The State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia (SCSC) is a state-level authorizing entity working in collaboration with the Department of Education under the authority of the State Board of Education. The SCSC is appointed by the State Board of Education and is comprised of seven members recommended as provided by O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2083.

Authority: O.C.G.A. §§ 20-2-2082; 2091

The State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia (SCSC) meets at least bimonthly at the call of the chairperson or upon the request of four members of the SCSC. Four members of the SCSC constitute a quorum for meetings.

Authority: O.C.G.A. §§ 20-2-2082; 2091

 

 

Any interested person may request information or records of the State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia (SCSC). All written requests for records shall be made to the staff member of the SCSC designated to receive requests for records under the Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et. seq.) as identified on the SCSC website. The SCSC will respond to requests for records in accordance with the Georgia Open Records Act and in doing so may assess any administrative fee authorized by law.

Authority: O.C.G.A. §§ 20-2-2091; 50-18-70; 50-18-71.

Any interested person may petition the State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia (SCSC) in writing to request the promulgation, amendment or repeal of a rule or to request a declaratory ruling as to the applicability of any statutory provision or of any rule of the SCSC to the individual. The petition shall contain the name, address, phone number, and email address of the petitioner, as well as a clear and concise statement as to the rule in question, the subject matter upon which a rule is requested, and the specific outcome the petitioner requests. The SCSC or staff shall, within thirty days of the receipt of said petition, deny the petition in writing, initiate rule making proceedings in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 50-13-4, or provide a declaratory ruling in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 50-13-11.

Authority: O.C.G.A. §§ 20-2-2091; 50-13-4.

The following definitions shall apply to all rules and regulations of the State Charter Schools Commission:

(a)	Admission lottery - a random selection process to ensure that all applicants that do not have an enrollment preference have an equal chance of being admitted if the number of applications exceeds the capacity of a state charter school program, class, grade level, or building.
(b)	Attendance zone - the geographical area from which a state charter school may enroll students.
(c)	Charter - a performance-based contract between the charter authorizer(s) and a charter petitioner. By entering into a charter, a charter petitioner and the charter authorizer(s) shall be deemed to have agreed to be bound to all the provisions of the Charter Schools Act, O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2060 et. seq., and all State Board of Education and State Charter School Commission of Georgia rules and guidelines implementing the Charter Schools Act as if such terms were set forth in the charter.
(d)	Charter petition - a proposal or application to establish a charter school.
(e)	Charter petitioner - the entity that submits a petition for a charter. The term "charter petitioner" does not include home study programs or schools, sectarian schools, religious schools, private for profit schools, private educational institutions not established, operated, or governed by the State of Georgia, or existing private schools.
(f)	Governing board - 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.
(g)	Local board of education - a county or independent board of education exercising control and management of a local school system pursuant to Article VIII, Section V, Paragraph II of the Georgia Constitution.
(h)	State Board of Education (SBOE) - the authority which defines education policy for the public K-12 education agencies in Georgia.
(i)	State Board of Education (SBOE) - the authority which defines education policy for the public K-12 education agencies in Georgia.
(j)	State charter school - a school authorized by the State Charter Schools 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.
(k)	State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia - the state-level charter school authorizer established by O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2082.
(l)	Charter school replication - the creation of a second (or subsequent) charter school that utilizes the instructional program and/or academic model of an existing charter school but operates under a separate and independent charter contract.
(m)	Charter school expansion - growth of an existing state charter school by significantly increasing student enrollment above the enrollment limit in the charter through the addition of grades, classes, or campuses/sites. Expansion shall occur by amendment of an existing charter contract.

Authority: O.C.G.A. §§ 20-2-2081; 2091.

1. State Charter School Petitions. The state charter school petition is a proposal to create a new charter school or to renew the charter of an existing charter school. The petition serves to describe and summarize the charter school's mission and proposed operations. The petition shall address all applicable requirements of the Charter Schools Act of 1998, as amended (O.C.G.A §§ 20-2-2060 through 20-2-2071), requirements applicable to state charter schools as provided by O.C.G.A § 20-2-2084, State Board of Education Rules applicable to charter schools, and State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia (SCSC) Rules. The petition shall also address the charter school's capacity to adhere to the responsibilities of operating as a Local Education Agency (LEA) and operating with the funding provided to state charter schools rather than the funding provided to locally-approved charter schools.

2. Effect of Charter School Petitions and Charters. A charter school petition is not a charter or contract and has no binding nature or legal enforceability. The submission of a state charter petition does not guarantee that the SCSC will approve the petition or authorize the charter school. If a charter school petition is approved by the SCSC, the SCSC and charter petitioner will then execute a charter. The provisions of the charter may depart from provisions in the charter petition. The charter, rather than the petition, is the performance-based contract by which the state charter school and SCSC shall be bound.

3. Eligible Petitioners for State Charter Schools. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2084, a charter school petitioning for authorization by the SCSC must either:

   1. Have a state-wide attendance zone; or

   2. Have a defined attendance zone and demonstrate that the charter school has special characteristics, such as a special population, a special curriculum, or some other feature or features which enhance educational opportunities.

4. State Charter School Petition Application. The SCSC will create and disseminate through its website a petition application for prospective charter schools to utilize in submitting a charter petition for authorization by the SCSC. The petition application shall detail the expected contents, information, assurances, and forms expected by the SCSC when considering charter school petitions. Petition applications that do not include all information requested or adhere to all technical form requirements of the application may not be considered for approval by the SCSC. The SCSC may impose a deadline by which petition applications must be submitted for consideration by the SCSC. Petition applications received after the deadline, if any, will not be considered by the SCSC.

5. Concurrent Submission.

   1. Georgia law, specifically O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2084(c), requires charter schools petitioning for authorization from the SCSC to submit such petitions concurrently to local boards of education as described below.

      1. A charter school that has a state-wide attendance zone that is petitioning for authorization by the SCSC shall submit its petition to the local board of education in which the school is proposed to be located concurrently with its submission of its petition to the SCSC. The submission of the charter petition to the local board of education is for informational purposes only. The SCSC may consider the charter school petition for approval without action by the local board of education.

      2. A charter school that has a state-wide attendance zone that only provides virtual instruction that is petitioning for authorization by the SCSC is not required to submit a charter petition to a local board of education.

