A dispute between Gov. Nathan Deal and Superintendent Richard Woods about control over low-performing schools highlights a years-long turf battle over education.

For all of this century at least, governors before Deal have seized more control over education policy from the superintendent’s office. Education is the only job of the superintendent, who, like the governor, is elected statewide to oversee the public school systems and school policy.

This fight is the first instance of a public spat between Woods and Deal, who did not get along with Woods’ predecessor, John Barge. Barge wound up running unsuccessfully against Deal.

The disagreement involves the latest legislative proposal to deal with low-performing schools after voters rejected Deal’s plan to change the state constitution so he could take over “chronically failing” schools.

What precipitated this showdown? Read more here.

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Devon Horton talks with members of the media after the DeKalb County Board of Education hired him for the superintendent position at the DeKalb County Administrative Center on April 19, 2023, in Stone Mountain, Ga. Behind Horton are five of the six board members who voted yes for him. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

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A native of Columbus and a fine arts graduate of Clark Atlanta, Amy Sherald was chosen as the official portrait artist of former first lady Michelle Obama. On the same week that the portrait was unveiled at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, it was also announced that Sherald was awarded the High Museum's 2018 David C. Driskell Prize. (Andrew Harnik/AP)

Credit: Andrew Harnik