Next fall, Georgia voters will be asked whether the state should be authorized to take over schools it deems “chronically failing.”
If the measure passes, 26 Atlanta public schools, or 60 percent, could qualify for a takeover. APS’s plan to save those schools looks outside the district.
Superintendent Meria Carstarphen says APS asked organizations with proven track records of turning schools around to apply to run some of Atlanta’s neediest schools. Officials narrowed down about 30 applicants to three finalists: Kindezi Schools, Purpose Built Schools, and a nonprofit called School Turnaround.
“We opened it up and have been open-minded about recruiting support for schools and clusters that have been struggling,” Carstarphen said.
Kindezi and Purpose Built usually operate charter schools, but, Carstarphen said, if the plan is approved, they will run traditional, neighborhood schools with normal attendance boundaries.