ATLANTA (AP) - With Superintendent John Barge under pressure for his opposition to a proposed constitutional amendment on charter schools, the Georgia Department of Education has declared its neutrality on the Nov. 6 referendum.
The agency is scrolling an alert across its webpage stating that it "takes no position" on the vote. The message doesn't mention Barge.
The superintendent has drawn fire for opposing an amendment that would allow a new state board to select private organizations to run taxpayer financed schools. In response to a complaint, Barge consulted with state attorneys about laws that limit the electioneering of public agencies and elected officials. Barge also has taken down an online explanation of his position.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Gov. Nathan Deal's official website still featured comments from Deal urging the amendment's passage.
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Monday, June 17 2013 11:41 PM EDT2013-06-18 03:41:39 GMT
Sudden rains caused flash flooding in parts of the metro Atlanta area on Monday.
Sudden rains caused flash flooding in parts of the metro Atlanta area on Monday. The Georgia Department of Transportation said that northbound lanes of Interstate 75 at Forest Parkway were closed after the roadway was flooded.
Monday, June 17 2013 11:36 PM EDT2013-06-18 03:36:57 GMT
Tyler Perry is donating $50,000 to help a good Samaritan left paralyzed from the waist down after risking his life to save a young girl swept away by a creek.
Tyler Perry is donating $50,000 to help a good Samaritan left paralyzed from the waist down after risking his life to save a young girl swept away by a creek.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:48 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:48:40 GMT
The committee overseeing the new Atlanta Falcons stadium plans chose a preliminary stadium design on Monday.Back in April, a tentative agreement for the Kansas City-based 360 Architecture was approved
The committee overseeing the new Atlanta Falcons stadium plans chose a preliminary stadium design on Monday.Back in April, a tentative agreement for the Kansas City-based 360 Architecture was approved
Monday, June 17 2013 10:52 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:52:57 GMT
Federal authorities say they've raided 7-Eleven stores across Long Island and in Virginia as part of a probe into human smuggling, identity theft and money laundering.
Federal authorities say they've raided 7-Eleven stores across Long Island and in Virginia as part of a probe into human smuggling, identity theft and money laundering.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:30 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:30:40 GMT
Photo courtesy of @N42_21_W71_04)
A train derailed in one of the East River tunnels Monday afternoon, disrupting service on the Long Island Rail Road. Westbound service between Jamaica and Penn Station is temporarily suspended.
A train derailed in one of the East River tunnels Monday afternoon, disrupting service on the Long Island Rail Road. Westbound service between Jamaica and Penn Station is temporarily suspended.
Monday, June 17 2013 9:50 PM EDT2013-06-18 01:50:24 GMT
More than two dozen family members packed a court room to support the daughter who never gave up on finding her father's killer.
More than two dozen family members packed a court room to support the daughter who never gave up on finding her father's killer. For the first time, Joselyn Martinez came face to face with the man she believes took her dad away from her when she was just a little girl.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:26 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:26:45 GMT
A man aboard a United Airlines flight bound for Newark Liberty International Airport claimed his fellow passengers on the plane had been poisoned and was screaming about going to die.
A man aboard a United Airlines flight bound for Newark Liberty International Airport claimed his fellow passengers on the plane had been poisoned and was screaming about going to die.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:03 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:03:08 GMT
Mayor Michael Bloomberg has tried to limit the size of soda consumption, ban smoking in parks, encourage bike riding and now there"s another possible plan on the table: mandate recycling of food waste.
West Side resident Matt Murphy has stored a pail of leftovers on his floor for the last two months. His building is part of the city's food-recycling pilot program. Mayor Bloomberg wants to expand the program citywide.
The body of one of three New Yorkers killed in an attack in Afghanistan is scheduled to arrive in his upstate hometown while the funeral of a second victim is being held in the Hudson Valley.
The body of one of three New Yorkers killed in an attack in Afghanistan has arrived in his upstate hometown as the funeral of a second victim was being held in the Hudson Valley.
Monday, June 17 2013 2:56 PM EDT2013-06-17 18:56:27 GMT
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and a shore community will receive more than $53 million in federal reimbursement for the cost of removing debris from waterways after Superstorm Sandy.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and a shore community will receive more than $53 million in federal reimbursement for the cost of removing debris from waterways after Superstorm Sandy.
New Jersey lawmakers are poised to take up a bill that would allow those who are in the country illegally to qualify for in-state tuition rates at state colleges and universities.
New Jersey lawmakers are poised to take up a bill that would allow those who are in the country illegally to qualify for in-state tuition rates at state colleges and universities.
