---
title: SB 4. Education; fundamental roles of local boards of education and local school superintendents; revise provisions
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/sb4
cite_as: SB 4, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb4
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb4.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb4/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69277
date: 2025-03-11
status: engrossed
corpus_version: bills-2026-09-11
license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb3.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb5.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md
omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 854
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb4.md?full=1
bill_number: SB 4
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: Senate
bill_type: bill
status_date: 2025-03-04
last_action: House Second Readers
sponsors:
  - Greg Dolezal
  - Brandon Beach
  - Randy Robertson
  - Larry Walker
  - Ben Watson
  - Chuck Hufstetler
  - Carden Summers
  - John Albers
  - John Kennedy
  - Bill Cowsert
  - Frank Ginn
  - Russ Goodman
  - Blake Tillery
  - Billy Hickman
  - Drew Echols
  - Sam Watson
  - Max Burns
  - Timothy Bearden
  - Lee Anderson
  - Clint Dixon
  - Shawn Still
  - Jason Anavitarte
  - Colton Moore
text_version: Engrossed
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SB4/2025
upstream_id: 1916690
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
  - local school boards
  - school superintendent authority
  - school board ethics
  - school board training
  - education governance
---

# SB 4. Education; fundamental roles of local boards of education and local school superintendents; revise provisions

## Text

25 SB 4/CSFA
Senate Bill 4
By: Senators Dolezal of the 27th, Beach of the 21st, Robertson of the 29th, Walker III of the
20th, Watson of the 1st and others
AS PASSED SENATE
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to1
elementary and secondary education, so as to revise provisions relating to the fundamental2
roles of local boards of education and local school superintend ents; to provide for3
requirements for the model code of ethics for local boards of e ducation to be promulgated4
by the State Board of Education; to provide for public complain ts alleging ethics code5
violations by members of local boards of education; to provide for required and prohibited6
topics in training programs for local board of education members; to provide for a sanction7
for noncompliance; to provide for an effective date; to provide for related matters; to repeal8
conflicting laws; and for other purposes.9
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:10
SECTION 1.11
Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elementary and12
secondary education, is amended in Article 3, relating to local boards of education, by13
revising Code Section 20-2-61, relating to fundamental roles of local boards of education and14
local school superintendents, as follows:15
S. B. 4
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25 SB 4/CSFA
"20-2-61.16
(a) The fundamental role of a local board of education shall be to establish policy for the17
local school system with the focus on student achievement. The fundamental role of a18
local school superintendent shall be to implement the policy established by the local board. 19
It shall not be the role of the local board of education or individual members of such board20
to micromanage the superintendent in executing his or her duties, but it shall be the duty21
of the local board to hold the local school superintendent accountable in the performance22
of his or her duties; provided, however, that requesting and reviewing financial data and23
documents shall not constitute micromanaging. No individual member of a local board24
shall discuss any individual personnel matter with the local school superintendent or other25
school personnel except as provided for in Code Section 20-2-94 3, Code26
Section 20-2-989.7, Code Section 20-2-989.8, Code Section 20-2-1160, Code27
Section 50-14-3, or Code Section 50-14-4 or as otherwise authorized by law; provided,28
however, that the mere referral of a personnel matter to the lo cal school superintendent29
shall not be prohibited. Local board of education members should work together with the30
entire local board of education and shall not have authority as independent elected officials31
but shall only be authorized to take official action as members of the board as a whole. 32
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to alter, limit, expand, or enlarge any powers,33
duties, or responsibilities of local boards of education, local board members, or local school34
superintendents.35
(b) Except as may be allowed by law, no local board of education shall delegate or attempt36
to delegate its policy-making functions."37
SECTION 2.38
Said chapter is further amended in said article by revising Code Section 20-2-72, relating to39
code of ethics for local board of education members, as follows:40
S. B. 4
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25 SB 4/CSFA
"20-2-72.41
(a) The State Board of Education shall adopt a model code of ethics for members of local42
boards of education by October 1, 2010 2025. Such model code of ethics shall be43
consistent with and shall not alter the fundamental roles of local boards of education and44
local school superintendents as provided for in Code Section 20-2-61, and nothing in such45
model code of ethics shall alter, limit, expand, or enlarge any powers, duties, or46
responsibilities of local boards of education, local board memb ers, or local school47
superintendents. Such model code of ethics shall also provide for individuals who are48
18 years of age or older and who reside within the local school system to file a complaint49
with the Professional Standards Commission alleging a violation of the code of ethics by50
one or more members of the local board of education. Such mode l code of ethics shall51
include appropriate consequences for violation of a provision or provisions of such code. 52
The State Board of Education may periodically adopt revisions t o such model code as it53
deems necessary.54
(b) Within three months of adoption by the State Board of Education of a model code of55
ethics pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section, each local board of education shall56
adopt a code of ethics that includes, at a minimum, such model code of ethics. Each local57
board of education shall incorporate into its code of ethics an y revisions adopted by the58
State Board of Education to the model code of ethics pursuant t o subsection (a) of this59
Code section within three months of adoption of such revisions."60
SECTION 3.61
Said chapter is further amended in Part 7 of Article 6, relating to staff development under the62
"Quality Basic Education Act," by revising Code Section 20-2-230, relating to programs, as63
follows:64
S. B. 4
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25 SB 4/CSFA
"20-2-230.65
(a) All public school officials and professional personnel certificated by the Professional66
Standards Commission shall be provided the opportunity to conti nue their development67
throughout their professional careers. The primary purpose of the staff development68
