DeKalb school board urges residents to reject state takeover

Gov. Nathan Deal’s proposal for a state takeover of failing schools won’t improve them more than local districts’ efforts, DeKalb County school board members said before approving a statement urging county residents to reject Deal’s plan Monday.

With the move, DeKalb County, which has more failing schools than any other school district, is adding itself to the political battle over state versus local control. Money is being spent on television ads. And state groups are voicing support for both sides of the argument ahead of the November election, where voters will be asked to approve a constitutional amendment that would give Georgia authority to pluck local schools out of districts and put them in a statewide district run by appointees.

Deal has spent political capital pushing the amendment, saying local schools have had decades, in some cases, to try to give children what they deserve, a good school and way out of poverty. They’ve had a chance. It’s time for action, he has said.

http://www.myajc.com/news/news/local-education/dekalb-school-board-urges-residents-to-reject-stat/nsbYn/