by Georgia Charter Schools Association
[Editor’s Note: Andrew Lewis is Executive Vice President of the Georgia Charter Schools Association (GCSA) Here he updates charter school advocates on the outcomes of charter school-related bills that made it to the very end of the Georgia General Assembly’s 2015 legislative session.]
By Andrew Lewis,
The 2015 Session of the Georgia General Assembly has come to an end. Many bills failed to pass out of both chambers. Some bills receiving the necessary votes from the General Assembly will fail to become law if the Governor uses his veto powers. The remaining bills will either become law with the Governor’s signature or if unsigned, will become law on July 1st, 2015.
Of the 139 K-12 education related pieces of legislation under consideration for the 2015 Session of the Georgia General Assembly, only 28 (20%) passed the House and Senate and await the Governor’s signature.
With the General Assembly finishing year one of two in a two-session cycle, bills that failed to pass both the House and Senate are considered “active bills” for the 2016 Session.
Of the 139 K-12 education related pieces of legislation under consideration for the 2015 Session of the Georgia General Assembly, only 28 (20%) passed the House and Senate and await the Governor’s signature.
With the General Assembly finishing year one of two in a two-session cycle, bills that failed to pass both the House and Senate are considered “active bills” for the 2016 Session.
GCSA Has Successful 2015 Session
With an abundance of support from the Governor, State Legislative leaders and Members, as well as our members who made their voices heard, we are able to report a mostly successful 2015 Session. GCSA actively supported eight charter school related pieces of legislation, opposed two charter school related bills, and remained neutral on 2 charter related bills.
Of the eight charter school related pieces of legislation, only two bills did not pass out of the Georgia General Assembly. House Bill 271, the “charter schools in the workplace” never made it out of the House Rules Committee while Senate Bill 80, attempting to clarify funding issues for state many approved charter schools was stymied in the Senate Education Committee just as it was in the 2014 Session of the General Assembly.
GCSA, working with House and Senate leadership, as well as the Governor’s office, saw the passage of HB 372, the “Utopian Academy of the Arts Act”, HB 502, the annual “Title 20 Cleanup Bill”, SB 156, allowing the State Charter Schools Commission to establish a 501c3 non-profit entity, SR 287, the “Opportunity School District” amendment and its enabling legislation, SB 133.
When it was determined House Bill 474, the weighted lottery bill, was in jeopardy of failing to receive passage on Day 40, GCSA worked with Representative Christian Coomer, the sponsor of HB 372, to have the language of HB 474 placed on HB 372. Though risky, these last minute actions on Day 40 allowed weighted lotteries for charter schools to be approved, pending the signature of Governor Deal.
GCSA actively opposed two bills, HB 16, allowing students attending magnet schools to participate in extracurricular activities at the home high school and HB 525, unnecessarily attempting to hold charter schools accountable to measures for which charter schools are already held accountable.
Though GCSA was “neutral” on HB 65, requiring some charter schools and all local boards of education to conduct two open meetings regarding their annual budget before the budget can be approved, and HB 144, a weak bill attempting to protect online charter school student data. GCSA worked with the sponsor of HB 65 to vastly improve the language of the bill.
Of the eight charter school related pieces of legislation, only two bills did not pass out of the Georgia General Assembly. House Bill 271, the “charter schools in the workplace” never made it out of the House Rules Committee while Senate Bill 80, attempting to clarify funding issues for state many approved charter schools was stymied in the Senate Education Committee just as it was in the 2014 Session of the General Assembly.
GCSA, working with House and Senate leadership, as well as the Governor’s office, saw the passage of HB 372, the “Utopian Academy of the Arts Act”, HB 502, the annual “Title 20 Cleanup Bill”, SB 156, allowing the State Charter Schools Commission to establish a 501c3 non-profit entity, SR 287, the “Opportunity School District” amendment and its enabling legislation, SB 133.
