Georgia Public School Teachers Endorse Poythress for Governor

General David Poythress, Democratic candidate for Governor, is honored to have earned the endorsement of "Georgia Education Alliance" - an alliance of educators organized in opposition to the deep state budget cuts in 2009 and other destructive education policies that followed in 2010. Currently, GEA boasts more than 3500 member; it is a nonpartisan, education advocacy group dedicated to bringing students, parents, teachers, and the community together to ensure public education is a priority in state legislation.

"I am immensely proud that this engaged group of educators has decided to endorse my candidacy," says Poythress. "Education is the key issue in the Democratic Primary, and my bold education plan, put together with the strong input of educators, is resonating deeply in the education community across Georgia."

GEA was moved to endorse in the Governor’s race by General Poythress’ commanding victory in their recent online poll, his responses to their extensive questionnaire and his outreach and willingness to meet openly with educators from across the state. Their statement below details their concerns and their decision that General Poythress is the candidate they trust to solve Georgia’s education crisis.

"GEA’s endorsement validates the strength of my plan to transform our public schools into 21st Century Learning Centers," says Poythress. "We can no longer tinker around the edges and hope our children are globally competitive; we must empower our students and educators with the latest in educational technology."

GEA joins the dozens of local elected officials and a growing list of online and print media who have endorsed General Poythress.

From the Georgia Education Alliance:

Public education in Georgia is currently facing a crisis.

Georgians are experiencing cuts that cripple our public schools with unchecked class sizes, encroaching federal mandates, and less instruction time for students.  Some cuts have been so deep that the schools themselves have been closed, resulting in even less opportunity for our children.  

Under these strains, Georgia’s teachers have continued to provide the constitutionally required quality education while facing furloughs, layoffs, and attacks on their professional integrity.

We have witnessed an 11th hour merit pay push that sought to shackle our education to the federal government and hold teacher salaries hostage to a failed testing model.

Despite these attacks on public education, the current administration has pursued its own interests instead of seeking out realistic solutions that would benefit all of Georgia’s students.  This administration has claimed to listen to teachers, basing their claims on a survey, loaded with generic questions, where only 20% of Georgia’s teachers responded.

With so much at stake, we need a governor that has clearly engaged Georgia’s educators in the development of a realistic and effective education plan that addresses the current crisis, a history of working with both Democrats and Republicans, and has a proven track record of reform and leadership.

After the careful review of GEA gubernatorial candidates’ questionnaire responses, extensive discussion with GEA members, and a conversation with Poythress concerning his education priorities, Georgia Education Alliance is hereby endorsing General David Poythress for Georgia Governor.

General Poythress has the distinction of having been recognized as a strong leader by both parties: Poythress was appointed by then-Governor Barnes (D) as head of Georgia’s National Guard and later re-appointed by current-Governor Perdue (R).

Poythress has provided a clear plan to turn around education.  

Specifically, Poythress:

- Has made a concerted effort to not only reach out to Georgia’s educators, but to also engage them in the process of educational reform;

- Has vowed to walk with Georgia’s educators as they experience furloughs and layoffs, by not accepting salary until Georgia’s economic conditions improve;

- Understands the negative impact from increased federal mandates and deep 
state budget cuts have had on Georgia’s commitment to quality public education;

- Has a realistic plan to manage the current budget crisis, without resorting to additional cuts in public education;

   and

- Has a consistent record with educational priorities, and has not had to apologize for past decisions.

General David Poythress has served his country, and the great state of Georgia, throughout his distinguished career.  Our state constitution challenges us to provide quality education to all of Georgia’s children.  Georgia Education Alliance believes that General Poythress has proven his dedication to educational priorities that will serve students, parents, teachers, and our local communities in their shared pursuit of educational excellence.