      3. A charter school that has a defined attendance zone shall submit its petition to the local board of education in which the school is proposed to be located and to each local school system from which the proposed school plans to enroll students. The SCSC is prohibited from acting on the charter school's petition until the local board of education in which the school is proposed to be located denies the petition or fails to approve or deny the petition within the time allotted by O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2064.

   2. A charter school that has a defined attendance zone shall submit its petition to the appropriate local board(s) of education in accordance with the deadlines established by those local board(s) of education and the Georgia Department of Education. If required by the appropriate local board of education or the Georgia Department of Education, the charter school must also submit a letter of intent to the local board of education and the Georgia Department of Education in accordance with the appropriate deadlines. It is not the responsibility of the local school district to inform prospective charter schools of deadlines.

   3. As a charter school that has a defined attendance zone must submit its petition concurrently to the local board of education in which the school is proposed to be located and the SCSC is prohibited from acting on the petition until the local board of education denies or fails to approve the petition, the charter school petitioner shall notify the SCSC of the local board of education’s action or inaction regarding the charter school. This notification shall be in the form and manner as specified in the State Charter School Petition Application.

6. State Charter School Petition Review Process. The SCSC staff shall review each state charter school petition that is submitted to ensure that all state charter schools authorized by the SCSC are consistent with state education goals. The SCSC may establish multiple petition review cycles and limit a cycle to a specific type of petitioner, including, but not limited to, petitioners seeking to replicate or expand an existing charter school. The SCSC review process includes a review for legal compliance, a substantive petition review, and an interview with charter school's representatives. A local board of education may also express opposition or support for the charter petition during the state charter school petition review process.

   1. Legal Compliance Review.

      1. The SCSC staff shall review each petition application submitted to the SCSC for its adherence to all state and federal laws applicable to the petition and charter school. This shall include laws related to the submission of the petition and laws related to the operation of school if opened.

      2. If the legal compliance review of the state charter school petition reveals that the charter school petitioner failed to adhere to the legal requirements in submitting the petition or that the charter school would be substantially noncompliant with any law in its operation, the SCSC staff shall notify the petitioner of the legal deficiencies in writing. The state charter school petitioner may remedy the identified legal deficiencies and submit a revised state charter school petition to the SCSC for review in a subsequent petition cycle.

      3. If the legal compliance review did not reveal any legal deficiencies, SCSC staff shall conduct a substantive petition review.

   2.  Substantive Petition Review.

      1. The SCSC staff shall conduct a substantive petition review of each petition application submitted to the SCSC that did not reveal any legal deficiencies in its legal compliance review. In conducting substantive petition reviews, the SCSC staff may contract with third-parties or utilize volunteers as it deems appropriate.

      2. The substantive petition review shall be an in-depth evaluation of the charter school’s mission, educational program, and proposed innovation as well as an examination of the charter school’s business operations. The SCSC staff shall evaluate the charter petition to ensure that it is consistent with state education goals, including enhancing public educational opportunities to meet the growing and diverse needs of students and to provide the highest academic quality to increase student achievement and positive outcomes. Additionally, the SCSC staff shall also examine the charter school’s proposed budget, funding sources, business partnerships, facilities, and any other operational aspects of the school during the substantive petition review to ensure that the school, if authorized, could operate in a fiscally responsible manner that would foster a positive school environment.

      3. The SCSC staff may request additional information or documents from the charter school petitioner to assist the staff in the substantive review. The SCSC staff may impose deadlines for the charter school petitioner to submit additional information or documents if requested. The SCSC staff may request additional information or documents from the charter school petitioner as often as necessary for the SCSC staff to complete the substantive petition review.

      4. If the substantive petition review reveals significant deficiencies, including, but not limited to, that the operation of the charter school would not be consistent with state educational goals or that it is readily apparent from the charter petition that the charter school operations would not be fiscally sound, the SCSC staff shall notify the petitioner of the deficiencies in writing. The state charter school petitioner may remedy the identified significant deficiencies and submit a revised state charter school petition to the SCSC for review in a subsequent petition cycle.

      5. If the substantive petition review did not reveal any significant deficiencies, SCSC staff shall schedule an interview with the charter school’s representatives.

   3. Interviews

      1. The SCSC staff shall conduct interviews with the governing board of each charter school for which the legal compliance and substantive petition reviews did not reveal legal or significant deficiencies.

      2. The focus of the interview shall relate to the governing board and school leadership’s capacity to operate a charter school that is consistent with state education goals, and to do so in a fiscally responsible manner that fosters a positive school environment.

      3. The SCSC staff shall schedule interviews in a manner that accounts for scheduling conflict; however, the final decision as to interview time and location is in the discretion of SCSC staff.

      4. The officers of the governing board and school leader shall attend the interview. Other representatives of the charter school that may attend the interview include, but are not limited to, all members of the governing board, school leadership positions, and key personnel of identified school partners.

      5. The SCSC shall assemble an interview panel that may include SCSC staff, SCSC Commissioners, education experts, and any other individuals whose knowledge and expertise would assist the SCSC in its decision to authorize the charter school.

      6. All representatives of the charter school and interview panel shall attend the interview in-person; however, SCSC staff may allow representatives of the charter school or members of the interview panel to attend through communication devices in extraordinary circumstances.

      7. Members of the interview panel shall provide feedback and recommendation to the SCSC staff regarding approval or denial by the SCSC of the charter school’s petition upon conclusion of the interview.

   4. Position of the Local Board of Education. A local board of education may express its support or opposition of a state charter school petition to the SCSC, including the reasons it chose to deny the charter petition and the specific deficiencies in the charter petition that resulted in its denial. The local board of education may express its position in its written notification of denial to the charter school petitioner or through a separate written communication to the SCSC. All written communications of the local board of education expressing its support or opposition of a state charter school petition shall be included with the state charter school petition application for consideration by the SCSC and its staff.

7. Information Considered. Post-petition review actions and official action by the SCSC may be based on all available information regarding a charter school petition, including, but not limited to, the petition, the interview with the petitioner, input from the local board of education, publicly available information, any supplemental information received from the petitioner in response to an SCSC staff request, or relevant information submitted by other interested parties that may affect the school’s viability and operation.

8. Post-Petition Review Actions. The SCSC staff may take the actions identified below at the conclusion of the petition review process.

