Opposition to HB 767 – Unfair Compensation Penalties for School Board Members

Vote NO to House Bill 767, which unfairly penalizes only Gwinnett County Board of Education members by suspending their compensation in the event of a superintendent contract buyout. While we support fiscal responsibility, this bill is misguided and could create more harm than good.

Key Concerns with HB 767

1) Legislators Should Not Micromanage Local School Boards

• State legislators are not education experts, yet this bill undermines the school board’s independent decision-making—a board elected by the people of Gwinnett County, not state politicians. This is the first time the Gwinnett County school board has members with PhDs in education and legal experience, bringing a level of expertise and informed decision-making that should be respected, not undermined. Rather than allowing these qualified professionals to lead, HB 767 imposes unnecessary restrictions that interfere with their ability to govern effectively.

The board must be free to make tough but necessary choices—including superintendent changes—without the state financially coercing them.

2) Limits the Board’s Ability to Act in the Best Interest of Schools

There are times when buying out a superintendent’s contract is the most fiscally responsible decision due to performance issues or changing district needs.

• Tying board member compensation to this decision could discourage necessary action, potentially leaving ineffective leadership in place to avoid financial penalties.

3) Creates a Dangerous Precedent for Local Governance

• If passed, HB 767 could lead to similar state-imposed financial penalties on other locally elected boards, undermining local control and discouraging qualified individuals from serving.

For these reasons, I respectfully ask that you vote NO on HB 767 and work toward more effective, fair policies that promote fiscal responsibility without compromising local governance and school board independence.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I appreciate your service to our community and welcome any opportunity to discuss this matter further.

You can find them at www.legis.ga.gov or www.mvp.sos.ga.gov.