Board Policies

Per SBOE Rule 160‐5‐1‐.02, Georgia Cyber Academy students must participate in school learning activities for a minimum of 180 days per school year.

Per SBOE Rule 160‐5‐1‐.02, the minimum number of hours required per school day are as follows:

• Kindergarten 4.5 hours per day
• 1 st through 3rd grade 4.5 hours per day
• 4th through 5th grade 5.0 hours per day
• 6th through 12th grade 5.5 hours per day

For Kindergarten through 8th grade, time does include Math, Social Studies, Language Arts, Science, Foreign Language, Art, PE, Music, Health, and other Elective courses, as well as, support activities such as tutoring, state testing, and Academic Support Services (per IEP). Time may also include Educational Field Trips, Testing, Counseling, Health Screenings, and extended learning time activities, however additional attendance guidelines for these activities may be outlined in the GCA District Handbook. Also, school sponsored non-instructional activities may count toward attendance hours. Additionally, 30 cumulative health hours and 60 cumulative PE hours are required per year.

For High School, time includes all courses on the approved course list as defined in State Board Rules 160‐4‐2‐.03 and 160‐ 4‐2‐.20 shall be counted as instructional time (Note: All GCA courses are on the approved course list). In addition, Educational Field Trips, Testing, Counseling, Health Screenings, Academic Support Services (per IEP), and extended learning time activities may be included, however additional attendance guidelines for these activities may be outlined in the GCA District Handbook. Also, school sponsored non-instructional activities may count toward attendance hours.

NOTE: Attendance hours must be logged in a timely manner in accordance with GCA procedure and guidelines. Failure to follow attendance logging procedures may result in withdrawal from GCA.

This policy may be amended at any time in order to align with federal and state laws, rules, regulations, and policies.

Resource Document Links:

• Georgia Department of Education: Defining Instructional Time and School Day for Students
• 160-5-1-.02  School Day and School Year for Students and Employees

Attendance Policy

Georgia Cyber Academy Board Conflict of Interest Policy

Adopted on: 8/20/14Last Reviewed on: 2/15/23Last Updated on: 2/15/23

ARITLCE I: BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Georgia Cyber Academy (“GCA”), a non-profit corporation organized under Georgia law, abides by all state and federal law and regulations relating to conflicts of interest and conflicting interest transactions, including but not limited to OCGA § 20-2-2084 and OCGA § 20-2-63.

ARTICLE II: DEFINITIONS

1. “Immediate family member” means a spouse, child, sibling, or parent or the spouse of a child, sibling, or parent.
2. Interested Person

Any director, principal officer, or member of a committee with governing board delegated powers, who has a direct or indirect financial interest, as defined below, is an interested person.

3.  Financial Interest

A person has a financial interest if the person has, directly or indirectly, through business, investment, or family:

• an ownership or investment interest in any entity with which GCA has a transaction or arrangement,
• a compensation arrangement with GCA or with any entity or individual with which GCA has a transaction or arrangement, or
• a potential ownership or investment interest in, or compensation arrangement with, any entity or individual with which GCA is negotiating a transaction or arrangement.

4. Compensation Arrangement 

Any direct and indirect remuneration, as well as gifts or favors that are not insubstantial, is a Compensation Arrangement.

ARTICLE III: PROHIBITED ACTS

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2084 (e), no director or member of GCA’s governing board, or any committee thereof shall:

(A) Act in his or her official capacity in any matter where he or she, his or her immediate family member, or a business organization in which he or she has an interest has a material financial interest that would reasonably be expected to impair his or her objectivity or independence of judgment;

(B) Solicit or accept or knowingly allow his or her immediate family member or a business organization in which he or she has an interest to solicit or accept any gift, favor, loan, political contribution, service, promise of future employment, or other thing of value based upon an understanding that the gift, favor, loan, contribution, service, promise, or other thing of value was given or offered for the purpose of influencing that board member in the discharge of his or her duties as a board member;

(C) Use, or knowingly allow to be used, his or her position or any information not generally available to the members of the public which he or she receives or acquires in the course of and by reason of his or her position for the purpose of securing financial gain for himself or herself, his or her immediate family member, or any business organization with which he or she is associated;

(D) Be an officer or serve on the board of directors of any organization that sells goods or services to that state charter school; or

(E) Be an officer, member, or employee of a local board of education or an employee of a local school system.

ARTICLE IV: DUTY TO DISCLOSE

An interested person who knows that he/she has a conflict of interest or reasonably anticipates that one will arise must disclose the existence of the financial interest and be given the opportunity to disclose all material facts to the directors and to the members of any committee with governing board delegated powers considering the proposed transaction or arrangement.

ARTICLE V: PROCEDURES

1. Determining Whether a Conflict of Interest Exists

After disclosure of the financial interest and all material facts, and after any discussion with the interested person, he/she will leave the governing board or committee meeting while the determination of a conflict of interest is discussed and voted upon. The remaining board or committee members will decide if a conflict of interest exists. The Board shall be guided by all applicable conflict of interest laws including, but not limited to, OCGA Section 20-2-63 and OCGA Section 20-2-2084e.

2. Addressing the Conflict of Interest

   1. An interested person may make a presentation at the governing board or committee meeting.

   2. After the presentation, he/she will leave the meeting during the discussion of, and the vote on, the transaction or arrangement involving the anticipated conflict of interest.

   3. The chairperson of the governing board or committee will, if appropriate, appoint a disinterested person or committee to investigate alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement.

   4. After exercising due diligence, the governing board or committee will determine whether GCA can obtain with reasonable efforts a more advantageous transaction or arrangement from a person or entity that would not give rise to a conflict of interest.

   5. If GCA cannot obtain with reasonable efforts a more advantageous transaction that is free from conflict-of-interest ramifications, the governing board or committee will determine by a majority vote of the disinterested directors whether the transaction or arrangement is in GCA’s best interest and whether it is fair and reasonable.

   6. If a committee has carried out the procedures stated above in this Article IV, it will apprise the governing board of all material information and of its determination.

   7. In conformity with the determination, the governing board will decide by vote whether to enter into the transaction or arrangement.

3. Violation of the Conflicts of Interest Policy
   1. If the governing board or committee has reasonable cause to believe a member has failed to disclose an actual or anticipated conflict of interest, it will inform the member and afford the member an opportunity to explain the alleged failure to disclose.
   2. If, after hearing the member’s response and after making further investigation as warranted by the circumstances, the governing board or committee determines the member has failed to disclose an actual or anticipated conflict of interest, it will take appropriate disciplinary and corrective action.

