Fricks Asks Franklin BOE for Use of Royston Elementary School for Charter School

Efforts to bring a charter elementary school to Royston continue.

Spearheaded by Wesley Fricks, a group of Royston citizens are working to keep an elementary school in the city once the new South Franklin Elementary School is completed next year.

At Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting, Fricks came before the Board to ask them to consider letting a charter school use the current Royston Elementary school building once it’s vacant.

On November 2, representatives from the State Charter School Commission of Georgia spoke to a group of about 25 people in Royston about the benefits of a charter elementary school and the positive impact it can have on students and the community.

Noting the 145-year history of Royston Elementary School, Fricks said there are still many people in the town who are unhappy about the Franklin County School system moving Royston Elementary School students to the new South Franklin Elementary School currently under construction in Carnesville.

He also cited a state law that requires a school system to give charter schools the first option to use any vacant building they own for their school.

Board members thanked Fricks for his comments but did not offer any other response to Frick’s request Tuesday night and no decision was made.

The new South Hart Elementary School is expected to open in October 2024.