What is your vision for Mississippi, and how does education fit into that vision?

My vision for Mississippi is for our state to be a leader in economic development, whereby all Mississippians can prosper and raise a family. In order for our State to achieve such a goal, we must develop a more highly skilled population which will in turn lead to a more attractive workforce to businesses who want to relocate to our state.

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

The greatest challenges facing Mississippi schools is reducing the dropout rate and ensuring that the majority of the funds budgeted for education is spent in the classroom and on the direct education of the students.

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 will support the funding of education to the fullest extent possible while ensuring that the budget remains in balance.

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 commit to closing this gap, as long as the money is available and the budget remains in balance.

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 and any program which improves the quality of teaching our students receive.

• Vocational Education

Vocational education is a valuable tool for many students in our State, as well as for the many businesses which hire these students. I will continue to support vocational education in our State.

• Gifted Education

I believe this area of education needs more funding, as these are our leaders of tomorrow. Many times these students become disinterested through the traditional school teaching methods, and therefore, do not reach their full potential.

• Special Education

Just as we have to ensure that our gifted students reach their potential, we must also ensure that those with special needs reach their full potential. I will support the continued funding of the special education programs within our schools.

• Education Enhancement/Teacher Supply Fund (EEF)

I support this measure and any measure which will get the money directly to the classroom for the students' benefit.

• Teacher Salaries

I believe teacher's salaries need to be increased so that the best and brightest teachers can be recruited and retained in our State.

• Chickasaw Cession Payments

I will continue to support this program as I believe it is needed for those districts to make up for the funding gap.

• The Public Employee Retirement System (PERS)

The State must live up to its obligation to keep PERS funded and not reduce the benefits. In addition, in order to attract quality teachers, an excellent retirement package must be included.

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

By increasing the revenue generated within the State. Mississippi must provide incentives which promote job growth and business expansion, which in turn will generate more revenue that can be used to fund education and other vital state 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 would support the phase out of elected superintendents once appropriate appointment guidelines are in place.

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

I would utilize recruiting tactics which focus on an excellent benefits package, including increased teacher salaries and increased health and retirement benefits. This tactic would not only assist with recruiting new teachers, but also would prevent the high turnover of teachers, as their benefits would be comparable to other states.

Dale Kimble

What is your vision for Mississippi, and how does education fit into that vision?

My vision for Mississippi is a state that can compete with any state for jobs. For this to happen, Mississippi must have an education system that addresses all the needs of its students.

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

The greatest challenge is to fully fund education. The way to address this problem is to make this a priority in the budget.

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, I believe we must fund education at the highest possible level.

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.

Yes, we must close this gap as soon as possible.

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 received my National Board Certification in 1999. This program identifies effective teachers and their techniques. It rewards teachers for doing what I think all teachers should be doing.

• Vocational Education

Vocational education is often overlooked when we talk about education. All students are not college-bound and vocational training can close that gap. I am also a supporter of the workforce training program in community colleges.

• Gifted Education

I believe that gifted education is very important. These students may not be challenged in the regular classroom and gifted education can enhance their education experience, if done correctly.

• Special Education

I know that special education has improved over the years and they are addressing the needs of these students at a more effective rate. This program is just as important as any other in education.

• Special Education

I know that special education has improved over the years and they are addressing the needs of these students at a more effective rate. This program is just as important as any other in education.

• Education Enhancement/Teacher Supply Fund (EEF)

As a retired teacher I know how teachers take money out of their pockets to improve their classroom and teaching. This helps ease that burden. We must continue this at the highest possible level.

• Teacher Salaries

If we want to recruit and retain quality teachers we must have competitive salaries.

• Chickasaw Cession Payments

Yes, this is a good program that is fair to the districts that do not have 16th-section lands.

• The Public Employee Retirement System (PERS)

We have an excellent retirement system. We must continue to support it so that our public employees can count on it in their retirement.

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

In the current economic environment we have to put education as our number one priority. We then must eliminate all waste and use this to create an atmosphere that is conducive to education.

• 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 think our school districts need the best leaders possible. Appointing superintendents seems like the best alternative, but before I could support this completely I believe we must raise the requirements of the school board members that would appoint them.

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

Being a teacher in Mississippi is not only a privilege, but also a very attractive job opportunity. However, we need to do a better job of publicizing that fact. For example, we need to actively recruit teachers as early as high school, and highlight all of the benefits of being a teacher. Further, we need to take appropriate steps that would encourage retired teachers to remain in Mississippi rather than relocating their valuable assets to another state.

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

If we are going to improve the quality of teaching we must illustrate to our teachers what makes a teacher effective. Then we must help these teachers incorporate this into their classrooms.

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

The qualities of an effective school leader are well-known. We must make sure that all leaders in our schools are aware of these qualities and help them implement them into their schools.

• 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?

Yes, I believe that this is a program that will enhance our educational system.