When it was determined House Bill 474, the weighted lottery bill, was in jeopardy of failing to receive passage on Day 40, GCSA worked with Representative Christian Coomer, the sponsor of HB 372, to have the language of HB 474 placed on HB 372. Though risky, these last minute actions on Day 40 allowed weighted lotteries for charter schools to be approved, pending the signature of Governor Deal.
GCSA actively opposed two bills, HB 16, allowing students attending magnet schools to participate in extracurricular activities at the home high school and HB 525, unnecessarily attempting to hold charter schools accountable to measures for which charter schools are already held accountable.
Though GCSA was “neutral” on HB 65, requiring some charter schools and all local boards of education to conduct two open meetings regarding their annual budget before the budget can be approved, and HB 144, a weak bill attempting to protect online charter school student data. GCSA worked with the sponsor of HB 65 to vastly improve the language of the bill.
CHARTER SCHOOL RELATED BILLS
(Still Alive for 2015 Having Crossed Either the House or the Senate)
– * House or Senate Resolution
– Updates, additions, or new bills from the last GCSA Legislative Newsletter
HB 65, Education; local boards of education and certain charter schools to hold at least two public meetings on the proposed annual operating budget; require; Caldwell, Michael 20th,STATUS: Feb/12/2015 – House Passed/Adopted (170 – 4), Mar/19/2015 – Senate Committee Favorably Reported by Substitute, Mar/20/2015 – Senate Read Second Time, Mar/30/2015 – In Rules Committee, BILL IS DEAD
GCSA ANALYSIS: HB 65 would require boards of charter schools, along with local boards of education, to “hold at least two public meetings for the purpose of providing an opportunity for public input on its proposed annual operating budget before adopting any budget.” The bill exempts “college and career academies that are charter schools; conversion charter schools whose charter is not held by a non-profit corporation; or system charter schools.” While GCSA supports transparency, we continue to address with the bill’s sponsor the need to provide transparency for all public schools, not just a select few.
TIMELINE: GCSA has met with the bill’s sponsor on numerous occasions in an attempt to improve HB65. Rep. Caldwell is seeking transparency for parents to better understand how education dollars are spent at district and school level. GCSA met with Rep. Caldwell immediately after the bill passed the House Education Committee to address concerns, most notably the burdensome requirement of holding board meetings in various parts of the state. Mar/19/2015 – Rep. Michael Caldwell, working with GCSA, provided a Senate Substitute to the Senate Education & Youth Committee, adjusting the language regarding charter schools with a statewide attendance zone having to conduct one of their board meetings in the City of Atlanta. Using suggested GCSA language, Rep. Caldwell changed the language to read, “The governing body of a charter school with a state-wide attendance zone and students residing in 25 percent or more of Georgia’s counties or in three or more counties which are not geographically contiguous shall conduct one such public meeting in the county in which its primary business office is located and one such public meeting in the metropolitan Atlanta area.” Mar/30/2015 – Over days 39 and 40, HB 65 must receive a “do pass” from Rules Committee for a full Senate vote. HB 65 then must receive a House “agreement” to be considered by the Governor for signature into law. April 2nd – House Bill 65 failed to receive a vote on the Senate floor and is considered “dead” for 2015.
GCSA POSITION: NEUTRAL
HB 372, Utopian Academy for the Arts Act; enact, Coomer, Christian 14th,
STATUS: Feb/19/2015 – House Second Readers, Mar/3/2015 –House Education Committee Favorably Reported by Substitute, Mar/5/2015 –House passes (170 – 0), Mar/30/2015 – In Rules Committee, Mar/31/2015 – Senate passes by Substitute (44 – 8), Apr/02/2015 – Senate Agreed House Amend or Substitute, AWAITS GOVERNOR’S SIGNATURE INTO LAW
GCSA ANALYSIS: HB 372 would prohibit additional requirements of a charter school to operate that has passed state facility inspections and received a certificate of occupancy. This bill is a direct result from the continuous obstruction by Clayton County Schools to prevent Utopian Academy for the Arts from occupying their school facility. HB 372 added the entirety of House Bill 474, the weighted lottery bill.