ARTICLE VI: RECORDS OF PROCEEDINGS

1. Director/Officer, Nature of Financial Interest, Action Taken, Decision

The minutes of the governing board or committee with board delegated powers will identify by name each director/officer who disclosed or otherwise was found to have a financial interest in connection with an actual or anticipated conflict of interest, the nature of the financial interest, any action taken to determine whether a conflict of interest was present, and the governing board’s or committee’s decision as to whether a conflict of interest in fact existed.

2. Persons Present, Discussion, Notes

The minutes of the governing board or committee with board delegated powers will identify by name each person present for discussion and vote relating to the transaction or arrangement, the content of the discussion, including any alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement, and a record of each vote taken in connection with the proceedings.

ARTICLE VII: COMPENSATION

Directors of the governing board and members of committees shall not be compensated by GCA for such service.  Reimbursement for reasonable expenses is not considered compensation.   Additionally:

1. Any interested person who receives compensation or whose immediate family member receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from GCA for services is precluded from voting on matters pertaining to that member’s or immediate family member’s compensation.
2. A voting member of any committee whose jurisdiction includes compensation matters and who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from GCA for services is precluded from voting on matters pertaining to that member’s compensation.
3. Any voting member of the governing board or any committee whose jurisdiction includes compensation matters and who receives compensation or whose immediate family member receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from GCA, either individually or collectively, is prohibited from providing information to any committee regarding compensation.

ARTICLE VIII: ANNUAL STATEMENTS

Annually, each director and officer will sign a statement affirming that he/she has received a copy of the conflicts of interest policy, has read and understands the policy, agrees to comply with the policy, and understands GCA is a non-profit/charitable organization and that to maintain federal tax exemption, it must engage primarily in activities that accomplish one or more of its tax-exempt purposes.

ARTICLE IX: PERIODIC REVIEWS

1. Compensation Arrangements and Management Organizations

To ensure GCA operates in a manner consistent with its non-profit and charitable purposes and does not engage in activities that could jeopardize its tax-exempt status, it will undergo periodic reviews that, at a minimum, include examining whether compensation arrangements and benefits are reasonable, based on competent survey information and the result of arm’s length bargaining.

2. Outside Experts

When conducting the periodic reviews, GCA may use outside advisors. If outside experts are used, their use will not relieve the governing board of its responsibility for ensuring periodic reviews are conducted.

ANNUAL DISCLOSURE STATEMENT CONCERNING POSSIBLE CONFLICT OF INTEREST

To implement the GCA conflict of interest policy, directors and officers of the charter school will annually complete the following form to disclose real and potential conflicts of interest. The board, or its designated committee, will review the completed forms before the next regularly scheduled board meeting follow completion of the form(s) and will attempt to resolve any actual or potential conflicts.  If a committee performs the review, it will attempt to resolve any actual or potential conflicts and inform the board of all material information and its recommendation.

The undersigned person acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Conflict Of Interest Policy attached hereto.

By my signature affixed below I acknowledge my agreement with the letter and intent of this board policy.  I report the actual or reasonably anticipated conflict(s) of interest stated below 

to the board president and will report each actual or reasonably anticipated conflict that may develop before completion of the next annual statement.

           I am not aware of any actual or reasonably anticipated conflict of interest.

           I have the following actual/reasonably anticipated conflict of interest:

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Signed ______________________________________________

Type or Print Name __________________________________

Date _____________

Conflict of Interest Policy

CURRICULUM EFFECTIVENESS AND FISCAL REQUIREMENTS POLICY

Statement of Policy

The Governing Board will assess, under advisement from the GCA Head of School, the academic effectiveness and fiscal soundness of the curriculum provided to GCA students and, in utmost good-faith exercise of its discretion, adopt, alter, discontinue, and/or maintain curriculum provided to GCA students.

Intent and Rationale

The use of standardized tests for promotion and graduation and the academic standards of performance stated in the Charter governing GCA render performance-based instruction mandatory. GCA must have policy in place sufficient to substantiate the content effectiveness and fiscal viability of GCA curriculum. The Governing Board of GCA (“Board”) is responsible to enact the necessary policy. The Board has determined that a standards-based curriculum will best serve the educational needs of all GCA students. It is essential that curriculum align with State standards and Charter requirements.

PROCEDURE TO EFFECTUATE POLICY

1. The Board will select curriculum vendors, under advisement from GCA Head of School (“HOS”),  based on objective criteria and merit in effectiveness and fiscal responsibility and  free of negative bias regarding race, handicap, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or military service.
2. The GCA HOS is responsible to ensure that Board policy is carried out and for monitoring the effectiveness of adopted curriculum.
3. The HOS or his/her designee will develop procedures for utilizing the Board-adopted curriculum.  
4. The HOS/designee will  ensure the following components are included:
   1. An articulated set of measurable academic goals consistent with the Charter. 
   2. An articulated set of measurable academic goals consistent with Georgia Department of Education requirements.
   3. Alignment with criterion-referenced and norm-referenced assessments. d. Reasonable consistency in terms of cost with comparable other curricula.
5. At the direction and under the observation of the HOS, the principals will be responsible for monitoring the delivery of the curriculum.
6. The effectiveness of the curriculum will be assessed on an ongoing basis and determined, in part, by the performance of students on local, state, and national criterion-referenced and norm-referenced assessments.
   1. The GCA Board, under advisement of the HOS, will assess the effectiveness of the curriculum on an as-needed basis.  
      1. The HOS will identify curriculum and/or other program materials, products and components currently in use that he/she has determined well serve, and those that do not well serve, GCA students.  
      2. If applicable, the HOS will identify curriculum and/or other program materials and components that he/she has determined will well-serve GCA students more effectively than those currently in use.  
      3. Based on the curriculum assessment and other pertinent factors, the GCA Board will determine whether to maintain current curriculum or whether change is necessary.  If change is necessary, the Board will examine and determine specific changes necessary, including altering current curriculum and/or replacing current curriculum, to further academic improvement and maintain appropriate standards of fiscal responsibility as required under the Charter.
      4. The Board will determine whether curriculum/program changes require that a budgetary modification be put in place and, if so, will take appropriate steps to so modify the budget.
   2. In addition to the as-needed assessments and recommendations, at least once every five years the HOS will create a criteria-based research agenda specifying existing curriculum to be evaluated for effectiveness.  
      1. The HOS will recommend to the Board an independent entity or individual, highly qualified for the task, to carry out the research agenda to objectively evaluate the effectiveness of curriculum.  
      2. The HOS will provide the Board with the results of the independent evaluation.
      3. Based on the curriculum assessment, the GCA Board will determine what is necessary, including alterations of curriculum, to further academic improvement and maintain appropriate standards of fiscal responsibility as required under the Charter. iv. Information generated from the program evaluation will be integrated with the annual planning and budgeting process of GCA in the year that it takes place. 

