SR 476: Senate Study Committee on Local School System Flexibility Options; create

Senate Resolution 476

By: Senators Halpern of the 39th, Hickman of the 4th, Dixon of the 45th, Sims of the 12th, Williams of the 25th and others

ADOPTED SENATE

A RESOLUTION

Creating the Senate Study Committee on Local School System Flexibility Options; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Georgia law permits the State Board of Education to waive compliance with certain provisions of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated to grant flexibility to local school systems and charter schools with the goal of improving student performance; and

WHEREAS, local school systems and charter schools are authorized to seek exemptions from state laws and regulations, including but not limited to class size requirements, teacher salary minimums, special education provisions, curriculum standards, and operational guidelines; and

WHEREAS, all but two of Georgia's 180 local school systems currently hold class size waivers, potentially impacting student learning environments and teacher workload; and

WHEREAS, local school systems utilizing waivers may also modify compensation structures, certification requirements, teacher planning time, and student support services, raising questions about the long-term effects on educator retention and instructional quality; and

WHEREAS, the Georgia State Board of Education recently extended all existing waivers for an additional five years, underscoring the need for a comprehensive review of their implementation, effectiveness, and oversight; and

WHEREAS, a thorough study is necessary to assess whether the flexibility provided by waivers has enhanced educational outcomes, improved operational efficiency, and maintained equity and accountability across local school systems.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE:

(1) Creation of Senate study committee. There is created the Senate Study Committee on Local School System Flexibility Options.

(2) Members and officers. The committee shall be composed of six members of the Senate to be appointed as follows:

(A) Four members appointed by the President of the Senate; and

(B) Two members appointed by the Senate Minority Leader.

The President shall designate a member of the committee as chairperson of the committee.

(3) Powers and duties. The committee shall undertake a study of the conditions, needs, issues, and problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any action or legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate.

(4) Meetings. The chairperson shall call all meetings of the committee. The committee may conduct such meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution.

(5) Allowances and funding.

(A) The legislative members of the committee shall receive the allowances provided for in Code Section 28-1-8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.

(B) The allowances authorized by this resolution shall not be received by any member of the committee for more than five days unless additional days are authorized. Funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from funds appropriated to the Senate.

(6) Report.

(A) In the event the committee adopts any specific findings or recommendations that include suggestions for proposed legislation, the chairperson shall file a report of the same prior to the date of abolishment specified in this resolution, subject to subparagraph (C) of this paragraph.

(B) In the event the committee adopts a report that does not include suggestions for proposed legislation, the chairperson shall file the report, subject to subparagraph (C) of this paragraph.

(C) No report shall be filed unless the same has been approved prior to the date of abolishment specified in this resolution by majority vote of a quorum of the committee. A report so approved shall be signed by the chairperson of the committee and filed with the Secretary of the Senate.

(D) In the absence of an approved report, the chairperson may file with the Secretary of the Senate a copy of the minutes of the meetings of the committee in lieu thereof.

(7) Abolishment. The committee shall stand abolished on December 1, 2025.