John is from Cobb County, Georgia. He attended Campbell High School. He has a bachelors of communications and public relations from Berry College. He later received a masters from the University of West Georgia and a Ph.D. in educational leadership from the University of Georgia.

Dr. John Barge previously worked as a high school English teacher and as a middle school Spanish teacher. After teaching, John worked as an assistant principal, county superintendent, and state superintendent for public schools in Georgia. John also served as the State Director of Career, Technical and Agriculture Education for the Georgia Department of Education.

Dr. John Barge held the role of State Superintendent. He was elected in 2011 and served as Superintendent between the years of 2011 and 2015 for one term.

Opposes the inclusion of Critical Race Theory (CRT) in school curriculums and said  equity is a backdoor to CRT.

Said that school leaders and teachers still want guidance on controversial issues, such as gender dysphoria and CRT.

Wants more transparency and parent involvement within school curriculum to "guard against indoctrination and political engineering" within schools.

As the previous Superintendent, he supported common core curriculum.

- Opposes the inclusion of Critical Race Theory (CRT) in school curriculums and said  equity is a backdoor to CRT.
- Said that school leaders and teachers still want guidance on controversial issues, such as gender dysphoria and CRT.
- Wants more transparency and parent involvement within school curriculum to "guard against indoctrination and political engineering" within schools.
- As the previous Superintendent, he supported common core curriculum.

School Curriculum

Supports expanding funding and resources towards career and technical education.

Said, "There needs to be accountability in tax dollar spending."

- Supports expanding funding and resources towards career and technical education.
- Said, "There needs to be accountability in tax dollar spending."

School System Budget

Said, "Teachers and administrators should be able to rely on the department and parents should have faith in it."

- Said, "Teachers and administrators should be able to rely on the department and parents should have faith in it."

Teacher Recruitment

As of March 24, 2022, John Barge’s website did not contain information on this issue.

COVID

Supports measures to protect students from cyberbullying. He said, "Cyberbullying is a serious act and should be taken as such."

- Supports measures to protect students from cyberbullying. He said, "Cyberbullying is a serious act and should be taken as such."

School Violence

John Barge

- The State School Superintendent is the Administrative Head of the Georgia Department of Education. They are responsible for putting into action the policies and regulations that come out of the State Board of Education for Georgia’s K-12 public education system. 
- The State School Superintendent provides guidance to the State Board of Education and local school boards on how to comply with new state education laws, such as changes in funding or new curriculum requirements.
- The State School Superintendent can make recommendations to the State Board of Education, a board of 13 members who are all appointed by the Governor and set policies for the public school system.
- The State School Superintendent is elected statewide. They serve four year terms.