Brenda Johnson wants to see positive changes in the public school system.

"It's time for a change to help our kids," said Ms. Johnson, a parent who attended an education forum at Glenn Hills Middle School that featured Randy Gaschler, the author of Parent-Driven Schools. The event was sponsored by the Butler High School Parent Teacher Student Association.

Mr. Gaschler, the father of five and the founder of one of California's first charter schools, is a teacher and president of Innovative Education Management, an organization dedicated to managing parent-driven schools.

"My corporation is a nonprofit, and its mission is to change public education," he said. "It must be changed in a specific manner."

Mr. Gaschler distributed copies of his book to everyone who attended the meeting.

The book's dust jacket describes Mr. Gaschler as "public enemy number one" in the "educational bureaucracy in California" because he wants to take control of children's futures from the bureaucracy and give it back to the parents.

He believes teachers and administrators should be accountable to the parents of the pupils, not to state government.

Ms. Johnson read his book before attending the meeting. She was impressed with his concept of making children lifelong learners.

"They are not just in school for 12 years, and that's it," she said. "They are going to be learning continually."

Lisa Winebrenner, of the Butler PTSA, said her organization wanted to bring Mr. Gaschler to the area to benefit parents across the community who want a better education for their children.

"A lot of people want to do something. This is a good community event," she said.

Ms. Winebrenner said members of her organization distributed information in Georgia and South Carolina through e-mail and their places of employment.

To get more information about Mr. Gaschler's book, visit www.parentdrivenschools.com.

Reach Charmain Z. Brackett at czbrackett@hotmail.com.