Georgia School Law Tribunals and Appeals: Could This Be a Way to Overturn the Local School Board's Vote?

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Here's one way to contest the local school board's decision!  The cell tower approval process must pass through three steps: 

1. First, secure a lease agreement with the property owner
2. Second, apply for a permit with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) (see www.antennasearch.com)
3. Thrid, apply for local zoning board approval and any building permits as needed by local goverment or other authories as mandated by state or local law.

Therefore, an illegal lease would mean Step 1 was not completed properly.  Therefore, there can be no valid application for FCC permits or local variances or building permits.

So, how do you show that the DCSS did not have legal authroity to sign any leases with T-mobile?  Contest the decision to the Georgia State Board of Education.  Here is the process to follow, called "School Law Tribunals and Appeals." 

If any school decides to follow this method of protest, please mention your concern for ALL schools when addressing the decision and lack of notification issues.  Remember, if one tower goes up, it sets a precedent that will be difficult to overcome for all schools down the road!  And, contact us at GTCO-ATL because we have a lot of records that can help you in your appeal!

SCHOOL LAW TRIBUNALS AND APPEALS

   (1) PURPOSE.  The purpose of this rule is to specify the procedures for appeals from local boards of education (LBOEs) to the State Board of Education on issues respecting the administration or construction of school law.
    (2) ROLE OF THE VICE CHAIRPERSON.
         (a) The vice chairperson for appeals of the state board or a hearing officer contracted with or employed by the state board shall conduct a review of appeals to the state board and shall acquaint state board members with the matters to be considered.
         (b) The vice chairperson for appeals or the hearing officer shall draft the ruling of the state board.
    (3) PROCEDURES BEFORE THE LOCAL BOARD OF EDUCATION.
         (a) LBOEs shall hold hearings when required by law.  The LBOE shall adopt, except as otherwise provided for by law, the following hearing procedures:
               1. The LBOE shall notify the parties of the time and place of the hearing.

               2. The LBOE shall sign and issue subpoenas.

               3. All witnesses shall testify under oath and shall be subject to cross-examination.

              4. The LBOE shall require the testimony and other evidence to be transcribed by a court reporter or recorded by other appropriate means.

               5. The strict rules of evidence prevailing in courts of law shall not be applicable to hearings before LBOEs.

               6. At the conclusion of the hearing, or within 15 days thereafter, the LBOE shall notify the parties of its decision in writing and shall notify the parties of their right to appeal the decision to the State Board of Education.

    (4) APPEALS TO THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

       (a) After a hearing by the LBOE when held in accordance with state law and/or state board policies, regulations or rules, any party aggrieved by a decision of the LBOE rendered on an issue respecting the administration or construction of school law may appeal to the state board by filing the appeal in writing with the local school superintendent.  The appeal shall set forth:

  

              1. The question in dispute;

              2. The decision of the local board; and

              3. A concise statement of the reasons why the decision is being appealed.

         (b) The party making the appeal shall file with the appeal the complete record, including a transcript of testimony certified as true and correct by the local school superintendent or a request that the superintendent transcribe and prepare such transcript.  The party making the appeal shall assume the costs of such preparation.

        (c) When any party is unable to pay the cost of a transcript of the hearing because of indigence, the party shall be relieved from paying the cost if said party provides to the local school superintendent an affidavit to that effect.  The party=s rights shall be the same as those had the party paid the cost of the transcript.  Upon receipt of an affidavit, the local school superintendent may inquire into the ability of the applicant to pay the cost of the transcript.  After a hearing, the local school superintendent may order the party to pay the cost of the transcript by a certain date.  Such decision of the local school superintendent may be appealed by the party to the State Board of Education in the same manner as other issues.  If a party appeals the order of the local board to pay the cost, the local school superintendent shall submit to the State Board of Education a transcript of the hearing on indigence that is certified by the local school superintendent.  If no appeal of the issue of indigence is filed and the cost is not paid as ordered by the LBOE, or if an appeal is filed and the State Board of Education affirms the local board decision, the appeal shall not be docketed.
       
     (d) The appeal to the State Board of Education shall be filed with the local school superintendent within 30 days of the decision in question.

     (e) Transmission to the State School Superintendent.   The local superintendent shall within 10 days after the filing of the appeal, transmit to the state school superintendent a copy of the appeal, together with the transcript of evidence and proceedings, the decision of the local board and other matters in the file relating to the appeal.  All materials should be certified as true and correct.  The appeal may be amended and a transcript filed any time prior to transmission to the state board.

     (f) Notice.  After a determination by the state school superintendent or designee that the appeal is in proper form for hearing, the appeal shall be docketed and placed on the calendar for review before the hearing officer of the state board at the earliest practical time.

  

    (g) The party requesting the appeal shall file a brief with the state board discussing the party=s position within 20 days of the date of docketing.  The opposing party shall have 40 days from the date of docketing to file a brief.

    (h) Oral arguments shall not be heard unless requested by a party or requested by the hearing officer.  Oral arguments must be requested by a party within 10 days of the date the appeal is docketed.

     (i) Procedure at Oral Argument.  If oral argument is ordered or granted, the appellant may be represented by counsel.  The argument shall be confined to the issues in the record and the evidence transmitted from previous proceedings.  No new evidence shall be received.  The state board shall not consider any question not specifically raised in the written appeal or the statement of contentions.
       
     (j) Decision of State Board.  The state board shall render its decision in a written order within 25 days after it hears the case and shall notify the parties in writing of its decision and of their right to appeal the decision to the Superior Court of the county wherein the LBOE is located.

     (k) Dismissal of Appeal.  Failure to comply with any of the provisions herein may be grounds for dismissal.

     (l) No Supersedeas.  No appeal shall act as a stay of a local board=s order unless so ordered by the local board or by the vice chairperson for appeals of the state board.

(5) SEVERABILITY.  The provisions of this rule are hereby declared to be severable, and the invalidation of any part hereof shall not affect or invalidate any other part.