Letter to Parents from Cliff Cole, Superintendent PCSD

May 16, 2012

RE: Georgia Special Needs Scholarship

Dear Parent/Guardian:

As a parent/guardian of a student who receives special education services in the Paulding County School District, you have an option to exercise public and private school choice. Under a state law passed by the Georgia State Legislature in 2007, parents/guardians of students who receive special education services may choose to transfer their child to another public or private school in Georgia.

Public School Choice Options

As a parent/guardian you may request a transfer to another public school within our school district as long as the services specified in your child’s individualized education plan, can be implemented and there is available space at that school. If you choose this option you will be responsible for transportation. The deadline for this option is September 17, 2012.

In addition, you may request a transfer to a school in another school district if there is available space and the system and school has a program with the services agreed to in the student’s existing individualized program.  However, a school district must agree to accept the student.  If you choose this option and the school district accepts the child, you will be responsible for transportation to a school in that system.  The deadline for this option rests with the receiving school district.

You may also request a transfer to one of the state schools for the deaf and/or blind operated by the State Board of Education.  Acceptance into the state school will be contingent on the appropriateness of the setting.  It must meet the student’s needs.  If you choose this option, you will be responsible for transportation to the state school.  Please contact the Georgia Department of Education for more information about transferring to a State School.

Private School Choice Option

If you are interested in transferring your child to a private school in Georgia, you may be able to take advantage of a Georgia Special Needs Scholarship. These scholarships provide funding that can be used to offset tuition cost at participating private schools in the state of Georgia. For more information on the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship and the parent application process, please visit the Georgia Department of Education’s website at http://public.doe.k12.ga.us/sb10.aspx. 

Sincerely,

Cliff Cole

Superintendent

SB 10 Public School Transfer Request Form

SB 10 Public School Transfer Request Form 2012-2013.pdf