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

My vision for Mississippi is for a state where our education system compares favorably with other states, especially with our neighboring states. 

 

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

Improving test scores, improving parental involvement, full MAEP funding, full funding for high growth school districts, less regulation for highest performing school districts. 

 

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. There are less important funding requests which need to be prioritized behind full MAEP funding. We don't need to be building $20 million civil rights museums in the same year that we are under funding our classroom teachers.No county can afford five separate school systems with five separate sets of administrators.

 

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. Prioritizing funding requests is the answer. Fully fund MAEP and then begin looking at other funding requests. 

 

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)

Very important. 

 

• Vocational Education

Very important that targeted programs for students who do not plan to pursue college education are funded. 

 

• Gifted Education

Gifted students must be challenged to reach their highest potential. This program needs to be funded. 

 

• Special Education

Special needs students have needs that can not be met in the regular classroom. Needs to be funded. 

 

• Education Enhancement/Teacher Supply Fund (EEF)

Teachers should not have to pay for classroom supplies from their own salaries. 

 

• Teacher Salaries

Very important that those are competitive with neighboring states. 

 

• Chickasaw Cession Payments

Very important for those counties which do not have sixteenth section lands. 

 

• The Public Employee Retirement System (PERS)

We must not ignore our teachers when it comes to funding their match for PERS. 

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

We need to study best practices in states where they are achieving high standards with the same or with less revenue. Then we need to implement these proven ideas. 

 

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, I would support this. 

 

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

Competitive salaries with neighboring states. Encourage school partnerships with local businesses to create incentives/discounts for teacher retention and recruitment. 

 

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

Invest local and state dollars in professional development. Encourage greater parental involvement. 

 

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

Greater accountability for higher test scores and graduation rates and for lower dropout rates.