So, who will be our next state school superintendent now that Brad Bryant won't be a contender?

DeKalb's own Brad Bryant, recently appointed interim state school superintendent after Kathy Cox's exit did not get the needed 44,000 signatures required to add his name to the ballot as an Independent. So, where does that leave us?

The AJC recently posed these four questions to the candidates. You can read their responses on Maureen Downey's "Get Schooled" blog by clicking on their names below.

1. How would you manage a mandated 10 percent cut in education spending?
2. How will you restore public confidence in test results?
3. Do you support vouchers for public education?
4. Do you support pay for performance for teachers?

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Republican John Barge

Born and raised in Cobb County, John has earned three advanced degrees, a master’s degree and a specialist’s degree from The State University of West Georgia and his doctorate degree from the University of Georgia.

Currently, John serves as the Director of Secondary Curriculum & Instruction with the Bartow County School System. John is the only candidate in this election who brings leadership experience in rural, urban and suburban school systems in addition to experience at the state level with the Georgia Department of Education as the State Director for Career-Technical and Agriculture Education to the table.

Visit John Barge's website by clicking here.

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Republican Richard Woods

Born in Pensacola, Florida, Richard graduated from Fitzgerald High School in 1980. He holds a Bachelor's degree in secondary education social studies from Kennesaw State University and a Master's degree in educational leadership and supervision from Valdosta State University. Since 1988, Richard has been a part of the Irwin County School System. He taught in the classroom for fourteen years, coached various sports, and was awarded the honor of being the 1992 Irwin County High School Teacher of the Year by his peers. During that time as well, Richard had the opportunity to make presentations around Georgia on social studies content, technology in the classroom and peer mediation. He served as an assistant principal, principal and the K-5 curriculum director of Irwin County Elementary School for seven years. Richard is currently the principal over the Pre-K, alternative school, home school, and hospital homebound programs fro the Irwin County School System.

Visit Richard Wood's website by clicking here.

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Democrat Joe Martin

A Georgia native, Joe served in Vietnam, where he worked for the central intelligence command. He was promoted to the rank of Captain and received the Bronze Star Medal for his service. Joe then returned to Georgia and launched a successful business career that has centered on the development of major public-private real estate projects. He worked to promote economic development as President of the Atlanta Economic Development Corporation and later as President of Central Atlanta Progress. He then coordinated community improvements related to the 1996 Olympic Games. Joe has been inducted into the Georgia State University Business Hall of Fame. As a young parent and a leader in a neighborhood effort to improve the local schools, Joe ran for the Atlanta Board of Education in 1977. He was elected and went on to serve for twenty years, including a stint as President.

Visit Joe Martin's website by clicking here.

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Democrat Beth Farokhi

Dr. Beth Farokhi is a native of Augusta, Georgia where she attended public schools. She double majored in Elementary Education and Health and Physical Education at LaGrange College, received a M.A.T. from Emory University, and a doctorate in Higher Education from the University of Georgia. Beth taught elementary school in Cobb County for six years while completing her graduate degrees in education. Following the completion of her master's degree from Emory University and her doctorate degree from the University of Georgia, Beth began a career as an administrator in the College of Education at Georgia State University where she was honored for exemplary long-time service and dedication to the college. In 2004, Beth created the Georgia State University Leadership Academy for Women, a year long program focused on professional and personal skill development. She was a Co-Principal Investigator for the Integrating Gender Equity and Reform grant, a National Science Foundation three year collaborative with five Georgia higher education campuses.

Visit Beth Farokhi's website by clicking here.

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Democrat Brian Westlake

Brian is an award winning high school social studies teacher with over a decade of experience in Georgia public schools.Brian enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps upon graduation from high school. He worked in military intelligence where, among other accomplishments, he led a team of American and Norwegian military personnel on a NATO exercise above the Arctic Circle. Brian holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and a Master of Science degree in sociology from Florida State University. He also received a Juris Doctor degree from Georgia State University’s College of Law and a Master of Public Administration from the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies.

Visit Brian Westlake's website by clicking here.