The State Board of Education held its regular monthly meetings Wednesday and Thursday this week.  Wednesday was Committee day with Thursday being the Committee of the Whole to hear Committee reports and build the agenda for the State Board meeting that immediately followed. Discussion around two issues took up most of the time both days.  One of the challenges of open meetings is having a frank discussion among a group with diverse opinions while staying polite, professional, and on task.  Having an audience while doing the laundry is awkward at best but there you are with a live audience, a Webcast audience, and a video archive.

Rules Committee 

The three items related to transportation rules were pulled for later discussion. Everything else was moved to the consent agenda.  There was discussion around the nepotism waiver for a local board member. Some members wondered if there should be some follow up process after a waiver is granted to "make sure everything's still ok," but they were reminded that a waiver will have to be requested at qualifying for re-election and further promotion of a family member.

Audit Committee  

Deputy State Auditor Kristina Turner updated the Committee on the work the Department of Audits (DOAA) and the Department of Education have done with the US Department of Education to clarify issues around the use of the federal pandemic funds.  Districts may use the funds for any continuity of service previously budgeted for. DOAA has been working with districts on categorizing the expenditures.  

There was concern districts were missing opportunities to address learning loss by charging funds to general operations.  Additionally, districts run the risk of not being able to meet the maintenance of effort requirements under IDEA if large sums are shifted into general operations.  They do not plan to issue audit findings for charging items to general operations but they will test expenditures to make sure the consolidated approval process was followed or it is specifically listed as an allowable use for the relief funds. 

The Committee also received an update on the districts considered moderate and high risk under SB 68 (2020). DOAA has been slow to get the audits done because of the work around the use of the relief funds.  They expect to complete the 2021 reports by the end of June.  The Department of Education staff is following up on the action plans submitted by four districts to get more specificity on actions that will be taken.

Budget Committee 

The Committee had 34 items to consider and 32 sailed through with approval to go on the consent agenda.  The other two were grants from the Governor's Emergency Education Relief Fund II for dyslexia screening and professional development.  In 2019, passage of SB 48 required a three year pilot to screen students in K-3 with risk factors for dyslexia beginning in the 2020-21 school year.  It becomes a statewide requirement in 2024-25.  The Dyslexia Rule Review Committee has been working on the rule to implement this.  Their final meeting will be March 31st.  There was concern among some Board members that these grants would put "the cart before the horse."  They wanted to make sure everything would merge and align when it is all completed.  The two items were held out for a separate vote on Thursday.

A Board member asked if they could hold or table the item since it is for next year, then they would be able to get more information.  As concern about the districts' choices for screeners continued to be brought up, another Board member reminded them that the State Board sets standards and makes available best practices but they do not approve curriculum or screeners. That is a local procurement process. $4.7 million was approved 13-1 for districts participating in the Georgia Regional Dyslexia Initiative.

The second item, $4.7 million for the 14 district consortium that is part of the Regional Dyslexia Initiative to acquire a dyslexia screening tool and professional support for its use, ran into the same issues as the item above. An amendment was made to make the effective date 30 days out so the Review Committee could complete its work. It passed 10-4 and the item was adopted as amended.

District Flexibility & Charter Schools Committee 

All but one item on this agenda moved quickly and were approved to go on the consent agenda.  The charter renewal for the Museum School of Avondale Estates, however, did not.  There was a lengthy discussion Wednesday and Thursday. The discussion around this was continued from last month when representatives from the school addressed the Committee regarding their issues with their local district.  They would prefer to become a state charter but the local district has to deny their petition first under state law.  Barring that, they want a five year charter renewal but the district is offering only three years.  DeKalb County was invited to address the Committee but they sent a letter instead.  On Thursday, the Superintendent, staff members, and attorneys joined virtually to answer questions. 

A number of issues have been raised about the approval process, and State Board members have suggested they need to talk with legislators to close the gaps or clarify some things.  In the meantime, some State Board members are struggling with what options they have while others seem clear on the statute.  Over the two days, they asked three lawyers for their opinion but none of the three are their attorney so wisely declined.  Their attorney is in the Attorney General's office.  A motion to make their approval of the charter contingent upon the school signing it passed 8-6.  After more discussion a motion to table it until they get guidance from the Attorney General's office passed 10-4.

Superintendent's Report 

State Superintendent Richard Woods and Teacher of the Year Cherie Bonder Dennis discussed teacher burnout and a retreat that was held around the issue.  The Vinson Institute facilitated it and will issue a report.  Hopefully it will be shared with legislators as many do not seem to understand the impact their words and bills have on those working in our schools.

Chair's Report 

Chairman Jason Downey reviewed some upcoming events.  Dr. Stephen Pruitt, President of SREB, updated the Board on the work of the Dyslexia Rule Review Committee.  He also gave them some background on his organization for those unfamiliar with its work.

Parliamentarian Matt Donaldson reported on his review of the bylaws.  Department of Education General Counsel reminded the Board that if they choose to hold some meetings outside Atlanta, they will need to make sure there is space and technology available to allow the public to participate.  They will also need to decide the effective date of any changes.

The next scheduled meeting for the State Board will be May 11-12 as there is no April meeting.  There may be a called meeting before May, however.