ATLANTA (AP) — Supporters of Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal's plan to put schools dubbed "chronically failing" under state control are beginning an aggressive ad campaign.
Opportunity for All Georgia Students, a group led by a former Deal aide, launched its first ad Wednesday. The group plans to keep advertising through Election Day when Georgians vote on the constitutional amendment.
Under Deal's plan, a state-run district can take over schools based on testing and other factors. An appointed superintendent can select up to 20 schools each year and turn them into charters, close them or overhaul management.
Teacher groups and prominent Democrats are campaigning against the amendment. Deal's supporters hope to counter that by featuring state Sen. Freddie Powell Sims in the first ad. Sims was the only Senate Democrat to vote yes.