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

 

I would like Mississippi to be a place where my children will be able to stay and have a career without having to leave the state. To attract good jobs we must demonstrate that we have the workforce to meet the challenge. Jobs of the future are increasingly more technical and require skills that can only come from advanced educational opportunities.

 

What do you see as the greatest challenge facing Mississippi schools and how will you address it?

Attendance issues and the dropout rate concern me. Enforcement of truancy laws would only benefit the child. Also the lack of classroom (instructional) literature and resources limits the degree to which teachers can engage their students. I would make available more instructional material to teachers.

 

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? 

My voting record reflects my commitment to funding education. If the state fails to honor this responsibility then the local government has to make up for the shortfall by raising ad valorem at the local level. I will continue to make education funding a priority.

 

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.

 The MAEP formula benefits rural school districts like mine. I would love to help do something good for my district.

 

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)

The state has made a commitment to improving the quality of education by asking teachers to go above and beyond the call of duty to improve their ability and I will stand again as I have already voted to fund the National Board Certification Stipend.

 

• Vocational Education

Not every child is bound for Harvard but each child has potential that if cultivated would make him or her employable and able to earn a living; therefore I support giving them these valuable skills.

 

• Gifted Education

Many gifted children lose interest in school because they have a high IQ and find the classes to be not challenging. As a result many drop out and we lose some of our brightest pupils. The gifted program allows these students to explore their creative and academic potential.

 

• Special Education

I support special education. 

 

• Education Enhancement/Teacher Supply Fund (EEF)

Most people don't know that teachers must purchase many of their classroom supplies out of their own pocket. The educational enhancement fund provides teachers with these resources for their classroom.

 

• Teacher Salaries

A large percentage of the teachers in the state are eligible for retirement. By contrast we have had difficulty in recruiting teachers in many areas in the state. Recruitment and retention are two important factors in determining teacher salaries.

 

• Chickasaw Cession Payments

My colleagues from north Mississippi have made me understand the importance of this funding to their counties.

• The Public Employee Retirement System (PERS)

In the downturn in the economy the state has had to intervene to close the gap on unfunded liability and make the fund solvent. I oppose measures that would cut retirees' cost of living adjustments to meet this actuarial obligation.

 

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

Many state agencies perform services and inspections for a fee. In many instances the service performed cost more than the fee that is charged to the person. We should reexamine the State's fee schedule to realign the cost benefit ratio.

 

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?

If a school district is performing well it is probably a sign that things are working. If a school district is failing then the state should intervene.

 

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

We must continue to fund the William Winter Teaching Scholarship and we should find ways to mentor future teachers in needed fields.

 

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

A good teacher would be a great teacher if they had enhanced curriculum resources. 

 

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

 Many administration leaders could improve their management skills if they could have continuing education on efficiency methods, management practices and techniques on improving academic results.

 

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?

Of course the issue here is the availability of funding. It is proven that early childhood education pays dividends throughout a child's educational life. If we could find the money I think it's a good idea. 

 

 

 

1. Better pay