Senate committee passes charter amendment

Published 11:23 am Friday, February 24, 2012

A Senate committee has approved a constitutional amendment to allow the state to create charter schools.

The Education and Youth Committee voted 7-5 for the measure Thursday, one day after it passed the House by garnering the required two-thirds majority. If the constitutional amendment passes the full Senate, it goes on the ballot in November for voters to decide.

The legislation would clarify state law after a May ruling from the state Supreme Court outlawed the Georgia Charter Schools Commission. The court ruled the commission was illegally creating charter schools over the objection of districts.

Supporters of charter schools say the court’s decision was overreaching. Opponents say the state should not pass laws that would usurp local control over education.