The Parents' Campaign Home Page Legislators, Funding, & Accountability by School District
All candidates for this office were offered a questionnaire by The Parents’ Campaign regarding education issues.
A thriving, growing economy with additional private investment creating more and better jobs, ultimately providing the needed revenue through taxes paid to fund our state services. Education is the number one priority and must come first.
What do you see as the greatest challenge facing Mississippi schools and how will you address it?
The world recession creating a shortage of revenue, resources, a bad MS economy and less family income and opportunities. Promote a business friendly environment hoping to improve our economy.
For Fiscal Year 2012, the MAEP appropriation is underfunded by $237,386,693. Assuming no more than 2% inflation, the formula would likely require about $2,365,180,600 for Fiscal Year 2014 (to be decided in the 2013 Legislative Session), about $392-million more than was appropriated for Fiscal Year 2012. Would you support getting to this full funding level in two legislative sessions?
Yes, that would be a good goal to work toward if it is possible to attain.
Will you commit to closing by a significant margin the current gap between current funding and full funding of the MAEP for Fiscal Year 2013 (to be decided in the 2012 Legislative Session)? The MAEP is currently underfunded by $237,386,693.
I will work toward this if there is any way to accomplish such.
The following issues are very important to the 60,000 members of The Parents’ Campaign. Frequently throughout the year, we get calls and emails regarding these topics, and many of the questions submitted for this questionnaire were about funding for these specific areas.Where do these fit into your funding priorities, and how would you, as a legislator, address them?
• National Board Certification Program Stipend/National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT)
This is a priority and helps improve the quality of teachers. Fund through the appropriation process.
• Vocational Education
• Gifted Education
A priority in order to challenge our best students and funded in the education appropriation.
• Special Education
I believe that all students can learn and all schools have special needs students, so this a priority and should be funded through the education appropriation.
• Education Enhancement/Teacher Supply Fund (EEF)
A priority and should receive improved funding in the education appropriation.
• Teacher Salaries
Must be addressed - hopefully funded through revenue, generated through increased economic activity and private investment jobs.
• Chickasaw Cession Payments
A priority and funded through the education appropriation.
• The Public Employee Retirement System (PERS)
We must continue to do all that we can in order to keep this system strong. Should be funded through fund investments, employee and employer contributions.
How can Mississippi get creative to ensure sufficient revenue to fully fund education and other vital state services?
Secure significant private investment, creating jobs held by individuals paying taxes that provide needed revenue to fund these services, and improving our state economy.
In Mississippi, some local school superintendents are elected rather than being appointed by their boards. Would you support or oppose a phase-out of elected superintendents, moving to appointment as incumbent elected superintendents retire or leave their positions?
I would prefer that school districts use a procedure that is already in place to eliminate their elected superintendent position if they desire such.
What would you do to address Mississippi’s teacher shortage?
Support continuing scholarships, student aid, teacher housing support, ensure a quality work environment including safe classrooms, promote quality leadership and continue efforts toward better pay.
What steps should be taken to improve the quality of teaching in Mississippi?
Continue the National Board Certification program stipend, better training or mentoring programs promoted, promote quality safe work environments, promote community and parental involvement therefore helping teachers.
What steps should be taken to improve the overall quality of Mississippi school leaders?
Promote improved training and preparation.
Would you support state funding for a statewide non-compulsory early childhood education program? If yes, what is your plan for getting state funding for early education? If no, why are you opposed to state funding for early education?