Game Show Prize May Go Toward Debt

The $1 million that Georgia schools Superintendent Kathy Cox won for charity on a game show last fall could end up in the hands of her creditors because of her personal bankruptcy filing. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that it is unclear if three public schools for deaf and blind students will get the money Cox won in August on Fox's "Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader?" The attorney for the bankruptcy trustee tells the newspaper his client is exploring making a claim on the prize money. Cox and her husband, John, filed for bankruptcy Nov. 17, claiming $3.5 million in debt because of his Fayette County homebuilding business.

(Associated Press)

Schools superintendent and husband file for bankruptcy

State schools superintendent Kathy Cox and her husband have filed for bankruptcy. Cox said she and her husband John decided last week to file because of losses they’ve taken in his home building business. Cox said those builders like her husband have been hit hard in the current economic climate, and that it was a gut-wrenching decision. Paperwork filed listed the couple with $3.5 million in liabilities, and nearly $650,000 in assets. This summer, Cox won $1 million on the game show ‘Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?’. She donated the winnings to three schools for the deaf and blind in Georgia.

Kathy Cox wins big on game show

Georgia's state school superintendent Kathy Cox became the first contestant to win one million dollars on Fox TV's popular game show, "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" The show is hosted by Georgian Jeff Foxworthy. Cox's million dollar question was "who was the longest reigning British monarch?" Her correct answer of Queen Victoria, earned her the money. Cox says she will donate the money to 3 schools for the deaf and blind in Georgia. Cox appeared nervous at times but was able to get all the correct answers. She said she knew the answer to the million dollar question, because her parents had taken her to England. One lawmaker, Rob Teilhet (D-Smyrna) was critical of her appearance on the show saying Cox should focus on Georgia's schools rather than play TV game shows. Teilhet purchased an ad on an Atlanta TV station that ran before Cox's appearance on the show.

State schools chief draws ire for TV appearance

Georgia schools Superintendent Kathy Cox is drawing fire for her upcoming appearance on Friday's season premiere of Fox's "Are you Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" One state lawmaker upset over the state’s low test scores and planned budget cuts for schools, will run ads during the show which criticizes Cox’s appearance. Democratic state representative Rob Teilhet (Smyrna) says his ads – which will run in the Atlanta market -- will call for smaller class sizes and beefed up pre-K programs.