Charter School Amendment - Sam Olens - What About GCSA?

Dear Attorney General Olens,

I read with interest your letter to State Superintendent Dr. Barge posted on 10/3 in Jim Galloway's column http://bit.ly/T1zoI1. You have advised Dr. Barge that school boards are prohibited by law from opposing or advocating the ratification of a constitutional amendment, directly or indirectly through their associations, because they are using public resources to do so.

I would like to know how this decision applies to the Georgia Charter Schools Association who is actively involved in promoting passage of this amendment. The GCSA receives membership dues from charter schools in the state. Please refer to the 2010 - 990 Form here http://bit.ly/T1zoI1. On page 9, Part VIII, Statement of Revenue, it shows on line 1. b. Membership Dues  $81,050. These membership dues are from public charter schools, which receive the majority of their funding from public resources.

I feel it is essential to ask the Georgia Charter Schools Association to cease their advocacy in favor of this amendment. I am not aware of any stipulation of a percentage threshold of public resources received, which would allow or disallow advocacy in this case. Please advise the good voters of Georgia if there is one.

Thank you for your timely consideration in this important and sensitive matter. I apologize for asking this is in a blog but it is really the only avenue left for a parent without a lawyer on retainer to be heard in this particular case.

Elizabeth Hooper