Statewide Ad Campaign Pushes Against ‘School Takeover’ Amendment

ATHENS, Ga — A massive advertising campaign by Keep Georgia Schools Local begins airing across the state today, pushing back against the Opportunity School District (OSD) proposal for Georgia’s public schools.

The OSD proposal is a proposed amendment to the state constitution that allows special school districts to intervene is failing public schools. The Amendment 1 change will be on the ballot this November for voters to weigh in on.

This adverstisement is the first time that this issue has gained a spot on television, according to Louis Elrod, a campaign manager for Keep Georgia Schools Local. The organization is just one group fighting against Governor Nathan Deal’s OSD proposal, saying that it adds more bureaucracy to the education system and gives too much power to an appointed person who isn’t accountable to the public.

Local citizens, including State Representative Spencer Frye, are also speaking out against OSD legislation.

The Clarke Central High School Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO) is meeting this Wednesday to address community concerns about the legislation and its impact on schools in Athens.

Tune into Grady Newsource tonight at 5 p.m. to see how education officials in Athens are responding to Amendment 1. Follow us on Twitter @GradyNewsource for updates.

By: Taylor Cromwell