Georgia students' test scores are symbolic of Gov. Sonny Perdue's education plan. Georgia is again dead last in SAT scores, and the state is falling behind in other measures of academic achievement as well. Perdue talks about education being his top priority, but the $173 million of the $580 million midyear "surplus" adjustment that went to education in late August barely makes a dent in the $1.25 billion in cuts passed down to local counties and taxpayers over the past four years. Why didn't Perdue put all $580 million toward education if it was unexpected revenue?

Does the governor think that the teachers will overlook his broken promises (smaller class sizes, higher test scores, teacher pay raises that outpace inflation and healthcare cost increases) because of the $100 classroom gift cards?

I don't think teachers will fall for Perdue's attempt to buy their vote. Those cards were a publicity stunt and a fiscally foolish way to spend tax dollars. The sales tax holiday "savings" doesn't come close to making up for the retail prices teachers paid for basic supplies.

Let's stop the shell games and get serious about education in Georgia.

Contact Bruce Redd

[Ed: Letter originally published in the MDJ, August 26, and corrected version on Aug. 29, 2006 - reprinted here with author's permission]