The Barrow County Chamber of Commerce came together on Tuesday afternoon for its monthly luncheon, and to learn about the Barrow County Schools plans to become a Charter System.

Barrow County Schools Superintendent Dr. Ron Saunders, and Assistant Superintendent in Instruction and Curriculum Dr. Claire Miller both spoke at the meeting, which was held at the Brad Akins YMCA in Winder.

Saunders talked about how in 2013, Georgia’s schools will have to make a choice and fall into one of three categories: a charter system, an Investing in Educational Excellence (IE2) or stay with the staus quo.

The superintendent said that a charter system will allow the schools to wave a lot of state mandates, which can have a positive effect on the school system.

"[It] will really help us to be able ... to do the best we can for our students," Saunders told the audience.

While becoming a charter system may allow for more focus on the specific needs of Barrow County students, it will not be an overnight change.

"It’s going to be something we’re going to have to grow with," Saunders said.

Currently, Saunders said there are four school systems in the state that are charter schools, and another 16 — including Barrow — that have applied for charter status.