Bill Text: GA SR853 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Education; clarify the authority of the state to establish state-wide education policy-CA
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-02-15 - Senate Read and Referred [SR853 Detail]
Download: Georgia-2011-SR853-Introduced.html
12 LC
33 4576
Senate
Resolution 853
By:
Senator Millar of the 40th
A
RESOLUTION
Proposing
an amendment to the Constitution of Georgia so as to clarify the authority of
the state to establish state-wide education policy; to restate the authority of
the General Assembly to establish special schools; to provide that special
schools include charter schools; to provide for the submission of this amendment
for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.
BE
IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Article
VIII, Section I of the Constitution is amended by revising Paragraph I as
follows:
"Paragraph
I.
Public
education; free public education prior to college or postsecondary level;
support by taxation. The provision of an
adequate public education for the citizens shall be a primary obligation of the
State of Georgia. Public education for the citizens prior to the college or
postsecondary level shall be free and shall be provided for by
taxation, and
the General Assembly may by general law provide for the establishment of
education policies for such public
education. The expense of other public
education shall be provided for in such manner and in such amount as may be
provided by law."
SECTION
2.
Article
VIII, Section V of the Constitution is amended by revising Paragraph I as
follows:
"Paragraph
I.
School
systems continued; consolidation of school systems authorized; new independent
school systems prohibited. Authority is
granted to county and area boards of education to establish and maintain public
schools within their
limits;
provided, however, that the authority provided for in this paragraph shall not
diminish any authority of the General Assembly otherwise granted under this
article, including the authority to establish special schools as provided for in
Article VIII, Section V, Paragraph VII.
Existing county and independent school systems shall be continued, except that
the General Assembly may provide by law for the consolidation of two or more
county school systems, independent school systems, portions thereof, or any
combination thereof into a single county or area school system under the control
and management of a county or area board of education, under such terms and
conditions as the General Assembly may prescribe; but no such consolidation
shall become effective until approved by a majority of the qualified voters
voting thereon in each separate school system proposed to be consolidated. No
independent school system shall hereafter be established."
SECTION
3.
Article
VIII, Section V of the Constitution is amended by revising Paragraph VII as
follows:
"Paragraph
VII.
Special
schools. (a) The General Assembly may
provide by law for the creation of special schools in such areas as may require
them and may provide for the participation of local boards of education in the
establishment of such schools under such terms and conditions as it may provide;
but no bonded indebtedness may be incurred nor a school tax levied for the
support of special schools without the approval of a majority of the qualified
voters voting thereon in each of the systems affected. Any special schools
shall be operated in conformity with regulations of the State Board of Education
pursuant to provisions of law.
Special
schools shall include charter schools, as defined and provided for by law;
provided, however, that special schools shall only be public
schools. The state is authorized to
expend funds for the support and maintenance of special schools in such amount
and manner as may be provided by law.
(b)
Nothing contained herein shall be construed to affect the authority of local
boards of education or of the state to support and maintain special schools
created prior to June 30, 1983."
SECTION
4.
The
above proposed amendment to the Constitution shall be published and submitted as
provided in Article X, Section I, Paragraph II of the Constitution. The ballot
submitting the above proposed amendment shall have written or printed thereon
the following:
|
"( ) YES
( ) NO
|
Shall
the Constitution of Georgia be amended to allow state or local approval of
public charter schools upon the request of local communities?"
|
All
persons desiring to vote in favor of ratifying the proposed amendment shall vote
"Yes." All persons desiring to vote against ratifying the proposed amendment
shall vote "No." If such amendment shall be ratified as provided in said
Paragraph of the Constitution, it shall become a part of the Constitution of
this state.
