The Power of Choice: How Competition elevates Public School Systems
Competition isn’t about dismantling public education—it’s about making it better!
In Cherokee County (Georgia), taxpayers invest heavily in the public school system, expecting a high return in the form of quality education for their children. The Cherokee County School District (CCSD) has a reputation for strong performance, but maintaining that standard requires more than just funding and good intentions. Competition from charter schools, private schools, homeschooling, and alternative schooling options plays a critical role in keeping CCSD sharp, innovative, and accountable. CCSD has long held a reputation as an above average public school system; however, questions about budgets, motives, “good old boy” politics, and declining parent satisfaction are causing many to second guess CCSD’s performance. Educational choice shouldn’t be a luxury—it’s a catalyst that drives excellence for everyone and is the quickest and easiest way to increase teacher compensation and satisfaction.
The Competitive Edge: Why Options Matter
Imagine a marketplace with only one store. Without competitors, that store has little incentive to improve its products, lower prices, or cater to diverse customer needs. The same principle applies to education. When families have access to charter schools, private institutions, homeschooling, and alternative models, CCSD must continually prove its worth. This competition pushes the district to innovate, refine its offerings, and focus on results—because if it doesn’t, families can (and will) choose something else.
Cherokee County benefits from this dynamic. The presence of alternatives doesn’t weaken the public system; it strengthens it by creating a natural accountability mechanism. Taxpayers want their dollars to fund a system that delivers, and competition ensures CCSD can’t rest on its laurels.
Charter Schools: Innovation Within the Public Framework
Charter schools, publicly funded but independently operated, bring flexibility and creativity to the table. In Georgia, they’re held to high accountability standards but have the freedom to experiment with curricula, teaching methods, and schedules that traditional schools might not. For example, a charter school might emphasize STEM education or offer a dual-language program—options that appeal to families with specific priorities. Charter Schools also have the ability to make decisions quickly such as choosing to eliminate cell phones in schools, removing computers from all forms of learning and only using them when needed to enhance the curriculum, implementing uniforms to keep children focused on learning vs their image, and lastly, discipline. They have the ability to meet with parents, have common sense discussions, and make meaningful change based on what is good for the class.
When CCSD sees students opting for charters, it’s should be signal to adapt. Maybe that STEM focus inspires district schools to bolster their own science programs, or a charter’s success with smaller class sizes prompts CCSD to rethink resource allocation. The result? A public system that evolves to meet demand, benefiting all students—not just those in charters.
Private Schools: Raising the Bar
Private schools in or near Cherokee County, like Mount Paran Christian School, Lyndon Academy, and The Kings Academy, offer another layer of competition. With tuition often covering state-of-the-art facilities, specialized programs, and individualized attention, these institutions set a high standard. Families willing to pay for these advantages send a message: they value excellence and are willing to seek it elsewhere if CCSD falls short.
This pressure encourages CCSD to elevate its game—whether through advanced placement courses, extracurricular offerings, or facility upgrades. Taxpayers benefit when the district strives to match or exceed what private schools provide, ensuring public education remains a viable, competitive option.
Homeschooling: Personalized Education Pushes Flexibility
Homeschooling has surged in popularity, especially since the pandemic, with families tailoring education to their children’s unique needs. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) found that the number of home schooled students in the USA has increased from 850,000 in 1999 to 1,690,000 in 2016, meaning that the percentage of home schooled students increased from 1.7% to 3.3% in that same time period. In Cherokee County, homeschoolers might use co-ops, online resources, or hybrid models, often achieving impressive academic outcomes. This trend challenges CCSD to offer more personalized learning opportunities within its schools—think flexible pacing, virtual classes, or support for diverse learning styles.
When homeschooling proves successful, does CCSD take note and make changes to encourage those families to come back? I am uncertain but, the district might expand its own online learning platforms or create programs for gifted students, ensuring taxpayers see a system that’s responsive to modern demands.
Alternative Schooling: Niche Solutions for Diverse Needs
Alternative schooling options—like Montessori programs, classical schools, trade-focused academies, or schools for students with special needs—cater to niche audiences. These models highlight gaps CCSD might not otherwise address. For instance, a vocational program’s success could prompt the district to enhance its career and technical education offerings, preparing more students for the workforce.
By observing what works in these alternatives, CCSD can borrow effective strategies, enriching its portfolio and maximizing taxpayer investment.
The Taxpayer Win: Quality Through Accountability
Competition isn’t about dismantling public education—it’s about making it better! When CCSD knows families have choices, it’s incentivized to maintain high test scores, strong graduation rates, and robust community trust. Cherokee County’s 2023-2024 state report card shows above-average performance, with a College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) score that reflects this commitment. Is this Index even relevant since the United States as a whole is less educated than it was 10, 20, 50 years ago, etc.? Without the pressure of alternative schooling options, complacency will continue to creep in, will erode those gains, however meaningful they really are, and force responsible parents to make alternative decisions.
Taxpayers don’t just fund a school system; they fund results. Educational choice ensures their money isn’t taken for granted—it’s earned through performance.
A Balanced Ecosystem
Critics might argue that competition drains resources from public schools, but the reality is more nuanced. In Georgia, charter schools receive public funds, true, but they also alleviate overcrowding and reduce per-student costs in traditional schools. Private schools and homeschooling, meanwhile, often rely on private funding, leaving more tax dollars for CCSD. The ecosystem works best when all options coexist, pushing each other to improve.
My unCommon Sense
Cherokee County’s Public Schools thrive, not despite charter schools, private institutions, homeschooling, and alternative options, but because of them. This competitive landscape ensures CCSD remains a high-performing system that delivers for taxpayers and students. Educational choice isn’t a threat—it’s a gift, fostering innovation, accountability, and quality. As long as families have options, the District will keep striving to be the best it can be, and that’s a win for everyone in Cherokee County.
The conversation surrounding pay increases for teachers is a prevalent one in Cherokee County, and it should be. Teacher Pay has lagged behind many other increases in other industries. If teachers lobbied to have more educational options in Cherokee County vs discouraging them from entering the market, they would see their pay increase in by larger percentages and faster than at any time in history. Need an Example? Dr. Debra Murdoch cited the current starting salary and the average teacher salary in Cobb County (Cherokee’s neighbor to the south) as a primary reason for Cherokee needing to increase teacher pay in Cherokee County during a presentation delivered on March 4th, 2025 in Canton, GA.
More Competition = More Accountability = Higher Teacher Pay = More Educational Satisfaction
If you want to chat about your thoughts on this topic, please send me an email dan@thrailkill.us or drop me a message using the button below. Would love to meet for coffee, a beer, or a virtual conversation.
Have a good one,
Dan