Bibb County ends contract with Edison Schools

MACON - The Bibb County Board of Education has voted to terminate its contract two years early with Edison Schools, a private company that managed two of the county&#39;s elementary schools. <br> <br> The school board voted Thursday night to authorize Superintendent Sharon Patterson to negotiate the contract termination, which would be retroactive to July 1 and not include a fee for breaking the contract. <br> <br> Edison officials could not immediately be reached for comment. <br> <br> Edison is the nation&#39;s largest private manager of schools. It has run King-Edison Elementary and Riley Edison Academy in partnership with the school system since the 1999-2000 school year. <br> <br> Standardized test scores at those schools have remained low during Edison&#39;s three years at the two schools. Teacher turnover and drops in student enrollment have also been concerns to board members. <br> <br> Schools in Texas and Kansas also have ended contracts with the company, which says it operates 133 schools. Officials at the only other Edison school in Georgia, Drew Charter School in Atlanta, says they are pleased with the company.