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

More jobs - better jobs - an educated workforce and a stable tax base and government. Education has always been a top priority and funding it first is always best. 

 

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

Getting the proper funding - not only for salaries but for construction and maintenance. Attempting to recruit the best teachers we can. Stabilize and equalize the tax system and fund education with those funds.

 

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 

 

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?

My record has always been one of supporting education. That is not about to change. These items have always been top priority for me and continue to be.

• National Board Certification Program Stipend/National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT)

 

• Vocational Education

 

• Gifted Education

 

• Special Education

 

• Education Enhancement/Teacher Supply Fund (EEF)

 

• Teacher Salaries

 

• Chickasaw Cession Payments

 

• The Public Employee Retirement System (PERS)

 

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

Everyone says they will prioritize, but few will when called on. Essential services and needs must be met first. Everything else can get in line behind education, law enforcement and health care. 

 

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?

No 

 

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

And to retain good ones also - 

 

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

We all have to be accountable. Teaching is a position of trust. Just as schools are reviewed and taken over if lacking - the same is true for doctors, lawyers, CPA's and teachers in their own review arena. 

 

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

Held to standards that insure educational leaders are up to the job of administratively performing the duties to insure our children receive a proper and sound education each day. 

 

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?