Franklin BOE Adopts Procedure for Violations of the Students First Act

The Franklin County Board of Education has adopted a procedure for violations of HB1084/Protect Students First Act passed by the Georgia Legislature this past session.

HB1084 bars certain concepts based on race that are considered divisive from being taught in the classroom.

It also requires each local board of education, and governing body of each charter school, to adopt a complaint resolution policy containing specific provisions to address complaints alleging violations of the statute.

At their meeting last week, acting Superintendent Chuck Colquitt explained Franklin County has developed its own policy.

“This policy is the result of HB1084 which was passed by the State Legislature and signed by the Governor,” he said. “This policy is concerned with the teaching of divisive concepts and allows for provisions to address complaints concerning alleged violations of the statute. I would like to recommend we adopt policy IKBB Divisive Concept Complaint Resolution Process.”

The complete policy can be read here: IKBB Divisive Concepts Complaint Resolution Process.

Under the policy, a detailed complaint must be submitted in writing to the school principal where the alleged violation occurred.

After a complaint is submitted, the principal or school system designee has five days to review the complaint and investigate the allegation.

The principal then has 10 days from receiving the complaint to meet with the person who complained regarding whether the investigation found a violation and what steps were taken or will be taken to resolve the issue.

A written summary of the findings of that investigation will then be sent to the complainant within three days of the meeting.

The complaint and summary of the investigation will then be sent to the School Superintendent for review and to the School Board for review.

The School Board’s decision will be final but the complainant has the right to appeal.

At no time will the complainant be subject to review or investigation.

After hearing from Colquitt, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the IKBB Divisive Concepts Complaint Resolution Process.