Stephens Co. School System Holding Charter System Meetings Today

According to Stephens County School superintendent Sherrie Whiten, public meetings today will give people a chance to learn more about the proposed charter school system application.  One meeting was held at 9 a.m. this morning and the next meeting is later today at 5:00 p.m at the Stephens County School System Administrative Offices on Mize Road.  The school system will have a PowerPoint presentation on the application as well as draft copies and take input from the public on the draft as it prepares the final charter system application.  The Stephens County Board of Education voted to pursue charter system status with the state in January.  Whiten said that in a charter school system, a local Board of Education reaches a contract with the state Board of Education about the operation of the school system.  Whiten said in that contract between the local board and the state board, a school system spells out what it wants to do differently for students in exchange for relaxation of state rules while in return, the state spells out the student achievement goals that are accountable from the school system.