TIMELINE: Mar/5/2015 – HB 372 has passed the House and now travels to the Senate, Mar/20/2015 – Senate Education Committee hear the bill and asked for further clarification on the impact a charter school working with a for-profit education management organization may have in bill were signed in to law. HB 372 will be heard and voted by the Senate Education & Youth Committee on Monday March 23rd. Mar/30/2015 – Over days 39 and 40, HB 372 must receive a “do pass” from Rules Committee for a full Senate vote. HB 372 then must receive a House “agreement” to be considered by the Governor for signature into law. Apr/02/2015 – Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub and awaits signature into law by the Governor.
GCSA POSITION: SUPPORT
HB 474, Charter schools; enrollment priorities for educationally disadvantaged students and military students; provide, Kaiser, Margaret 59th,
STATUS: Feb/26/2015 – House Second Readers, Mar/3/2015 – House Education Committee Favorably Reported by Substitute, Mar/13/2015 – House Passed/Adopted By Substitute (166 – 2), Mar/20/2015 – HB 474 awaits a hearing and vote in the Senate Education & Youth Committee. Mar/30/2015 – In Rules Committee, BILL IS DEAD
GCSA ANALYSIS: HB 474 would allow charter schools to utilize federal guidelines around weighted lotteries to assist charter schools wanting to more proactively serve students considered “educationally disadvantaged”. Often for many charter schools, changing demographics and more affluence within the communities they serve, prevent the charters from serving a diverse student population as their mission statement requires.
TIMELINE: House Education Committee Favorably Reported by Substitute last week. HB 474 has three working days to get voted out of House Rules and receive a majority vote by the full House. If the bill is unable to receive a majority vote by the full House, the bill will be considered “dead” for the 2015 session. GCSA has worked very closely with the bill’s sponsor as well as member charter school leaders to seek passage. After striking the term “migrant students” from the definition of educationally disadvantaged, HB 474 passed the full House 166 – 2. Mar/20/2015 – HB 474 awaits a hearing and vote in the Senate Education & Youth Committee. Mar/30/2015 – Over days 39 and 40, HB 474 must receive a “do pass” from Rules Committee for a full Senate vote. HB 474 then must receive a House “agreement” to be considered by the Governor for signature into law. The language of HB 474 was placed in its entirety in House Bill 372, the Utopian School for the Arts Act. April 2nd –– House Bill 474 failed to receive a vote on the Senate floor and is considered “dead” for 2015.
GCSA POSITION: SUPPORT
HB 502, Elementary and secondary education; update and clarify provisions and repeal obsolete provisions, Dudgeon, Mike 25th,
STATUS: Mar/05/2015 – House Committee Favorably Reported by Substitute, Mar/11/2015 – House Passed/Adopted By Substitute (170 – 0), Mar/13/2015 – Senate Read and Referred, Mar/20/2015 – HB 502 awaits a hearing and vote in the Senate Education & Youth Committee. Mar/31/2015 – Senate passes by Substitute (46 – 4), Apr/02/2015 – Senate Agreed House Amend or Substitute, AWAITS GOVERNOR’S SIGNATURE INTO LAW
GCSA ANALYSIS: HB 502 is the annual Title 20 “cleanup” bill. The bill had a late start this year. The bill has adopted the language from SB 80, as SB 80 was not traveling on the Senate side. There are some additional charter related changes; changing the date when charters must turn in their annual audit report to the state from October 1 to November 1. This change allows charters to use the Oct FTE count, allowing audit numbers to more accurately reflect enrolled students.
