The State Board of Education shall have authority to provide for implementation of other educational programs not ordinarily coming within the prescribed curricula of the public schools which may or may not require use by local units of administration of additional specially qualified personnel and special equipment necessitating allotment of additional funds. The state board is authorized to establish priorities, standards, and criteria for implementation and operation of such programs as it may find necessary or desirable to implement on a state-wide basis. Local units of administration may, prior to implementation of such programs by the state board, implement such programs locally in accordance with criteria and standards prescribed by the state board. The state board shall, prior to implementation of such programs, establish a uniform basis for allotment of additional funds necessary for operation of such programs, provided the General Assembly has appropriated funds for this purpose.
OCGA § 20-2-300