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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
1
other purposes.2
WHEREAS, Georgia law permits the State Board of Education to waive compliance with3
certain provisions of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated to grant flexibility4
to local school systems and charter schools with the goal of improving student performance;5
and6
WHEREAS, local school systems and charter schools are authorized to seek exemptions7
from state laws and regulations, including but not limited to class size requirements, teacher8
salary minimums, special education provisions, curriculum standards, and operational9
guidelines; and10
WHEREAS, all but two of Georgia's 180 local school systems currently hold class size11
waivers, potentially impacting student learning environments and teacher workload; and12
WHEREAS, local school systems utilizing waivers may also modify compensation13
structures, certification requirements, teacher planning time, and student support services,14
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raising questions about the long-term effects on educator retention and instructional quality;
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and16
WHEREAS, the Georgia State Board of Education recently extended all existing waivers for17
an additional five years, underscoring the need for a comprehensive review of their18
implementation, effectiveness, and oversight; and19
WHEREAS, a thorough study is necessary to assess whether the flexibility provided by20
waivers has enhanced educational outcomes, improved operational efficiency, and21
maintained equity and accountability across local school systems.22
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE:23
(1) Creation of Senate study committee. There is created the Senate Study Committee24
on Local School System Flexibility Options.25
(2) Members and officers. The committee shall be composed of six members of the26
Senate to be appointed as follows:27
(A) Four members appointed by the President of the Senate; and28
(B) Two members appointed by the Senate Minority Leader. 29
The President shall designate a member of the committee as chairperson of the30
committee.31
(3) Powers and duties. The committee shall undertake a study of the conditions, needs,32
issues, and problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any action or33
legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate.34
(4) Meetings. The chairperson shall call all meetings of the committee. The committee35
may conduct such meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem necessary or36
convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and37
accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution.38
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(5) Allowances and funding.
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(A) The legislative members of the committee shall receive the allowances provided40
for in Code Section 28-1-8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.41
(B) The allowances authorized by this resolution shall not be received by any member42
of the committee for more than five days unless additional days are authorized. Funds43
necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from funds44
appropriated to the Senate.45
(6) Report.46
(A) In the event the committee adopts any specific findings or recommendations that47
include suggestions for proposed legislation, the chairperson shall file a report of the48
same prior to the date of abolishment specified in this resolution, subject to49
subparagraph (C) of this paragraph.50
(B) In the event the committee adopts a report that does not include suggestions for51
proposed legislation, the chairperson shall file the report, subject to subparagraph (C)52
of this paragraph.53
(C) No report shall be filed unless the same has been approved prior to the date of54
abolishment specified in this resolution by majority vote of a quorum of the committee.55
A report so approved shall be signed by the chairperson of the committee and filed with56
the Secretary of the Senate.57
(D) In the absence of an approved report, the chairperson may file with the Secretary58
of the Senate a copy of the minutes of the meetings of the committee in lieu thereof.59
(7) Abolishment. The committee shall stand abolished on December 1, 2025.60
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