I have reintroduced legislation ( SB 114 and SB 137) that would facilitate the timely enrollment of children of military families when they move from state to state or school district to school district because of deployment or transfers.
The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children would ensure that children are not disadvantaged in their opportunities for educational success or progress toward graduation because of frequent moves. Similar legislation that I introduced in 2008 passed overwhelmingly in both the Senate and House of Representatives but suffered a veto by the governor.
Hopefully this year, we can give the governor more information on what the bill does and does not do so that he will sign the legislation into law. By promoting this type of flexibility and cooperation, we will assist the military families who are sacrificing so much for us.
The bill will greatly assist the BRAC-inspired buildup of military families at Fort Benning, Fort Gordon and other Georgia installations. Some 7,000-10,000 new students are expected to impact school systems in the Columbus and Chattahoochee Valley area.