If ever there is an issue illuminating the need for more independent charter schools and the right of citizens to self-determination in forming their own city school districts – this is it!
Urgent Action Request
Pursuant to state law (O.C.G.A. § 20-3-519) accreditation by SACS (AdvancEd) or The Georgia Accrediting Commission (GAC) satisfies the HOPE scholarship eligibility requirements. Many DeKalb high school communities are asking the Superintendent for permission allowing their school to pursue GAC accreditation with the provision that the school community will pay for it. So, the budget impact to DeKalb is zero dollars.
Unfortunately, to date after several requests and meetings, the Superintendent has not agreed to allow high schools and their communities to move forward on this matter. Sadly, the Board of Education has remained silent as well. Surely our school system and board members can permit the pursuit of GAC accreditation by any school that wants to seek it and is willing to pay the cost.
Dual accreditation is not uncommon. Columbia County has district accreditation from AdvancEd/SAC and each of their schools is also accredited through the GAC. Henry County High School is accredited by both Advanc-ED/SACS and GAC. Ditto for Lanier County High School, North Clayton High School and more.
If you agree with me that the Superintendent and School Board should allow schools to pursue GAC accreditation, please write an email telling them you support this. We don’t have much time to make this a reality so please send your email as soon as possible. I’ve listed the board’s emails below. Feel free to copy me. I’ll place this email as a blog on my website so drop me a comment to show your support as well. (Click here to go to this blog post.)
–Nancy Jester
melvin_johnson@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us; jim_mcmahan@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us; john_coleman@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us; marshall_orson@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us; michael_a_erwin@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us; david_campbell@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us; joyce_a_morley@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us; karen_carter@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us; thaddeus_mayfield@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us; michael_l_thurmond@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us