   1. Recommendation for Approval or Renewal. The SCSC staff may determine that the information presented by the charter school in its petition and interview merits a recommendation to the SCSC to approve or renew the charter school petition.

   2. Request for Information or Action. The SCSC staff may determine that additional information, documentation, or action by the petitioner is needed to clarify certain non-substantive aspects of the charter school’s petition or operations before the SCSC considers the charter petition. The determination as to whether an aspect of the charter school’s petition or operation is non-substantive and can be clarified through additional information or action is in the sole discretion of SCSC staff.

      1. In instances in which the SCSC requests additional information from or action by a petitioner, the SCSC staff shall notify the charter school in writing of that additional information or action is needed, the specific information or action that is requested, and a deadline by which the charter school must submit the requested information or documentation that the action is complete. The SCSC staff may request clarifications as often as necessary to make a recommendation to the SCSC.

         1. SCSC staff may determine that information provided by a petitioner in response to a request for information or action is sufficient to allow SCSC staff to formulate a recommendation of approval or denial to the SCSC in accordance with the current petition review cycle timeline.

         2. SCSC staff may determine that information provided by a petitioner in response to a request for information or action is not sufficient to allow SCSC staff to formulate a recommendation to the SCSC and further clarification(s) is required by the petitioner. In such instances, SCSC staff may delay the issuance of a recommendation until the petitioner completes all actions requested by the SCSC or SCSC staff or petitioner fails to complete actions in accordance with the timeline provided by SCSC staff. To ensure that a charter school has  sufficient  time  to  begin  operation  after  receiving authorization, the SCSC, in its sole discretion, may require the charter school to open in a school year later than is outlined in its petition.

      2. SCSC staff shall evaluate all information and documentation provided in response to requests for clarification and make a recommendation to the SCSC. The SCSC staff may make a recommendation to the SCSC to deny or nonrenew the charter petition of the charter school if the charter school does not submit a timely response to a request for clarification. The decision by SCSC staff to request additional information or action or to delay SCSC action on a charter school does not preclude SCSC staff from later recommending that the charter school be denied.

   3. Recommendation for Denial or Nonrenewal. The SCSC staff may determine that the information presented by the charter school in its petition and interview merits a recommendation to the SCSC to deny or nonrenew the charter school petition.

9. Official Action.

   1. The SCSC may approve, deny, renew, or nonrenew state charter school petitions.

   2. The SCSC may, in its discretion, preliminarily approve a state charter school petition before the petitioner has secured space, equipment, or personnel, if the state charter school petitioner indicates that such preliminary approval is necessary for it to raise working capital.

   3. The SCSC may condition approval of the charter school’s petition on the charter school petitioner’s acceptance of a charter term or opening date different than those proposed in the state charter school petition application or on specific provisions, goals, or measures in the charter.

   4. The initial term of a charter contract approved by the SCSC shall be five years.

   5. All official actions of the SCSC when considering charter school petitions shall be by majority vote.

Authority: O.C.G.A. §§ 20-2-2083; 2084; 2091.

1. Monitoring in General

   1. All state charter schools will be annually monitored by the State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia (SCSC) to review and evaluate and determine the charter school's attainment of its performance goals and operational compliance, which will include academic and financial performance as required by O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2083(b)(4).

   2. The results of SCSC monitoring will be included in SCSC evaluations of state charter school performance under their charter contracts and SCSC Comprehensive Performance Framework. The SCSC may initiate termination proceedings pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2068 and SCSC Rule 691-2-.04 based on the findings of its monitoring activities.

   3. The SCSC Comprehensive Performance Framework shall serve as the basis for academic, financial, and organizational accountability. Regardless of the length of a school's charter term, the SCSC shall review each state charter school's results under the SCSC Comprehensive Performance Framework every five years and impose meaningful consequences if the state charter school fails to consistently meet expectations under the SCSC Comprehensive Performance Framework. The SCSC may initiate termination proceedings pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2068 and SCSC Rule 691-2-.04 if the state charter school fails to consistently meet expectations under the SCSC Comprehensive Performance Framework.

   4. The SCSC staff shall prepare an annual report for the SCSC chairperson that includes details regarding each state charter school’s academic performance and operational compliance.

2. Academic Performance

   1. The SCSC staff shall monitor student performance data for each state charter school to determine the school’s progress towards meeting the performance goals outlined in the charter.

   2. Each state charter school must participate in Georgia’s Single Statewide Accountability System (SSAS) as required by federal and state law, and SCSC staff shall review each state charter school’s annual determinations under the SSAS.

   3. SCSC staff shall notify a charter school in writing if state charter school is materially noncompliant in meeting the performance goals of its charter. Failure of a state charter school to remedy or make progress towards meeting its performance grounds may be grounds for termination of the charter as provided in SCSC Rule 691-2-.04.

   4. The SCSC staff shall include data regarding each state charter school’s academic performance, attainment of performance goals, and SSAS determinations in its annual performance report.

3. Operational Compliance

   1. The SCSC staff shall monitor each state charter school for its compliance in meeting the operational requirements of its charter and law. This shall include, but not be limited to: the school’s organizational goals as outlined in its charter; financial performance; revenues and expenditures; financial reporting and audit requirements; state and federal charter school laws, rules, and regulations; and any other rule or law applicable to the state charter school.

   2. SCSC staff shall notify a charter school in writing if state charter school is materially noncompliant in meeting the operational requirements of its charter. Failure of a state charter school to remedy operational noncompliance may be grounds for termination of the charter as provided in rule 691-2-.04.

   3. The SCSC staff shall detail each state charter school’s operational compliance or noncompliance in its annual performance report.

4. Required Training

   1. In accordance with O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2084(f), all members of the governing board for each state charter school shall complete annual governance training.

   2. All members of a governing board for a state charter school must complete initial governance training within the fiscal year in which the SCSC approved the school’s charter petition by attending governance training provided by SCSC staff.

   3. In fiscal years subsequent to the year in which a state charter school’s petition is approved, members of governing boards for state charter schools may fulfill annual training requirements by attending governance trainings provided by SCSC staff or through a training provider approved by the State Board of Education to provide governance trainings to charter schools. For trainings provided by training providers other than SCSC staff to be utilized to fulfill annual governance training requirements, the topics and duration of the training must be aligned training provided by SCSC staff. Each state charter school that utilizes a training provider other than SCSC staff to meet its annual governance training obligation must submit a written record of completion in a form and manner determined by the SCSC that includes a signature from the training provider certifying that the governing board member(s) attended the trainings and that the topics and duration aligned with training provided by SCSC staff. SCSC staff may require state charter schools that have not met standards on the SCSC Comprehensive Performance Framework to attend governance training provided by SCSC staff.

