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

A place where productive citizens live and contribute to society. Without education this cannot be possible.

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

Children having children leads to poverty and a vicious cycle of dependency on government services. I am currently serving as the literacy chair for our local Rotary Club and working to increase the number of sites which offer Between the Lions, a proven way to help children get an early start to reading skills and literacy.

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 support funding all of our state agencies as the budget allows

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.

See above answer

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 need good teachers. Those who meet this level should be compensated for their efforts.

• Vocational Education

Essential for a producative work force.

• Gifted Education

Appropriate, but as a former teacher, I believe all children are "gifted."

• Special Education

Needs re-structuring. This is what teachers are telling me.

• Education Enhancement/Teacher Supply Fund (EEF)

More money needs to get to the classroom. Too much is stopping at the administrative level. (This is what my constituents tell me.)

• Teacher Salaries

Some deserve big increases. Some need to re-direct their careers.

• Chickasaw Cession Payments

The Sec. of State's job is to protect the funding for our public schools via 16th Section land. Hoseman has worked diligently to be sure the "good old boy" system is disbanded and the counties in the Chickasaw Cession counties gain parity.

• The Public Employee Retirement System (PERS)

I support the fair compensation of retired public employees.

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

By maximizing the resources we have. Sec. Hoseman has been criticized for trying to get the most benefit from 16th Section land.

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?

Both concepts have their merits. Elected positions provide superintendents who are stakeholders in the community. Appointed superintendents offer a broader area of selection.

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

Recruit more actively

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

Higher standards for those who wish to enter the profession

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

See above answer

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?

Working on the test market through MPB & Rotary Foundation. Will let you know when I see how it works.

Working on the test market through MPB & Rotary Foundation. Will let you know when I see how it works.

Carlos E. Moore

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

I have 20/20 vision for Mississippi. By the year 2020, I think we can be miles ahead of where we are currently in the areas of economic development, education, health care, and crime prevention with the right leadership.

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

Adequate Funding for public education. I plan to study other southern states to see how they have been successful in funding Pre-K to higher education. Then, I will see if we can make similar efforts effective in Mississippi.

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. Absolutely.

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

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)

It will have its proper place.

• Vocational Education

It will have its proper place.

• Gifted Education

It will have its proper place.

• Special Education

It will have its proper place.

• Education Enhancement/Teacher Supply Fund (EEF)

It will have its proper place.

•Teacher Salaries

It will be at the top of my list of things to do in the area of education.

• Chickasaw Cession Payments

It will have its proper place.

• The Public Employee Retirement System (PERS)

Top priority to make sure it is adequately funded, managed, and solvent for years and decades to come.

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

Study and implement successful models from neighboring states.

•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?

Yes

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

Increase the pay and increase loan forgiveness programs for teachers serving in underserved areas.

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

I will need to study this issue further but it must be dealt with soon.

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

They must be held more accountable.

• 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 will not reinvent the wheel but emulate other state's successful efforts in this area.