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Board reviews charter application process and recent state law; Infinity Academy set for May 20 interview
Summary
District staff detailed the local charter petition process, timeline and recent changes in state law (Senate Bill 0082); one petitioner, Infinity Academy, is scheduled for a governing-board interview May 20 and the board discussed how denials must now be more specific under the law.
District staff reviewed the Bibb County local charter school petition and approval process, described district policy and timelines, and summarized changes under recent state legislation cited as Senate Bill 0082.
Why it matters
Doctor Lovett (Instructional Services) walked the board through the three-phase start-up charter petition process: pre-petition activities, governing-board interview and final petition submission, then legal compliance review. She summarized district policy language that locally authorized charters operate under a performance-based contract and noted funding will follow the Georgia Charter Schools Act, including a 3% management fee withheld by the district from charter school funds.
Legal change and consequences cited
During Q&A, legal counsel explained that the law identified as "Senate Bill 0082" requires district notices to petitioners be more specific and be provided within 20 business days after a denial. The counsel said the law increases the specificity of reasons a district must provide if it denies a petition, including listing deficiencies and assessing school-choice options and academic performance of local schools. Counsel also noted that some statutory consequences apply to larger districts receiving multiple local charter petitions, though counsel said that particular threshold would not apply to this district given its size.
Local timetable and petitioner
Doctor Lovett said four letters of intent were submitted in October 2024 and as of the presentation there was one active local petitioner. She identified the petitioner by name: "Infinity Academy," and confirmed Infinity had previously applied and been turned down last year. Doctor Lovett said Infinity Academy is scheduled for a governing-board interview on May 20, and final petition submission would be due in June, with the board required to act within 90 days of submission.
Board role clarified
Board members asked about their review role. Doctor Lovett explained that the Charter Review Committee performs initial evaluations and interviews; the committee then forwards recommendations to the superintendent, who makes a recommendation to the full board within the 90-day statutory window. Board members requested that when Infinity Academy submits its final petition (expected around June 9), copies be provided to all board members to allow sufficient time for review.