   4. The SCSC may require the members of a state charter school governing board, members of a state charter school’s administration, or the faculty of a state charter school to attend topic-specific trainings provided by the SCSC to address deficiencies in performance or operational compliance of the charter school identified by the SCSC.

5. Financial Reporting. Each state charter shall complete all financial reporting obligations in a timely manner as required by law, rule, or contract. Independent annual financial audits required by O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2065 shall be completed by an independent certified public accountant licensed in Georgia in a manner consistent with Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS) and shall be submitted to the SCSC no later than the first business day of November following the close of the fiscal year being audited. In addition to all financial reporting for state charter schools required by law, rule, or contract, a state charter school that fails to meet its contractual financial performance goals may be required to submit monthly financial reports to the SCSC Executive Director in a form and manner provided by the SCSC Executive Director.

6. Record Inspection. Subject to state and federal law, each state charter school shall allow the SCSC and its staff access to all records, reports, documents, and files relating to any activity, program, or student of the charter school for the purposes of monitoring and evaluating the charter school's performance or compliance.

7. Transparency of Records. To promote transparency and monitoring, each state charter school shall employ an online school website and ensure that the following information, at a minimum, is easily accessible on the school’s website:

   1. Governing Board membership;

   2. Governing Board meeting calendar;

   3. Meeting agendas for upcoming Governing Board meetings;

   4. Meeting minutes for past Governing Board meetings unless the Georgia Open Meetings Act limits their publication;

   5. Procedure for contacting the school’s Governing Board;

   6. Procedure for contacting the school’s most senior school administrator;

   7.  Any admissions application utilized by the school;

   8. Notification of enrollment and admission procedures required by SCSC Rule 691-2-.05, including the date, time, and location of any upcoming enrollment lottery;

   9. Annual operating budget or summary thereof as required by O.C.G.A. § 20- 2167.1; and

   10. The charter school’s Charter Contract.

8. Onsite Inspection. Each state charter school shall allow the SCSC and its staff to conduct onsite inspections of all facilities, property, and equipment owned or utilized by the charter school. The SCSC or its staff may conduct such onsite inspections without prior notification to the charter school.

9. Other Program Monitoring. State charter schools may be subject to monitoring of its programs and activities and required reporting by agencies or entities other than the SCSC including, but not limited to: the Georgia State Board of Education or the Georgia Department of Education, the United States Department of Education, the Department of Early Care and Learning, the Department of Public Health, the Department of Labor, and the Governor's Office of Student Achievement. State charter schools shall cooperate with all program monitoring activities as required by the respective program. State agencies may report any noncompliance of a state charter school to the SCSC or its staff. Upon receiving notification from a state agency that a state charter school is in noncompliance with one or more program activities, the SCSC staff may conduct additional monitoring activities, such as data review, record inspection, or an onsite inspection.

Authority: O.C.G.A. §§ 20-2-2083; 2091.
 

1. Charter Amendments. The provisions of the charter between the state charter school and the State Charter School Commission of Georgia (SCSC) may be amended during the term of the charter upon agreement between the charter school and the SCSC.
2. Charter Termination in General. The charter for a state charter school may be terminated for failure to adhere to any material term of the charter, including but not limited to, its performance goals, the charter school's failure to meet generally accepted standards of fiscal management, the charter school's violation of applicable federal, state, or local laws or court orders, or any other reason provided in law.
3. Charter Termination Initiated by the SCSC.
   1. The SCSC shall notify the state charter school of its intention to convene a hearing for the purpose of determining whether the charter school is in violation of a provision of O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2068(a)(2). The notification shall include the specific provisions of O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2068(a)(2) that the charter school is alleged to have violated and shall contain all information required by the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act, specifically O.C.G.A. § 50-13-13(a)(2).
   2. The state charter school shall have thirty (30) days from the date of the SCSC notification to submit a written response to SCSC staff. The written response must be received by SCSC staff by close of business on the thirtieth day following the date of the SCSC notification, unless the thirtieth day falls on a weekend or state holiday, in which case the written response must be received by SCSC staff by close of business next business day.
   3. The SCSC shall conduct a hearing following the state charter school's opportunity to respond. The hearing shall be held in accordance with the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act, O.C.G.A. § 50-13-1, et. seq.. The SCSC shall conduct the hearing and render a decision within any applicable timeframe established under the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act. The SCSC, in its sole discretion, may refer the matter for a hearing by the Office of State Administrative Hearings.
   4. In the event the SCSC determines that the charter will be terminated, the SCSC shall provide a written statement detailing the reasons for termination.
4. Charter Termination Initiated by the State Charter School. The governing board of a state charter school may request that the SCSC terminate its charter. Such request shall be made in writing to the SCSC. The SCSC shall act upon the request for termination without conducting a hearing.
5. Charter Termination Initiated by Parents or Staff.
   1. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2068(a)(1), the majority of parents or faculty and instructional staff may request that a state charter school's charter be terminated. The group requesting the termination of a charter under O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2068(a)(1) shall submit a written petition to the SCSC that includes the following information:
      1. Evidence that the group held a public meeting pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2068(a)(1) within the thirty (30) days preceding the date of the petition.
      2. A copy of the minutes of the public meeting where the request for termination was voted upon.
      3. A written statement, including supporting documentation, detailing which grounds for termination, as listed under O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2068(a)(2,) the group is requesting termination.
      4. Evidence that the group provided an identical copy of the materials being provided to the SCSC to request termination of the charter to the officials of the state charter school, which must, at a minimum, include the school leader and president of the governing board. A written statement signed by a member of the group requesting termination stating that such materials were provided to the officials of the state charter school may serve as evidence of such; and
      5. Any other information the group requesting the termination of a charter deems pertinent.
   2. The state charter school shall have thirty (30) days from the date the charter school officials first receive the group's petition requesting termination to submit a written response to SCSC staff. The written response must be received by SCSC staff by close of business on the thirtieth day following the date of the first receipt of the petition requesting termination, unless the thirtieth day falls on a weekend or state holiday, in which case the written response must be received by SCSC staff by close of business the next business day.
   3. Upon receipt of the request for termination and following the 30-day period for the state charter school's response, and at the request of the charter school or group petitioning for the closure of the charter school, the SCSC shall conduct a hearing and render a decision in accordance with Georgia's Administrative Procedures Act. If no such request for a hearing is made, the parties waive their right to a hearing and the SCSC shall render a vote based only upon information submitted by the parties and recommendation of SCSC staff.
   4. If the SCSC votes not to terminate the charter, the SCSC shall take notice of the request for termination during the renewal process for the state charter school, if any.