sponsored or offered by local boards of education and the Department of Education shall69
be the implementation of this policy. Two additional purposes of such staff development70
programs shall be to adopt into general practice the findings o f scientifically designed71
research which has been widely replicated, particularly as it relates to teacher and school72
effectiveness, and to address professional needs and deficienci es identified during the73
process of objective performance evaluations. 74
(b)(1) By October 1, 2025, the The State Board of Education shall adopt a training75
program for members of local boards of education that complies with the provisions of76
subsection (b.1) of this Code section by July 1, 2011. The State Board of Education may77
periodically adopt revisions to such training program as it deems necessary.78
(2) Within three months of adoption by the State Board of Educ ation of a training79
program pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, each local board of education shall80
adopt a training program for members of such boards that includes, at a minimum, such81
training program and requirements established by the State Board of Education pursuant82
to paragraph (1) of this subsection. Each local board of education shall incorporate any83
revisions adopted by the State Board of Education to the traini ng program pursuant to84
paragraph (1) of this subsection within three months of adoption of such revisions.85
(3) All local boards of education are authorized to pay such b oard members for86
attendance at a required training program the same per diem as authorized by local or87
general law for attendance at regular meetings, as well as reim bursement of actual88
expenses for travel, lodging, meals, and registration fees for such training, either before89
or after such board members assume office.90
S. B. 4
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25 SB 4/CSFA
(4) Except as provided in subsections (c) and (d) of this Code section, members of local91
boards of education shall not be required to participate in the training program for92
members of local boards of education provided for in this subsection.93
(b.1)(1) The training program for members of local boards of e ducation required by94
subsections (c) and (d) of this Code section shall include, but shall not be limited to, the95
following topics:96
(A) The authority of the local board of education rests with the board as a whole and97
not with individual board members;98
(B) The duty of local boards of education to establish policy for the local school99
system with the focus on student achievement;100
(C) Code of ethics for local board of education members and conflicts of interest;101
(D) Strategic planning and operational and financial management;102
(E) The constitutional and statutory authority for local boards of education to set the103
local school tax rate for the support and maintenance of education and to impose, levy,104
and collect a sales and use tax for educational purposes;105
(F) The duty of local boards of education to propose and approve an annual operating106
budget;107
(G) Funding sources, reserve funds, and capital accumulation funds;108
(H) Facilities planning and capital outlay programs;109
(I) Accreditation;110
(J) Flexibility models: strategic waivers school systems and charter systems;111
(K) Local board of education and community relations;112
(L) Board meetings: parliamentary procedure, the role of board chairs, professionalism113
and decorum, conflict resolution and the value of courteous dis sent, and public114
participation and stakeholder engagement;115
(M) Roles, responsibilities, and relations of and between local boards of education and116
local school superintendents;117
S. B. 4
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25 SB 4/CSFA
(N) Employment and evaluation of the local school superintendent;118
(O) Compliance with federal, state, and local laws, including, but not limited to, laws,119
rules, and regulations relating to:120
(i) Students with disabilities;121
(ii) Student codes of conduct and student discipline; and122
(iii) The rights of students' parents and guardians; and123
(P) Compliance with the Georgia open meetings and open records laws.124
(2)(A) The training program for members of local boards of education required by this125
Code section shall not include any of the following statements, recommendations, or126
suggestions:127
(i) That local boards of education are encouraged, expected, o r required to act128
unanimously;129
(ii) That local boards of education are not authorized to requ est information from130
local school system administrators;131
(iii) That local boards of education shall defer to the local school superintendent on132
budget and tax matters;133
(iv) That local boards of education or members or employees thereof should lobby134
the General Assembly on any specific topic; or135
(v) That are for or against current, pending, past, or future legislation affecting public136
schools or local school systems.137
(B) Any provider of the training program for members of local boards of education 138
required by this Code section, othe r than the Department of Edu cation or the139
Department of Audits and Accounts, that is found by the State Board of Education to140
have failed to comply with the provisions of subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall141
not be eligible to be an approved provider of such training services to local boards of142
education for a period of three years from the date of such finding by the State Board143
of Education.144
S. B. 4
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25 SB 4/CSFA
(c) The State Board of Education shall require each newly elected member of a local board145
of education to receive guidance and training regarding his or her own local school146
system's most recent audit findings and the risk status of the local school system as147
determined by the Department of Audits and Accounts or the Depa rtment of Education. 148
Such training for newly elected board members shall also includ e training on the role of149
the respective roles of the local board of education and the local school superintendent with150
respect to financial management and financial governance of a local school system. Such151
training shall also include the training program for members of local boards of education152
provided for in subsections (b) and (b.1) of this Code section.153
(d) The State Board of Education shall require members of loca l boards of education to154
complete the training required under this Code section with eit her the Department of155
Education or the Department of Audits and Accounts if the local board of education has156
been designated by the Department of Audits and Accounts as a h igh-risk local school157
system pursuant to Code Section 20-2-67 or if the Department of Audits and Accounts has158
determined that corrective actions have not been implemented or devised to correct serious159
findings in the local school system's Department of Audits and Accounts audit report from160
the previous year."161
SECTION 4.162
This Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law163
without such approval.164
SECTION 5.165
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed. 166
S. B. 4
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## Summaries written by Georgia Commons