Curriculum Policy

Georgia Cyber Academy Board Executive (Closed) Session Meetings

Adopted on: 8/20/14Last Reviewed on: 2/15/23Last Updated on: 2/15/23

The Board of Georgia Cyber Academy adopts the following policy, effective on the date of adoption by the Board.

This policy establishes expectations for conducting executive (closed) session meetings.

SECTION 1.  Purpose of Executive (Closed) Session Meetings

SECTION 1.1.  The Governing Board acknowledges its responsibility to comply with Georgia’s Open Meetings Act.

SECTION 1.2.  Pursuant to the exceptions enumerated by the Open Meetings Act, the board may find it necessary to close a portion of its meeting to discuss matters directly related to the exceptions enumerated in law. Executive (closed) sessions shall comply with all laws pertaining to the actions of public policy-making bodies.

SECTION 1.3.  Pursuant to Georgia’s Open Meetings Act, the Board may call an executive (closed) session to discuss matters permitted by law, including but not limited to the following:

1. To review an appeal from a Student Disciplinary Tribunal [Hearing Officer, Panel]; (OCGA 20-2-757)
2. To consider a matter involving the disclosure of personally identifiable information from a student’s educational records; (20 USC 1232g.)
3. To authorize negotiations to purchase, dispose of, or lease property; (OCGA 50-14-3(b)(1)(B))
4. To authorize the ordering of an appraisal related to the acquisition or disposal of real estate; (OCGA50-14-3(b)(1)(C))
5. To enter into a contract or option to purchase, dispose of or lease property, subject to approval in a subsequent public vote; (OCGA 50-14-3(b)(1)(D, E))
6. To discuss or deliberate upon the appointment, employment, compensation, hiring, disciplinary action or dismissal, or periodic evaluation or rating of a public officer or employee, but not when receiving evidence or hearing argument on charges filed to determine disciplinary action:  (OCGA 50-14-3(b)(2))
7. To consult and meet with legal counsel pertaining to pending or potential litigation, settlement, claims, administrative proceedings, or other judicial actions brought or to be brought by or against the school district or an officer or employee or in which the officer or employee may be directly involved; (OCGA 50-14-2)
8. To discuss tax matters which are confidential by state law; (OCGA 50-14-2)
9. To discuss records (or portions thereof) exempt from public inspection or disclosure pursuant to Article 4 of Chapter 18 of Title 50. (OCGA 50-18-72)

SECTION 2.  Executive (Closed) Session Protocol

SECTION 2.1.  The specific reasons for closure of a public meeting shall be recorded in the official minutes of the Board.

SECTION 2.2.  Meetings shall not be closed to the public except by a majority vote of a quorum present for the meeting.

SECTION 2.3.  The minutes shall reflect the names of the members present and the names of those voting for closure.

SECTION 2.4.  Georgia law requires that following any executive session the Board Chair or other presiding officer execute and file with the official minutes of the meeting a notarized affidavit stating under oath that the subject matter of the meeting or the closed portion thereof was devoted to matters within the exceptions provided by law and identifying the specific relevant exception.

SECTION 2.5.  The Board President or other presiding officer shall, at the conclusion of each meeting where at least a portion was closed, complete and sign an affidavit stating the reasons for the closure of the meeting.

SECTION 2.6.  Board resolution shall not be conducted in executive (closed) session.  All voting shall be conducted in a public board meeting.

Executive Session Meetings Policy

Complaint Procedures – Students/Families

Complaints will fall into one of five categories:

1. Complaints about a student, the classroom experience, or a teacher.
2. Complaint relating to a subject, employee, or issue within a specific program area.
3. Complaints about a school-wide policy, administration, or a particular administrator not in a specific program area listed above.
4. Complaints about a parent/guardian or community member involved with the school.
5. Complaints that the school, or school employee has acted in a manner that violates state law or rule or Governing Board policy.

In general, GCA will not address a complaint made anonymously, based on hearsay, or made on behalf of another family. GCA will also not address a complaint where resolution has not been exhausted through the appropriate steps indicated below. GCA may, at its discretion, notify individual school employees about grievances brought against them. Parents/guardians may, however, request that they not be personally identified as the party bringing a complaint.

Steps for making a complaint:

Category A:  Complaints about a student, the classroom experience, or a teacher

• Step 1: Parents/guardians should try to resolve the issue with the classroom teacher.
• Step 2: If these efforts are unsuccessful, a complaint may be made to the Principal.
• Step 3: If efforts to resolve the issue with the Principal have been exhausted, or the complaint involves the Principal, the parent/guardian may bring the complaint to the Director of Instruction, Curriculum and Assessment.
• Step 4, If efforts to resolve the issue with the Director of Instruction, Curriculum and Assessment have been exhausted, or the complaint involves the Director of Instruction, Curriculum and Assessment, the parent/guardian may bring the complaint to the Superintendent/Head of School whose decision shall be final.

Category B:  Complaint within a specific program area

• Step 1: The complaint should be made to the assistant director for the program area.
• Step 2: If the complainant is unaware of who is assigned to a given area or is unable to resolve the issue with the Assistant Director, or the complaint involves the Assistant Director, the parent/guardian may make the complaint to the Director of the Department.
• Step 3: If efforts to resolve the issue with the Director have been exhausted, or the complaint involves the Director, the parent/guardian should bring the complaint to the Superintendent/Head of School.
• Step 4: Appeal to Governing Board as described below.

Categories C and E:  Complaints about a school-wide policy, administration, or administrator

• Step 1:  The parent/guardian should make the complaint to the Principal or Assistant Director of the program area involved.  
• Step 2: If efforts to resolve the issue with the Principal/Assistant Director have been exhausted, or the complaint involves the Principal/Assistant Director, then the parent/guardian should bring the complaint to the Director of Instruction, Curriculum and Assessment or Director of the program area.
• Step 3: If efforts to resolve the issue with the Director of Instruction, Curriculum and Assessment or Director of the program area have been exhausted, or the complaint involves the Director of Instruction, Curriculum and Assessment or Director of the program area, then the parent/guardian should bring the complaint to the Superintendent/Head of School
• Step 4:. Appeal to Governing Board as described below.

Category D:  Complaints about a parent/guardian or community member

• Step 1: The parent/guardian should make the complaint to the Principal. 
• Step 2:  If efforts to resolve the issue with the Principal have been exhausted, or the complaint involves the Principal, then the parent/guardian should bring the complaint to the Superintendent/Head of School.
• Step 3: Appeal to Governing Board as described below.

