Lawmaker wants to let parents decide on charter schools - DC Breaking Local News Weather Sports FOX 5 WTTG

A leading Georgia lawmaker wants to make it easier for parents to convert traditional public schools into charter schools. State Rep. Edward Lindsey (R-Atlanta) plans to introduce legislation to do that in the next General Assembly session.

Voters on Tuesday approved a constitutional amendment that will reestablish a state commission that could approve new charter schools over the objection of local school boards.

Lindsey, the majority whip in the Georgia House of Representatives, said the so-called "parent trigger" legislation would allow parents to petition the school board to turn their traditional school into a charter public school.

"The parents have to get a majority of the family households in the school to agree to it. They have to then put together a proposed charter and make a petition to the school boards," said Lindsey.

Lindsey believes the measure would encourage parental involvement in schools.  

Lindsey cites the removal of the principal and other administrators at North Atlanta High school as an example of parents finding themselves shut out of key school decisions.

"What happened at North Atlanta, in terms of locking out the parents and their involvement and the school, and keeping them informed as to what is going on, kind of brings to the forefront the importance of having a law like this," Lindsey said.

 He will introduce the legislation on the first day of the General Assembly session in January.

The new state charter schools commission is expected to be appointed by February.