 

Authority: O.C.G.A § 20-2-2068; 2091

1. Enrollment Eligibility. A state charter school shall enroll any student who resides in the charter school's attendance zone and who submits a timely application for admission unless the number of applications exceeds the capacity of a program, class, grade level, or building. The attendance zone and any deadlines for submitting applications for admissions shall be specified in the school's charter. A state charter school may also provide for a single-sex educational opportunity, and in such case, the state charter school may enroll students in a manner consistent with its single-sex program provided the state charter school otherwise adheres to the requirements of this paragraph.

2. Enrollment Preferences.
   1. A state charter school may utilize any enrollment preferences authorized by state law and as specified in the school's charter contract.

   2. Utilizing all enrollment preferences allowed by state law may disqualify a state charter school from being eligible for grant funding through the Federal Charter School Program. State charter schools that may seek grant funding through the Federal Charter School Program are encouraged to review the program's guidance prior to utilizing enrollment preferences.

3. Admission Applications. The application for admission to the state charter school shall only request information necessary to allow the state charter school to identify the student and determine the grade to which the student will be enrolled. The application for admission may request the student's name and grade as well as basic contact information for the parent, such as a telephone number and email address. Applications for admission shall not request any information related to the student or parent's race, ethnicity, religion, or socio-economic status. Applications for admission shall not request information related to the student's previous school or academic performance, including, but not limited to: the name of the student's school, the student's transcript, the student's work product, whether the student received special education services, or whether the student received language assistance. Information needed by the state charter school to verify the student's eligibility for enrollment and appropriate placement may be obtained after the student is assured an enrollment space in the school.

4. Admission Lotteries.

   1. When the number of applications exceeds the capacity of the program, class, grade level, or building of the state charter school, the state charter school shall, after granting any applicable enrollment preferences, conduct an admission lottery.

   2. When a state charter school must conduct an admission lottery, the governing board of the school shall approve a written policy detailing how the admission lottery is to be conducted. The admission lottery shall be a random selection process to ensure that all applicants that do not have an enrollment preference have an equal chance of being admitted.

   3. A state charter school shall conduct an admission lottery in accordance with its written policy.

5. Notification of Enrollment and Admission Procedures. Each state charter school shall actively communicate its enrollment and admissions opportunities and procedures to parents and the community to ensure that students and parents have an equal chance to learn about and apply to the school. If the state charter school will conduct an admission lottery, the notification to parents and the community shall include information regarding the use of an admission lottery. The notification of enrollment and admission communication activities may include advertisements in newspapers or community flyers, posting information on bulletin boards or online forums, and any other method designed to disseminate information to the targeted audience. The state charter school shall conduct notification activities over a period of time, which shall begin no later than two weeks prior to the enrollment or admission opportunity.

Authority: O.C.G.A. §§ 20-2-2066; 2083; 2091.
Adopted: October 29, 2014
Effective: November 24, 2014
 

1. Sites and Facilities in General. All state charter schools must ensure a safe and healthy school environment that creates a conducive learning environment and protects the well-being of students and employees.  Each state charter school must comply with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, and provisions of its charter contract relating to the school’s site and facilities or any material modifications thereto.

2. Site and Facility Approval. All state charter schools must obtain a site code, facility code, and school code the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) prior to utilizing any site or facility for serving students. Each state charter school is responsible for adhering to the process or procedures outlined by GaDOE for the issuance of site codes, facility codes, and school codes.

3. Required Documents.

   1. Any state charter school that utilizes a facility it does not own shall execute a written lease or rental agreement with the appropriate party to use the facility as a charter school.  State charter schools must submit the final draft lease or rental agreement to the SCSC Executive Director prior to executing any lease or rental agreement.  State charter schools must submit any amendment to a lease or rental agreement to the SCSC Executive Director prior to executing the amendment.

   2. Any state charter school that purchases a facility using proceeds from a loan, bond, or other form of debt shall submit the loan, bond, or other financing agreement to the SCSC Executive Director for review thirty (30) days before closing on the facility’s purchase.

   3. Any state charter school that intends to use, lease, occupy, purchase, remodel, or renovate a site, building, or facility through an arrangement with an Education Service Provider (ESP) shall enter a written agreement for such use, lease, occupancy, purchase, remodel, or renovation. State charter schools shall submit a final draft of the written agreement required by this subsection to the SCSC Executive Director and receive prior written approval before executing the agreement. 

   4. Each state charter school shall obtain and display a Certificate of Occupancy for its facility prior to occupancy.  Each state charter school shall maintain a valid Certificate of Occupancy throughout its entire charter term.  

   5. Each state charter school shall prepare a safety plan in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 20-2-1185 and must submit such plan to the local emergency management agency that oversees the area in which the school is located no later than July 1 each year of its charter term.

   6. Each state charter school shall secure adequate insurance coverage prior to occupancy and maintain adequate coverage throughout the charter term.  

4. Changing Facilities. A state charter school shall not change facilities without prior written approval from the SCSC Executive Director.

   1. To change facilities means to change the physical location of a charter school building, facility, or site.

   2. A majority vote of the state charter school governing board is required to authorize negotiations to purchase, dispose of, or lease property.

   3. A state charter school shall notify the SCSC no later than twenty-four (24) hours after a vote pursuant to (4)(b) occurs.

   4. A charter school shall not begin negotiations to change facilities less than ten (10) months prior to the beginning of a new school year, except as expressly authorized in writing by the SCSC Executive Director.

   5. A state charter school changing facilities shall adhere to all applicable provisions of this Rule and all SCSC facility requirements.

