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Governor Nathan Deal - Georgia’s 82nd Governor (2011-2019)

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Home » Press Releases » Deal, others name Education Finance Study Commission

Deal, others name Education Finance Study Commission

May 17, 2011

Gov. Nathan Deal today announced the names of those who will sit on his Education Finance Study Commission, which will evaluate the method of funding for Georgia’s school systems and was created by the passage and signing of HB 192.
 
“The members of this commission have both the knowledge of education and the expertise in education finance required to find the right ways to balance the educational needs of Georgia’s children with the appropriate resources to fund them,” said Deal. “I look forward to seeing the commission’s evaluations as we seek to find the best, most fair way to pay for our children’s education.”

 The 20-member commission consists of 10 members tapped by Deal, four senators appointed by Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, four representatives named by House Speaker David Ralston, State Superintendent John Barge and Chief Operating Officer of the Georgia Department of Education Scott Austenson. The list of those appointed is as follows:
 
Gov. Deal
Hank Huckaby, chancellor-designate, University System of Georgia
Buster Evans, superintendent, Forsyth County Schools
Wes Taylor, principal, Lowndes County High School
Jadun McCarthy, 2012 Georgia Teacher of the Year
David Johnson, vice chair, Floyd County School Board, president-elect of Georgia School Board Association
Barbara Hampton, 6th Congressional District Member, State Board of Education
Lynn Cornett, at-large member, Technical College System of Georgia Board
Kelly Henson, executive secretary, Professional Standards Commission
Lee Lovett, Deputy superintendent & chief financial officer, Hall County Public Schools
Jim Bostic, representative, Business Community, member, ACT Board of Directors
 
Lt. Gov. Cagle
Sen. Fran Millar (R-Atlanta), chairman, Senate Education and Youth Committee
Sen. Jim Butterworth (R-Cornelia)
Sen. Jack Hill (R-Reidsville)
Sen. Freddie Powell Sims (D-Dawson)

Speaker Ralston
Rep. Brooks Coleman (R-Duluth), chairman, House Education Committee
Rep. Terry England (R-Auburn)
Rep. Tom Dickson (R-Cohutta)
Rep. Margaret Kaiser (D-Atlanta)
 
HB 192 -- which established the commission -- was created to study the cost and resources required to educate a child. The commission will review the Quality Basic Education Formula, a method of calculating funding needed for Georgia school systems. Because it is more than 25 years old, the General Assembly passed the legislation to allow for a comprehensive study and evaluation of the QBE. It will also review other types of educational funding, including Race to the Top.
 
The commission will meet quarterly as required by the legislation, and must have the final recommendations completed by Sept. 30, 2012.