On November 6 Georgia residents will be voting on an amendment to the Georgia Constitution that would allow for a new system of charter schools to be set up across the state.

Proponents of the amendment say that the schools are needed in areas where public schools are failing to give a quality education.  Opponents say that the amendment would allow for charter schools with no local control from elected school boards.

State Senator Jeff Mullis (R-Chickamauga) is in favor of the amendment.  He told AM 1180 earlier this year, "it's just a way for parents in areas with failing school districts to have a choice."  Mullis said that it would probably never affect Northwest Georgia.

Opponents of the measure are not so sure.  Chattooga County School Superintendent Jimmy Lenderman told AM 1180 that he is personally opposed to the bill because the state would be funding a whole new system of schools.  Lenderman said, "we have seen state funding cut for the past several years.  They are not fully funding the schools that we have now."  Lenderman also said that he is opposed because the system of charter schools would be controlled from the state level, not by the elected local school boards.

Others opposed to the measure, like State Representative Barbara Massey Reece (D-Menlo) say that the measure could have negative impacts on the future of education in Georgia.  Reece told AM 1180 that she is concerned that there would be no local control and that the schools would be administered by non-elected officials appointed at the state level.