reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
GA Code § 20-2-2061 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 20 - Education|Chapter 2 - Elementary and Secondary Education|Article 31 - Charter Schools Act of 1998|§ 20-2-2061. Legislative Intent

 It is the intent of the General Assembly to increase student achievement through academic and organizational innovation by encouraging local school systems to utilize the flexibility of a performance based contract called a charter.    (Code 1981, §20-2-2061, enacted by Ga. L. 1998, p. 1080, § 3; Ga. L. 2002, p. 388, § 1; Ga. L. 2004, p. 107, § 19; Ga. L. 2005, p. 798, § 6/SB 35.)
GA Code § 20-2-2063 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 20 - Education|Chapter 2 - Elementary and Secondary Education|Article 31 - Charter Schools Act of 1998|§ 20-2-2063. Charter Petitions

  The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to govern the contents of a charter petition.   The State Board of Education shall establish rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to provide for the receipt of charter petitions from a group of two or more local schools as a single charter petitioner to convert to conversion charter school status. An existing conversion charter school may join as part of a group charter petition, and if such group charter petition is approved, the new charter shall supersede the conversion charter school's previous charter. A group charter petition may be comprised of all the schools in a high school cluster as such term is defined in Code Section 20-2-2062.   The State Board of Education shall establish rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to provide for charter petitions from two or more local school systems to jointly authorize a local charter school.   The State Board of Education shall establish rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to provide for a charter petition from a local school system to establish a charter system. Such rules, regulations, policies, and procedures shall require that a charter petition and the charter contain an explanation of the structure, rights, and responsibilities of the principal, governing council, and local board of education of the system charter school, with an objective of maximizing school level governance and the involvement of parents, teachers, and community members in such governance.     (Code 1981, §20-2-2063, enacted by Ga. L. 1998, p. 1080, § 3; Ga. L. 2002, p. 388, § 1; Ga. L. 2005, p. 798, § 9/SB 35; Ga. L. 2007, p. 185, § 4/SB 39.)   Editor's notes.   - Ga. L. 2007, p. 185, § 1/SB 39, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: "This Act shall be known and may be cited as the 'Charter Systems Act.'"   Ga. L. 2007, p. 185, § 2/SB 39, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: "The General Assembly finds that schools and school systems should be given high flexibility to tailor their educational programs to meet the unique needs of their communities. In furtherance of this, schools and school systems should be encouraged to use innovative educational programs including local management of schools and should be provided resources to help design and implement innovative programs. The General Assembly further finds that schools and school systems shall be held accountable for student achievement."   Law reviews.   - For note on 2007 amendment of this Code section, see 24 Gergia St. U.L. Rev. 121 (2007).   OPINIONS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL    State charter schools are subject  to the control and management of the local board of education. 2001 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 2001-9.
GA Code § 20-2-2064.1 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 20 - Education|Chapter 2 - Elementary and Secondary Education|Article 31 - Charter Schools Act of 1998|§ 20-2-2064.1. Review of Charter by State Board; Charters for State Chartered Special Schools

  Prior to approval or denial of a charter petition under this Code section, the state board shall receive and give all due consideration to the recommendation and input from the Charter Advisory Committee established in Code Section 20-2-2063.1.   The state board shall approve the charter of a charter petitioner if the petition has been approved by the local board of the local school system in which the proposed charter school will be located and the state board finds, after receiving input from the Charter Advisory Committee, that the petition complies with the rules, regulations, policies, and procedures promulgated in accordance with Code Section 20-2-2063 and the provisions of this title and is in the public interest. If the state board denies a petition, it must within 60 days specifically state the reasons for the denial, list all deficiencies with regard to Code Section 20-2-2063, and provide a written statement of the denial to the charter petitioner and to the local board.   No application for a state chartered special school may be made to the state board by a petitioner for a conversion charter school that has been denied by a local board. Upon denial of a petition for a start-up charter school by a local board and upon application to the state board by the petitioner, the state board shall approve the charter of a start-up charter petitioner for a state chartered special school if the state board finds, after receiving input from the Charter Advisory Committee, that such petition meets the requirements set forth in Code Section 20-2-2063 and the provisions of this title, and is in the public interest.     (Code 1981, §20-2-2064.1, enacted by Ga. L. 2002, p. 388, § 1; Ga. L. 2005, p. 798, § 11/SB 35; Ga. L. 2007, p. 185, § 7/SB 39.)   Editor's notes.   - Ga. L. 2007, p. 185, § 1/SB 39, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: "This Act shall be known and may be cited as the 'Charter Systems Act.'"   Ga. L. 2007, p. 185, § 2/SB 39, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: "The General Assembly finds that schools and school systems should be given high flexibility to tailor their educational programs to meet the unique needs of their communities. In furtherance of this, schools and school systems should be encouraged to use innovative educational programs including local management of schools and should be provided resources to help design and implement innovative programs. The General Assembly further finds that schools and school systems shall be held accountable for student achievement."   OPINIONS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL    State charter granted under subsection (d)(1) (now subsection (b)) of O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2064.1 must meet the same requirements and definitions as other charter schools in the Charter Schools Act, O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2060 et seq. 2001 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 2001-9.
GA Code § 20-2-2067 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 20 - Education|Chapter 2 - Elementary and Secondary Education|Article 31 - Charter Schools Act of 1998|§ 20-2-2067. Reprisals by Local Boards or School System Employees Prohibited