5. Adding or Expanding Facilities.  A state charter school shall not add or expand facilities during the term of its charter contract without prior written approval from the SCSC Executive Director. The addition or expansion of facilities must be consistent with the SCSC's rules, guidance, and policies regarding school expansion and replication. A state charter school adding or expanding facilities during the charter term shall adhere to all applicable provisions of this Rule and SCSC facility requirements. State charter schools utilizing multiple sites or facilities must comply with all open enrollment requirements described in O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2066 and SCSC Rule 691-2-.05.

6. Safety and Security. Each state charter school must take reasonable steps to ensure the safety and security of students, employees, and visitors, including but not limited to, ensuring the facility is clean and in good repair; remediating any visible safety concerns in a timely manner; and taking steps to protect the campus from potential intrusion.

7. Asbestos Remediation. All state charter schools must comply with the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) and the terms of any applicable asbestos remediation plan.

8. Onsite Inspection. Each state charter school shall allow the SCSC and its staff to conduct onsite inspections of any and all facilities or property either owned or utilized by the charter school.  The SCSC or its staff may conduct such onsite inspections without prior notification to the charter school.  

9. Compliance. Failure to comply with the requirements of this Rule may result in one or more of the following:

   1. additional oversight by the SCSC;

   2. point deductions on the SCSC Comprehensive Performance Framework (CPF); 

   3. probation; 

   4. suspension; or,

   5. recommendation for termination.
       

Authority: O.C.G.A. §§ 20-2-2083; 2091.

1. Required Provisions. State charter schools shall not enter into multi-year contracts that extend beyond the length of their current charter term for the acquisition of goods, materials, services, or supplies unless such contracts contain the following provisions:
   1. The contract shall terminate absolutely and without further obligation on the part of the charter school at the close of the fiscal year in which the charter term concludes and at the close of each succeeding charter term for which the contract may be renewed;
   2. The contract may be renewed only by a positive action taken by the charter school; and
   3. The contract shall state the total payment obligation of the charter school for the original contract term and each renewal shall state the total payment obligation that may be incurred in subsequent each charter term, if renewed.
2. Exclusion. This rule shall not apply to multi-year contracts to lease or purchase facilities, vehicles, or capital equipment.

Authority: O.C.G.A. §§ 20-2-2083; 2091.

1. Enrollment Limits. Each charter between the SCSC and a state charter school shall specifically state the total maximum number of students that the state charter school can enroll at any point during its charter term. Charter enrollment limits may only be modified after SCSC approval through amendment of the charter. For any charter contract that does not include an enrollment limit as of the effective date of this rule, the enrollment limit shall be set at 1.05 times that state charter school's preceding October total Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) enrollment count, as reported by the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE).
2. Amendment of Enrollment Limits. State charter schools may not undergo expansion without prior approval by the SCSC. A state charter school seeking to amend the enrollment limit in its charter shall submit a written charter amendment request from its governing board chairperson or his or her authorized designee to the SCSC Executive Director. The SCSC Executive Director shall determine whether the requested expansion constitutes a significant increase to the school's enrollment limit. Requests for charter school expansion shall, at a minimum, include the following:
   1. The number of grades or classes to be added, if applicable;
   2. The new proposed grade range and the proposed performance measures for additional grades, if applicable;
   3. The rationale and/or justification for the requested modification;
   4. The new proposed enrollment limit;
   5. The rationale for increasing the state charter school's enrollment limit;
   6. A proposed budget for the increase or decrease in total students served; and,
   7. Contact information for the designated point of contact.

Authority: O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2091
 

Until such time that the State Board of Education and the State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia (SCSC) jointly establish a code of principles and standards of charter school authorizing as required by O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2063.3(a), the SCSC shall not consider a petition by an existing charter school to transfer to SCSC authorization unless the existing charter school has received notice from its local authorizer that the authorizer will or intends to terminate or non-renew the charter contract. This rule shall be interpreted consistent with the requirements of O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2063.3 and O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2085.

Authority: O.C.G.A. §§ 20-2-2091; 2063.3; 2085.
 

