Explore possibilities that are available in local charter schools. Before any final decision is made about magnet schools, I would encourage all members of the magnet review teams to visit the four charter schools we have in our community - Charles Ellis Elementary, Mercer, Oglethorpe Academy middle schools Savannah Arts Academy high school. What charter schools offer is a total school approach, rather than a school-within-a-school. Charter schools, like magnets, offer choice. Charter schools also offer the opportunity, based on how the charter is written, to have site-based management regarding textbooks, curriculum and teaching styles. They also require that parents participate as leaders on the parent-majority governing boards mandated by the legislation. The charter law prevents admissions criteria, except in the case of siblings who may attend the same charter school. Any child may attend any charter school if space is available. Each charter school population is extremely diverse, by choice. The charter law was created for all Georgians to improve the offerings of our public school system. As I have become involved in the charter movement statewide, I have been most impressed with the way some communities are taking full advantage of the law. A February statewide conference in Atlanta was attended by two Georgia superintendents who are considering chartering every school in their systems, as well as by a handful of school board members eager to learn how the charter law could be applied in their communities. I challenge our own Savannah-Chatham County board members to ponder the questions: What needs are currently not being met by our system, and how could the charter law help us meet those needs? What are the sytem's goals for next year? What are the system's three- and five-year goals? Where do charter schools, magnet schools and other schools of choice fit into the system's short- or long range plan? These are not questions to be answered by the administrative team, but by the elected leaders who are charged with creating a vision for our school systems. No major decision should be made regarding magnets or any other program unless that decision can be supported by the system's overall strategic plan. That statement raises the questions: Do we have such a plan, and is it published yearly for our community to see? Are all constituents - parents, students, faculty, staff, administration and community leadership both from business and our private school community - involved in the creation of the strategic plan? We are in a new century, with new administrative leadership just around the corner. In looking at our educational system, we can view it as half-full, with great promise, or half-empty, with a dismal future. Every available resource, including the charter legislation, should be employed to help our system realize its potential. Other Georgia communities are putting this law to work for them. The Savannah educational community should insist that our educational leadership at least explore the possibilities. Martha Nesbit President, Governing Board Oglethorpe Academy 707 Stiles Ave, Savannah, Georgia 31401 912-201-5075