GLMA Newsletter

Education Finance Task Force Meets
Submitted by Lasa Joiner

Governor Sonny Perdue convened his Education Finance Task Force on August 26, 2004. In his remarks, the Governor outlined his goals for the panel and introduced task force chairman Dean Alford (former member of the General Assembly and current member of the State Board of Education). Mr. Alford presided over the remainder of the brief organizational meeting, and announced the creation of five subcommittees.

The task force is charged with coming up with quick-fix short-term solutions to weaknesses in the QBE Act and its funding formula, but more importantly, it has been given the task of developing the replacement to QBE. The new moniker has already been determined. At some point in the near future, QBE will be replaced by "Investing in Education Excellence," or IE2 term is actually "IE squared." You will be seeing a lot of it.

The scope of the task force is much broader than simply examining the cost components that determine weights in the funding formula. In fact, the scope is broader than school funding. The task force will determine the programs and services needed in public education in order to achieve educational excellence. As such, the task force is actually a comprehensive educational reform commission.

The task force will meet next in late October and again in January, then every two months until it completes its work. The Governor has indicated that he would like to see recommendations as soon as possible, but the task force may deliberate for 18 to 24 months before making a final report.

The five subcommittees are as follows:

"Community Conversation on Education Excellence" Chair: Kathy Cox, State School Superintendent, Steve Dolinger, President, Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education, Al Hunter, Superintendent of Brantley County Schools and Rep. Jeanette Jamieson, Stephens County.
"Requirements / Best Practices" Chair: Holly Robinson, Georgia Public Policy Foundation, Katie Reeves, Fulton County Board of Education, Gwendolyn Tucker, Warren County Board of Education and Ken White, Private Business.
"Cost Model" Chair: Sandra Neal, Middle Georgia RESA, Shirley Brooks, Ben Hill County Board of Education, Tim Connell, Director , Office of Planning and Budget, Dave Fields, Budget Director, Savannah-Chatham School System and Franklin Perry, Superintendent, Sumter County Schools.
"Strategic Multiples" Chair: Victor Morgan, Bartow County Schools, Jennifer Albritton, Budget Director, Taylor County Schools, Stuart Bennett, Chief Deputy State School Superintendent, Bill Fuqua, Lowndes County Board of Education and Senator Brian Kemp, Clarke County.
"QBE Review" Chair: Bill Barr, (retired educator), Wanda Barrs, Chair State Board of Education, Guy Middleton, former State Senator, Lumpkin County, Gary Smith, Private Business, Dougherty County and Alvin Wilbanks, Superintendent, Gwinnett County Schools

The Community Conversation on Education Excellence subcommittee will hold a series of open meetings around the state to receive input from the public on the improvements to public education that have the most promise in bringing about excellence in student achievement. These hearings are expected to be held during the next four or five months. The Georgia School Boards Association will assist in facilitating the organization of these community meetings. The four members of the Requirements / Best Practices subcommittee have

The Strategic Multiples subcommittee will consider additional services that are deemed essential for a variety of special populations. The QBE review subcommittee has the short-term task of identifying stop-gap fixes the the Quality Basic Education funding formula for the short period prior to its replacement by IE2.

We will keep you informed as information comes our way. Stay tuned to your local paper and the DOE and the governor's websites for developments.