The public school teacher and Woodstock resident will face off in November with the winner of the Republican Primary race for state House District 20 between incumbent Rep. Charlice Byrd (R-Woodstock) and Michael Caldwell.
Burnaman challenged Byrd for the same seat two years ago in the General Election, but was defeated 79 percent to 21 percent in the Republican dominated county.
Burnaman says she is running because she envisions a better Georgia.
“Excellent people skills, being a team player, a listener, and consensus-builder and playing well with others are some of my strengths,” the 57-year-old said.
Burnaman says the most pressing issue in the race revolves around the county’s children.
“Whether it is drugs, parental issues, education or medical care, our most precious asset continues to be ignored or blamed for our county’s shortcomings,” she said.
Burnaman says she opposes House Resolution 1162 and will vote against the constitutional amendment in November.
“I oppose any amendment that allows Georgia to take away local school control. If approved by voters this fall, a constitutional path will give Georgia the authority to overrule local boards of education charter school decisions,” she said.
The Democrat said that the concept that “the money follows the child” sounds good, but that voters should consider the reality. About $3,000 per child is spent on 1.6 million students in public schools, she claimed.
“Include children in private, Muslim, Christian or any other educational setting and that amount shrinks. Better schools are still unavailable to most poor families, but moneyed parents will get taxpayer help to pay their way while public schools decay.” Burnaman said of the plan.
That's funny because the alleged, phony "Republicans" Kyla Cromer, Janet Read, and Brandon Beach ALSO oppose HR1162.
I salute Ms. Burnaman for having the political courage to run as a Democrat. The same cannot be said for liberal Democrats Cromer, Read, and Beach -- all of whom are political cowards and RINOs.
Your observation is correct. This is not a Republican or Democratic issue. HB 1162 is about millions of dollars being used for ALL of Georgia's students or having a "local community"(which can be a single businessman)control the purse strings.
One charter school in Atlanta, for example, will need to pay about $4.5 million to stockholders before any money goes for children's needs or supplies. I don't like the idea of paying a Florida realty/property management firm my tax dollars designated for Georgia's children's education.
In the last decade, Georgia cut $1 billion from education funding while every other cost rose. We have wonderful students, faculty and staff; we have to be very creative in our use of funds. We've lost many good teachers because we couldn't pay them what private sector jobs could.
Just this weekend,an article mentioned another $28 million dollars being handed over to non- public schools. Who's looking at their buildings?
Decay happens slowly, and over time, those politicians who keep trying to get rid of Cherokee's excellent education have partially succeeded. CCSD and our PTSA have earned national recognition, but all of our legislators just complain. This greedy bunch of so-and-sos will not stop slicing and dicing state education funds until public education is in the grave. I will keep doing what I can until enough people see what they are intending and get them out of our tax pockets.
These buildings are nice, but everything needs maintenance. This 1162 won't help children or any educators. It just helps the people who are spending money to make money off of children and education. This is not just happening in Georgia, it's all over the nation. This abuse of public funds, our children and teachers needs to stop.