TIMELINE: Feb/19/2015 – House Education Subcommittee for Academic Innovations to hear HB 502 on Wednesday March 4. Mar/05/2015 – House Committee Favorably Reported by Substitute. HB 502 has three working days to get voted out of House Rules and receive a majority vote by the full House. If the bill is unable to receive a majority vote by the full House, the bill will be considered “dead” for the 2015 session. HB502 moved quickly out of Rules, the full House, and assigned to the Senate Education & Youth Committee last week. Mar/20/2015 – HB 502 awaits a hearing and vote in the Senate Education & Youth Committee. Mar/30/2015 – Over days 39 and 40, HB 502 must receive a “do pass” from Rules Committee for a full Senate vote. HB 502 then must receive a House “agreement” to be considered by the Governor for signature into law. Apr/02/2015 – Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub and awaits signature into law by the Governor.
GCSA POSITION: SUPPORT
SB 156, State Charter Schools Commission; authorize to establish a nonprofit foundation, Tippins, Lindsey 37th,
STATUS: Mar/04/2015 – Passed out of Senate Education & Youth Committee and is now in Senate Rules. Mar/09/2015 – Senate Passed/Adopted (44 – 9), Mar/11/2015 – House First Readers, Mar/13/2015 – House Second Readers, Mar/20/2015 – SB 156 received a “do pass” at subcommittee and will be voted on by the full House Education Committee later this week. Mar/30/2015 – In Rules Committee. Mar/31/2015 – House passes (151 – 13), AWAITS GOVERNOR’S SIGNATURE INTO LAW
GCSA ANALYSIS: SB 156 would allow the State Charter Schools Commission to establish a 501c3 nonprofit foundation, similar to 501c3 nonprofit foundations for numerous school districts across Georgia.
TIMELINE: Mar/04/2015 – Passed out of Senate Education & Youth Committee. SB 156 has three working days to get voted out of Senate Rules and receive a majority vote by the full Senate. If the bill is unable to receive a majority vote by the full House, the bill will be considered “dead” for the 2015 session. Mar/30/2015 – Over days 39 and 40, SB 156 must receive a “do pass” from Rules Committee for a full House vote to then be considered by the Governor for signature into law. Apr/02/2015 – House passes and bill awaits signature into law by the Governor.
GCSA POSITION: SUPPORT
* SR 287, Opportunity School District; allow the General Assembly to authorize the establishment; provide for state intervention for failing schools, Miller, Butch 49th, AND SB 133, Opportunity School District; establishment; provide for definitions; supervision of public elementary and secondary schools that are failing, Miller, Butch 49th,
STATUS: Mar/05/2015 – * Senate passed SR 287 by Substitute
(38 – 15)
Mar/05/2015 – Senate passed SB 133 by Substitute
(38 – 17)
Mar/25/2015 – * House passed SR 287 (121 – 47)
Mar/25/2015 – House passed SB 133 (108 – 53)
– SB 133 AWAITS GOVERNOR’S SIGNATURE INTO LAW
– SR 287, AS A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, WILL REQUIRE A 50 PERCENT PLUS 1 MAJORITY VOTE BY GEORGIA VOTERS IN NOVEMBER 2016 TO BE FULLY ADOPTED.
GCSA ANALYSIS: An amendment to the Constitution of Georgia and enabling legislation so as to allow the General Assembly to authorize the establishment of an Opportunity School District to provide for state intervention for failing schools. If passed, one option will be the reorganization of schools as charter schools.
TIMELINE: SR 287 and its enabling legislation, SB 133 was heard in the Senate Education & Youth Committee on Monday February 22nd for the first time. A second hearing will be held on Monday March 2. SR 287 and its enabling legislation, SB 133 followed identical paths last week, passing the Senate in a heated debate. SR 287 required a constitutional majority of 38 votes to pass. Both SR 133 and SB 287 travel to the House. SR 133 and SB 287 will be heard by the full House Education Committee on Wednesday March 18 and will allow public comments. SR 133 and SB 287 will be voted on by the full House Education Committee on Monday March 23. Both SB 133 and SR 287 have received the necessary votes by the House and Senate chambers and the Senate “agreed” on the House amendments. SB 133 travels to the Governor for signature into law. SR 287, as a constitutional amendment, will require a 50 percent plus 1 majority vote by Georgia voters in November 2016 to be fully adopted.