 A local board of education or a school system employee who has control over personnel actions shall not take unlawful reprisal against another employee of the school system because such other employee is directly or indirectly involved with a petition to establish a charter school. A local board of education or a school system employee shall not take unlawful reprisal against an educational program of any school or school system because a petition to establish a charter school proposes the conversion of such educational program to a charter school. As used in this Code section, the term "unlawful reprisal" means an action taken by a local board of education or a school system employee as a direct result of a lawful petition to establish a charter school which action is adverse to another employee and which is not lawfully taken in response to any action or behavior of such employee or is adverse to an educational program of the school or the school system and:    With respect to such other employee, results in one or more of the following:   Disciplinary or corrective action;   Transfer or reassignment, whether temporary or permanent;   Suspension, demotion, or dismissal;   An unfavorable performance evaluation;   A reduction in pay, benefits, or awards;   Elimination of the employee's position without a reduction in force by reason of lack of moneys or work; or   Other significant changes in duties or responsibilities that are inconsistent with the employee's salary or employment classification; or     With respect to an educational program, results in one or more of the following:   Suspension or termination of the educational program;   Transfer or reassignment of the educational program to a less favorable department;   Relocation of the educational program to a less favorable site within the school or school system; or   Significant reduction or termination of funding for the educational program, unless necessitated by unfunded mandates from federal or state decisions which result in a significant reduction in funds available to the local board of education and which result in a proportionate loss of funding for all schools in the system.       (Code 1981, §20-2-2067, enacted by Ga. L. 1998, p. 1080, § 3; Ga. L. 1999, p. 81, § 20; Ga. L. 2002, p. 388, § 1.)   RESEARCH REFERENCES   ALR.   - Construction and application of state prohibitions of unfunded mandates, 76 A.L.R.6th 543.
GA Code § 20-2-2069 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 20 - Education|Chapter 2 - Elementary and Secondary Education|Article 31 - Charter Schools Act of 1998|§ 20-2-2069. Office of Charter School Compliance

 There is established within the Department of Education an Office of Charter School Compliance, the responsibilities of which shall be to:    Prepare charter school and charter system guidelines to be approved by the state board;   Distribute charter school and charter system petition information to inquiring parties;   Process all charter school and charter system petitions and coordinate with the Charter Advisory Committee established pursuant to Code Section 20-2-2063.1 to facilitate its review and recommendations to the state board;   Administer any state or federal charter school implementation grant program;   Contract with an independent party to evaluate the performance of charter schools and charter systems, as such performance relates to fulfilling the terms of their charters; and   Compile information necessary to produce the annual report required by Code Section 20-2-2070.     (Code 1981, §20-2-2069, enacted by Ga. L. 1998, p. 1080, § 3; Ga. L. 2007, p. 185, § 14/SB 39.)   Editor's notes.   - Ga. L. 2007, p. 185, § 1/SB 39, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: "This Act shall be known and may be cited as the 'Charter Systems Act.'"   Ga. L. 2007, p. 185, § 2/SB 39, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: "The General Assembly finds that schools and school systems should be given high flexibility to tailor their educational programs to meet the unique needs of their communities. In furtherance of this, schools and school systems should be encouraged to use innovative educational programs including local management of schools and should be provided resources to help design and implement innovative programs. The General Assembly further finds that schools and school systems shall be held accountable for student achievement."   Law reviews.   - For note on 2007 amendment of this Code section, see 24 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 121 (2007).
GA Code § 20-2-2070 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 20 - Education|Chapter 2 - Elementary and Secondary Education|Article 31 - Charter Schools Act of 1998|§ 20-2-2070. Annual Report to General Assembly

 The state board shall report to the General Assembly no later than December 31 of each year on the status of the charter school program.    (Code 1981, §20-2-2070, enacted by Ga. L. 1998, p. 1080, § 3; Ga. L. 2005, p. 798, § 17/SB 35.)
GA Code § 20-2-2071 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 20 - Education|Chapter 2 - Elementary and Secondary Education|Article 31 - Charter Schools Act of 1998|§ 20-2-2071. Validity of Charters in Effect on July 1, 1998

