Two Georgia school systems are suing the state over funding for charter schools.

At issue is whether the state can override Bulloch and Gwinnett counties’ decisions not to fund the schools in their communities and send taxpayer dollars to the charter schools anyway.

The state argues parents’ taxes should flow to where they choose to send their children to school.

A new state law set up the Charter School Commission to do just that, but the counties say they can’t afford to take money away from other public schools.

Stephanie Tames, a writer living in Statesboro who raised children in both charter and public schools, argues for more options when it comes to public education.

Contributors: Rickey Bevington

Tags: Georgia, Gwinnett County, Bulloch County, All Things Considered, Ivy Preparatory Academy, Stephanie Tames, charter school, Charter Conservatory for Arts and Technology, Statesboro, commentary