Process for Reviewing Complaints - Administration

For Categories A-D, upon receipt of a complaint, where applicable, the Principal, Assistant Director, Director, or Superintendent/Head of School will each acknowledge receiving the complaint and seek to resolve it within 10 business days or as soon as reasonably practicable.

Process for Reviewing Complaints - Governing Board

For Category E complaints and for Categories B, C and D complaints where a parent or guardian is not satisfied with the response of the Superintendent/Head of School, the complaining party may bring a complaint to the Governing Board as follows:

Complaints should be made in writing via the grievance form on the school’s website or on the same form available at the GCA offices. This allows all parties involved to work from a consistent body of information.

For any complaint presented to the Board, a response via written letter will be sent within (30) thirty days of receipt of the complaint, or as soon as reasonably practicable.  The Board may delegate review of a grievance to a member or members of the Board, legal counsel, or another designee. If the complaint is addressed at a meeting of Board, or a committee thereof, every reasonable effort will be made to provide a written decision to the aggrieved person within ten (10) business days of the meeting.

The Board’s decision shall be final and binding.

Family Complaint Policy & Procedures

Instructional Live Class Session Size

The following defines the maximum number of students that may be invited to attend any live instructional class session. For grades Kindergarten through 8th instructional live class session size is defined by grade level, regardless of subject, and for High School grades the instructional class session size is defined by course and/or content area. Elementary and Middle School grade level students taking High School level courses may attend live class sessions at class size levels as defined for High School courses and/or content area. Courses taught through another entity are exempt from this policy.

Full Implementation of this policy will be effective 2018-2019. For the 2017-2018 school year, this policy will be fully implemented for the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades as of October FTE Count Date; a plan for partial implementation will be created for targeted High School courses/content areas and Elementary Grades within the confines of budgetary constraints.

• Kindergarten – 50 students
• 1 st grade – 50 students
• 2 nd grade – 60 students
• 3 rd grade – 75 students
• 4 th grade – 100 students
• 5 th grade – 100 students
• 6 th grade – 150 Students
• 7 th grade – 150 students
• 8 th grade – 150 students
• 9 th grade Comp/Lit and American Literature courses – 150 students;
  • all other High School level ELA courses – 200 students
• Algebra 1 and Geometry courses – 150 students;
  • all other High School level Math courses - 200 students
• HS Physical Science and Biology courses – 150 students;
  • all other High School level Science courses – 200 students
• Economics and American History courses – 150 students;
  • all other High School level Social Science courses – 200 students
• High School level Foreign Language courses – 200 students
  • All other High School elective courses – 250 students

Instructional Live Class Size Policy

Georgia Cyber Academy Governing Board Lottery and Admissions Policy

 Adopted On: 04/18/2018

Last Updated On: 06/20/2018

This policy establishes the enrollment policy including the lottery process for GCA.

1. Enrollment is open to any student who resides in the state of Georgia.
2. GCA shall not charge tuition or fees to its students except as may be authorized for local boards pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 20-2-133.
3. GCA will have an open application period which will be announced on the school website during the second semester of each school year for the following school year. During this period students who are interested in enrolling must begin by completing the online registration form or by completing a hardcopy of the enrollment packet obtained from the GCA office. The hardcopy enrollment packet will be available on the website as well. The applicant must also provide proof of residency in the state of Georgia.
4. Due diligence will be shown in announcing the opening of a new enrollment cycle to the public:

• The enrollment cycle dates will be prominently displayed on the GCA website beginning at least one month prior to the opening of an enrollment cycle.
• The open enrollment information will be prominently displayed on the GCA web page once an open enrollment cycle has commenced.
• Notification will be sent out to those who have expressed an interest in GCA announcing the opening of a new enrollment cycle at least two weeks prior to its commencement. and then again when the enrollment cycle begins.
• Notification will be sent to all currently enrolled parents and students announcing the opening of a new enrollment cycle to share with others who may be interested at least two weeks prior to its commencement and then again when the enrollment cycle begins.
• Additional means of notifying the public that a new enrollment cycle is opening or is currently open may include, but is not limited to: social media, television commercials, local papers throughout Georgia, including, but not limited to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the State Charter School Commission, and the Georgia Charter School Association.

5. If the number of applicants received by GCA during an open enrollment cycle specified above exceeds the capacity of a program, class, grade level, or building, GCA shall ensure that such applicants have an equal chance of being admitted through a public random selection process in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 20-2-2066(b). GCA shall not conduct more than one lottery per grade per academic year.
6. If the school is not oversubscribed by the end of the open application period, no lottery will be held and GCA will continue to accept applications and admit eligible students in the order they completed the enrollment application, based on availability in their respective grade and submission of compliancy documents.
7. If a random lottery is needed, GCA will post the date and time of the lottery on its website Enrollment page. GCA will also notify the primary caretakers of prospective students with completed enrollment applications via email. The lottery will take place at the GCA office and online for public participation.
8. The Lottery will be based on new enrollee applications. The Head of School will randomly choose the seat offered students through an open lottery system or may contract a service company to administer the lottery.
9. The lottery will be conducted by grade level in any grade in which the number of applications exceed the number of seats available under the enrollment policy. The order in which those drawings will take place and the total number of students selected for each grade may vary each year in consideration of the school’s overall enrollment limit, the expected number of returning students and any of their siblings who complete an enrollment application during the open application period, and/or other operational factors. The number of seats available in each grade level will be determined at the end of the period of re-enrollment of existing students and is limited by the Board’s enrollment policy and by the enrollment caps set forth in the school’s charter contract.
10. For each grade level, a computer program will randomly generate a number for each student from the pool of enrollment applications. Students assigned a lottery number that is low enough to be within the number of seats available in that grade will receive a seat offer for enrollment, provided that as each student in a grade level lottery is determined eligible for a seat offer, siblings of that student for whom an enrollment application is also complete will receive a seat offer as well regardless of that sibling’s grade level.
11. A sibling is defined as, “Children who share at least one common biological or legal parent whether through natural or adoptive means and live at the same permanent residence.” This definition includes: a. Biological siblings that share parents; 4 b. “Half” siblings that share a single parent; c. “Step” siblings that share a parent or parents through marriage; and d. Children who share a parent or parents through adoption or guardianship.
12. The primary caretakers of selected students will receive an email confirmation within two business days after the lottery to the email address provided by the primary caretaker in the 3 student’s application and must complete the enrollment process by supplying compliance documents within 10 calendar days including weekends and holidays of the day such notification was sent. Students who are not compliant by the 10th day will forfeit their seat to the next eligible student on the waiting list. For purposes of this policy, compliance documents include the following: Proof of Residency Proof of Guardianship Proof of Age Current Report Card/Transcript
13. When all available seat offers have been made, students that applied during the open enrollment period and participated in the lottery but did not receive a seat offer will be placed on a waiting list according to their random assigned lottery number.
14. GCA will continue to accept applications after the open application period, but in grades where all available seats are filled, these students will be placed on the waiting list behind the students that were given a wait list number during the lottery. The order will be determined by the time/date stamp recorded at the time the application is submitted. The primary caretakers of selected wait listed students will receive an email notification to the email address provided at the time of application submission when/if a seat becomes available. The primary caretaker and must complete he enrollment process by supplying compliance documents within 10 calendar days including weekends and holidays. Students who are not compliant by the 10th day will forfeit their seat to the next eligible student on the waiting list.
15. If a mistake has been made and a student who has not been granted admission was denied or waitlisted and cannot be enrolled without potentially violating the enrollment policy cap that staff can make a request to the Board Chair with an explanation of how the mistake happened and that allowing an additional student is necessary in spite of the cap. The Board Chair may, in his/her discretion grant admission to the student or students even if they exceed the enrollment cap for that grade level.

