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Tanner to host forum on education
6GEX DISTRICT NINE   Kevin Tanner
Kevin Tanner

House Rep. Kevin Tanner (R-9) will host a one-of-a-kind forum on education Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 6:30 p.m. at the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega.

The event will be held in the auditorium of UNGs Health and Natural Science building, 159 Sunset Drive, second floor.

Representatives from Gov. Nathan Deals office, State Superintendent John Barges office, and a joint committee from the House and Senates education panel, are expected to attend.

It is the first of six forums being held throughout the state, and the only one in North Georgia.

The goal of the forum is to solicit comments from the public about education.

Parents, teachers, administrators, school board members, and the public are encouraged to attend, Tanner said.

As a father of three daughters that all attend public school, I am very engaged in the future of education in our state, said Tanner.I believe it is essential that we work with all the stake-holders to ensure that we get it right as we move our K-12 education system forward.

Audience members will have an opportunity to ask panelists questions about education.

Tanner said he expects several topics to be discussed, including common core curriculum, and allowing voters to give local school boards the ability to use a portion of ELOST funds to pay for operation costs. At present, the money is primarily restricted to capital building projects and reducing debt service.

Sen. Steve Gooch (R-51) is a co-sponsor of the event.

We cant continue operating like weve been operating, Gooch said. There is nothing more important than having a good, solid education policy and the necessary funding to take of it. Education in Georgia is the most important thing we do besides balancing the budget. We spend over 50 percent of our budget on education. When businesses look to locate in Georgia, they want a solid educational system for their young people.

Tanner encourages the public to bring something in writing that can be left with committee members.

Im excited about the opportunity for this group to be in North Georgia and to listen to folks in this area, he said. Well take their input and bring it back to Atlanta.