Section 20-2-80. Requests for increased flexibility; requirements

   (a) A local school system may request increased flexibility from certain state laws, rules, and regulations in exchange for increased accountability and defined consequences through a contract with the State Board of Education. Such contract shall establish a framework of accountability, flexibility, and consequences in accordance with this article.

(b) A local school system may elect not to request increased flexibility in exchange for increased accountability and defined consequences and opt to remain under all current laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures, and such local school system shall:

   (1) Conduct a public hearing for the purpose of providing public notice that such local school system is opting for the status quo. The public hearing shall be advertised in a local newspaper of general circulation which shall be the same newspaper in which other legal announcements of the local board of education are advertised; and

   (2) Sign a statement on a form provided by the state board that such local school system is opting for the status quo.

Code 1981, § 20-2-80, enacted by Ga. L. 2008, p. 82, § 1/HB 1209.