Bickering could cost state money

Published 9:02 am Thursday, November 1, 2012

A dispute between two of Georgia’s highest elected officials threatens the state’s access to federal funds designed to spur innovation in education.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Gov. Nathan Deal and state School Superintendent John Barge, both Republicans, can’t agree on who should oversee the $400 million Race to the Top program.

Based on emails uncovered through an open records request, the newspaper reports that Deal asked Barge to appoint Kristin Bernhard to oversee the program. Bernhard currently serves as Deal’s education policy adviser and previously served in the administration of Gov. Sonny Perdue.

But Barge chose Clara Keith, formerly assistant superintendent for Race to the Top implementation.

“I believe that hiring Ms. Bernhard in this senior level position with no prior educational experience, over many who are more experienced and better qualified, would have the potential to create a contentious work environment within the Department of Education,” Barge wrote Deal, according to the newspaper.

Part of the problem is that authority for this program is divided between two state constitutional officers. The school superintendent has the authority to appoint the person who oversees the program, but the governor is ultimately responsible for making sure that the money is spent in accordance with the state’s grant application.

Meanwhile, the federal Education Department has designated a portion of the state’s Race to the Top program as high risk. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that could lead to Georgia losing its grant.

Barge and Deal need to think very hard about whether the state really needs Race to the Top funds. If they conclude that it does, they should put aside their differences and find a compromise candidate to oversee the program.