Dublin City Board of Education hears concerns about proposed new public charter school

Concerned residents urged the Dublin City Board of Education to vote against an application for a proposed new public charter school that, though independent, would operate under the school board’s authority.

The new school would have its own board but requires an “authorizer,” which in this case would be the city school district, before the state can consider granting a charter. Should the city board reject the application, school organizers can apply directly to the state. Local, state and federal funding would follow any students who enroll.

“I do support school choice, but I do not support placing it under our charter,” said Rae Bloodworth, one of about half-dozen Dubliners to speak to the school board Monday night. “Our school system is in deficit status and serves high-needs students. Shifting enrollment will drain funding while fixed costs remain, and Title I (funding) cannot cover the gap.”

Chairwoman Amanda Smith said the board will not vote on the application until after a committee returns with a recommendation, but several members responded enthusiastically when several of public commenters’ voiced opposition.

A local group is proposing a public charter school for kindergarten through eighth grade and says it has been working the Georgia Charter Schools Association and consultants from around the state on plans for what would be the “Middle Georgia Preparatory Academy.” 

The system’s financial crisis has left many parents and students concerned that the Irish Gifted Academy could be cut or even closed, and led the move for the new school. While some residents have called for the Gifted Academy to close as a cost-savings measure, others have rallied to keep the IGA open. 

Some have raised concerns about the new charter school pulling students and resources from the city schools. The district at one point faced a projected deficit of more than $13 million, but officials now believe that job and spending cuts could lower it around $5 million when the fiscal year ends in June. 

“I want us to make the effort to keep our schools. … Every student in here should matter,” said Barbara Martin, a Dublin graduate whose granddaughter attends the city schools. “If you need a new school, do something with Hillcrest, do something with Susie Dasher.”

Another resident, Peter Lipski, said “there’s nothing good about a charter school.”

“How can we afford this?” asked Lipski, turning to the overflow crowd in the board office. “You people here that don’t have the money, you’re not going there, but they will take your money though.”

However, organizers say the charter school will be free and have open enrollment.

Now that a recent special examination by the state has identified many of the “profound issues” with the district’s finances, former school board member Regina McRae urged the board to “fairly assess the needs of all children to determine what truly benefits them.” She suggested taking plans that have worked at the Irish Gifted Academy and adapt them for other schools.

“Allocate resources fairly and equally to all children on all campuses,” she said.

Peggy Fagre, who said she was a newcomer to Dublin, cited page numbers from the report from the special state examination as including what she believes is “fraud.”

“I don’t see how that can be incompetence,” Fagre said. “I see deliberate choices, made on purpose, and they should have consequences.”

Board member Jeff Davis pointed out during board member comments that a criminal investigation is ongoing.

“You know, consequences, we hear that a lot in the community, and  all I tell people is the district attorney’s aware, the sheriffs aware, the GBI is investigating and we have a great district attorney,” Davis said. “If you want to know more about where that is, you know as much as we do at this point, but I don’t know what more we can do as a board other than continue to support law enforcement and anybody who’s investigating that situation.”

Fagre also complained that her tax bill noted the school board had opted out of the new tax relief law, House Bill 581. Davis and board member John Bell explained that most boards of education across the state had opted out, calling it a “bad law,” and that the board had adopted a better homestead exemption for senior citizens, through state legislation.

“They didn’t put that on your tax bill. At age 80 you’re completely exempt from school taxes,” said Davis.

“It might hurt us, but it will help you,” Bell said.