GCSA POSITION: SUPPORT
– Updates, additions, or new bills from the last GCSA Legislative Newsletter
HB 65, Education; local boards of education and certain charter schools to hold at least two public meetings on the proposed annual operating budget; require; Caldwell, Michael 20th,STATUS: Feb/12/2015 – House Passed/Adopted (170 – 4), Mar/19/2015 – Senate Committee Favorably Reported by Substitute, Mar/20/2015 – Senate Read Second Time, Mar/30/2015 – In Rules Committee, BILL IS DEAD
GCSA ANALYSIS: HB 65 would require boards of charter schools, along with local boards of education, to “hold at least two public meetings for the purpose of providing an opportunity for public input on its proposed annual operating budget before adopting any budget.” The bill exempts “college and career academies that are charter schools; conversion charter schools whose charter is not held by a non-profit corporation; or system charter schools.” While GCSA supports transparency, we continue to address with the bill’s sponsor the need to provide transparency for all public schools, not just a select few.
TIMELINE: GCSA has met with the bill’s sponsor on numerous occasions in an attempt to improve HB65. Rep. Caldwell is seeking transparency for parents to better understand how education dollars are spent at district and school level. GCSA met with Rep. Caldwell immediately after the bill passed the House Education Committee to address concerns, most notably the burdensome requirement of holding board meetings in various parts of the state. Mar/19/2015 – Rep. Michael Caldwell, working with GCSA, provided a Senate Substitute to the Senate Education & Youth Committee, adjusting the language regarding charter schools with a statewide attendance zone having to conduct one of their board meetings in the City of Atlanta. Using suggested GCSA language, Rep. Caldwell changed the language to read, “The governing body of a charter school with a state-wide attendance zone and students residing in 25 percent or more of Georgia’s counties or in three or more counties which are not geographically contiguous shall conduct one such public meeting in the county in which its primary business office is located and one such public meeting in the metropolitan Atlanta area.” Mar/30/2015 – Over days 39 and 40, HB 65 must receive a “do pass” from Rules Committee for a full Senate vote. HB 65 then must receive a House “agreement” to be considered by the Governor for signature into law. April 2nd – House Bill 65 failed to receive a vote on the Senate floor and is considered “dead” for 2015.
GCSA POSITION: NEUTRAL
HB 372, Utopian Academy for the Arts Act; enact, Coomer, Christian 14th,
STATUS: Feb/19/2015 – House Second Readers, Mar/3/2015 –House Education Committee Favorably Reported by Substitute, Mar/5/2015 –House passes (170 – 0), Mar/30/2015 – In Rules Committee, Mar/31/2015 – Senate passes by Substitute (44 – 8), Apr/02/2015 – Senate Agreed House Amend or Substitute, AWAITS GOVERNOR’S SIGNATURE INTO LAW
GCSA ANALYSIS: HB 372 would prohibit additional requirements of a charter school to operate that has passed state facility inspections and received a certificate of occupancy. This bill is a direct result from the continuous obstruction by Clayton County Schools to prevent Utopian Academy for the Arts from occupying their school facility. HB 372 added the entirety of House Bill 474, the weighted lottery bill.
TIMELINE: Mar/5/2015 – HB 372 has passed the House and now travels to the Senate, Mar/20/2015 – Senate Education Committee hear the bill and asked for further clarification on the impact a charter school working with a for-profit education management organization may have in bill were signed in to law. HB 372 will be heard and voted by the Senate Education & Youth Committee on Monday March 23rd. Mar/30/2015 – Over days 39 and 40, HB 372 must receive a “do pass” from Rules Committee for a full Senate vote. HB 372 then must receive a House “agreement” to be considered by the Governor for signature into law. Apr/02/2015 – Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub and awaits signature into law by the Governor.