1. Pre-Opening Suspension
   1. The governing board of any non-profit organization approved to operate a start-up, replication, or transfer state charter school must demonstrate that the state charter school is adequately prepared to begin operations by meeting the State Charter Schools Commission's (SCSC) pre-opening requirements and demonstrating the state charter school's ability to meet the obligations of the charter contract.
   2. To demonstrate that the state charter school is adequately prepared to begin operations, the state charter school must meet all SCSC pre-opening requirements in the form and manner prescribed by the SCSC and must demonstrate its compliance with applicable laws; rules of the State Board of Education; rules, and policies of the SCSC; and the charter contract. The SCSC Executive Director shall have the sole discretion to determine whether a state charter school has demonstrated adequate preparation for operations.
   3. If the SCSC Executive Director determines that a state charter school has failed to demonstrate adequate preparation to begin operations, the Executive Director may suspend the state charter school's opening until the SCSC Executive Director determines that the state charter school has demonstrated adequate preparation to begin operations.
   4.  Any pre-opening suspension imposed pursuant to this rule shall not result in the automatic extension of the charter term. 
2. Suspension 
   1. In cases where the physical and/or mental health, safety, or welfare of students or staff of a state charter school is in danger or the SCSC has reasonable suspicion of fraud, waste, or abuse of state charter school funds, the SCSC may, through a regular or called meeting, suspend the operations of the state charter school.
      1. If the SCSC suspends the operations of a state charter school, the state charter school shall not enroll new students or continue to implement its education program, or otherwise provide instruction to enrolled students. The state charter school shall not receive state funding allocations for the period of suspension. The state charter school shall not enter any new contractual agreements without prior written consent from the SCSC Executive Director. The state charter school shall be prohibited from continuing all but essential functions for the period of suspension.
      2. Essential functions include oversight of pre-existing contractual obligations, ensuring the protection of school records, funds, property and equipment, transfer of records to other schools, school districts, or educational providers, and other activities deemed essential by SCSC staff.
   2. If operations are suspended, the state charter school shall be required to provide documents and information to the SCSC in the form and at the time required by the SCSC relevant to school operations, finance, and academics through the period of suspension and until the end of the suspension period or until such time that the charter contract is terminated pursuant to procedures in 691-2-.04(3).
   3. Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit a state charter school placed on suspension from requesting that the SCSC terminate its charter pursuant to SCSC rule 691-2-.04(4). Such request shall be made in writing to the SCSC. The SCSC shall act upon the request for termination without conducting a hearing.
3. Placing a Charter on Probationary Status
   1. The SCSC Executive Director may place a state charter school on probationary status if there is reason to believe that any of the following has occurred or is imminent:
      1. failure to timely remedy noncompliance with any material term of the charter after written notice from the SCSC, including but not limited to, the performance goals set forth in the charter;
      2. repeated failure to adhere to the rules, policies, and guidelines adopted or established by the SCSC;
      3. repeated failure to meet generally accepted government accounting (GAAP) standards;
      4. repeated violations of applicable federal, state, or local laws or court orders;
      5. the existence of substantial evidence that the continued operation of the state charter school could be contrary to the best interest of the students or the community;
      6. the governing board has demonstrated an inability to provide effective leadership or otherwise oversee the state charter school's operation;
      7. failure to disclose material information regarding violations or potential violations of any material term of the charter or applicable federal, state, or local laws or court orders;
      8. failure to disclose to the SCSC the conditions that place the physical health, safety, or welfare of students or staff of the state charter school at risk;
      9. repeated failure to disclose to the SCSC circumstances that may impair or prevent the state charter school from implementing the education program required by the charter;
      10. failure to meet the academic, financial, or operational standards in the SCSC's Comprehensive Performance Framework (CPF) for two consecutive years;
      11. for schools serving students in grades 9 through 12, failure to maintain accreditation and meet the requirements to be an eligible high school as defined in O.C.G.A. § 20-3-519(6)(A) prior to any student's high school graduation from the state charter school; and,
      12. any other reason that would lead to the eventual termination or non-renewal of the charter if not resolved.
   2. If a state charter school is placed on probation, the following shall apply:
      1. the SCSC shall provide written notice to the state charter school of the reasons for such placement and the duration of probation, not later than five (5) days after the placement;
      2. no later than thirty (30) days after the date of such placement, the state charter school shall file with the SCSC a corrective action plan that addresses the reasons outlined for the probation and a timeline for remedying those issues;
      3. the SCSC may approve the corrective action plan as submitted, require specific corrective action, or impose additional terms of probation on the state charter school that it deems necessary;
      4. the state charter school shall implement the corrective action plan and complete any required corrective or other actions that the SCSC requires;
      5. during the term of probation, the SCSC may require the state charter school to file interim reports concerning any matter deemed relevant to the probationary status of the state charter school, non-renewal of the charter, or termination of the charter, including inventory and financial reports or statements; and,
      6. the SCSC may amend the probation length based on its review of the interim reports or corrective actions.
   3. The state charter school may be removed from probation upon fulfilling the terms of its corrective action plan and upon the SCSC's determination that the conditions which precipitated the probation no longer exist and that no new conditions necessitate probationary status.
   4. Failure to implement the corrective action plan within the required time, to produce interim reports in the form and at the time required by the SCSC, or to remediate the conditions that precipitated the probation may result in a recommendation that the SCSC initiate charter termination proceedings consistent with the provisions of SCSC Rule 691-2-.04(3) or a notice to the state charter school of the SCSC's intent not to renew the charter.
   5. If the SCSC notifies the state charter school that it will not renew the charter during the probationary period, the state charter school shall be required to provide documents and information to the SCSC in the form and at the time required by the SCSC relevant to the school's operations, finance, and academics. The SCSC may require the state charter school to communicate specific information to its stakeholders. If the SCSC requires the state charter school to communicate specific information to its stakeholders, the state charter school must do so in the form and at the time required by the SCSC.
   6. The SCSC may consider a state charter school's probationary status at any time, including but not limited to charter renewal or termination, when reviewing a request to expand, add grades, or replicate, or when returning surplus funds from the SCSC's authorized administrative withhold to state charter schools.

 

Authority: O.C.G.A. §§ 20-2-2083; 2091.

1. Purpose. The purpose of this grant is to provide reimbursement to state charter schools for costs associated with traveling to and from governing board training required by O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2084(f).
2. Terms and Conditions. Grants are awarded on a reimbursement basis to state charter schools for costs associated with traveling to and from governing board training provided in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2083(b)(12) and required by O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2084(f). Only expenses eligible for reimbursement under the State Travel Policy established by the State Accounting Office will be reimbursed under this grant. The applicant must ensure that all expenses submitted to the State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia (SCSC) are consistent with the State Travel Policy. The SCSC will make a form available to eligible applicants that the applicant must utilize to report eligible expenses.
3. Eligible Recipients. All state charter schools with governing board members traveling to and from governing board training required by O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2084(f) are eligible to apply.
4. Criteria for Award. Applications will be reviewed for compliance with application requirements and the State Travel Policy. Funding will be awarded for all eligible expenses that are submitted in compliance with application requirements and the State Travel Policy. All grant awards and amounts will be determined and awarded by the Executive Director of the SCSC.
5. Directions and Deadlines for Applying. Requests for information and applications should be directed to the Business and Operations Manager, State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia, 1470B Twin Towers East, 205 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive, Atlanta, Georgia, 30334*. Specific deadlines will be included in the associated application package.

Authority: O.C.G.A. §§ 20-2-2082; 20-2-2083; 20-2-2084.

*As of March 1, 2023, the SCSC office is located at 1356 Twin Towers East, 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE, Atlanta, Georgia, 30334

1. Purpose. The purpose of this grant is to provide reimbursement to state charter schools for costs associated with travel by its staff and consultants to and from trainings provided by the State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia (SCSC).
2. Terms and Conditions. Grants are awarded on a reimbursement basis to state charter schools for costs associated with travel by its staff and consultants to and from trainings provided by the SCSC. Only expenses eligible for reimbursement under the State Travel Policy established by the State Accounting Office will be reimbursed under this grant. The applicant must ensure that all expenses submitted to the SCSC are consistent with the State Travel Policy. The SCSC will make a form available to eligible applicants that the applicant must utilize to report eligible expenses.
3. Eligible Recipients. All state charter schools with staff or consultants traveling to and from trainings provided by the SCSC are eligible to apply.
4. Criteria for Award. Applications will be reviewed for compliance with application requirements and the State Travel Policy. Funding will be awarded for all eligible expenses that are submitted in compliance with application requirements and the State Travel Policy. All grant awards and amounts will be determined and awarded by the Executive Director of the SCSC.
5. Directions and Deadlines for Applying. Requests for information and applications should be directed to the Business and Operations Manager, State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia, 1470B Twin Towers East, 205 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive, Atlanta, Georgia, 30334*. Specific deadlines will be included in the associated application package.

