ATLANTA, GA – The State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia (SCSC) announced its gratitude to board members Tom Lewis and Carmen Dill for their years of service upon the conclusion of their appointment terms.

A long-time senior advisor at Georgia State University, former Chief of Staff to Governor Joe Frank Harris and fervent supporter of public charter schools, Mr. Lewis was initially nominated to the SCSC board by Lt. Governor Casey Cagle upon its reconstitution in 2013. Mr. Lewis served as SCSC Board Chairman for three years and shepherded the SCSC through leadership transitions and the COVID-19 pandemic Mr. Lewis will continue supporting educational choice in his retirement.

A current Carrollton City Schools educator and advocate for school choice, Ms. Dill served on the SCSC board since 2017. A classroom teacher, Ms. Dill provided valuable guidance and perspective to the SCSC staff and board over the years.

“Change is hard but necessary for an organization like the State Charter School Commission. I'm grateful for the long service of outgoing Commissioners Lewis and Dill.” said State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia Chairman Buzz Brockway. “They have served the students of Georgia well and we thank them. I look forward to working with our new commissioners, Fitz Johnson and Michael Dudgeon. I know they have a heart for students and the Commission will benefit from their expertise and wisdom."”

Mr. Lewis and Ms. Dill are succeeded by Mike Dudgeon and Fitz Johnson, respectively. Mr. Dudgeon was nominated to the SCSC board by Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan. He has a long history in education, serving on the Forsyth County School Board and as a charter school governing board member before his service in the Georgia legislature as both a state representative and Policy Director for the Lieutenant Governor. Mr. Johnson was nominated to the SCSC board by Governor Brian Kemp. He brings experience as a former teacher and candidate for State School Superintendent, is a business and non-profit leader, and carries deep roots in Cobb County with a demonstrated history of active community service. SCSC board members are appointed by the State Board of Education after an initial nomination by the Governor, Lt. Governor or Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The SCSC is a state-level, independent charter school authorizing entity. The mission of the SCSC is to improve public education by authorizing high quality charter schools that provide students with better educational opportunities than they would otherwise receive in traditional district schools. The SCSC has the power to approve or deny petitions for state charter schools and renew, non-renew, or terminate state charter school petitions in accordance with Georgia law.

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