School Board Training Requirements


State law and state board rules require school board members to obtain board governance training each year.  All GSBA training is approved by the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE).

First Year of School Board Service

  • 3 hours - Local District Orientation (1 of the hours must focus on school finance) 
  • 9 hours - New Board Member Orientation (NBMO)
  • 3 hours - Whole Board Governance Team Training (includes Superintendent)
  • 15 hours - Total Hours Required in First Year 


One or More Years Of School Board Service

  • 6 hours - Coursework from the State Board's Curriculum-Based State Standards (All of GSBA's courses qualify)
  • 3 hours - Whole Board Governance Team Training (includes Superintendent)
  • 9 hours - Total Hours Required


Timeline for Local Boards

The GaDOE awards credit based upon data submitted by your local board at the conclusion of each fiscal year.  Training reports should be sent to Matt Cardoza at mcardoza@doe.k12.ga.us.


Beginning July 1

  • Self-Assessment Needs & Boards adopt training plans. (May be amended during the year)


October 15

  • Deadline for submitting the prior year Local Board Governance Training Annual Reports to the GaDOE.
  • Deadline for submitting the current year Local Board Governance Training Plans to the GaDOE.


During the Year

  • Training Plans are implemented.  Deadline for all training to be completed is June 30th.  


State law and state board rules require school board members to obtain board governance training each year.  All GSBA training is approved by the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE).

First Year of School Board Service

  • 3 hours - Local District Orientation (1 of the hours must focus on school finance) 
  • 9 hours - New Board Member Orientation (NBMO)
  • 3 hours - Whole Board Governance Team Training (includes Superintendent)
  • 15 hours - Total Hours Required in First Year 


One or More Years Of School Board Service

  • 6 hours - Coursework from the State Board's Curriculum-Based State Standards (All of GSBA's courses qualify)
  • 3 hours - Whole Board Governance Team Training (includes Superintendent)
  • 9 hours - Total Hours Required


Timeline for Local Boards

The GaDOE awards credit based upon data submitted by your local board at the conclusion of each fiscal year.  Training reports should be sent to Matt Cardoza at mcardoza@doe.k12.ga.us.


Beginning July 1

  • Self-Assessment Needs & Boards adopt training plans. (May be amended during the year)


October 15

  • Deadline for submitting the prior year Local Board Governance Training Annual Reports to the GaDOE.
  • Deadline for submitting the current year Local Board Governance Training Plans to the GaDOE.


During the Year

  • Training Plans are implemented.  Deadline for all training to be completed is June 30th.