Charter Amendment Campaign:Guide for Charter Schools

The Ballot QuestionNovember 6, 2012 Election

“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended to allow state or local approval of public charter schools upon the request of

local communities?”

The Goal

A simple majority vote FOR the constitutional amendment on the November 6, 2012 ballot.

Why the Amendment?Negative Supreme Court ruling in May 2011Georgia Charter Schools Commission ruled

unconstitutionalFuture of existing state-authorized schools is in

perilAuthority of state to approve and fund additional

charter schools questionable: possible legal challenge to HB797

Why Does This Matter to State-Authorized Charter Schools?If the amendment does not pass—HB797 will be challenged

All existing state charter schools, including virtual schools, could be closed

If the schools could remain open, their funding could be drastically reduced

School systems would lose a “pipeline” of proven charters

Why Does This Matter to District Authorized Charter Schools?Having only school systems as authorizers--

Leaves no alternative for initial and renewal charters other than the district

Gives no incentive to school systems to maintain high quality authorizing standards

Leads school systems to approve/renew fewer or no schools based on budgetary considerations alone

The Broader Stakes:National Significance

No other state has had a positive outcome for a charter-positive ballot initiative

Passing the amendment sets a national precedent for other states

Sets a winning strategy for other statesGeorgia could be the first—and bring a win for

parents and students

PollingPolls conducted in March and again in July 2012:58% would vote “yes”23% would vote “no”19% are undecided

There was no shift in the polling numbers between March and July.

Two-Pronged Campaign

Educational Effort led by Brighter Georgia Education Coalition (a program of the Georgia Charter Schools Association, a 501c3 entity)

Political Campaign led by Families for Better Schools (a 501c4 entity created to campaign for the amendment).

The Marketing Campaign (c3) Brighter Georgia Coalition Brighter Georgia website www.brightergeorgia.org Professional video Informational Brochures Outdoor advertising campaign with actual students/parents Speaker’s Bureau led by regional directors Direct Mail Virtual Town Hall Meetings Social Media Advertising Earned Media: op-eds, radio interviews, articles

Participation of Public SchoolsActivities to AvoidCannot legally allow the use of taxpayer funds to

advocate for a particular political position, candidate, or referendum votes.

Shall not use school communication channels such as school email, newsletters or phones to promote or advertise political positions, candidates, or referendum votes.

Shall not use staff time to participate in such activities during normal work hours.

Participation of Public Schools (2)Permitted ActivitiesParents are not restricted in their activities

regarding either the educational or political campaign (within the other restrictions here).

Staff may participate on their own time, not using school funds, facilities, or communication streams.

Staff should use only personal email, personal phones, and personal time to participate.

The CostLarge grassroots volunteer participation$1.8 million—Base budget of the “vote for

campaign. Approximately $550,000 raised*$974,000—Base budget of the educational

campaign. Approximately $438,000 raised*

* as of September 1, 2012

Ways School Leaders Can Help Inform and engage your board and parent-teacher

organizationPut a link to www.brightergeorgia.org prominently

on your websiteDistribute the Brighter Georgia informational

brochure to all staff, board, and parentsAsk board, staff, and parents to contribute and

volunteer as they can

Ways PTO and PTA Can Help Monitor and respond to local publications and media for anti-

charter and anti-amendment messaging. Write responses to myths and to frame the issue properly--

giving parents public school options. Give and seek financial support for educational or “vote-for”

effort. Even $5 contributions matter. Distribute Brighter Georgia brochure at events such as local

chambers, festivals, door-to-door. (Available now) Distribute and place yard signs. (Not yet available)

Financial Support Needed!Contributions to the “vote-for” campaign These are NOT tax deductibleMust be personal or business contributionsThese dollars essential for explicit campaigning

and advertising the “vote-for” messageThose unable to contribute to C4 organizations

may contribute to the C3 Educational EffortThese ARE tax deductible

To Volunteer, Give or More InformationAbout the educational campaign, see the

www.brightergeorgia.org websiteAbout the political or “vote-for” campaign, see the

www.georgiahope2012.com websiteBen Vinson, McKenna Long

bvinson@mckennalong.comTony Roberts, Georgia Charter Schools Assoc

troberts@gacharters.org

Thank You Very MuchFor supporting public charter schoolsFor supporting your public charter schoolFor supporting children and parents who need and

choose public charter schools

Questions or Discussion?

We will email each of you a copy of this powerpoint for your use with board, staff, and parents. Please do not give out the ppt to members of the public because of information we don’t want our opponents to have.