More public input for school systems opting out of state mandates

By Kristina Torres

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Parents, meet transparency.

The Georgia Board of Education approved changes Wednesday that give parents more say when local school systems seek to free themselves from state mandates.

The proposed rule changes were unveiled in July, after parents and teachers in Gwinnett County complained they did not play a meaningful role in that system's pursuit of a new state law: Investing in Educational Excellence (IE2). The law allows systems to enter into special contracts with the state that free them from mandating such things as class size, teacher pay and graduation requirements.

Gwinnett and Forsyth county schools are the state's first districts to pilot five-year IE2 contracts starting this school year. In return for being able to opt out of mandates, the systems must produce demonstrably higher academic achievement.

The law provides for a number of penalties if they don't, including the possibility of each system's schools being put under private management, converted into charter schools or turned over to a nearby system.

IE2 rules initially required only one public hearing if a system proposed to pursue IE2. The changes now require systems to notify parents first if they intend to pursue IE2. Districts must seek community input during negotiations with the state and afterward if they want to change the terms of their IE2 contract.

Gwinnett officials initially protested the changes, saying they would "reduce the flexibility" systems had under the law. But state officials said this week the changes will not apply to them or Forsyth County as long as they do not amend the initial contracts.