Stephens County BOE to Hold Public Mtgs on Charter Status
By Charlie Bauder, WNEG Radio, Toccoa
The Stephens County School Board will hold two public hearings a week from today on whether their school system should become a charter school system.
In January, the board of education voted to pursue charter system status with the state.
A charter system means a local board of education reaches a contract with the state board of education about the operation of the school system, spelling out exactly what it wants to do differently for students in exchange for a relaxation of state rules.
In return, the state spells out the student achievement goals, for which the school system will be held accountable.
Since deciding to pursue charter system status, Stephens County School Superintendent Sheri Whiten says the school system has worked with a number of different groups to prepare its charter system plan.
Two public hearings will take place Monday, September 30th during which time, the school board’s plan will be presented.
Whiten says those meetings will give people a chance to learn more about the charter system application and ask any questions they may have.
The two public hearings will be at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. next Monday at the Stephens County School System Administrative Offices on Mize road.
More information is also available online at www.stephenscountyschools.com.