GCSA POSITION: SUPPORT
HB 474, Charter schools; enrollment priorities for educationally disadvantaged students and military students; provide, Kaiser, Margaret 59th,
STATUS: Feb/26/2015 – House Second Readers, Mar/3/2015 – House Education Committee Favorably Reported by Substitute, Mar/13/2015 – House Passed/Adopted By Substitute (166 – 2), Mar/20/2015 – HB 474 awaits a hearing and vote in the Senate Education & Youth Committee. Mar/30/2015 – In Rules Committee, BILL IS DEAD
GCSA ANALYSIS: HB 474 would allow charter schools to utilize federal guidelines around weighted lotteries to assist charter schools wanting to more proactively serve students considered “educationally disadvantaged”. Often for many charter schools, changing demographics and more affluence within the communities they serve, prevent the charters from serving a diverse student population as their mission statement requires.
TIMELINE: House Education Committee Favorably Reported by Substitute last week. HB 474 has three working days to get voted out of House Rules and receive a majority vote by the full House. If the bill is unable to receive a majority vote by the full House, the bill will be considered “dead” for the 2015 session. GCSA has worked very closely with the bill’s sponsor as well as member charter school leaders to seek passage. After striking the term “migrant students” from the definition of educationally disadvantaged, HB 474 passed the full House 166 – 2. Mar/20/2015 – HB 474 awaits a hearing and vote in the Senate Education & Youth Committee. Mar/30/2015 – Over days 39 and 40, HB 474 must receive a “do pass” from Rules Committee for a full Senate vote. HB 474 then must receive a House “agreement” to be considered by the Governor for signature into law. The language of HB 474 was placed in its entirety in House Bill 372, the Utopian School for the Arts Act. April 2nd –– House Bill 474 failed to receive a vote on the Senate floor and is considered “dead” for 2015.
GCSA POSITION: SUPPORT
HB 502, Elementary and secondary education; update and clarify provisions and repeal obsolete provisions, Dudgeon, Mike 25th,
STATUS: Mar/05/2015 – House Committee Favorably Reported by Substitute, Mar/11/2015 – House Passed/Adopted By Substitute (170 – 0), Mar/13/2015 – Senate Read and Referred, Mar/20/2015 – HB 502 awaits a hearing and vote in the Senate Education & Youth Committee. Mar/31/2015 – Senate passes by Substitute (46 – 4), Apr/02/2015 – Senate Agreed House Amend or Substitute, AWAITS GOVERNOR’S SIGNATURE INTO LAW
GCSA ANALYSIS: HB 502 is the annual Title 20 “cleanup” bill. The bill had a late start this year. The bill has adopted the language from SB 80, as SB 80 was not traveling on the Senate side. There are some additional charter related changes; changing the date when charters must turn in their annual audit report to the state from October 1 to November 1. This change allows charters to use the Oct FTE count, allowing audit numbers to more accurately reflect enrolled students.
TIMELINE: Feb/19/2015 – House Education Subcommittee for Academic Innovations to hear HB 502 on Wednesday March 4. Mar/05/2015 – House Committee Favorably Reported by Substitute. HB 502 has three working days to get voted out of House Rules and receive a majority vote by the full House. If the bill is unable to receive a majority vote by the full House, the bill will be considered “dead” for the 2015 session. HB502 moved quickly out of Rules, the full House, and assigned to the Senate Education & Youth Committee last week. Mar/20/2015 – HB 502 awaits a hearing and vote in the Senate Education & Youth Committee. Mar/30/2015 – Over days 39 and 40, HB 502 must receive a “do pass” from Rules Committee for a full Senate vote. HB 502 then must receive a House “agreement” to be considered by the Governor for signature into law. Apr/02/2015 – Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub and awaits signature into law by the Governor.
