Steven Kilgore

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

My vision for Mississippi is to see our state progress to its full potential and become a place of economic opportunity. The first step would include an educational system whose graduates have a desire and financial opportunity to pursue higher education and a proficient ability to join a better paid work force.

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

The greatest challenge facing education today is creating schools that are “success” oriented -where educators, students, parents and the community believe that a good education is not only valuable, but can provide them with endless opportunities. When we cut funding, schools are forced to cut teachers and curriculum, which increases class size and diminishes the teacher’s ability to meet the needs of each student. As senator, I will use a “no excuse” approach when it comes to not fully funding MAEP. I will ensure that our teachers are paid a competitive living salary. Realizing that an “adequate” education is not the ultimate goal, I will solidly support the Quality Education Act.

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. Considering the significant cuts in our state budget for public schools, we see that some of our current leaders are not deeming education as the key to our future success. Education and its funding will be my first 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.

Yes. I will commit myself to fully funding all legislation promoting excellence in education. The statistics show a dire situation for education in Mississippi. We must move forward.

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 should provide more incentives for teachers to become board certified, especially in core curriculum subjects. Compensation to teachers who achieve this status should be supported so we may retain quality educators.

• Vocational Education

Vocational education is an important key to producing trained workers, which will lead to job security for many Mississippians. However, all graduates should be able to read, write and perform basic mathematics in order to compete in a changing work place

• Gifted Education

A variety of gifted instruction offers educational opportunities that adapt to a student’s pace of learning. TAG programs inspire motivation and creativity. Funding programs for these students is essential in proving a commitment to our future.

• Special Education

Just like TAG programs, special education should be adaptable to a student’s pace of learning. Proper funding ensures that these students receive fair and first-rate educations. It will also help prevent drop outs which will bring hope for a better future

• Education Enhancement/Teacher Supply Fund (EEF)

EEF money gives credence to teachers’ creativity and enhances the learning environment for our children too. Too often we see teachers using their own pockets to buy supplies which would be covered if schools were fully funded.

• Teacher Salaries

I fully support bringing teachers’ salaries up to the Southeastern average. We lose too many teachers to adjoining states because our teachers are not paid a competitive living salary. When the state fails to fully fund education, local districts become burdened and can not offer district supplements to teacher salaries, making them lose their competitive edge for recruiting the best teachers. More and more people reject degrees in education because of the salary limits. We need to offer salaries that attract the best and brightest. Education degrees can’t be deemed important when such a large percentage of teachers take advantage of alternative routes and seek other jobs. We need to change the way we reward good teachers. Let’s look at better ways to evaluate teachers and compensate superiority and achievement, rather than just considering seniority.

• Chickasaw Cession Payments

These appropriations are necessary to continue funding the local school districts affected by this issue. These districts would be at a severe disadvantage to other districts if this funding were to be cut off.

• The Public Employee Retirement System (PERS)

I will wholeheartedly reject any reduction or compromise regarding teacher retirement benefits.

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

Mississippi ranks 49th in per student funding for our children. We have the resources to ensure our public schools are competitive with any other state in the country. I am committed to finding those funds for Mississippi children.

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?

Appointing local school leaders offers a better pool of qualified people for the job. That should be the only consideration: how to fill these positions with the best person. Phasing out elections of these important positions should be given serious consideration.

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

To attract competent and talented teachers, we need to make the occupation more attractive. Acceptance to university education programs should be selective and applicants should be highly recruited. Teachers should be regarded as the professionals that they are and be paid competitively. Core curriculum teachers should have more incentives to become NBCT. Teacher training should be grounded in research and experience. Professional development should include allotted time for teachers to work together to formulate cohesive learning strategies.

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

We can look at rewarding performance and paying teachers a competitive salary. We need to have a high accountability standard. If we have improved education techniques, it would allow principals more flexibility in hiring and retaining the best teachers. We need to raise the stature of the profession.

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

It is going to take a combination of all of the proposed solutions above. The future performance of our schools starts with its leaders.

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 non-compulsory early childhood programs. We are the only state in the south that does not have a state-funded early childhood program. This puts us at a distinct disadvantage. The facts prove that an early childhood learning experiences foster the chance at success. Mississippi must realize that our future economy is directly affected by early intervention. Learning can never start too early.

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

Regardless of whether one looks at Mississippi in the earliest hour in the morning, the latest hour of the day or anytime in between -- and regardless of how the sunlight reflects on our state, education is the centerpiece of our future.

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

Keeping children in school, motivated, learning and graduating. It will require many dedicated individuals in the schools, homes, state capitol, at the state department of education and local administrative offices working together and being resourceful to be successful.

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?

Our state faced a monumental natural disaster in 2005. It has faced an equally daunting fiscal challenge for the last three to four years. As desirable as it restore the unavoidable cuts that were made in all agency budgets in Mississippi during this time period, our ability to do that in two legislative sessions is totally dependent upon an economic recovery that has yet to occur. I am committed to working as diligently as possible in this regard, but the unknown and most important variable in the equation prevents me from making an absolute commitment at this time.

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)

I do (and have) supported this program.

• Vocational Education

Extremely important to the future of Mississippi. I believe we have turned on the light to expose the importance of this in our state.

• Gifted Education

Equally important -- these children must be challenged and engaged.

• Special Education

It is our responsibility to address these special needs as well.

• Education Enhancement/Teacher Supply Fund (EEF)

Teachers must have proper tools to teach

•Teacher Salaries

Like so many in our state, we cannot expect quality results unless we pay our professionals properly. The economic woes of our state has certainly impacted this -- that is why I voluntarily took a 10% reduction in my (meager) legislative salary to demonstrate that I take personally the importance of all state supported employee salaries and benefits. We have far too many who subscribe to "do as I say, not as I do."

• Chickasaw Cession Payments

An important part of funding for the affected districts.

• The Public Employee Retirement System (PERS)

We have one of, if not THE best, retirement systems for public employees in the nation. However, it is becoming clear that the current formulas are unsustainable indefinitely. I do not support changing any benefit to any existing member or retiree -- that was a commitment that must be honored. However, I believe it is imperative that we quickly determine what modifications for future employees need to be made and to enact these in order to keep the system sound.

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

No response

•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 have both systems in my senate district and they both have quality leadership. I would have to carefully weigh the issues before taking a public position.

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

We must continue to promote the importance of pursuing a career in education. At my age, I well recall the admiration and esteem we all held our teachers in the 50s and 60s. I don't sense we continue to have that

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

Less standardized testing.

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

Not sure it fits here -- but sooner or later we must address the number of school districts in the state.

• 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?

It is very desirable -- but we must fund what we have now before adding additional programs. We cannot lose sight of what our state and its taxpayers can afford.