Charter schools will be allowed access to unused school buildings

ATLANTA (March 26, 2009) – Georgia Charter Schools Association Chief Executive Officer Tony Roberts, Ph.D., has released the following statement on Thursday’s passage of HB555 – a bill requiring local school districts to allow charter schools access to unused school facilities.

“The Georgia Charter Schools Association is thrilled with the passage of HB555, most recently by a 49-1 Senate vote. It is a victory for charter schools, which now will be able to use – at no cost – school buildings not being used by local districts. Funds in charter school budgets that had to be set aside previously to pay lease arrangements back to local school districts, can now be channeled towards other areas of need at the charter school.

“The Georgia Charter Schools Association is grateful to the members of the State House and Senate for their support of public education, including public charter schools, and for their overwhelming passage of HB555. Our thanks also to the sponsor of the bill, Rep. David Casas, and co-sponsors Reps. Jan Jones and Brooks Coleman. We look forward to the governor signing the bill into law.”