Schools

Druid Hills Charter Cluster Vote Tuesday

This vote will affect kids who attend Avondale Elementary.

By Jonathan Cribbs

If you've got a child who is attending or will eventually attend Druid Hills High School, you've got an opportunity this month to vote on whether the high school and all its feeder schools can become a state-approved charter cluster.

The Druid Hills Charter Cluster has scheduled a petition vote at Druid Hills High School on Tuesday, Aug. 13, from 4-8 p.m. This vote will be held three days before the charter submission deadline on Friday, Aug. 16.

The cluster includes the high school, Druid Hills Middle School and Avondale, Briar Vista, Fernbank, Laurel Ridge and McLendon elementary schools. What is a charter cluster? Here's an explanation from the cluster's website:

What is a Charter school?
Charter schools are primary or secondary schools that receive public funding (and like other schools, may also receive private donations). They are subject to some of the rules and regulations that apply to other public schools, but generally have more flexibility than traditional public schools. Charter schools are expected to produce certain results, set forth in each school's charter. In exchange for flexibility, charter schools receive less funding and although they provide an alternative to other public schools, they are part of the public education system and are not allowed to charge tuition.

What is a Charter Cluster?
In 2005 the State of Georgia passed a law that allowed Clusters of schools to apply for what is called a Charter Cluster. This would allow all of the schools in the High School Cluster (elementary, middle and high) to run as an entire Charter together.

Parents of a school-aged child in the high school attendance zone or a certified teacher, administrator or paraprofessional at one of the cluster schools. Check the cluster's website for documents you may need to bring to the vote.

The vote will determine whether a 75-page cluster petition will be sent to the DeKalb County Board of Education.

What do you think of the charter cluster idea? Tell us in the comments section below.


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