Authority: O.C.G.A. §§ 20-2-2082; 20-2-2083; 20-2-2084

*As of March 1, 2023, the SCSC office is located at 1356 Twin Towers East, 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE, Atlanta, Georgia, 30334

 

 

1. Purpose. The purpose of this grant is to redistribute assets purchased by state charter schools that will close prior to disposition of the assets in accordance with state or federal regulations. Pursuant to federal regulations, 34 C.F.R. § 74.34, certain assets purchased with federal grant funding must be redistributed to eligible subgrantees. In accordance with a school's charter contract, assets purchased with nonfederal funds revert to the State Charter Schools Commission (SCSC). This grant will provide a fair and equitable process for redistributing the assets purchased by state charter schools.
2. Terms and Conditions. Recipients must meet the federal definition of a charter school prior to receiving redistributed assets purchased with federal funds. The recipient charter school must continue to meet the federal definition of a charter school for at least one school year beyond the asset award. Recipients must utilize awarded assets in accordance with the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) and dispose of assets as specified in EDGAR. All recipients must conduct charter school programs in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
3. Eligible Recipients. All charter schools in Georgia that are operating at the assets will be awarded are eligible to apply.
4. Criteria for Award. Awards will be made based on the applicant's need and to charter schools in the following order of priority:
   1. state charter schools;
   2. current CSP grant awardees;
   3. past CSP grant awardees and
   4. other existing charter schools. Available assets will vary depending on the assets purchased by the closing charter school. All awards will be determined and awarded by the SCSC or its designee.
5. Directions and Deadlines for Applying. Requests for information and applications should be directed to the Business and Operations Manager, State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia, 1470B Twin Towers East, 205 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive, Atlanta, Georgia, 30334*. Specific deadlines will be included in the associated application package.

Authority: O.C.G.A. §§ 20-2-2082; 20-2-2083; 20-2-2084.

*As of March 1, 2023, the SCSC office is located at 1356 Twin Towers East, 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE, Atlanta, Georgia, 30334

 

1. Purpose. This grant will provide financial assistance to state charter schools that are required to administer a nationally norm-referenced assessment to offset the cost of purchasing and administering the assessment. This grant is intended to be used for nationally norm-referenced assessments that are part of the school's schoolwide assessment program and is not intended for costs related to assessments administered to individual students to the determine the need for differentiated instruction or compensatory services.
2. Terms and Conditions. This application is only for state charter schools that are required to administer a nationally norm-referenced assessment as a result of its charter contract. All recipients must conduct charter school programs in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations. Funding will be provided to schools that receive an award on a reimbursement basis. To receive funding that it has been awarded, a school must provide the SCSC an invoice from the assessment provider that the school has a legal obligation to remit funding to the assessment provider for products or services provided in relation to the administration of a nationally norm-referenced assessment in the current school year. Grant awards may be expended only on nationally norm-referenced assessments recognized by the SCSC and identified in the grant application.
3. Eligible Recipients. All state charter schools that are required to administer a nationally norm-referenced assessment as a result of its charter contract are eligible to apply.
4. Criteria for Award. Awards under this grant will be made on a formula basis. Each school eligible for an award will receive a pro-rata level of assistance calculated by dividing the total funding available under this grant by the overall cost of the nationally norm-referenced assessment administration for eligible schools.
5. Directions and Deadlines for Applying. Requests for information and applications should be directed to the Business and Operations Manager, State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia, 1470B Twin Towers East, 205 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive, Atlanta, Georgia, 30334*. Specific deadlines will be included in the associated application package.

Authority: O.C.G.A. §§ 20-2-2082; 20-2-2083; 20-2-2084.

*As of March 1, 2023, the SCSC office is located at 1356 Twin Towers East, 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE, Atlanta, Georgia, 30334

 

1. Purpose. The SCSC may provide grants to state charter schools from the Emergency School Operations Fund to assist schools in resolving exceptional and unforeseen budget shortfalls arising from matters external or dynamic events outside the school's control. Matters outside of the school's control that may lead to use of the Emergency School Operations Fund include, but are not limited to, natural disasters, acts of terror or war, or other acts or interference by third parties in the school's operation. The Emergency School Operations Fund is not to be used to assist schools experiencing budget shortfalls that result from a failure to account for routine school operations, accounting mistakes, general errors in judgment, or a lack of understanding regarding the state charter school funding formula.
2. Terms and Conditions. Grant awards from the Emergency School Operations Fund shall only be expended to offset exceptional and unforeseen budget shortfalls arising from matters outside of the school's control. The state charter school shall ensure that all expenditures of grant awards adhere to the Budget Narrative submitted with its application and the changes, if any, required by the SCSC as a condition of grant approval. If an awardee must deviate from the Budget Narrative submitted and approved by the SCSC by 10% or more in one or more object-level expenditures, the awardee must obtain prior written approval from the SCSC Executive Director. All grant awards shall be expended in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements and restrictions regarding state funding, including, but not limited to, being expended only for the educational purposes of the state charter school in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 20-2-411.
3. Eligible Recipients. All state charter schools that are currently operating are eligible to apply.
4. Criteria for Award. Grant applications will be reviewed by at least two separate readers who rate the application in accordance with the rubric in Attachment A. An applicant will be evaluated based on the need established in the application narratives; the effort demonstrated by the school to reduce its budget deficit by other means; the degree to which the budget shortfall was caused by actions outside of the school's control; the school's history of academic, operational, and financial performance; and adherence to the technical requirements of the application. Applicants must receive an average score of 80 out of 100 to receive funding from the Emergency School Operations Fund.
5. Directions and Deadlines for Applying. Requests for information and applications should be directed to the Business and Operations Manager, State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia, 1470B Twin Towers East, 205 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive, Atlanta, Georgia, 30334*. Specific deadlines will be included in the associated application package.

Authority: O.C.G.A. §§ O.C.G.A. §§ 20-2-2082; 2091.

*As of March 1, 2023, the SCSC office is located at 1356 Twin Towers East, 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE, Atlanta, Georgia, 30334