The Richmond County Strategic Waivers School System application was approved by the Georgia Department of Education on December 10, 2015.  Becoming a Strategic Waivers School System offers Richmond County flexibility from certain State Laws and State Board of Education rules in exchange for improved student achievement.  In July 2018, Richmond County School System applied to amend the Strategic Waivers Contract to include additional waivers.  The amended contract was approved by the State Board of Education in November 2018.

Schools and Departments can request waivers by submitting a form to the Office of Accountability.  The waivers available to the Richmond County School System are included in the 2018 Resources below.  

• For Certification Waivers, please click here. 
• Schools applying for waivers regarding Class-Size or School Day/Year, please click here.  
• For all other Strategic Waiver requests, please click here.
• Departments requesting waivers, please click here. 

Strategic Waivers School System (SWSS) Application 2024

The Richmond County School System is nearing completion of its original multi-year performance contract, and the current contract is set to expire on June 30, 2024.

During the application process, the administration established a committee for in-depth review and discussion on Title 20 education laws and Local Board of Education waiver options provided by the Georgia Department of Education. The Richmond County School System intends to utilize waivers to provide schools with flexibility for student growth, achievement and the well-being of staff and students.

The Georgia Department of Education requires school systems pursuing the renewal of Strategic Waiver School System status to submit their applications for consideration to the State Board of Education by May 31, 2024. If approved, the six-year performance contract will go into effect July 1, 2024.

The School System invites the public to provide feedback at a public hearing held on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at 5:30 P.M. regarding the School System’s strategic plan, proposed contract and draft renewal application to continue as a Strategic Waivers School System. The public is encouraged to provide comments or suggestions regarding the School System’s flexibility requests, performance goals and their impact on each school.

RCSS SWSS Waivers Draft Appendix A 2024

RCSS System Goal Areas 2024-2025

RCSS Strategic Plan 2020-2025 Aligned with Cognia Standards

RCSS Strategic Waivers and Strategic Plan Goals Areas Input Survey 2024

Encuesta de aportes de las áreas de objetivos del plan estratégico y exenciones estratégicas del RCSS 2024