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

To become the most quality state in the nation, with education leading the way.

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

Funding and quality teaching. Funding and demanding well-prepared staff, faculty, and administration.

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, very much so!

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, check my voting record.

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)

High priority, fully fund. This is a commitment we made to teachers, and we need to continue it.

• Vocational Education

High priority, fully fund. Not all children are suited for college. This is an alternate path to provide training for students to enter a meaningful work force. I feel that this would reduce the drop out rate in our schools.

• Gifted Education

High priority, fully fund. This is an area where children have special needs, and we need to provide them with an equal education to challenge their minds.

• Special Education

High priority, fully fund. This is an area where children have special needs, and we need to provide them with an equal quality education to challenge their minds.

• Education Enhancement/Teacher Supply Fund (EEF)

High priority. These funds should be spent in the most effective manner. The effectiveness of the funds needs to be monitored.

• Teacher Salaries

High priority, fully fund. Quality teachers are needed for quality education. We need the best we can get.

• Chickasaw Cession Payments

High priority, fully fund, as this provides funding for those counties which do not have 16th section land and 16th section funds available to them.

• The Public Employee Retirement System (PERS)

High priority, fully fund. Teachers deserve the very best in salaries and benefits. Mississippi has one of the best retirement systems in the nation, and we need to continue to fund it.

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

We need to find additional sources of revenue without over burdening the tax payer, while, at the same time, analyzing state spending and making viable reductions in spending where appropriate.

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 would support moving to appointments.

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

Raise salaries, improve benefits, and provide a quality work place.

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

Bring teacher compensation up to the southeastern level or above. I prefer above. Provide a quality workplace and administrative support.

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

Pay the best and most affordable compensation and provide a quality workplace, only after careful evaluation of individuals in this area. Community support of these leaders is also important.

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 a compulsory early childhood education program, because every child has the right to an equal education. This needs to be included in the MAEP funding formula.

Patrick Williams

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