Subcommittee advances bill letting homeschool and private students attend nearby career academies

Representative Townsend presented House Bill 971 (LC492473), a follow‑up to earlier career‑academy legislation that allows a public school system to opt in and accept students from adjoining counties or RISA districts to attend career and technical education classes. The sponsor framed the proposal as a locally driven, opt‑in policy that provides workforce development opportunities and ensures the host district receives full‑time equivalent (FTE) funding for enrolled students.

Members asked how many career academies operate in Georgia (the sponsor said about 60), whether capacity constraints exist in high‑demand programs, and how FTE funding and private‑school scholarship programs interact. Dr. Devonhart, principal of the Golden Isles College and Career Academy, supported the bill and said his academy has seen requests from neighboring counties to enroll homeschool and private‑school students where seats are available.

The committee moved a do‑pass motion; HB 971 advanced to the full committee. Sponsors and witnesses said the bill is intended to remain flexible and opt‑in, and districts may decline participation if they lack capacity.

What’s next: HB 971 will go to the full committee; sponsors said districts and the Department of Education will track capacity and FTE accounting.