Georgia Schools Chief Opposes State-Chartered Independent Schools

Says charter schools should remain a local issue

Bucking his party on an issue dear to many conservatives, Georgia's Republican education superintendent has come out against a constitutional amendment to guarantee the state's authority to charter independent public schools.

John Barge said he believes the proposal threatens local control and state financial support for traditional public schools. That argument puts the superintendent in line with teachers' associations and the Georgia Democratic Party as the issue intensifies leading up to the Nov. 6 general election.