State Superintendent’s Race Heads to Runoffs

On the Republican side, State Chief Academic Officer Mike Buck will face former Tifton teacher Richard Woods. The two are both former educators. Buck, who had the highest percentage of GOP votes, says he’s more qualified.

“It’s a level of experience that I think goes beyond what Richard has had,” Buck says. “I was somewhat naïve when I got into this position about just what it takes to build relationships with the governor’s office and the legislature and to have credibility across the field.”

Buck says he’s had to learn how to do that during his tenure at the Department of Education.

Woods, however, touts his business experience as well as his education background. He says having a balance will make him a better leader.

“I’ve kind of proposed creating a purchasing consortium that allows school systems to block their money together to buy things more effectively,” he says.

Woods also says he’d like to re-examine the rules about how districts are allowed to spend money.

The Democratic runoff could be a little more heated. Former Decatur School Board Chair Valarie Wilson will take on State Representative Alisha Morgan, D-Austell. Wilson, who received the highest percentage of Democratic votes, says her broad background gives her an edge.

“I not only have public education experience, I also have the business experience to run a department of education and I have the experience of working across aisles as president of the Georgia School Boards Association,” she says.

But Morgan, a member of the House Education Committee, says that doesn’t match her own legislative experience.

“She was a school board member,” Morgan says. “So, either she’s an ineffective school board member and doing the job of a superintendent or she’s not clear on what the role was or maybe she’s simply just giving misinformation. Whatever it is, it’s inaccurate and it’s a real distraction from the real issues.”

Wilson’s campaign sent out mailers attacking Morgan’s record on education. Some speculated Democrats prodded Wilson to run because they weren’t happy with Morgan’s support for a 2012 charter schools amendment. Wilson denies that.

Runoffs will take place July 22^nd. The winner of the Buck/Woods contest will take on the winner of the Wilson/Morgan race in November’s General Election.