The Parents' Campaign Home Page        Legislators, Funding, & Accountability by School District

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

I want communities where parents are excited about raising their children, communities with strong schools and employment opportunities.  Education is the key.

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

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?

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

As a new legislator, I would like to talk to groups, like The Parents' Campaign, and other legislators to determine funding priorities for these specific areas.

• Vocational Education

See above

• Gifted Education

See above

• Special Education

See above

• Education Enhancement/Teacher Supply Fund (EEF)

See above

• Teacher Salaries

See above

• Chickasaw Cession Payments

See above

• The Public Employee Retirement System (PERS)

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

We have to find the political will to fully fund education.

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

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

Work with groups like The Parents' Campaign to consider incentive packages and programs in support of our teachers.

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

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

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?

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