Charter System
CHARTER SYSTEM INFORMATION
Stephens County School System is applying to become a charter system. The flexibility afforded through charter system status will allow us to serve our students in new ways and better meet their needs.
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 60 days 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.
