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State School Takeover Amendment 1 FAILS
In a heartening show of bipartisan sensibility, Georgians rejected the proposed state takeover of local schools today by voting "NO" on Amendment 1. State-run school districts have failed in other states and voters demonstrated their understanding that Gov. Nathan Deal's Opportunity School District was doomed to fail in Georgia. The OSD plan would have created another centralized government bureaucracy while disenfranchising families, educators and other members of the local community.
While the broad coalition of people who worked hard against Amendment 1 may be entitled to celebrate the defeat of the state power grab, PAGE hopes that as the confetti quickly settles, those who are serious about improving public education, particularly in high poverty schools, can work together on research-driven solutions that empower local communities. All Georgians can rally around improving struggling schools and making a difference requires the best efforts of parents, educators, boards of education, education advocates, the legislature and governor's office.
PAGE hopes that those disappointed by the defeat of Amendment 1 will acknowledge that the ballot initiative was beaten fairly at the ballot box by Georgia voters. Petty attempts to retaliate against educators, parent volunteers, local school board members or others who worked to stop the OSD would be politically divisive and a needless distraction from the pressing work of ensuring all Georgia students have access to high quality public education.
Many thanks to our team at PAGE as well as friends in other education organizations, particularly the Georgia PTA, who worked hard to defeat the amendment. And finally, thanks are due to each and every parent, educator, retired educator, local school board member, student, clergy and many more who took the time to learn about Amendment 1 and share information with others.
Dr. Allene Magill
Executive Director
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