ATLANTA— The Georgia House of Representatives passed a series of education-related measures Tuesday to give local boards of education the tools they need to make the best decisions for students, teachers and schools.
“We believe that it is important to give those at the local level the opportunity to make the best decisions for our schools and the students that attend those schools,” said Representative Brooks Coleman (R-Duluth), chairman of the House Education Committee. “The legislation that passed is part of an education package that allows greater flexibility for our school systems and more local control while making the best use of our limited taxpayer dollars.”
House Bill 905, sponsored by Representative Tom Dickson (R-Cohutta), extends the sunset provision for the school construction capital outlay program from June 15, 2010 to June 30, 2015. It will enable school systems to continue to earn and use advance funding, exceptional growth, and low wealth school capital outlay grants.
House Bill 906, legislation sponsored by Representative Jay Neal (R-Lafayette), allows local school systems to extend contracts for certified personnel in elementary and secondary education by 30 days, from April 15 to May 15, for the next 3 years. This will help school systems better plan for each school year under these uncertain economic times.
House Bill 907, carried by Representative David Casas (R-Lilburn), permits local schools to receive appropriate state funding for 6th, 7th and 8th grades by organizing in a way that best suits their needs as long as they meet conditions established by the State Board of Education. For example, one scenario under current law would dictate that a 6th grade class would require its own principal for that school leading to additional costs if it is housed in a separate building from other middle school grades.
“These measures take a common sense approach that puts the decision making powers in the hands of those closest to our students-our local school boards,” said Representative Jay Neal, a sponsor of HB 907. “For instance, House Bill 907 gives them the option to lift unnecessary mandates and save precious taxpayer dollars.”
House Bill 923, also sponsored by Representative Jay Neal, grandfathers-in educators that are currently enrolled in leadership training courses, but have not yet finished their courses. Upon completion of their training and coursework, they will receive the prescribed salary structure under this legislation. This bill allows educators to complete their leadership training by July 1, 2013 as long as they were enrolled in this type of course on or before April 1, 2009. Current law states that anyone enrolled in a leadership training course must complete it by July 1, 2010
The legislation now moves to the Senate for consideration.
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