 Any charter which was granted pursuant to Code Section 20-2-255 and is in effect on July 1, 1998, shall continue to be valid until such charter expires according to its terms.    (Code 1981, §20-2-2071, enacted by Ga. L. 1998, p. 1080, § 3.)   Editor's notes.   - Code Section 20-2-255, referred to in this Code section, was repealed by Ga. L. 1998, p. 1080, § 1, effective July 1, 1998.
GA Code § 20-2-2072 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 20 - Education|Chapter 2 - Elementary and Secondary Education|Article 31 - Charter Schools Act of 1998|§ 20-2-2072. Training for Governing Board Members

 The members of the governing board of the nonprofit organization of each charter school shall participate in initial training for boards of newly approved charter schools and annual training thereafter, conducted or approved by the state board. The state board shall provide for or approve such initial and annual training. For charter schools that are college and career academies, as defined in subsection (b) of Code Section 20-4-37, the state board shall provide or approve such training in conjunction with the Technical College System of Georgia. The training shall include, but not be limited to, best practices on school governance, the constitutional and statutory requirements relating to public records and meetings, and the requirements of applicable statutes and rules and regulations. The training shall also include two to three hours annually regarding sound fiscal management and monitoring the implementation of the budget in accordance with state laws and regulations which includes the following elements:    Board developed policies to ensure sound fiscal management, including but not limited to: balanced budget requirements, spending level authorizations and permissions, deficit spending restrictions, establishment of special funds, and reserve maintenance requirements;   Holding the principal, or its equivalent, accountable for the implementation of the budget in a manner consistent with the school's strategic plan;   Establishing through policy, the level of spending beyond the budget for which the school leader must seek board approval;   Monitoring the school's audits, monthly financial reports, and additional financial reports needed to make informed decisions and to ensure execution of the budget in a manner consistent with the strategic plan and strategic goals of the school;   Reviewing and addressing annually audited financial records and audit findings, with a goal of proactively preventing audit exceptions;   Addressing fiscal matters in a manner consistent with state law, sound business practice, and ethical principles regarding conflicts of interest; and   Operating in a manner such that the board's financial decisions and actions do not provide unfair financial or other opportunistic advantages to any member of the governance board, their family members, associates, or individual constituents.     (Code 1981, §20-2-2072, enacted by Ga. L. 2014, p. 164, § 1/HB 405; Ga. L. 2016, p. 613, § 1/HB 895.)
GA Code § 20-2-2073 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 20 - Education|Chapter 2 - Elementary and Secondary Education|Article 31 - Charter Schools Act of 1998|§ 20-2-2073. Charter Schools Financial Management Certification Program

 The State Board of Education shall establish a charter schools financial management certification program for charter school leaders and personnel who are responsible for the school's budget, accounting, payroll processing, purchasing, and ensuring the school's financial policies are in line with state and federal laws and best practices.    (Code 1981, §20-2-2073, enacted by Ga. L. 2016, p. 613, § 2/HB 895.)
GA Code § 20-2-2074 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 20 - Education|Chapter 2 - Elementary and Secondary Education|Article 31 - Charter Schools Act of 1998|§ 20-2-2074. Simultaneous Service of Certain Officers Prohibited

 The principal, or its equivalent, for a charter school shall not serve simultaneously as the chief financial officer, or its equivalent, for the charter school.    (Code 1981, §20-2-2074, enacted by Ga. L. 2016, p. 613, § 2/HB 895.)
GA Code § 20-2-2075 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 20 - Education|Chapter 2 - Elementary and Secondary Education|Article 31 - Charter Schools Act of 1998|§ 20-2-2075. Grant Program for Replicating High-Performing Charter Schools

  The State Board of Education is authorized to establish a grant program for the purpose of replicating high-performing charter schools, including local charter schools, state chartered special schools, and state charter schools. The grant program shall include funding, subject to appropriations by the General Assembly, for grants to charter applicants and existing charter schools to replicate high-performing charter schools or features or programs of high-performing charter schools that have been proven to be effective.   Grants shall be provided primarily for charter schools in rural areas, charter schools that primarily serve students with special needs, and charter schools that serve educationally disadvantaged students.   Grants shall be awarded based on criteria, terms, and conditions established by the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Charter Schools Commission. The grant program criteria may take into account the likelihood of success in replicating a high-performing charter school or feature or program of a high-performing charter school, whether a particular model lends itself to replication, the reasonableness of the costs involved in replication, and such other criteria deemed appropriate.   The State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Charter Schools Commission, is authorized to develop rules and regulations to implement the grant program established pursuant to this Code section.     (Code 1981, §20-2-2075, enacted by Ga. L. 2018, p. 650, § 6A/HB 787.)   Code Commission notes.   - Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 2018, Code Section 20-2-2075, as enacted by Ga. L. 2018, p. 650, § 7/HB 787, was redesignated as Code Section 20-2-2076.
GA Code § 20-2-2080 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 20 - Education|Chapter 2 - Elementary and Secondary Education|Article 31A - State Charter Schools|§ 20-2-2080. Legislative Findings and Intent

