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

I want Mississippi to be a state which offers all people access to good jobs and an excellent education system.

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

Our greatest challenge is ensuring that we have great public schools in every community. Budget cuts have hurt schools’ ability to meet the needs of every child and to improve student achievement. We need to get back to full funding of the MAEP.

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 will work to full funding of MAEP.

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. I will work to full funding of MAEP.

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)

We cannot back off of our commitment to these teachers who worked hard to receive the National Board certification.

• Vocational Education

This program should be fully funded.

• Gifted Education

This program should be fully funded.

• Special Education

This program should be fully funded.

• Education Enhancement/Teacher Supply Fund (EEF)

Too many teachers have to buy supplies for their classrooms out of their own pockets. We need to stop diverting these funds to pay for other programs. The teacher supply fund should go to teachers.

• Teacher Salaries

We need to do everything we can to raise our teacher salaries to the Southeastern average.

• Chickasaw Cession Payments

This program should be fully funded.

• The Public Employee Retirement System (PERS)

We have an obligation to keep the state retirement system solvent. State workers deserve to know that they can count on their retirement.

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

Prioritization is key, and education should be a top priority. We need to look at our revenue system to make sure we are able to provide the services that the people of Mississippi need and expect us to offer. We also need to be sure that state agencies are operating efficiently.

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 support the right of the people to decide whether they want to elect or appoint their superintendents

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

We need to increase teacher salaries and offer incentives to attract the best candidates into teacher education programs.

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

We need to improve our teacher education programs as well as professional development, and we need to look for incentives to attract the best and brightest into the teaching field.

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

Great leadership is critical to having excellent schools. We need to make sure that the right people are entering the field and that they have the support and training needed to get the job done.

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. We are the only Southern state without a state-funded pre-k program, and that is a primary reason that our kids struggle with achievement. We need to make this a priority.

Betsey Hamilton

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

Having endured unfortunate disasters during the past six years, Mississippi, with all its cultural, historical and natural resources, is on the verge of achieving significant milestones, if we can address head on one issue keeping us from rising to the top – Education. If we could for one legislative term allow the education of our children to become priority #1 and focus on education as being the catalyst for economic development and job creation, we could increase the probability of developing exceptional public schools producing exceptional outcomes. With its pro-business climate and work ethic, Mississippi, without a doubt would then become a more competitive state for recruiting business and industries wanting to relocate or expand.

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

Our greatest challenge is reaching a consensus on the root cause of students dropping out of school, and lowering that rate. When we experience 4th generation drop-outs, we have a problem worth confronting. It is imperative that we bring every stakeholder to the table when earnestly discussing ways to improve Mississippi’s schools. On the district level, I will offer to meet with educators and parents annually for round table discussions. Gathering their input is essential to voice their concerns in Jackson, as we address educational legislation.

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 completely support arriving at a full funding level for the MAEP appropriation. On the other hand, until I have further budget information for all agencies and with our current economic situation, I cannot say if that would happen in two sessions or not. I can say that as I work through the process, it will be 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.

Since doing so will be a priority of mine, I am committed to closing the gap by a significant margin as soon as our budget allows. I understand the value of smaller classes and would expect additional funding to go to the classroom.

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 fully support the $6000 stipend awarded to National Board Certified Teachers. The state should continue to honor that commitment and not doing so should never be considered.

• Vocational Education

With manufacturers seeking higher skilled employees, I am a supporter of a possible restructure of our vocational programs so that we can improve on our offerings. It is important that every student exit school prepared for college, technical school or immediate employment.

• Gifted Education

It is extremely important that we continue to challenge our exceptionally talented students whether academically or creatively. Having had three children in a gifted program, I recognize the benefits and support it.

• Special Education

Special needs students deserve to have the opportunity to be included in a classroom environment.

• Education Enhancement/Teacher Supply Fund (EEF)

I completely support funding the wise use of EEF if accountability measures are in place. I would absolutely not support it if I felt those funds were being misused.

•Teacher Salaries

I support reaching a salary level that makes us competitive with our neighboring states. We must compensate our teachers enough to attract the best possible and to keep them in Mississippi.

• Chickasaw Cession Payments

I need more information before commenting

• The Public Employee Retirement System (PERS)

We must maintain a solvent PERS both now and in the future and we must be fair to those already vested.

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

Without a magic wand, we must focus on raising our per capita income, by ensuring that our graduates are employable with better job opportunities and our overall economy must improve.

•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 know there are two sides to this position and I would really like to have more input. However, I personally feel that appointing a superintendent provides the best opportunity to get the most qualified person. I would probably support a phase-out of elected superintendents.

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

First of all, I believe we must give teachers the respect they deserve and make teaching a much more attractive profession. It should be one of our most important professions. When we do that, then we must expect the most from them and pay them accordingly in order to reduce our turnover rate.

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

If we raise our teacher salary, then we might consider raising entrance requirements to schools of education and expect a higher minimum PRAXIS score. There are probably several steps that will have to occur simultaneously to improve the quality.

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

The same process applies to leaders as to our teachers. If we challenge our students to excellence, we should do no less for our teachers and leaders. If we want to recruit the best, we must have the highest standards, and if we do that, then they should expect the same from us – acceptable compensation.

• 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. If we had adequate funds, I would fully support such in 2012. If we give early childhood education the priority it deserves, we are going to have to get creative. We must continue the dialog in efforts to find the means to fund this program. It’s absolutely too important not to.