SCSC Welcomes New Commissioners | |
The State Charter Schools Commission (SCSC) welcomed Dr. Cayanna Good to the SCSC Board in January. Commissioner Good was nominated by former Speaker Jan Jones and comes to the board with an extensive career that includes serving in Gov. Nathan Deal’s administration in education policy positions, senior-level positions within the Georgia Department of Education and as executive director of the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement.
Commissioner Good's current role is Assistant Commissioner of Adult Education for the Technical College System of Georgia. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Fisk University, a master’s degree in Education from Georgia State University and a doctoral degree in Philosophy from Mercer University.
Additionally, in early February, Governor Brian Kemp submitted three nominees for the SCSC board: Dr. Lina Millan (reappointment), Jim Cole, Director of Athletics at Mercer University (new appointment) and Ben Scafidi, professor of economics and director of the Education Economics Center at Kennesaw State University (new appointment). The State Board of Education will consider Governor Kemp's nominees at their February board meeting.
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State Charter Schools Commission Updates & Announcements | |
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At the January 25th board meeting, Executive Director Lauren Holcomb welcomed newly appointed commissioner Cayanna Good and thanked Commissioner Jose Perez for his service as he completed his appointment term. Executive Director Holcomb also announced she will be stepping down after the conclusion of the 2023 Legislative Session.
Director of Charter Development Kristen Easterbrook updated the board on the status of pre-opening schools, and Deputy General Counsel Erin Wright provided an update for the FY23 start-up petition cycle deadlines and Early Feedback Program.
Additionally, Research Analyst Scott Riley presented the CSI & TSI Support and Exit Lists released by the Georgia Department of Education, and Chief Operations Officer Morgan Felts shared a financial audit update regarding schools with outstanding submissions.
Concluding the meeting, commissioners voted amend Odyssey Charter School's attendance zone, initiate rulemaking procedures to amend SCSC Rule 691-2-.06 and adopt Rule 691-2-.11, adopt the Communications Policy for State Charter Schools and adopt the Communications Policy for SCSC Commissioners.
The next board meeting will be held on February 22, 2023. Click below for the 2023 SCSC board meeting calendar.
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SCSC Rules & Policy Update
The SCSC Board of Commissioners approved the following
items at the January 25, 2023, board meeting.
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School Communications Policy
The Communication Policy for State Charter Schools expressly identifies information related to school operations that must be provided to the SCSC Executive Director or designee and establishes a timeframe for doing so.
The State Charter Schools Commission appreciates the feedback we have received on the newly adopted State Charter Schools Communications Policy. To ensure uniform application and interpretation, SCSC staff is developing implementation guidance via a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document. To aid the SCSC in creating a comprehensive FAQ document, please submit questions and comments to Erin Wright, erin.wright@scsc.georgia.gov, on or before 5:00 pm Monday, February 20, 2023.
Communications Policy for State Charter Schools
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Proposed Rulemaking: Now Open
Proposed rulemakings are rules that are being considered for adoption by the State Charter Schools Commission Board. Prior to adoption, rules must be formally initiated and submitted for a public review period of at least 30 calendar days. Rules currently being considered and details on how to provide feedback can be found on the SCSC website.
SCSC Proposed Rulemaking Page.
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2022-2023 SCSC Charter Renewal Cycle | |
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Five state charter schools submitted their renewal application by the Jan. 3, 2023, deadline, and renewal interviews were completed by the SCSC the week of January 23rd. The following schools are currently going through the renewal cycle:
- Genesis Innovation Academy for Boys
- Genesis Innovation Academy for Girls
- Resurgence Hall Charter School
- SAIL- School for Arts- Infused Learning*
- Scintilla Charter Academy
The SCSC plans to share renewal recommendations with schools by Wednesday, Feb. 8th, post them publicly to our website on Wednesday, Feb. 15th, and bring them before the board for a vote at the February 22 SCSC meeting.
*will be considered at the March SCSC board meeting.
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Petitioner Updates
The SCSC Board of Commissioners approved the following
petition items at the October 19, 2022, board meeting.
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FY23 Start-Up Petition Timeline | |
The SCSC will initiate the FY23 Start-Up Petition Cycle on the following timeline:
FY23 Start-up Application Portal opens on October 31, 2022*.
Application Link
FY23 Start-Up Application Portal will close on March 17, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. All petition applications must be submitted on or before this deadline.
Capacity Interviews – the SCSC staff will schedule interviews with eligible FY23 petitioners beginning May 15, 2023.
SCSC staff will begin presenting recommendations for FY23 start-up charter petitions at the June 2023 board meeting. **.
The FY23 startup petition cycle will close on December 31, 2023. FY23 concurrent petition submissions will not be considered in determining legal compliance for subsequent petition cycles.
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*Start-up charter petitions must be submitted through the online Application Portal to be considered.
**Approved petitions may be required to open on a deferred timeline depending on the approval date.
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FY23 Replication Petition Timeline | |
The SCSC will initiate the FY23 petition cycle on the following timeline:
Letters of Intent – due by December 12, 2022, at 11:59 p.m*.
FY23 Replication & Expansion Application Window opens on January 2, 2023.
FY23 Replication & Expansion Application Window closes on July 14, 2023. All petition applications must be submitted on or before this deadline.
