A free public screening of the documentary, “The Lottery” which follows the quests of four New York families to get their children into charter schools, will be shown at Macon’s Douglass Theatre at 6 p.m. Monday.
The film is being presented by The Georgia Charter Schools Association, Education First, EdFutures Inc., and those petitioning the Bibb County school board to start a charter school in Macon called “The Macon Academy of Excellence.”
Charter schools are publicly funded schools that operate according to a contract approved by a local school board or Georgia Charter Schools Commission. Those who run a charter are responsible for students’ performance to continue to operate.
“This film sets the tone for us to prove our philosophy about this forthcoming public education alternative,” said Monya Rutland, one of the petitioners.
The Bibb County school board is scheduled to vote on whether to grant the charter petition at its July 22 board meeting.
The group is asking to open a K-7 grade school with an international core curriculum and character focus in fall 2011 and add an eighth grade the following year.
The group has looked at using the campus of Progressive Christian Academy when that school closes in May 2011.
Georgia Charter School Association’s Chief Executive Officer Tony Roberts said there is a growing demand by parents outside Atlanta to start charter schools, prompting the organization to have more information sessions in Macon, Savannah and Valdosta. In Macon, the movie screening will serve as an information session for parents curious about how charter schools work, Roberts said.
“The interest of parents in these communities shows once again that there is a true need and desire for quality public school choice,” he said.