Lottery and Admissions Policy

Georgia Cyber Academy School Media Relations Policy  

Adopted On: 8/18/2016

Last Reviewed On: 4/22/20

Last Updated On: 4/22/20  

The Board of Georgia Cyber Academy, Inc. (“Board”) adopts the following policy, effective on the date of adoption, applicable to Georgia Cyber Academy School (“School”)

Purpose

To foster positive relationships with the media; ensure that information provided to the media is accurate, comprehensive, and complete; to provide reporters appropriate access to the best sources of information; and to protect the privacy rights and best interests of students, a protocol for providing information to the media is established and outlined in this policy.  

Non-Disclosure

No Board member, School employee, or employee or agent of any other company or entity working with the School will release information identified as private or confidential by the School, the Board, policy or administrative regulation.  

Spokespersons

The GCA Executive Director and/or Head of School will serve as the spokespersons for the School in the context of media relations.  The Executive Director will coordinate with the Head of School and the Chair of the Board on all media requests and will coordinate with the school Communications Director and any outside entity or individual providing media relations services to the school, as needed, prior to making statements to the media or responding to media inquiries.

Student-Related Publicity

Proposed publicity regarding students will be evaluated by, and consent or disapproval determined by, the Executive Director and/or the Head of School pursuant to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, other applicable laws, and the best interests of the student or students. The Executive Director and/or the Head of School will consult with the Chair of the Board if any student-related publicity touches on matters related to school governance, overall school performance, or would otherwise touch on matters that reflect poorly on the School, its staff members, or Board of Directors.  

Media Contact

Any individual working for the School who is contacted by the media regarding any School-related matter, including any matter regarding student(s), curriculum, or other aspect of School operations, will notify the Executive Director and Head of School immediately and direct the media inquiry to the Executive Director.  The GCA Executive Director will notify the GCA Board Chair promptly upon being contacted for comment by the media. Any Board member contacted by the media will notify the Board Chair promptly and direct the media inquiry to the Executive Director.  

Press Releases

All press releases and other proactive and reactive GCA media communications will be coordinated with the Board Chair, Head of School and Executive Director  .  

Media Access to School Events  

The media will have access to all GCA School events to which the public has been invited.  

When members of the media cover School activities other than public events, they must have the approval of the School before interviewing, filming, or photographing staff or students. Under no circumstances will any student be interviewed, taped, or photographed, without prior written permission from his or her parent or guardian.  

School Media Relations Policy

Georgia Cyber Academy Parents’ Bill of Rights Policy

In accordance with the requirements found in Georgia House Bill 1178, GCA maintains the following Parents’ Bill of Rights Policy to promote and facilitate parental involvement in the School.

SECTION 1. Right to Access the Following Information

Parents/guardians may request access to the following information under this Policy, by submitting a request in writing to their student’s grand band Principal.

1. Instructional Materials

Parents/guardians shall have the right to learn about their child’s course of study, which includes the right to access instructional materials intended for use in their child’s classroom. Such instructional materials shall be made available for review during the first two weeks of each grading period. Your child’s teacher(s) will provide you information on where and how to access these materials.

2. Records Relating to Your Child

Parents/guardians shall have the right to review records relating to their child, including, but not limited to, current grade reports and attendance records. A request for this information should be made in writing and delivered to the Principal.

3. Promotion, Retention, and High School Graduation Policies and Requirements

Parents/guardians shall also have the right to access information relating to promotion and retention policies and high school graduation requirements.

Information requested under this policy shall be made available for inspection within a reasonable amount of time not to exceed three school days of receipt of a request. In those instances where some, but not all, of the information requested is available for inspection within three school days, the Principal shall make available within that time period such information as is available. In any instance where some or all of the information is unavailable within three school days of receipt of the request, and such information exists, the Principal shall, within such time period, provide the requester with a description of such information and a timeline for when the information will be available for inspection and shall provide the information or access thereto as soon as practicable but in no case later than 30 days of receipt of the request.

SECTION 2. Right to Object to Instructional Materials

If a parent/guardian objects to any instructional materials intended for use in their child’s classroom or recommended by their minor child’s teacher, the parent/guardian shall first, as soon as possible after becoming aware of the objection, raise the objection with the child’s teacher in which classroom the material is intended for use and/or who recommended the material. The teacher shall respond to the objection within five school days of its receipt, or as soon thereafter as is reasonably practicable.

If the parent/guardian is unsatisfied with the teacher’s response, then within five school days of receiving the response, the parent/guardian shall submit a written objection to the Principal. Such objection should include a description of the allegedly objectionable material, the course in which the material is intended or recommended to be used, why the parent/guardian believes the material is objectionable, and, where possible, should attach a copy of the objectionable material.

The Principal will review the objection and within five school days of receiving the written objection, or as soon thereafter as is reasonably practicable, respond in writing to the parent/guardian to offer a resolution to the objection.

If the parent/guardian disagrees with the Principal’s proposed resolution, the parent/guardian may appeal to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors or its designee will review the matter at its next regularly scheduled meeting or as soon thereafter as is reasonably practicable, and notify the parent/guardian, relevant teacher, and Principal of its decision on the matter in writing.

SECTION 3. Right to Withdraw Child from Sex Education

To the extent that any sex education is proposed as part of your child’s course of study, you will be notified in advance by your child’s teacher. Upon notification, you have the right to withdraw your child from the School’s prescribed course of study in sex education by providing written objection to your child’s teacher of your child’s participation.

SECTION 4. Right to Opt-Out of Photographs, Videos, and Voice Recordings of Your Child

Parents/guardians shall have the right to provide written notice that photographs, videos, or video recordings of their child(ren) are not permitted. This opt-out is subject to applicable public safety and security exceptions. All students at the School will be subject to being recorded in the School’s online classes.

