December 10, 2024

SCSC Officer Elections

At its November 20th board meeting, the State Charter Schools Commission (SCSC) Board of Commissioners reelected Commissioner Mike Dudgeon as Chairman for a second term and elected Commissioner Cayanna Good, Ph.D., as Vice Chairwoman for 2025. Both leaders bring extensive experience, vision, and a shared commitment to advancing high-quality charter schools across Georgia.

Chairman Dudgeon has a long history of dedication to education and public service. His experience includes serving on the Forsyth County Board of Education, as a State Representative, and as Policy Director for Georgia’s former Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan. His community involvement spans fostering children, Boy Scouts of America, and nonprofit leadership, reflecting his passion for supporting students and families.

Vice Chairwoman Good, Ph.D., is the Assistant Commissioner of Adult Education for the Technical College System of Georgia. Her background in educational administration and school improvement includes serving as Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement, as well as holding other leadership positions at the agency and at the Georgia Department of Education, where she focused on enhancing academic strategy and improving student outcomes.

The SCSC extends heartfelt thanks to outgoing Vice Chairwoman Lina Millan, MD, for her exemplary service. Commissioner Millan will remain on the board, continuing to provide invaluable expertise.

With this slate of officers, the SCSC is poised to strengthen its support for charter school success and uphold high standards for education in Georgia. 

Mike Dudgeon, Chair

Cayanna Good, Ph.D., Vice-Chair

2025 Board Meeting Calendar

Visit the SCSC Board Meeting page for more information.

Promote Your School with FindAGaCharter.org

The FindaGaCharter.org website is a powerful resource designed to connect families with charter schools across Georgia. This website enables parents to search for charter schools by location, grade level, and focus area, providing detailed information to help them make informed decisions about their child’s education. It’s a valuable tool for charter schools to expand their visibility and connect with prospective families.

This is the only site that lists every charter school in Georgia. Don’t miss this free promotional opportunity—make sure that your school’s profile is up to date. For help updating your school’s profile, please contact websupport@scsc.georgia.gov.

FindaGaCharter.org at the 2025 Atlanta School Choice Expo

FindaGaCharter.org will be featured at the Atlanta School Choice Expo on Saturday, January 25, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Loudermilk Conference Center in Atlanta. This event offers an opportunity for families to learn about charter schools and explore their options. FindaGaCharter.org will be on hand to showcase its resources, including the interactive school map and filters that help families easily locate schools nearby or aligned with their needs.

Charter schools participating in the expo should encourage families to sign up at https://gacan.org/atlanta-school-choice-expo/ prior to the event for more information.

SCSC Staff Highlight:

Candice Ball Expands Financial Oversight Toolbelt

Candice Ball, Business Manager and Financial Program Coordinator, completed the Georgia Charter Schools Association (GCSA) Financial Management Certification. This six-course program equips participants with the skills and knowledge to address charter schools' unique financial challenges.

Reflecting on her experience, Candice highlighted how the training deepened her understanding of charter school funding processes, data reporting requirements, and best practices for creating effective financial policies. She noted that the program provided valuable insights into how schools develop budgets and maintain financial accountability, enhancing her ability to support state charter schools.

Candice Ball, Business Manager and Financial Program Coordinator

Strengthen Your Schools Financial Expertise

The GCSA Financial Management Courses are offered throughout the year and are tailored for charter school leaders, board members, and staff involved in financial oversight. The SCSC fully covers the cost of participation for state charter schools and encourages schools to take advantage of this opportunity to strengthen their financial expertise and ensure compliance with reporting requirements. Visit the GCSA website for more information and future courses.

New Governance Training Policy Guidance

The SCSC has published new Governance Training Guidance to help state charter schools understand and meet the new governance training requirements for state charter school board members, as outlined in the Governance Training Policy. It outlines the annual training expectations for new and tenured members, provides details on approved training providers, and explains the process for verifying training completion.

Access the Governance Training Guidance

For more information or the full governance training policy for state charter schools, visit the SCSC Training page. 

Start-up and Replication Letter of Intent

Deadline Dec. 31

The Letter of Intent for the FY25 Start-Up and Replication petition cycles is due by December 31, 2024. The petition application deadline for both cycles is March 14, 2025.

Visit the SCSC Start a School Page to access the Letter of Intent and more information. 

scsc.georgia.gov

FindAGaCharter.org

The State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia (SCSC) is a state-level, independent charter school authorizing entity. The SCSC has the power to approve or deny petitions for state charter schools and renew, nonrenew, or terminate state charter school contracts in accordance with Georgia law.

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