ATLANTA – Governor Nathan Deal recently appointed State Representative Terry England (R-Auburn) to the Education Reform Commission, a newly established commission charged with studying the state’s education system.
“With education being the largest expenditure in our state budget, it is important for us to make sure we are spending those dollars in the best manner possible,” said Rep. England. “The current QBE funding formula is 30 years old, and needless to say, a lot has changed over the past three decades, but the formula does not account for those changes. I look forward to this opportunity to address the issues.”
The commission will convene throughout the year to comprehensively review the state’s education system including the current Quality Basic Education (QBE) funding formula, increasing access to early learning programs, recruiting and retaining high-quality instructors and expanding school options for Georgia’s families. Based on their findings, the commission will provide recommendations for possible executive, legislative and agency improvements. These recommendations will be sent to Governor Deal by August 1, 2015, with some recommendations becoming effective as early as the 2016-2017 school year. Chuck Knapp, former president of the University of Georgia, will chair the commission.
Rep. England, Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, is among 32 appointees to the commission.
“My vision for K-12 education in Georgia is a system driven by student need that provides local school and district leaders with real control and flexibility,” said Governor Deal. “With this commission now in place, it is my hope that we will work together to make education more accessible and effective in preparing our state’s students for the rigors of college and the workforce. Georgia families depend on our classrooms, and now it’s time we take the responsibility in full to provide the high-quality, technologically advanced education they so deserve. I fully anticipate this commission will help bring my vision to reality and I’m grateful for the members’ willingness to serve.”
Representative Terry England represents the citizens of District 116, which includes portions of Barrow County. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2005, and currently serves as the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, and the Ex-Officio of the Ways & Means Committee. He also serves on the Agriculture & Consumer Affairs, Education, Industry and Labor, and Natural Resources & Environment committees.
###