Democrat Representative Alisha Morgan of Austell managed to get a bill passed through the Republican dominated Georgia General Assembly which is a liberty enhancer. It allows parents, not school boards, to choose to transfer their child from one school to another providing there is room in the gaining school.
It is a liberty enhancer because it increases choice and it provides that choice to the people who best know the student and the student’s needs. And that is what liberty is all about – choice.
The bill would require the state to put together rules that all school boards would have to follow providing for a universal system of transfer which will remove the arbitrariness from the different systems pertaining to transfers. The only two provisos to be met are the gaining school has to have room and the student has to have a way to get there, i.e. transportation.
Although the bill passed and awaits Gov. Perdue’s signature, there was significant resistance to its passage. I noted Ms. Morgan’s party because as a rule, the Democrats seem more interested in maintaining the status quo which favors the bureaucrats and teacher’s unions than the parents and children. It was a bold and unselfish step for Rep. Morgan to introduce such a bill at the Assembly and for that she should be commended.
"I took a lot of hits for working on this issue and across the aisle, but when students around the state can access the schools that best meet their needs, I know it's well worth it," Morgan said.
Readers should urge Governor Perdue to sign the bill quickly so it can be in effect for the 2009-10 school year. And to Rep Morgan, a tip of the libertarian cap for introducing legislation which enhances liberty and for giving the option of choice to parents and students instead of the state.
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