SECTION 5. Review Procedures

If the Principal denies a request for information or does not provide existing responsive information within 30 days, the parent/guardian may appeal such denial or failure to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors must place the appeal on the agenda for its next public meeting. If it is too late for such appeal to appear on the next meeting’s agenda, the appeal must be included on the agenda for the subsequent meeting.

A parent aggrieved by the decision of the Board of Directors may appeal to the State Board of Education, as provided in O.C.G.A. § 20-2-1160(b).

Parents Bill of Rights Policy

Promotion and Retention Policy

Georgia Cyber Academy Protect Students First Act Complaint Resolution Policy

In accordance with the requirements found in Georgia House Bill 1084, the Protect Students First Act (the “Act”), GCA maintains the following Complaint Resolution Policy to set forth how eligible individuals may make complaints about GCA’s adherence to the requirements of the Act.

SECTION 1. Summary of the Protect Students First Act

The Protect Students First Act, the full text of which is available at https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/61477, requires GCA to prohibit its employees from discriminating against students and other employees based on race. Further, GCA must ensure that its curricula and training programs encourage employees and students to practice tolerance and mutual respect and to refrain from judging others based on race. In doing so, it shall not advocate for “divisive concepts,” a term further defined in the Act.

The Act is not intended to and shall not be construed or applied in practice to, among other things, inhibit or violate state and federal Constitutional rights, prohibit GCA from promoting tolerance, mutual respect, or cultural sensitivity or competence, or to ban the discussion of “divisive concepts” as part of a larger course of instruction in a professionally and academically appropriate manner without espousing personal political beliefs.

Further, the Act does not prohibit the use of curricula that addresses the topics of slavery, racial oppression, racial segregation, or racial discrimination, including topics relating to the enactment and enforcement of laws resulting in racial oppression, segregation, and discrimination in a professionally and academically appropriate manner and without espousing personal political beliefs.

SECTION 2. Individuals Who May Make Complaints Under This Policy

Only the following individuals shall be permitted to make a complaint under this Policy: the parent/guardian of a current GCA student; a GCA student who has reached the age of majority or is a lawfully emancipated minor; and any current GCA administrator, teacher, or other School personnel. An individual making a complaint under this Policy shall be referred to herein as a “Complainant”.

SECTION 3. Request for Records

Any individual able to bring a complaint under this policy may also, before or in conjunction with bringing a complaint, make a written request to the Superintendent for access to nonconfidential records reasonably believed to substantiate a complaint made under the Act. The Superintendent shall produce such records for inspection within a reasonable amount of time not to exceed three business days from the date of the written request. In any instance where some or all of the requested documents are unavailable within three business days of receipt of the request, but such documents do exist, the Superintendent shall within three business days provide the Complainant with a description of such records and a timeline for when they will be available shall provide the documents or access thereto as soon as practicable but in no case later than thirty days after receipt of the written request.

If the Superintendent denies a request for records or does not provide existing responsive records within thirty days, the requester may appeal such denial or failure to respond to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors must place such appeal on the agenda for its next public meeting. If it is too late for such appeal to appear on the next meeting’s agenda, the appeal must be included on the agenda for the subsequent meeting.

SECTION 4. Complaint Procedures

To initiate a complaint under this Policy, a Complainant shall submit to the Superintendent, in writing, a reasonably detailed description of the alleged violation of the Protecting Students First Act.

By way of example, a reasonably detailed description would generally include the date on which the alleged violation occurred, in which course or during what school-sponsored event the alleged violation occurred, the individual(s) accused of committing the alleged violation, any witnesses to the alleged violation, and details of the substance of the alleged violation (i.e., what remarks were made or what materials were presented that are objectionable).  

SECTION 5. Investigation of Complaints

Within five business days of receiving a written complaint, the Superintendent or GCA’s designee shall review the complaint and take reasonable steps to investigate its allegations. What is considered “reasonable” will vary based on the details of the Complaint, but generally will involve interviewing the Complainant, interviewing the individual(s) identified as having violated the Act, interviewing any witnesses to the alleged violation as needed, and/or reviewing the allegedly objectionable materials at issue, if any.   

The Superintendent or GCA’s designee shall thereafter meet with the Complainant within ten business days of receiving the written complaint—unless another schedule is mutually agreed to by the Complainant and the Superintendent—and inform the Complainant whether a violation occurred, in whole or in part, and, if such a violation was found to have occurred, what remedial steps have been or will be taken; provided, however, that the confidentiality of student or personnel information shall not be violated.

If the Complainant so requests, the Superintendent or GCA’s designee shall within three business days of the above referenced meeting, provide to the Complainant a written summary of findings of the investigation and a statement of remedial measures, if any; provided, however, that such written response shall not disclose any confidential student or personnel information. 

SECTION 6. Appeal of Superintendent’s Decision

If Complainant disagrees with the Superintendent’s or GCA’s designee’s determination, Complainant may, within 5 business days of receipt of the written findings, submit a request in writing to the Chair of the Board of Directors to review the Superintendent’s or his/her designee’s decision. The Board of Directors or its designee shall, within ten business days of receiving a written request, review the Superintendent’s or GCA’s designee’s determinations. Confidential student or personnel matters shall not be subject to review.

SECTION 7. Appeal of Board of Directors’ Decision

If Complainant disagrees with the Board of Directors’ decision, Complainant may submit a request in writing to the State Charter School Commission to review the Board of Directors’ decision. The State Charter School Commission shall take appropriate remedial measures. Confidential student or personnel matters shall not be subject to review.

Protect Students First Act Policy

Georgia Cyber Academy Governing Board Public Comment Policy

Date of Approval: September 16, 2020

Purpose

The Georgia Cyber Academy Governing Board (Board) welcomes public comment at its meetings and is committed to providing meaningful opportunities for members of the public to participate. The purpose of this policy is to address how participation will be handled, both in person and from a remote location by telephone.

Policy

The Board encourages members of the public to offer comments and express opinions on both specific actions to be taken by the Board, as well as any other issue directly related to the operation of the School. In accordance with this policy, any individual may address the Board on agenda items during the public comment period as long as they meet any legal provisions governing participation at public meetings.

Individuals may present either in-person or by telephone.

Procedure

Individuals are strongly encouraged to follow school grievance policies and discuss their comments and concerns with appropriate school staff members, administrators, and/or Board members before directing such comments to the entire Board during a meeting.

Each Board meeting agenda shall have a time designated for "public comment" as time permits. The total time for public comment shall not exceed twenty (20) minutes. Public comment after this time-frame is not permitted. The Board Chair or Board may, at its sole discretion, vote to have an extended public comment period or have more than one public comment period at any given board meeting.

