On its first day, Decatur eLife’s new online education channel “Decatur EDtv has an excellent 9 1/2 minute summation of Decatur’s charter school journey up to the recent approval by the state. The telecast features extensive interviews with CSD Superintendent Dr. Phyllis Edwards, GA Dept of Education Charter Schools Office Director Andrew Broy, and GA Rep. Stephanie Benfield.

Even for someone like me that’s followed this process so closely, this was a very informative video. I especially appreciated the insight from the Charter Schools Director.

The next episode promises to detail the new roles within Decatur’s “Shining Star” Charter System.

How many school systems have a video channel dedicated to keeping parents and citizens informed about goings on at the public schools? I, for one, think its pretty cool.

P.S. There’s also a few other school related video’s already on Decatur EDtv’s main page if you’re interested.

State Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur) has proposed a bill before the state legislature that would push back closing hours to 2:30a for bars statewide.

Lord, talk about a symbolic gesture.

This rural, conservative state with no discernible problem with a 4a closing time will never back this bill.  Oliver can’t even get fellow Decatur State Rep. Stephanie Benfield to support her.  Banfield is quoted as saying, “This is a local county or local city commission issue, and I don’t think the state should be interfering in that.”

Oliver claims she just wants to talk state/local in the general assembly about this issue.  I say just another example of lonely and liberal Decatur screaming into the conservative ether.

Hattip: [InDecatur]