Local boards are required to adopt policies and establish deadlines regarding the submission of charter petitions that are consistent with the timelines and requirements as outlined in the SBOE Rule 160-4-9-.05 and the Charter Schools Petition Process Guidelines as well as requirements of the Georgia Office of Charter School Compliance.
For the McDuffie County School System, the timeline for submission of a startup charter final petition is:
- Require a letter of intent to be submitted to the local board and the Office of Charter School Compliance at least 6 months in advance of the charter petition being submitted.
- Require that a final petition be submitted on or before January 1 (unless the OCSC approves an alternative deadline in advance).
- Identify the timeframe between when the local board approves the charter petition and when the charter school is expected to begin serving students (preopening period). The pre-opening period shall be at least 6 months.
- Require the local board to, by majority vote, approve or deny a petition no later than June 30.
- If the petition is denied, then within 20 days a detailed statement of denial will be provided to the petitioner, the SBOE and the OCSC, with the elements set forth in state statute.
- If the petition is approved, a copy is to be submitted to OCSC and notice of approval to the petitioner within 30 days.