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

To create jobs and economic opportunities for our citizens. Education is the Number 1 priority in creating jobs. 

 

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

Getting parents involved in their child's education. We need to require parents to be more accountable. 

 

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. FY11 finished the year up by 125 million, so I do think we will be able to get back to full funding in 2 sessions. 

 

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)

We will keep our commitment to continue the stipend. 

 

• Vocational Education

We need to expand vocational ed., so that students that aren't going to a 4-year college can learn a trade, so we need to increase programs and funding. 

 

• Gifted Education

We need to keep gifted kids interested in learning by expanding programs for them. 

 

• Special Education

Inclusion has really helped with the labeling of Sp. Ed. students. 

 

• Education Enhancement/Teacher Supply Fund (EEF)

Once MAEP is fully funded, I hope, we can keep this fund whole. 

 

• Teacher Salaries

Need a substantial pay raise ASAP 

 

• Chickasaw Cession Payments

Required by law 

 

• The Public Employee Retirement System (PERS)

Required by law to make sure it is sound.

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

We must make Mississippi a probusiness state, so that businesses will come to our state with jobs and economic development. So growth not tax increases will keep MAEP fully funded. 

 

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?

Support. I have filed a bill to do away with elected superintendents every year I have been in the Legislature. 

 

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

The simple answer is more money to attract the best and brightest into education, but we also need to offer scholarships in education and not for just the Delta areas, for the whole state.

 

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

We need administrators with the guts to remove bad teachers and that will send a message that they have to improve or leave. Peer teaching will also help improve low performing teachers. 

 

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

The Barksdale Principal Corps, requires an internship and I believe that increases overall success of new leaders. They work in several school settings and they can see what works and doesn't work. 

 

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?