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Getting ready for a new school year
burns jon 2015
State Rep. Jon Burns

Friends,

 

It’s hard to believe that students are already heading back to school. The 2020-2021 school year brought many unique challenges to students, teachers, and their families - from remote learning to unconventional schedules. Dayle and I hope that this upcoming school year brings a renewed sense of normalcy to our communities as we move forward together.

 

Every session, the House Republican Caucus works to support our students and teachers in the classroom and outside of the classroom. We pass budgets that prioritize education at all levels and legislation that keeps our Georgia students in the best position possible for the future. This session was no exception.

 

We passed Senate Bill 246, which protects parents and their rights to make educational decisions for their children. SB 246 prohibits Georgia school systems, whether state or local, from regulating learning pods when a student’s schooling is primarily offered virtually. If virtual learning becomes necessary in the future, Georgia families need options that provide them with support and structure. 

 

We also passed Senate Bill 42, which allows homeschooled students to participate in extracurricular activities through the school they would enroll in if they attended public schools. To participate in these activities, the student must enroll in a course through their school system, which can include a dual enrollment course. There are additional requirements for participation, including requirements to complete the tryout process that all other students complete. The homeschooled students must also follow the same rules and regulations that students in traditional schools must follow while participating. SB 42 will allow parents to make choices about their children’s education while still permitting them to participate in their community activities and local schools. 

 

Education for students from kindergarten through twelfth grade continues to be the single largest expenditure in our state’s budget, accounting for over 40% of state spending. After difficult decisions had to be made during 2020, the Fiscal Year 2022 budget restores most of a prior cut to QBE formula earnings, ensuring our students and teachers have the funding they need. 

 

The 2022 budget also restores over $8 million to programs that provide direct instruction or vital educational services. Agricultural Education received over $500,000 in restored funds, while Communities in Schools, Preschool Disabilities Services, and Regional Education Service Agencies received almost $3.5 in restored funds. The budget also increases lottery funds for pre-kindergarten classroom operations by $1.7 million, the first increase in operations since the 2010 Fiscal Year.

 

The budget for the 2022 Fiscal Year, which went into effect on July 1 this year, also includes $58.9 million for the University System of Georgia. The University System has also announced it will make no increases in tuition or mandatory student fees for the 2021-2022 academic year. The continued commitment to funding our colleges and universities and keeping tuition rates affordable allows Georgia students to receive high-quality education after completing high school while keeping the cost low for students and their families. 

 

If you have any feedback, do not hesitate to call (404.656.5052), e-mail (Jon.Burns@house.ga.gov), or engage on Facebook (www.facebook.com/JonBurnsGA). If you would like to receive email updates, please visit my website to sign up for my newsletter or email me.

 

Jon Burns represents District 159 in the Georgia General Assembly, where he serves as the House majority leader.