Three (3) of the ten (10) two minute public comment speaking spots will be allocated to those attending the meeting in-person, when the total number of those wishing to comment exceeds ten individuals unless fewer than three (3) members of the public wish to speak in-person.

Directions to the Public Regarding Public Comment

Brief direction on Public Comment and public conduct should be written on the top of all Board agendas and on any electronic viewing. It should state the following:

"Reminder to parents and non-board members attending board meetings: The board meeting is structured for the board to conduct business in a timely manner. The Public Comment portion of the agenda allows an opportunity for members of the public to briefly express any comments. Anyone wishing to speak must sign in or contact the Head of School to sign up. Please refrain from entering into board business and discussion without being recognized to do so.

Public Comment is a period for the public to bring issues or concerns to the Board's attention, however it is not a period for the Board to engage in a conversation or question and answer session with the public. Any concerns or issues brought forward will be investigated, directed to the appropriate committee for discussion, and/or handled by the Board Chair after the Board meeting."

Also, prior to the Public Comment period of a board meeting, provided there is anyone wishing to speak, oral direction should be given to the public regarding their conduct and the purpose of the Public Comment period of the Board meeting.

In-Person Participants

All in-person individuals must sign up to speak during public comment. To be recognized by the Board Chair, an individual must provide their name and a short description of the agenda item they wish to comment on the sign in sheet, along with any materials they want to have distributed to Board members, before the scheduled start of the meeting. It is encouraged that those wishing to speak in person contact the Head of School prior to the board meeting, so that they can secure a one of the ten (10) spots available for public comment.

In-person participants should be aware that there is no established time when they may be called on to speak except that they will be called on after the scheduled start of the meeting. The total time for any individual to present, either in person or via telephone, shall not exceed two (2) minutes (depending upon the number of speakers), unless the Board Chair or Board grants additional time either formally or informally.

Individuals will be called in the order that they either signed up or contacted the Head of School. Individuals who are attending the meeting in person may be given the first preference in speaking and for the duration requested.

The Board Chair will then announce the individual's name at the appropriate time during the meeting. Each individual will be granted two (2) minutes to make his or her presentation. If requested, the Board Chair or Board may grant additional time to individuals, circumstances permitting. After completion of any such presentation, the Board Chair shall ask whether there is any further public comment on the item at which time any member of the public present may come forward and make his or her presentation (which may be limited to two (2) minutes at the Board Chair's discretion).

Any individual may raise an issue during public comment and request that it be placed on a future agenda. No action can be taken by the Board until such item has been included on an agenda in accordance with Georgia's Open Meeting Laws.

Teleconference (or other communication device) participants

Individuals who wish to address the Board telephonically or through another form of communication should contact the Head of School by phone or by email at least twenty-four (24) hours before the scheduled start of the Board meeting. The individual shall provide his/her name, a phone number where he/she may be reached during the meeting, and a short description of the topic he/she wishes to address. If the individual wants to provide any written materials to the Board, these should be emailed to the Head of School at least twenty-four (24) hours before the scheduled start of the meeting. The Head of School will list these requests in the order in which they are received and provide them, along with copies of any materials submitted to the Board Chair before the start of the meeting. Individuals who wish to participate will be called on either from the open call-in line or at the number they provided in the order in which they contacted the school, and will be granted up to two (2) minutes to make the presentation, provided that the twenty (20) minute public time period has not been exceeded by those individuals that had previously signed up to speak. If requested, the Board Chair may grant additional time to individuals, circumstances permitting.

Telephonic participants should be aware that there is no established time when they may be contacted to speak except that they will be called on after the scheduled start of the meeting. The total time for any individual to present, either in person or via telephone, shall not exceed two (2) minutes (depending upon the number of speakers), unless the Board Chair or Board grants additional time. Individuals who are attending the meeting in person may be given the first preference in speaking and for the duration requested.

Any individual may raise an issue during public comment and request that it be placed on a future agenda.

Special Accommodations for Public Comment

Members of the public who require special accommodations to be able to attend the Board meeting should contact the Head of School or the specific contact person designated on the agenda for that meeting, at least Ninety Six (96) hours prior to the meeting to make appropriate arrangements for attending the meeting.

Other Public Engagement

In addition to the above, any Board member may ask a member of the public present to answer brief questions or make comments on an agenda item under discussion in order to gather information before deliberating on a decision.

Public Comment Policy

The Georgia Cyber Academy (GCA) Governing Board adopts this Student Discipline and Code of Conduct Policy to establish and implement an age-appropriate student code of conduct designed to create and sustain a learning environment that facilitates all students’ efforts to learn. Student Discipline also will be addressed, consistent with this policy, in a student code of conduct included in the District Handbook.

This Policy, and the Student Code of Conduct, will comply with state law and State Board of Education Rules and will include the following:

Standards for student behavior designed to create the expectation that all students will behave t in such a manner as to facilitate a learning environment for all students. The standards will encourage students to respect each other, school faculty/ staff, and any persons attending school functions, and to motivate students to obey student behavior policies adopted by this Board and to obey student behavior rules established at each school.

1. Student support processes designed to consider, as appropriate, considering the severity of the behavioral problem, support services available at each school, the district and other public entities or community organizations which may assist students to address behavioral problems.
2. Progressive discipline processes designed to create the expectation that the degree of discipline imposed will be in proportion to the severity of the behavior leading to the discipline and will consider the previous discipline history of the student and other relevant factors, while ensuring that each student receives the due process mandated by federal and state law.
3. Parental involvement processes designed to enable parents, guardians, teachers and school administrators to work together to improve and enhance student behavior and academic performance. The process should enable parents, guardians and school employees to communicate freely their concerns about student behaviors which detract from the learning environment.

The code of conduct will require disciplinary action for infractions of the code and will include the disciplinary process required by Georgia statute and a hearing officer that meets the training requirements included in O.C.G.A. § 20-2-759 and State Board of Education (SBOE) rule 160-4-8-.15.

The student code of conduct will be distributed to each student at the beginning of the school year and upon enrollment of each new student. The parents/guardians will be requested to sign an acknowledgment of the receipt of the code of conduct and promptly return the acknowledgment to the school.

Teacher Reporting Information

A teacher is required, consistent with Board policy and applicable law, to manage his or her online classroom, including disciplining students and referring students to the principal or designee to maintain discipline in the online classroom.

Any teacher who has knowledge that a student has exhibited behavior which violates the student code of conduct sufficient to substantially interfere with the teacher's ability to communicate effectively with the students in the class or with the ability of such student's classmates to learn will file a report of such behavior with the principal or designee.

