The Georgia Charter Systems Act, signed in 2007, allows entire school systems to convert to charter status. A Charter System is not a group of charter schools; rather, the district has a charter, or contract, with the State of Georgia to increase student achievement. Simply put, Charter Systems have increased flexibility to operate beyond state mandates and make adjustments in staffing, teaching methods, and management in exchange for higher accountability.

A traditional public school system is organized according to federal laws, state school laws, State Board of Education rules, and local board of education policies. A charter school system is organized according to federal laws, applicable state school laws and SBOE rules that cannot be waived, and the terms of the charter contract.

A broad flexibility waiver (formerly called a “full flexibility waiver”) allows a charter school or system to implement academic and organizational innovations by waiving certain educational state rules and regulations contained in Title 20 in exchange for increased accountability for student achievement.

CSD Charter System is governed by the Board of Education and the Superintendent of Schools. Each school has a governing council referred to as the School Leadership Team (SLT). The SLT is entrusted with the responsibility of providing input, making recommendations, and rendering decisions regarding various aspects of the instructional program of the school and the school is operational scheme.

Parent or legal guardian members of the School Leadership Team will be elected by a majority of votes of parents and legal guardians of students who will be enrolled in the school at the onset of the member's term. Teacher members of the School Leadership Team will be elected by a majority vote of staff who works at the school at the time of the election. Students and community or business leaders who serve on School Leadership Teams will be appointed by the elected members of the team.

SLTs will be composed of at least 5-7 members. One member must be the principal; two others must be staff, and the remaining must be two community members (parents or guardians). A member of Central Office Staff who serves in a nonvoting member, advisory capacity will be the liaison between the school and the system.

Each SLT is unique. However, each School Leadership Team has bylaws, which will address the School Leadership Team's internal governance procedure, general operations, as well as elections, and conflicts of interest. SLT meets at least four times throughout the school year.

Charter schools and systems are subject to all provisions outlined in O.C.G.A. 20-2-2065(b). In particular, charter schools may not waive state laws or State Board of Education rules pertaining to health and safety, funding formulas, or accountability provisions. In addition, charter schools may not waive any aspect of federal law. This includes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and all applicable civil rights legislation.