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

Mississippi scores low in life expectancy, infant mortality and literacy. Obviously, education would figure in correcting these issues. 

 

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

A good question. First we would have to straighten out the inordinate funding equation that hampers adequate funding. What I am saying is that the paper companies hold inordinate acreage in counties, and the paper companies would rather pay lobbyists than ad valorem taxes. This is true in Perry County and numerous others. The funding formula, particularly in schools that happen to be in counties that are “owned” by Georgia Pacific, International Paper and there are numerous others. The holdings in the counties somehow escape paying their fair share of ad valorem taxes.

 

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.

No response 

 

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)

Will confer with interested groups

 

• Vocational Education

Will confer with interested groups

 

• Gifted Education

Will confer with interested groups

 

• Special Education

Will confer with interested groups

 

• Education Enhancement/Teacher Supply Fund (EEF)

Will confer with interested groups

 

• Teacher Salaries

Will confer with interested groups

 

• Chickasaw Cession Payments

Will confer with interested groups

 

• The Public Employee Retirement System (PERS)

PERS is very important. Over my dead body will I allow the legislature to get control of PERS funds.

 

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 oppose the idea of replacing an elected position with an appointed one.

 

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

No response

 

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

I would take steps to familiarize teachers with the DSM series of books. That is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. This is part of the curriculum for a specialist degree. I think it is vital to even an “A” certificate.

 

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

No response 

 

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?

 
Philip Gunn (incumbent) - WINNER