 47 percent less funding than traditional public schools, yet they are required to meet the same standards. As originally introduced, House Bill 430 would have addressed that significant inequity.听However before the legislation gained full House approval, the main provision of the bill that would have closed the funding gap was removed.
鈥淔ull funding equity for Georgia鈥檚 public charter school students continues to be our number one priority,鈥� said Roberts.
###
About Georgia Charter Schools Association
The听Georgia听Charter听Schools Association is a nonprofit membership organization for听Georgia鈥檚 public听charter schools and petitioners. Our mission is to听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.
听
CONTACT: Michelle Wirth
Director of Communications
Georgia Charter Schools Association
mwirth@gacharters.org
404-835-8903 (Work)