  The General Assembly finds that:   State charter schools can serve as a complement to the educational opportunities provided by local boards of education in the state's system of public education; and   State charter schools do not supplant public schools operated by local boards of education but provide options to enhance public educational opportunities.     It is the intent of the General Assembly that there be established a state-level commission under the authority of the State Board of Education whose primary focus is the development and support of state charter schools in order to better meet the growing and diverse needs of students in this state and to further ensure that state charter schools of the highest academic quality are approved and supported throughout the state in an efficient manner.     (Code 1981, §20-2-2080, enacted by Ga. L. 2012, p. 1298, § 1/HB 797.)   Law reviews.   - For article, "Education: Education's Elusive Future, Storied Past, and the Fundamental Inequities Between," see 46 Ga. L. Rev. 557 (2012).   JUDICIAL DECISIONS   Complaint based on information/records of public employer.    - Dismissal of a complaint filed by two teachers against a charter school was barred under the Taxpayer Protection Against False Claims Act, O.C.G.A. § 23-3-120 et seq., because the complaint asserted that while employed at the school, the teachers had access to information which led the teachers to believe that the school was violating state and federal laws as to student count and special education services, which were allegations based upon information or records that the teacher had access to as a result of the teachers' employment. Campbell v. Cirrus Education, 355 Ga. App. 628, 845 S.E.2d 393 (2020).   Entitlement to sovereign immunity.    - Dismissal of the whistleblowers' complaint filed by two teachers against a charter school and the school's chief executive officer was affirmed because the charter school was a public entity entitled to sovereign immunity and since the charter school was an instrumentality of the state, the chief executive officer was entitled to official immunity. Campbell v. Cirrus Education, Inc., 355 Ga. App. 637, 845 S.E.2d 384 (2020).
GA Code § 20-2-2081 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 20 - Education|Chapter 2 - Elementary and Secondary Education|Article 31A - State Charter Schools|§ 20-2-2081. Definitions

 As used in this article, the term:    "Attendance zone" means all or a portion of a local school system, one or more local school systems or portions thereof, or all local school systems in this state. A state charter school with an attendance zone that includes all local school systems in this state shall be considered to have state-wide jurisdiction as that term is used in Chapter 14 of Title 50.   "Commission" means the State Charter Schools Commission established pursuant to Code Section 20-2-2082.   "Department" means the Department of Education.   "Governing board" means the governing board of the nonprofit organization which is the charter petitioner for a state charter school and which is the same as the governing board of the state charter school which is involved in school-level governance of the state charter school.   "State charter school" means a school authorized by the commission pursuant to this article whose creation is authorized as a special school pursuant to Article VIII, Section V, Paragraph VII of the Constitution. A state charter school shall be a public school.  The definitions set forth in Code Section 20-2-2062 shall be applicable to this article.      (Code 1981, §20-2-2081, enacted by Ga. L. 2012, p. 1298, § 1/HB 797; Ga. L. 2019, p. 142, § 3/HB 59; Ga. L. 2020, p. 493, § 20/SB 429.)    The 2019 amendment,  effective July 1, 2019, added the second sentence in paragraph (1).    The 2020 amendment,  effective July 29, 2020, part of an Act to revise, modernize, and correct the Code, substituted "Department" for "state Department" in paragraph (3).
GA Code § 20-2-2084.1 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 20 - Education|Chapter 2 - Elementary and Secondary Education|Article 31A - State Charter Schools|§ 20-2-2084.1. Education of Incarcerated Children and Youth

 A state charter school shall be authorized, upon the approval of the commission, to enter into a contract with the Department of Juvenile Justice or the Department of Corrections to operate a school and deliver education services to school age children or youth incarcerated within any facility of the Department of Corrections or incarcerated within or committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice. Any children or youth receiving education services through a state charter school in such manner shall be considered students enrolled in and attending the state charter school for purposes of funding pursuant to Code Section 20-2-2089.    (Code 1981, §20-2-2084.1, enacted by Ga. L. 2016, p. 443, § 2-2/SB 367.)   Law reviews.   - For article on the 2016 enactment of this Code section, see 33 Georgia St. U.L. Rev. 139 (2016).