Fulton Science Academy Middle School in Alpharetta.
Fulton County School Board President Linda Schultz listening to concerned FSA parents and faculty
Fulton County School Board President Linda Schultz listening to concerned FSA parents and faculty
Some of the 100 or so concerned parents and faculty from Fulton Science Academy Middle School listen to School Board President Linda Schultz
ALPHARETTA, Ga. -- The Fulton County Board of Education has unanimously voted to deny a charter extension for Alpharetta's Fulton Science Academy Middle School.
Its 500 students may now have to find new
schools to attend next school year.
"I'm sad that we've arrived at this decision and were not able to reach an agreement. This is very unfortunate," board president Linda Schultz said Tuesday. "However, the board must always consider its obligation of being good stewards of taxpayer dollars."
The school had asked for a 10-year charter extension. The school system, however, only wanted a three-year extension so the school could be on the same renewal cycle as its affiliate schools, Fulton Sunshine Academy and Fulton Science Academy High School. The school system also wanted more control of the school's operations.
"It would be financially irresponsible for our board to approve a
10-year term that would divide the renewal process for three schools
with shared financial obligations," Schultz said.
Monday morning about 100 parents and faculty tried to persuade Shultz to help them.
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"The board applauds the academic success of our students at Fulton
Science Academy," Schultz said Tuesday. "This was a difficult decision for the
board to make, but I hope that we will now focus our energy on the
continued success of our students."
Fulton Science Academy can still apply to become a state charter school, but if that fails, the school will have to close after their original charter expires at the end of this school year.