Capacity Interviews – Eligible petitioners that submit applications on or before 5:00 p.m. on March 17, 2023, will be scheduled for interviews the week of May 15, 2023. Interviews for eligible petitions received after March 17, 2023, will be scheduled on a rolling basis.
SCSC staff will begin presenting recommendations for the FY23 replication & expansion petitions at the June 2023 SCSC board meeting.
Please visit the SCSC website for more information.
| *The SCSC will only consider replication petitions if a Letter of Intent is timely filed. | |
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SCSC Training Opportunities & Events
The SCSC offers various training opportunities throughout the year. See below for the most up-to-date information about SCSC-offered training and resources.
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New School Orientation
Mar 22, 2023
This training equips newly approved state charter schools with the tools and resources they need for a strong start in their first year.
Registration Information
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Governance Training Live Session
April 12-13, 2023
Georgia law, O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2084(f), requires every member of a governing board of a state charter school to participate in annual governing board training.
Registration Information
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2023 Instructional Leadership Conference
February 28 – March 1, 2023
Mandatory Training for Schools Listed as CSI/TSI
GaDOE Office of School and District Improvement is hosting the Instructional Leadership Conference to be held February 28 – March 1, 2023. The theme of the conference is Solution-Focused for Continuous Improvement.
This two-day conference for educational leaders of federally identified Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI), Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI), CSI Alternative, and CSI Promise schools and districts will address the identified and expressed needs surrounding effective leadership and coherent instruction.
Registration Information
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Third Annual Art Exhibit
for State Charter School Students
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All students currently enrolled at one of Georgia's state charter schools are invited to show their creativity in the State Charter Schools Foundation of Georgia's juried art contest - The Art of Connection Exhibition of Student Art. All entries will be featured in the virtual art gallery, and Georgia artists will judge the submissions. Prizes will be Amazon gift cards in the amount of $100 (1st), $50 (2nd), and $25 (3rd), awarded each of the four age categories.
Students will be able to submit their 2-D entry exploring the theme "How I Connect to the World" February 6-24. For full details, please visit scsfga.org/art. Download this flyer to share with your community, or print it as a poster for an art classroom!
We are looking for professional artists to help judge this art contest. Please email art@scsfga.org to show your interest. Please visit scsfga.org/art to learn about sponsorship opportunities.
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Professional Learning & Development Opportunity | |
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GCSA Financial Management Certification Program
Registration is now open for GCSA’s Financial Management Certification Program. The spring cohort kicks off on Tuesday, February 21. This year’s program is offered virtually, and each course is split into two, four-hour sessions in the same week. GCSA offers each course twice annually, so if you miss any course(s) you will have the opportunity to take them later in the year.
Registration is open to all interested charter school employees and their Board members. This training is specifically designed to build the expertise and knowledge of charter school leaders and board members who oversee or work directly in school financial operations. GCSA’s rigorous program is tailored to address the unique financial issues facing charter schools.
**Scholarships are available for state charter school participants.**
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Georgia’s Test Development Process
The Office of Assessment and Accountability has provided an interactive infographic of Georgia's test development process.
Georgia's Test Development Infographic
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School Safety Updates
Learn more about recent school safety updates in Georgia such as the Georgia Center for School Safety website, the revised School Safety Plan Guide and Template, Site Threat Access and Response (STAR) Audit, and Georgia’s new Behavioral Threat Assessment Teams.
February 17, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM, Register: School Safety Updates
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New Fine Arts Resources Available
New Instructional Resources for over 45 additional Fine Arts Courses are currently available for Georgia’s Fine Arts Teachers.
Fine Arts Resources
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GA Educators SDI PL Series
Presenters will focus on putting all the pieces of Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) together to increase student achievement. Participants will explore the Data-based Individualization (DBI) Process.
February 22, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM - GA Educators SDI PL Series: Elementary Session 4
February 22, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM - GA Educators SDI PL Series: Secondary Session 4
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A private professional networking space to engage with other educators across the state.
| | GaDOE’s Professional Learning platform for Georgia school and district staff and education partners. | | The one-stop-shop site for Georgia educators to provide quick access to GaDOE educational resources, GA Standards of Excellence, data dashboards, professional learning, and GaDOE applications. | |
Funding & Engagement Programs | |
Affordable Connectivity Program
The Federal Communications Commission announced that 20 of the nation's internet providers have committed to lowering costs for low-income households, a step that will essentially provide free high-speed internet for those participating in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP lowers internet costs for eligible families by up to $30 a month through grant funding. For Georgia residents to get their share of the funding, families need to sign up for themselves.
Communicating about this program to eligible families is the largest barrier to implementing this program. The ExcelinEd team has developed resources to share to help students whose families may qualify for this free- and reduced-priced internet service.
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Employee Assistance Program
for all Public-School Teachers & Staff
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Georgia’s Public Education Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a partnership between Kepro and GaDOE and will be provided at no cost to districts, schools, or employees. This program is designed to support teachers' and staff's mental health and wellness. It will allow access to mental health counseling, financial and legal resources, work/life referral services, and more.
Services are available now, and teachers and staff will receive additional access information directly from GaDOE or their district or school. The EAP is free, confidential, and supportive – neither the state nor local districts or schools will have access to information shared in counseling or consulting sessions.
Below is a toolkit of resources to assist you as you communicate with your staff.
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Follow the SCSC for real-time news and updates. | |
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. | |
Copyright © 2023 State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia, All rights reserved. | | | | |
