The Parents' Campaign Home Page        Legislators, Funding, & Accountability by School District

Candidates for
House of Representatives District 15
 

 

All candidates for this office were offered a questionnaire by The Parents’ Campaign regarding education issues.

Responses appear below. The winner of the November 8, 2011, general election is indicated below.
 
 
Mac Huddleston (incumbent) - WINNER
Voting Record

 

UNOPPOSED 
What is your vision for Mississippi, and how does education fit into that vision?
My vision for Mississippi is for the citizens to live with good health in prosperity. For this vision to be realized, education must be optimal.

 

 

What do you see as the greatest challenge facing Mississippi schools and how will you address it?
Leadership is the greatest challenge. I suggest using a portion of the money that is currently being used for consulting to fund mentors selected from a pool of proven, successful leaders. Poor school leadership permeates the school and negatively affects teaching and learning. 
 
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? 
I hope and expect that this funding level will be possible; the state financial situation appears to be improving slowly. To answer directly, the economy is the key. 
 
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.
Education is a priority, and I will work to close the gap.  
 
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)
I support this program. A commitment was made to these teachers, and they worked to become qualified. 

 

• Vocational Education

Vocational education should be a priority. Each student who graduates high school should be qualified for college or work. 

 

• Gifted Education

I support this program. 

 

• Special Education

This program is a necessity. 

 

• Education Enhancement/Teacher Supply Fund (EEF)

These funds should be handled properly and end in the teachers' hands. 

 

• Teacher Salaries

I will support pay raises when funding is available. 

 

• Chickasaw Cession Payments

This funding is vital for the support of schools in my area, and I support it.  

 

• The Public Employee Retirement System (PERS)

PERS is important to educators as well as other state employees. At hiring, a commitment was made to all state employees for this program to provide funding upon retirement. 

 

How can Mississippi get creative to ensure sufficient revenue to fully fund education and other vital state services?

Economic development with jobs and more money in circulation is the key. Individuals who work, earn money, spend money and pay taxes keep this state in the position to provide vital services. 

 

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 have no problem with appointed superintendents. I represent two school districts: one with elected and one with appointed leaders. The appointed is new on the job, and the elected is highly effective. 

 

What would you do to address Mississippi’s teacher shortage?

Great teachers serve as role models for prospective teachers. Certainly there are other factors such as salary, fringe benefits, effectiveness of the college experience in preparing prospective teachers for the national examinations and the school environment. Unfortunately, school discipline has become a negative factor. Increasing salaries will naturally make the profession more attractive; I addressed that issue earlier. Effective school leadership will positively alter the discipline challenges. 

 

What steps should be taken to improve the quality of teaching in Mississippi?

The total educational experience of the prospective teacher and the school environment determine the effectiveness of teachers. The university experience is vitally important and must be monitored. Leaders should provide the environment for optimal learning. 

 

What steps should be taken to improve the overall quality of Mississippi school leaders?

Prospective school leaders should have the opportunity (as addressed previously) to hone school leadership skills from a mentor funded from state consulting money.  

 

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?

Early childhood education, i.e. K4, should improve student performance. The question is: how much will it cost? If the economy improves, I can see this becoming a reality.