By Kathryn Schiliro
Managing Editor

System administration is considering taking the opportunity granted by the system’s charter status to join the Charter System Foundation, a decision that could require a financial commitment.
It’s been suggested that foundation members contribute $2 per full-time equivalent (FTE) student to support the foundation’s activities in fiscal year 2014, Superintendent Dr. Ralph Bennett told the county Board of Education.
While no decision is yet required, the Morgan County total, because the school system has 3,293 FTEs, would come to $6,586.
There are 16 charter systems interested in taking part.
Additionally, the Lieutenant Governor, Casey Cagle, is to go to the state legislature at the beginning of 2013 and request $125,000 on the foundation’s behalf, Bennett said.
Purposes of the foundation include research and exchange of ideas, seeking funding from private and legislative sources, Bennett said, as well as advocacy and affecting policy, peer support, application preparation assistance and post-secondary institution partnerships.
Bennett added that Fulton County, foundation member system, has agreed to contribute personnel “to assist...in research.”
“I see opportunites for us to benefit from this,” Bennett said.

Printed in the November 15, 2012 edition