Middle Georgia Prep official discusses taxes and new school – Will it affect yours? 

Ever since the Middle Georgia Preparatory Academy was approved last week, the question on a lot of people’s minds has been if the school was going to receive local tax dollars.

The answer is no. 

MGPA board president Will Curry confirmed that the MGPA, which is scheduled to open in a year, will not use local tax dollars for the state authorized charter school. MGPA will use state funding, federal funding, grants and donations from the community.

“We will be seeking fundraising efforts from the community to make this school happen,” Curry said. “But no local tax dollars will be committed towards Middle Georgia Preparatory Academy and we will not have any impact on any property value increase or decrease. We don’t have any say so on that. We will not be a reason for the millage rate going up or going down.” 

The State Charter School Commission of Georgia approved the MGPA on July 29. Officials announced that it would be opening a tuition-free public K-8 charter school to serve Dublin-Laurens County in the fall of 2027. As of right now, they have not finalized its location, though Curry said they hope to announce that in the next couple of weeks.

“There were a lot of emotions on the approval,” Curry said. “One was affirmation that our plan was solid and it is a good plan for Dublin, Laurens County and the state agreed with that plan. The second is the feeling that we are ready to get to work. We know we have a lot to accomplish and we know we have to earn the public’s trust in this school and what we are seeking to accomplish for this school in providing for this community. There is a lot of work that goes in to that.” 

And they are ready to start that hard work. Curry said the State  Charter School Commission has a running checklist of everything that has to be completed. The commission will not let the MGPA open if the necessary steps are completed.

“We have to make sure we have to make sure the facilities meet department of education standards for housing children for education,” Curry said. “There is a lot that goes into that and we’re working with professionals all across the state. We have sought expertise and guidance from leaders across the state in education as well as nationally from successful charter schools from across the nation.” 

For operation of a state charter school, there are several metrics that are measured every year. There is a comprehensive performance framework.

“They evaluate academics, governance and operations of the school and assign scores if we are meeting those,” Curry said. “What I would like to stress is we have to meet and exceed those standards, which are very strict in order to be able to extend our charter past five years. Everything is depended upon our results. If we are not producing results, the state commission can decide not to renew our charter.” 

The tuition-free public school will have a board comprised of Curry, Keerthi Vyas (vice president of the board), Kathryn Willcox, Tonia Spaulding, Ian Hinz and Meg Evans. Matt Taylor will serve as MGPA’s executive director and school leader.

Curry said MGPA officials, “are very supportive” of the Dublin City and Laurens County school systems in what they are doing for education. He said MGPA gives an option for parents.

“There is no requirement to attend this school,” Curry said. “It is open to anyone that lives within Laurens County for parents to decide if this is a right fit for them.” 

For more information, go to middlegeorgiaprep.com and find the MGPA’s frequently asked questions and responses section, and an intent to enroll and an interest survey.

“This is not an application where you are signing up your child,” Curry said. “It is giving us your contact information because you are interested in learning more about the school and that’s goin to be our primary chance to reaching out to families once we reach the milestones and we have information about facilities and when enrollment becomes available.”