A newly formed group at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama's capital city is aiming to improve the education options for military families stationed there.
The Montgomery Advertiser reports the group plans to tackle a variety of topics, including: Increasing attendance at the on-base school; streamlining the application process for Montgomery's magnet schools; and providing school choice options for military families.
Exploring the possibility of charter schools in the area is part of the discussion.
The group was created about a month ago in response to statistics highlighted in August by Lt. Gen. Anthony Cotton. Cotton said about 56 percent of airmen in last year's Air War College came to Montgomery without their families. Schools were the primary reason given in surveys to find out why the families were spending the time apart.
"The reality is, 'If my kids aren't happy, I'm not happy. If I have to try to spend so much time trying to understand how to get them ready and prepared for secondary education, then I'm not doing my mission as far as taking care of you, and making sure that I protect our country'," Cotton said.
Cotton also says education in the area affects his ability to attract and retain faculty and service members to the base.
Cotton has signed an official charter to have the working group become a permanent asset on the base.
