Like Common Core, Stuart Jones’ Math Doesn’t Add Up
At its most basic, we all know the problem with Common Core: it teaches students that 2+2 doesn’t really equal 4. Now my opponent, Stuart Jones, is using “Common Core” campaign math that doesn’t add up either. As a first time candidate for office, I must admit that I wasn’t sure what to expect. We’ve all seen races turn on manipulations and distorting a person’s
At its most basic, we all know the problem with Common Core: it teaches students that 2+2 doesn’t really equal 4. Now my opponent, Stuart Jones, is using “Common Core” campaign math that doesn’t add up either.
As a first time candidate for office, I must admit that I wasn’t sure what to expect. We’ve all seen races turn on manipulations and distorting a person’s record, but until you are the one in the arena, you can never be quite certain about how your opponents will attack you.
While I have never mentioned my opponent’s name in a mailer, online or in any advertising until Friday, my opponent has continued to make erroneous assertions about me since the day he announced. They’re mostly silly, really. Things like “I refuse to debate.” (which if you’ve ever met me, I’ve never been one to shy away from giving my opinion.)
That said, I was quite amazed about the latest desperate “attack” against me by my opponent that I support common core.
The math that Stuart Jones uses to get to his conclusion, really, is just like Common Core math: It makes no sense.
First and foremost, I have earned the support of one of Forsyth County’s – and Georgia’s most conservative Representatives, Sheri Gilligan. Anyone who knows her can attest, as one of the fiercest critics of Common Core, she would not back me if I supported it.
After Stuart’s ridiculous attack, Sheri Gilligan even issued the following statement: “I am a staunch opponent of Common Core. When I met with Todd, one of my first questions was where he stood on Common Core and important education matters. Todd unequivocally opposes Common Core. He also strongly opposes all federal encroachment in our schools, wants local control of education, and supports school choice. These were part of the reasons I endorsed and continue to support Todd Jones for State House.”
Our current State Representative Mike Dudgeon has endorsed my campaign, and because Mike sponsored legislation ending Common Core in Georgia, Stuart Jones states I support common core.
Yes, you read that right.
I have served as a 14 year advisor to the Florida Virtual School (FVS) the largest PUBLIC virtual and blended school in the country serving 325,000 enrollments in Florida and over 2.5M in the rest of the world. I worked with school systems throughout the USA and outside of the country. That experience solidified for me the importance of state and local control of standards, even if that means turning away federal dollars. We cannot sacrifice our children’s education for a quick and easy dollar.
As a candidate with children that currently attend or have graduated from Forsyth County Public Schools, no one has been more dedicated than I to stopping Common Core.
I actually have a track record of opposing Common Core and finding education solutions that work. The fact is we need to do more for our children. For instance, we need to provide personalized solutions that cater to each child’s learning style and level. My K-12 experience taught me that curricula variety and choices drive greater learning because each child is not the same! Common Core does not provide that flexibility.My opponent’s attacks simply ring hollow in the light of the truth and are an indictment of the status quo of campaigns today. Fighting back against this system is why I am running for office.
You see, unlike so many career politicians, I believe that when you say you will do something, you do your darndest to get it done. And you should always be honest on where you stand.
That is why, unlike my opponent, I would never pledge to deny all outside support from special interest groups, but hold a secret, closed door meeting with a group tied to my personal financial interests and that gives money to Democrats.
Rather than be secretive, I would tell you about the groups I have earned the support of and will work with.
I am honored to have earned the support of people like Greg Dolezal, Founder of Fix Forsyth Traffic.
He endorsed me and I am prepared to work with his organization because, as residents of Forsyth County, we know that it will take a joint effort to rein in the overdevelopment that is plaguing our community. We will work to implement a plan that reverses the recent trends to get our cars moving and ensure our schools are not seas of trailers.
I am also willing to stand with our state and nation’s leading conservative groups. I signed the Americans for Tax Reform pledge to never raise taxes because I didn’t want this commitment to be empty words; I wanted you to be able to hold me accountable.
I am also the only candidate to be certified pro-life by the Georgia Life Alliance. I am unbending in my commitment to protect life and unafraid to stand with those who will do the same.
This is where I stand, and I trust that you’ll be able to determine the difference between political rhetoric and the facts. And unlike my opponent, when I tell you something, you can bet it will add up.
