Albany College and Career Academy draft raises questions - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

A big crowd showed up to hear more about the controversial charter school.

After more than a year of work, a steering committee presented a draft of the proposed Albany College and Career Academy and triggered a lot of questions.

Russ Moore, has assisted with 20 similar schools across the state.  He's been hired by the school board to help with the process.

"I didn't hear anything I didn't expect to hear, because I've heard it everywhere I go, the same sorts of concerns.  And I can commit to the community that there's an answer for every question that's been raised," said Moore, the CEO of Seamless Education Associates, Incorporated.

One of the most controversial recommendations is re-purposing Albany High School and over time making it Albany College and Career Academy.

"It will not be closed, it will become the jewel of the high school system of Dougherty County. That is our intent and that is what we've recommended," said Moore.

But not everyone thinks it's a good idea.  Brianna Washington, who will graduate from Albany High next year, was brought to tears as she as she begged administrators not to close her school.  She's even created a petition to save Albany High.

"It's a good idea, but I want them to rethink uprooting kids from Albany High to send them to other places. It's history, it's the first high school in Albany. We just got a lot of pride and tradition at our school and we want to keep it," explained Washington. 

The current plan is to assign students to a base high school where they will have access to extracurricular activities.

Students also raised concerns of losing the successful magnet program at Albany High.  Moore says no programs will be eliminated. 

School Board member David Maschke was one of several people to question finances.  The steering committee plans on using existing funds and is expecting to receive a $3 million grant.

"We believe that we'll be able, over time to create this school and to run it in either revenue neutral or even a revenue positive way," explained Moore.

The school board has several months to evaluate the proposal and give their suggestions.

"It is still in a stage where almost everything in there is negotiable and there is time for us to refine and improve it. And I know the board of education wants that and expects that to happen,"said Moore.

Bobby McKinney, the chairman of the steering committee says the meeting was encouraging.  "This was not a negative part of the process and I want to make sure everyone understands that.  As a group we are very encouraged to hear the input, get the input, we'll evaluate it. We're anxious to see what the school board has to say." 

McKinney says Albany College and Career Academy will be a positive addition for the entire county.  "What we're doing is taking an active role of critically changing the opportunities that our children, our young people have to graduate and have a job waiting for them."

If all goes as scheduled, Albany College and Career Academy will open August of 2013.

To read the entire 93 page charter petition, click on the link below:

http://ftpcontent4.worldnow.com/walb/ACCA_Charter_June_12_DRAFT.pdf

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