ATLANTA — A landmark decision by the state Supreme Court could force a network of local charter schools to shut down.
With a four to three decision, the state Supreme Court struck down the Georgia Charter Schools commission, calling it unconstitutional for the commission to create charter schools and direct public funding to them.
The ruling released Monday morning states only local school boards have the right to create and fund charter schools. The association representing those charter schools said the decision is shocking.
The decision does not affect the roughly 160 charter school approved by local school boards, but the case could affect thousands of students and reshape the way the state's public schools are funded.
There are nine commission-approved schools that may be forced to close their doors for good, including Ivy Preparatory Academy in Norcross.
"I came to Ivy Prep because I know I'll get a better education and with that education I know I'll get far some day," student Janelle Swaby told Channel 2's Kerry Kavanaugh.
"It is unimaginable to think this work, this good work could be hindered," said school principal Nina Gilbert. Gilbert founded the commission approved school in 2008 and told Kavanaugh that she's determined to make sure that a child's zip code doesn't define their education. Gilbert said in a short amount of time they have achieved great things, including some of the highest standardized test scores in the state.
The president of the Georgia Charter Schools Association said he was blindsided by the decision.
"We are very saddened to learn the majority opinion of the Supreme Court today," Tony Roberts said. "The hopes to have a quality charter school any and everywhere in Georgia is at the mercy of local school districts, the majority of which have been openly hostile."
The suit was brought about by the Gwinnett County Public School District and it questioned the public money the commission approved schools receive.
"There are some who have tried to paint this as a lawsuit that was anti-charter schools, that was not the case," said Gwinnett School spokeswoman Sloan Roach.
Ivy Prep has received $2 million in local tax dollars in the past two years, according to records.