Press Conference Questions Future of Public Charter Schools in N.C.

 Educational advocates concerned state may be "Racing to the Bottom" in efforts to secure federal funding

Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina (PEFNC), educational leaders and charter school directors from across the state will join together for a public statement next week.  The press conference comes on the same day that the state submits its application for federal Race to the Top funds.  In light of North Carolina’s recent ranking--32nd of 40 states--by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, advocates will highlight the need for competitive, innovative charter policies and announce plans for increased public awareness. 
 
WHO:
Darrell Allison, President Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina
Todd Ziebarth, Vice President for Policy, National Alliance for Public Charter Schools
Richard A. Vinroot, Esq. Board Chairman, Sugar Creek Charter School and former Mayor of Charlotte
Grova Bridgers, Educational Consultant and former Director of the NC Office of Public Charter Schools
Speakers and charter school directors will be available for interviews immediately following the press conference.
 
WHAT:
The purpose of this press conference is to highlight the need for competitive, innovative charter policies and to announce plans for increased public awareness. 
 
WHERE:      
State Legislative Building, 16 West Jones Street
Press room 1328
 
WHEN:
Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.
 For media contact the day of the event or to schedule an interview, please contact Traci Brown at 919-760-7167.
 
About PEFNC:
Founded on July 5, 2005, Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina (PEFNC), a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to finding ways to effectively better an educational system for all children in North Carolina. PEFNC supports all programs that provide parents and children with greater educational options and builds awareness of the need for even more educational options in North Carolina, including an option not currently available to families in our state: the opportunity for families to educate their child privately and/or non-traditionally through a tax credit or equal opportunity scholarship programs. For more information, please visit www.pefnc.org