§ 20-2-2096-2 — Adoption of policies, procedures, regulations and other such requirements

(a) (1) The state board shall adopt policies, procedures, regulations, and other such requirements for the establishment, funding, and operation of completion special schools under this article. (2) (A) (i) No later than July 1, 2023, each school operating as a state chartered special school and having previously operated as a system-collaborative state charter school that elected to be established as a completion special school, as provided in division (l)(1)(B)(iii) of Code Section 20-2-154.1 , shall be so established for the 2023-2024 school year and continuing thereafter, subject to the provisions of this article and other applicable law. (ii) The state board shall assign each school provided for in division (i) of this subparagraph to a single attendance zone provided for in subsection (a) of Code Section 20-2-2096.7 on the basis of each such school's current operations. (iii) The state board shall be authorized to allow each school provided for in division (i) of this subparagraph to continue for part or all of the 2023-2024 school year the employment of school administrators and other school personnel who were employed by such school prior to being established as completion special schools. (iv) Each student enrolled as of June 30, 2023, in a school operating as a state chartered special school and having previously operated as a system-collaborative state charter school shall be eligible to be enrolled in a completion special school notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b) of Code Section 20-2-2096.3 . (B) For each state chartered special school, having previously operated as a system-collaborative state charter school, that does not timely make an election as provided in division (l)(1)(B)(iii) of Code Section 20-2-154.1 , such school's current charter with the state board shall not be renewed or otherwise extended beyond its current expiration date; nor shall such school receive any state funds under Article 6 of this chapter beyond the expiration date of its current charter with the state board. (3) Subject to appropriations, the state board shall be authorized to provide up to $5 million in grant funding for the purpose of assisting and encouraging the development of new completion special schools; provided, however, that no current or former state chartered special school, having previously operated as a system-collaborative state charter school, shall be eligible for such funds. (b) The state board shall adopt policies, procedures, regulations, and other such requirements for the dissolution or probationary dissolution of a completion special school upon the recommendation of the State School Superintendent for failure to comply with the requirements of this article or other applicable law or for other good cause as determined by the state board following an impartial due process procedure which shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following: (1) A completion special school shall be notified in writing by the department of alleged noncompliance with provisions of this article or other applicable law, policy, rule, or regulation and shall be allowed no less than 30 days to respond in writing to such notice; (2) If the department provides a corrective action plan to a completion special school, such school shall have no less than 60 days to implement such corrective action plan or reach a resolution of such corrective action plan mutually with the department; (3) If a completion special school fails to timely implement a corrective action plan or reach a resolution of such corrective action plan mutually with the department, or for other good cause, the department shall submit to the State School Superintendent a written recommendation of dissolution or probationary dissolution of such school. The department shall provide a copy of such recommendation to such school, and such school shall be permitted to submit to the State School Superintendent a written response to such recommendation within ten days of the date of such recommendation; and (4) Upon receipt of a recommendation by the department of the dissolution or probationary dissolution of a completion special school, the State School Superintendent shall be authorized to: (A) Require information from the department and such school regarding any alleged noncompliance with this article or other applicable law, any alleged noncompliance with any corrective action plan provided by the department to such school, or any other cause alleged in support of the department's recommendation; (B) Allow such school additional time not to exceed 60 days to demonstrate compliance with the corrective action plan referenced in the department's recommendation; (C) Determine that such school has adequately demonstrated compliance with the corrective action plan referenced in the department's recommendation; (D) Make a recommendation to the state board that such school shall be placed on probationary dissolution for a period of not less than 12 months, during which period such school must demonstrate continuous compliance with this article and other applicable laws and any corrective action plan provided by the department. During any such probationary period, the State School Superintendent shall, at his or her sole discretion, be authorized to recommend that the state board revoke such school's probationary status and proceed with the dissolution of such school; and (E) Make a recommendation to the state board that such completion special school shall be dissolved, effective on a date that ensures the least disruptive transition practicable for students who are enrolled or attending such school.

Legislative History

Added by 2023 Ga. Laws 342,§ 3, eff. 5/4/2023.