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

Improving the quality of life of all Mississippian thru aggressive economic development policies and procedures. Expanding our economy will require that we improve the quality of Education and educational attainment level of our people. This must be done in order to compete in a world market.

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

Improving the quality of education in our low performing school districts. We must first stop doing what we have been doing in those districts and implement policies that force effective changes. It's time to try some conservative approaches to school improvement.

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?

The money must first be available, in the past when we have had the money I helped put it in education and will do the same when it is available. I will not spend money that doesn't exist or use large amounts of one time money on reoccurring expenses just to be politically correct, twenty years of experience in the legislature has taught me that isn't in the best interest of the tax payer or the school children.

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.

Once again if the funds are available I will.

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 full funding of the program.

• Vocational Education

Full funding, I am a (Licensed vocational teacher) if we don't fund at the maintenance of effort level we lose federal funding dollars

• Gifted Education

If funds are available.

• Special Education

Full funding.

• Education Enhancement/Teacher Supply Fund (EEF)

Full funding give the $$$ to the class room teachers

• Teacher Salaries

I want as many educational dollars as possible spent in the classroom. That where you get the most results for the dollars spent.

• Chickasaw Cession Payments

Full funding.

• The Public Employee Retirement System (PERS)

The retirement system is super important. We must keep the fund solvent, and keep the unfunded liability low.

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

We must be more efficient in the use of our money this will require doing things different which is the problem. Everybody wants to get more money and more bang for the dollar until someone suggest doing something different. Change when done right will create opportunity!

• 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?

Only if we elect all school board members!

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

Better pay! I am for putting more money in the classroom. Even when the administrators don't want that to be done. Give me a choice between the MAEP formula and teacher pay raise I will vote for the teacher pay raise.

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

Expanded mentor system, better teacher preparedness at colleges and better building administrators to monitor and help beginning teachers instead of throwing them to lions.

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

Fire the ones who are running failing schools and find some motivated, upwardly mobile young people to replace the losers, that's what happens to the coaches.

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?

I would support it once we get on solid financial ground. That is MAEP fully funded. Probably the best way is to phase a program in over a period of time. I am 20 year veteran of the house education committee, (the former vice-chair) and one of the few who has 10 years teaching and coaching experience. I have an active teaching certificate and my passions for improving education are tempered by my fiscal conservativeness. Many of my proposals are considered outside the box but that is what we need more of in dealing with some of our problems in public education. One thing’s for sure a whole lot of what we have been doing in this state and nation isn't working and it is time to do thing differently.

Donna Y. Knezevich

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