The Clarke County School District board voted 4–3 to approve a resolution to begin the district’s application to renew its charter-system contract, launching a yearlong development process that officials said would culminate in a submission in late 2026 and a contract starting in July 2027.

James Parliament, executive director for innovation strategy and governance, told the board the district’s charter status — held since 2016 — has allowed flexibility that, he said, supports programs ranging from literacy mentoring to career-focused pathways. “The resolution on the agenda tonight is to confirm the board’s interest in renewing the charter contract,” Parliament said during the presentation.

Why it matters: charter-system status gives the district blanket waivers and supplemental state funding but also requires a performance-focused application and accountability measures. Board members who supported beginning the application said the charter structure allows local school governance teams and innovation funds to pilot initiatives. Opponents said the board needs stronger, districtwide evidence that flexibility is translating into improved outcomes for students who are still underperforming.

What officials presented: Parliament and governance staff highlighted district gains tied to the charter model, including reported increases in graduation rates, dual-enrollment and AP participation, expanded career academy enrollment and districtwide adoption of programs such as PBIS and Leader in Me. They described seven “essential and innovative features” that the renewal application will document and said the district currently allocates more than $600,000 annually to local school governance teams for innovation projects.

Concerns raised: Several board members pressed staff for firmer metrics showing impact for students who continue to lag academically. "This is our tenth year in this," Miss Davis said during questioning, cautioning that long-term underperformance for some student groups required clearer evidence of return on the district’s charter investments. Parliament and other presenters pointed to waivers used for early-intervention and remedial models and to programs such as the Books for Keeps literacy-mentoring program as measurable examples, and said the application will include evidence and accountability measures tied to CCRPI and other targets.

Next steps: Staff will notify the Georgia Department of Education of the district’s intent to apply and will return a full draft application to the board for review and formal approval before submission in the fall of 2026. The board’s motion authorized the district to begin the planning and application process; the final submission and any signature on a renewal contract will come later for a board vote.

Board action: The motion to begin the application process was made by Dr. Patricia Yeager and seconded by Dr. Lakeisha Gant; the motion passed 4–3.