The principal and teacher should thereafter follow the procedures set forth in the Student Discipline Code of Conduct procedure and as set forth in Georgia law, specifically O.C.G.A. 20-2-737-738.

Student behavior which violates state or federal laws as specified in O.C.G.A. 20-2-1184 will result in a report being filed with the police and district attorney.

The Superintendent and/or designee shall develop procedures and guidelines as necessary for implementation of this policy and law.

Reporting Inappropriate Behaviors

O.C.G.A. § 20-2-751.7(a) - The Professional Standards Commission shall establish a state mandated process for students to follow in reporting instances of alleged inappropriate behavior by a teacher, administrator, or other school employee toward a student which shall not prohibit the ability of a student to report the incident to law enforcement authorities. Each local school system shall be required to implement and follow such state mandated process and shall include the mandated process in student handbooks and in employee handbooks or policies.  

Student Reporting of Alleged Sexually Inappropriate Behavior

(a) Any student (or parent or friend of a student) who has been the victim of an act of sexual abuse or sexual misconduct by a teacher, administrator or other school system employee is urged to make an oral report of the act to any teacher, counselor or administrator at his/her school.  

(b) Any teacher, counselor or administrator receiving a report of sexual abuse or sexual misconduct of a student by a teacher, administrator or other employee shall make an oral report of the incident immediately by telephone or otherwise to the school principal or principal’s designee, and shall submit a written report of the incident to the school principal or principal’s designee within 24 hours. If the principal is the person accused of the sexual abuse or sexual misconduct, the oral and written reports should be made to the superintendent or the superintendent’s designee.  

(c) Any school principal or principal’s designee receiving a report of sexual abuse as defined in O.C.G.A. 19-7-5 shall make an oral report immediately, but in no case later than 24 hours from the time there is reasonable cause to believe a child has been abused. The report should be made by telephone and followed by a written report in writing, if requested, to a child welfare agency providing protective services, as designated by the Department of Human Resources, or, in the absence of such agency, to an appropriate police authority or district attorney.  

Reports of acts of sexual misconduct against a student by a teacher, administrator or other employee not covered by O.C.G.A. 19-7-5 or 20-2-1184 shall be investigated immediately by school or system personnel. If the investigation of the allegation of sexual misconduct indicates a reasonable cause to believe that the report of sexual misconduct is valid, the school principal or principal’s designee shall make an immediate written report to the superintendent and the Professional Standards Commission Ethics Division.  

"Sexual abuse" means a person's employing, using, persuading, inducing, enticing, or coercing any minor who is not that person's spouse to engage in any sexual act as defined in O.C.G.A. 19-7-5

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 19-7-5, if a student has allegedly been abused a report of such allegation will be made immediately.

Any report of behavior contemplated in O.C.G.A. § 20-2-1184 will be made to superintendent or his/ her designee. 

Discipline Related to Students with Disabilities

This Policy is intended to uphold and comport with specific statutory and regulatory requirements regarding discipline meted out to students with disabilities. This Policy is subject to federal and state law and regulations governing discipline of students with disabilities.

Student Discipline and Code of Conduct Policy

Adopted On: 8/16/2017   

Last Reviewed On: 8/16/20

The Board of GCA adopts the following policy, effective on the date of adoption by the Board.

GEORGIA CYBER ACADEMY GOVERNING BOARD STUDENT ENROLLMENT POLICY

Student Enrollment Policy

Student to Instructional Teacher Ratio*

The following defines the maximum number of students that an instructional teacher may be assigned in any single semester, including those students in their instructional classes and homeroom. This policy only applies to employees that have classes and instructional duties assigned to them. Instructional teachers will be subject specific in grades 3 through 12, when possible, meaning no teacher will be assigned classes in more than one subject area**. No teacher responsible for student instruction will be assigned administrative duties, including but not limited to, student/parent communications, grading, record keeping, reporting, data entry, data analysis and advising for more than the following number of students:

• Kindergarten – 50 students
• 1 st grade – 50 students
• 2nd grade – 60 students
• 3rd grade – 100 students
• 4th grade – 125 students
• 5th grade – 125 students
• 6th grade – 175 Students
• 7th grade – 175 students
• 8th grade – 175 students
• 9th grade Comp/Lit and American Literature courses – 175 students; all other High School level ELA courses – 200 students
• Algebra 1 and Geometry courses – 175 students; all other High School level Math courses - 200 students
• HS Physical Science and Biology courses – 175 students; all other High School level Science courses – 200 students
• Economics and American History courses – 175 students; all other High School level Social Science courses – 200 students
• High School level Foreign Language courses – 200 students All other High School elective courses – 250 students

*Full Implementation of this policy will be effective 2018-2019. For the 2017-2018 school year, this policy will be fully implemented for the 6th, 7th , and 8th grades as of the October FTE Count Date; a plan for partial implementation will be created for targeted High School courses/content areas and Elementary Grades within the confines of budgetary constraints.

**When enrollments dictate that teachers with multiple certifications cover more than one subject area, no more than two subjects will be taught by any one teacher and the subjects assigned to that teacher will encompass related concepts or skills, such as Math/Science/Technology or ELA/SS/Art. Additionally, for grades 3 through 8, the classes would be of the same grade level. In those instances where a teacher is assigned two classes/courses, the total number of students that are assigned to a teacher, regardless of the number of subjects or classes taught, cannot exceed the maximum limits set in this policy when the total numbers of students in the classes/courses are combined. For example, an 8th grade math class of 100 students and an 8th grade science class of 75 students is allowed as the maximum number of students does not exceed 175, they are of related subjects, and they are of the same grade level. In instances where the max number of students was reached, when combining the two classes, the teacher would not be able to be responsible for additional homeroom or other students if when combined with the students in their assigned classes the total number of students exceeded the ratio set forth in this policy.

Student to Instructional Teacher Ratio Policy

Georgia Cyber Academy shall provide to all certified personnel annual training in suicide awareness and prevention in accordance with state law and rules established by the Georgia Department of Education.

The Head of School or designee shall develop procedures to address at a minimum, suicide prevention efforts, intervention, and aftercare. Such procedures shall be developed in consultation with school and community stakeholders, school-employed mental health professionals, and suicide prevention experts.

In accordance with state law, no person shall have a cause of action for any loss or damage caused by any act or omission resulting from the implementation of this policy or its implementing procedures or resulting from any training, or lack thereof, required by state law or this policy. The training, or lack thereof, required by the provisions of state law shall not be construed to impose any specific duty of care. Neither the training nor the procedures are designed to impose ministerial duties but to provide a framework in which educators can exercise their professional judgment in the best interest of students.

Suicide Prevention and Awareness Policy

Suicide Prevention and Awareness Policy