Fulton Science Academy Bonds Downgraded

The failure of Fulton Science Academy Middle School to get a state charter led to the latest drop to a 'C' rating.

Fitch Ratings again has downgraded the rating on the $18.9 million in bonds for Fulton Science Academy to "CC" from "B," according to BusinessWire. Fulton Science Academy Middle School's failure to get either a charter renewal from Fulton County or a state charter led to the downgrade of the Development Authority of Alpharetta educational facilities revenue bonds. Fitch said in the release that lack of management cooperation left it unable to determine if the middle school's proposed conversion to a private school was feasible, and its possible effects on the Fulton Sunshine Academy and Fulton Science Academy High School. All three schools are obligated for the bonds. Fitch won't be issuing analysis or further ratings because Fulton …

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Johns Creek Track Team Competes at State

Eric Olsen breaks school 800-meter record.

The Johns Creek High School boys track and field team competed in the state track meet this past weekend.  Clay Phillips placed sixth in the state in pole vault, while Demian Sevciuc finished third in the long jump competition, missing first place by 2 1/2 inches.  Other field event contestants included Denny Victor in the discus and Sevciuc in the triple jump.  The team of Matt Azemar, Andre Hinton, Johnathan Roddey, and Sevciuc ran in the 4X100 relay, while Erik Olsen broke the JCHS 800-meter record and Matt Azemar qualified for finals in the 200 meter, placing seventh in the state in that event. 

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Johns Creek Students Run to Defeat ALS

On Saturday, five students from Johns Creek High School andAutrey Mill Middle School participated in the second annual Ironhorse 5K race in Athens, TN. The event was held in honor of Jaynee Holland (aunt of runner, race winner and Johns Creek High School athlete Allie Buchalski) to raise money to defeat ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), a condition that attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. This is the second year that Athens City Middle School has hosted this race to honor Mrs. Holland, their dedicated and much loved librarian for 18 years. Pictured left to right are Jason Bourne, Allie Buchalski, Kathryn Speese, Molly Speese and Zach Willard.

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Charter School Parents Claim State Board of Education Was Misled

But the state responds that it had all the information requested from and offered by Fulton Science Academy Middle School.

A day after the state Board of Education refused to grant a charter to Fulton Science Academy Middle School, 100 or more individuals identifying themselves as FSA parents accused state employees and the Board's own charter committee of having "intentionally impeded, stonewalled and misrepresented FSA." Louise Erste, director of the Charter Division at the state Department of Education was singled out. "I believe Erste misinformed and misled the Board down a path that was politically motivated and unfair," was one of the complaints. These claims are similar to what has been said in comments made on articles and a letter to the editor on Alpharetta-Milton Patch. Patch user "Terry" made a related complaint on May 8, after the denial …

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Anderson

11:26 am on Monday, May 14, 2012

What happened to the strong support from Senator Rogers, Senator Albers? And the whole North Fulton Delegation? Are you saying that the legislators could have kept the school open if the vote was delayed?   more ›

State Board Denies Fulton Science Academy Middle School Charter

Board members criticize the school's Governing Board and management over noncompliance, bond issues.

Fulton Science Academy Middle School lost its appeal to the state Board of Education for a charter this morning, so the school will be closed in July. The school's charter through Fulton County Schools expires June 30. Angela Lasseter, a representative of the school's Governing Board asked the state board to wait 30 days to make their decision so all the information could be heard and documents read. "It impacts so many of our parents, including me. "Hearing both sides and all of the documentation is critical to making an informed objective opinion," she said. But the board members said Department of Education staff have been working with the school's administration for months, ever since the December 2011 charter renewal application …

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Johns Creek's Buchalski Wins School's First Individual State Title in Track & Field

School reaches top 10 for first time.

The Johns Creek High School girls track and field team competed in the State Championships this weekend in Albany.  The highlight of the meet was standout distance runner Allie Buchalski who was state runner-up in the mile run and state champion in the two-mile. Allie smashed her own school record in the two-mile to capture Johns Creek's first individual state title in track and field.   Johns Creek was also represented by Hayden Merrick, a freshman, in the discus competition. Also competing was Kaitlin Greenway who clocked the Gladiators' fastest time of the year in the 400 meter dash. The team finished in the top 10 in the state for the first time in school history.   The boys will be competing in their state championship the end of this…

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