The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the bill. Quote the text, not the summary.

Senate Bill 4 would rewrite Georgia law on how local school boards and superintendents share power, update the ethics code deadline for board members, and set required and banned topics for board training programs.

### Plain-language summary

Georgia law already says local school boards set policy and superintendents carry it out, but this bill rewrites that section (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-61) to spell out that boards cannot micromanage superintendents while still holding them accountable, and clarifies that requesting financial records is not micromanaging. It also says board members can only act as a group, not individually, and cannot discuss personnel matters outside specific legal exceptions.
The bill moves up the deadline for the State Board of Education to adopt a model code of ethics for local board members, from October 2010 to October 2025, and requires that code to let residents 18 or older file ethics complaints with the Professional Standards Commission. It also updates the required training program for local board members: it lists topics that must be covered, such as open meetings law and budget authority, and topics that trainers are barred from teaching, such as urging boards to act unanimously. Training providers who violate the ban lose approval for three years. The law would take effect as soon as the Governor signs it.

### What it does

- Rewrites the roles of local school boards and superintendents to bar boards from micromanaging superintendents while still requiring accountability, and clarifies that requesting financial data is not micromanaging.
- Requires the State Board of Education to adopt an updated model code of ethics for local board members by October 1, 2025, replacing the old 2010 deadline.
- Allows any resident 18 or older in a school district to file a complaint with the Professional Standards Commission alleging a local board member violated the ethics code.
- Sets a detailed list of required topics for local board member training, including budgeting, open records law, and student discipline compliance.
- Bans training providers from teaching certain viewpoints, such as urging boards to act unanimously or lobby the legislature, and strips noncompliant providers of approval for three years.
- Requires newly elected board members to get training on their district's audit findings and financial risk status.

### Who it affects

Local school board members and local school superintendents across Georgia, the State Board of Education and Professional Standards Commission, companies and agencies that provide board-member training, and residents who may file ethics complaints against their local school board members.

### Why it matters

The bill changes the day-to-day balance of power between elected school board members and the superintendents who run district operations, and it opens a new path for the public to formally challenge a board member's ethics. It also controls what training companies can and cannot teach board members statewide.

### Key provisions

- Section 1 revises O.C.G.A. § 20-2-61 to state board members cannot micromanage superintendents but must hold them accountable, and that requesting financial data does not count as micromanaging.
- Section 1 also confirms board members have no individual authority and can act only as part of the full board's official votes.
- Section 2 moves the State Board of Education's deadline for adopting a model ethics code from October 2010 to October 1, 2025, and requires it to allow public ethics complaints filed with the Professional Standards Commission.
- Section 3 moves the training program adoption deadline to October 1, 2025 and lists mandatory training topics, including open meetings and records law compliance, budget authority, and student discipline rules.
- Section 3 bans training programs from teaching that boards should act unanimously, avoid requesting information, defer to superintendents on budgets, or lobby the legislature.
- Section 3 disqualifies any training provider found to violate those content bans from being an approved provider for three years.
- Section 4 makes the entire Act effective as soon as the Governor signs it or it becomes law without his signature.

## Status

- Status: Engrossed (2025-03-04)
- Last action: House Second Readers (2025-03-11)
- Sponsors: Greg Dolezal, Brandon Beach, Randy Robertson, Larry Walker, Ben Watson, Chuck Hufstetler, Carden Summers, John Albers, John Kennedy, Bill Cowsert, Frank Ginn, Russ Goodman, Blake Tillery, Billy Hickman, Drew Echols, Sam Watson, Max Burns, Timothy Bearden, Lee Anderson, Clint Dixon, Shawn Still, Jason Anavitarte, Colton Moore
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69277

> The history, votes, and amendments (854 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb4.md?full=1