Governor Perdue Signs SB 39

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today the signing of Senate Bill 39, the Georgia Charter Systems Act, which allows an entire school system to convert to charter status. The bill, which was one of Lt. Governor Casey Cagle’s major campaign promises, was sponsored in the State Senate by Senator Dan Weber (R-Dunwoody).

"Lt. Governor Cagle has shown himself to be a strong supporter of high achievement and accountability in our education system," said Governor Sonny Perdue. "This legislation will allow innovative local systems to apply the same techniques that charter schools have used to generate academic success."

The bill creates a Charter Advisory Committee to provide technical assistance and review of charter petitions and allows for up to five systems to apply for planning grants to use towards conversion to a full charter system.

"Charter Systems offer the truest form of local control of public education. There has been strong support for this bill across our state and I am very pleased that today the Charter Systems Act will become law. Georgia will witness a true paradigm shift as more charter schools advance innovation, flexibility and resourceful teaching," said Lt. Governor Casey Cagle.