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Charter System Information

Hart County Charter System will focus on the following initiatives as we seek to meet our system mission to prepare all individuals to meet tomorrow’s challenges by providing quality educational opportunities today.

1. High Expectations for All
2. Literacy
3. College and Career Preparation

Goal 1: Meet one of the below criteria by increasing the score by at least 10% of the gap between 100% and the previous year’s score

a. Increase the CCRPI Content Mastery score each year
b. Increase the CCRPI Progress score each year
c. Achieve a Positive Value-Added Impact Score
d. Beat the Odds
e. Increase CCRPI by 4% of the gap between 100 and the previous CCRPI

Goal 2: During each year of its charter term, the total number of schools with a Climate Star Rating of 4 or 5 will increase each year to 100%
Goal 3: The Charter System will operate in a fiscally sound manner as measured by GADOE Audits and Accounts
Goal 4: The charter will foster individual school governance

a. All school governance team members will complete annual governance training
b. All school Governing teams will meet a minimum of six times each school year
c. All School Governing teams will have representation from a variety of stakeholders
d. The charter system will maintain a spreadsheet listing decisions being made my school governance teams in each of the areas of their influence.

Timeline for Charter School Applications for Schools Opening 2026-2027

December 1, 2025

Letters of Intent must be received by December 1, 2025, by the GaDOE and the Hart County Charter System (“the District”).

January 12, 2026 (Tentative)

An information session will be held for all charter applicants in January 2026. You will be contacted with more detailed information on the specific date and time. This session will be coordinated by the Superintendent's office and key district staff. The applicant, the head of the school (if designated), the budget officer, and at least two members of the governing board should attend.

March 2, 2026

Original and 20 additional copies of the completed application and USB drive must be received by 2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 2, 2026.  Please have the original in a separate folder.

       ATTN:  Superintendent Jennifer Carter

Hart County Charter System

284 Campbell Drive

Hartwell, GA 30643

April-May 2026

The Charter Review Committee may request by email or in writing clarifying information from the applicant. These clarifications must be submitted by email or in writing and will become part of the application submitted to the GaDOE Charter Division. The District also reserves the right to request revisions to the Charter application before sending it to the GaDOE.

June 15, 2026  

Board of Education Action

June 22, 2026 (tentative date)

Certified letters sent to all applicants with Board decision and information from review of applications.

June 29, 2026 (tentative date)

Charter applications and Board decision with reasons submitted to the GaDOE, Charter Division.

First Come-First Serve Basis

Georgia Board of Education action

 

What is a Charter System?

Definition 

A local district that has an executed charter from the State Board of Education (SBOE) that grants the district flexibility from almost all of Title 20, SBOE rules, and Georgia Department of Education guidelines

Facts and Features

  • The charter is a contract between the district and SBOE 
  • The district gains flexibility to innovate in exchange for increased academic accountability
  • There is an emphasis on school-based leadership and decision-making

Advantages

  • Increased school-level autonomy and accountability
  • Financial savings possible from waivers
  • Additional per-pupil funding in QBE if appropriated

Federal/State Compliance

  • Must comply with all federal laws and regulations 
  • Must comply with all state laws, rules, and regulations that cannot be waived such as health and safety regulations