School board skeptical of charter school proposal

ALBANY, GA (WALB) - A private group in Albany is asking the school system to start a new charter school.

The folks behind the Albany Charter Academy of Scholars say the K-5 school could be located in the recently closed Sylvester Road Elementary. Board members say, they really don't have the money to do that.

Board Chairperson Carol Tharin said, "If a charter school is approved, it takes money out of our system, okay, which is already struggling financially. We don't want to be responsible for providing services for a charter school when we have already closed schools in order to save money."

The board delayed a vote on the request Monday night after the group amended their charter proposal.

Under a new state law, if the board denies the request, the group can petition a state commission to set up the charter school.

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