GCSA POSITION: SUPPORT
SB 156, State Charter Schools Commission; authorize to establish a nonprofit foundation, Tippins, Lindsey 37th,
STATUS: Mar/04/2015 – Passed out of Senate Education & Youth Committee and is now in Senate Rules. Mar/09/2015 – Senate Passed/Adopted (44 – 9), Mar/11/2015 – House First Readers, Mar/13/2015 – House Second Readers, Mar/20/2015 – SB 156 received a “do pass” at subcommittee and will be voted on by the full House Education Committee later this week. Mar/30/2015 – In Rules Committee. Mar/31/2015 – House passes (151 – 13), AWAITS GOVERNOR’S SIGNATURE INTO LAW
GCSA ANALYSIS: SB 156 would allow the State Charter Schools Commission to establish a 501c3 nonprofit foundation, similar to 501c3 nonprofit foundations for numerous school districts across Georgia.
TIMELINE: Mar/04/2015 – Passed out of Senate Education & Youth Committee. SB 156 has three working days to get voted out of Senate Rules and receive a majority vote by the full Senate. If the bill is unable to receive a majority vote by the full House, the bill will be considered “dead” for the 2015 session. Mar/30/2015 – Over days 39 and 40, SB 156 must receive a “do pass” from Rules Committee for a full House vote to then be considered by the Governor for signature into law. Apr/02/2015 – House passes and bill awaits signature into law by the Governor.
GCSA POSITION: SUPPORT
* SR 287, Opportunity School District; allow the General Assembly to authorize the establishment; provide for state intervention for failing schools, Miller, Butch 49th, AND SB 133, Opportunity School District; establishment; provide for definitions; supervision of public elementary and secondary schools that are failing, Miller, Butch 49th,
STATUS: Mar/05/2015 – * Senate passed SR 287 by Substitute
(38 – 15)
Mar/05/2015 – Senate passed SB 133 by Substitute
(38 – 17)
Mar/25/2015 – * House passed SR 287 (121 – 47)
Mar/25/2015 – House passed SB 133 (108 – 53)
– SB 133 AWAITS GOVERNOR’S SIGNATURE INTO LAW
– SR 287, AS A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, WILL REQUIRE A 50 PERCENT PLUS 1 MAJORITY VOTE BY GEORGIA VOTERS IN NOVEMBER 2016 TO BE FULLY ADOPTED.
GCSA ANALYSIS: An amendment to the Constitution of Georgia and enabling legislation so as to allow the General Assembly to authorize the establishment of an Opportunity School District to provide for state intervention for failing schools. If passed, one option will be the reorganization of schools as charter schools.
TIMELINE: SR 287 and its enabling legislation, SB 133 was heard in the Senate Education & Youth Committee on Monday February 22nd for the first time. A second hearing will be held on Monday March 2. SR 287 and its enabling legislation, SB 133 followed identical paths last week, passing the Senate in a heated debate. SR 287 required a constitutional majority of 38 votes to pass. Both SR 133 and SB 287 travel to the House. SR 133 and SB 287 will be heard by the full House Education Committee on Wednesday March 18 and will allow public comments. SR 133 and SB 287 will be voted on by the full House Education Committee on Monday March 23. Both SB 133 and SR 287 have received the necessary votes by the House and Senate chambers and the Senate “agreed” on the House amendments. SB 133 travels to the Governor for signature into law. SR 287, as a constitutional amendment, will require a 50 percent plus 1 majority vote by Georgia voters in November 2016 to be fully adopted.
GCSA POSITION: SUPPORT
Andrew Lewis is Executive Vice President of the Georgia Charter Schools Association.
The views and opinions expressed on CharterConfidential are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency.
Georgia Charter Schools Association
The Georgia Charter Schools Association (GCSA) is the membership organization for Georgia’s charter school operators and petitioners, established in 2001. Our mission is to be an effective advocate and service provider for all charter public schools in Georgia.
