Gov. Deal’s State of the State address Wednesday delivered what we’ve come to expect from this Governor’s office: more of the same. Just like every year before, Gov. Deal used his annual speech to showcase a Georgia that works for Gov. Deal and his buddies, but nobody else.
Opportunity School District isn’t an opportunity for students
Politicians like Gov. Nathan Deal have cut billions from our local public schools, causing larger classes, fewer school days and lingering teacher furloughs. Now, the same politicians who refused to fully fund our schools have a new scheme to “save” the schools they helped destroy. Gov. Deal calls it an “Opportunity School District,” but the… [Read More]
Hostile takeover
Politicians like Gov. Nathan Deal have cut billions from our local public schools, causing larger classes, fewer school days and lingering teacher furloughs. Now, the same politicians who refused to fully fund our schools have a new scheme to “save” the schools they helped destroy. Gov. Deal calls it an “Opportunity School District,” but the… [Read More]
While education sinks, Gov. Deal tries to tread water
After neglecting our public schools for the entirety of his term, Gov. Deal is hoping to save face with parents and educators by “adding” $547 million to education funding in his new budget. While that might sound like welcome news, it’s nothing more than an election-year money dump, with the hope that voters will forget… [Read More]
Georgia teachers are furious with Gov. Deal
Georgia teachers are furious with Gov. Deal. The governor has changed every teacher’s health insurance coverage, causing dramatic increases in out-of-pocket expenses, the elimination of copayments and less choice for doctors. Some teachers have even told us they don’t have in-network doctors in their community and they must drive across state lines to find the… [Read More]
Proposed raises for Georgia teachers just a raw deal
For the first time since taking office, Gov. Nathan Deal will include a raise for Georgia’s public school teachers in his budget. But educators shouldn’t rejoice just yet. After years of stagnant wages despite the ever-rising cost of living, Deal is proposing a 2 to 3 percent raise for Georgia’s teachers. The small amount of… [Read More]
Voters sue Gov. Deal over deceptive charter school ballot question
Beverly Hedges, a Dalton teacher, and the Rev. Timothy McDonald, senior pastor at First Iconium Baptist Church in Atlanta, filed a lawsuit today in the Superior Court of Fulton County asking for a declaration that the ballot language presented to voters for Amendment 1 is purposely misleading. Gov. Nathan Deal, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and Secretary… [Read More]
Students teach Georgia voters about charter schools amendment
A YouTube video from the Southern Education Foundation featuring two high school students laid out some of the key arguments against Amendment 1, which is disguised on the ballot as a charter school measure. Click to watch the video. Sign our pledge to Vote ‘No’ on Amendment 1. Join us on Facebook: Better Georgia Schools.
Charter school amendment would have ‘serious impact’ on public schools, Barge says
Amendment 1, also known as the charter school amendment, would have “a serious impact” on students at traditional public schools according to State School Superintendent John Barge. Click to watch Barge explain Amendment 1. Barge answered questions about Amendment 1 at a public forum in Macon on Oct. 11, 2012. Barge supports charter schools but… [Read More]
Better Georgia schools, charters and the November ballot
Better Georgia schools are on top of every voter’s mind as the November election approaches. With a charter school constitutional amendment on every ballot, Georgia voters could radically change how charters are awarded to schools in local communities. And that radical change would not make better Georgia schools. Like most Georgians, Better Georgia believes that… [Read More]