Teacher groups remain rivals in superintendent's race

ATLANTA - Two years ago, the state&#39;s top teacher organizations took opposite sides on the governor&#39;s education reform bill, and now it seems the fight has shifted to the state school superintendent&#39;s race. <br> <br> The Georgia Association of Educators has endorsed Atlanta businessman Joe Martin&#39;s bid for the Democratic nomination, passing over Barbara Christmas, longtime head of its larger rival, the Professional Association of Georgia Educators. <br> <br> GAE&#39;s chief lobbyist, Bob Cribbs, said his group was reluctant to support Christmas based on her support of the education reform act. <br> <br> The GAE vigorously opposed portions of the sweeping reform initiative, but Martin, who got the group&#39;s nod, was part of the commission which helped Governor Barnes grapple with some of the decisions that went into the reform initiative. <br> <br> As to whether rivalry between the groups was a factor in the decision, Cribbs said, ``I don&#39;t think it really dealt with Barbara being executive director of PAGE.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Christmas saw it differently, declaring in a statement that GAE&#39;s top officials ``have once again allowed wounded egos and petty jealousies to help determine whom they endorse for an important education office...&#39;&#39; <br> <br> She said it was ``strange that the union would choose a non-educator over one with 30 years experience as a teacher, principal and head of the state&#39;s largest teacher organization.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Martin was a member of the Atlanta Board of Education from 1978 through 1997 and was a member of the commission that helped develop former Governor Joe Frank Harris&#39; Quality Basic Education Act in 1985, the previous reform effort.