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

Candidates for
 
House of Representatives District 33
 

All candidates for this office were offered a questionnaire by The Parents’ Campaign regarding education issues.

Responses appear below. The winner of the November 8, 2011, general election is indicated below.
 
 Jerreico Chambers       Sean T. Holmes        Tommy Reynolds - WINNER 

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

My vision is to see that Mississippi moves in the right direction with education being the frontrunner along with God and make education priority.

 

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

The greatest challenge facing Mississippi's schools are our parents and community is not involved in the children's education.  I would work with everyone to see that our schools get to where they need to be with putting children first.

 

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? 

I would support it but we have to maintain within our means.  We can not flush more money into something if we don't have it.

 

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.

I am not going to commit to anything.  That's like promising things before you get an overview or look at it...

 

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?

 Equally fund them

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

I would work with them and see that they receive what they have earned.

 

• Vocational Education

I would support them using these vocational education programs as a way for children to find a job in the area they studied.

 

• Gifted Education

I would work to see that they receive the same education as their classmates.

 

• Special Education

I would work to see that they receive the same education as their classmates.

 

• Education Enhancement/Teacher Supply Fund (EEF)

I will try to work with schools within my district to see that needed funds are allocated right.

 

• Teacher Salaries

I would work on getting our teachers a salary that is well worth the work they do for our children.

 

• Chickasaw Cession Payments

I would make sure these payments are used for educational purposes and not misused.

 

• The Public Employee Retirement System (PERS)

I would see that public officials and state employees get what they put into the system.
 

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

We could seek private revenue or contributions toward fully funding our education system.

 

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 believe the education system should not be political in that way.  If Board members are elected the superintendents should be appointed...

 

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

I would work closely with the State Dept. of Education to see that we attract and retain quality educators.
 

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

We should get gov't out of the classrooms and allow the educators to instruct...

 

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

We should see that they are well aware of changes within the education system and able to do their job to the best of their ability.

 

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 but the gov't is in enough at this moment; why not let our childcare centers handle early childhood education programs.


 
Sean T. Holmes 
NO RESPONSE
 
 
 
Tommy Reynolds (incumbent) - WINNER 
Voting Record
What is your vision for Mississippi, and how does education fit into that vision?

Our goal as a State should be an educated work force with 21st Century skills - trained by educators with 21st Century Skills. 

 

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

Mississippi Schools need adequate finances to assure hiring of top quality teachers and to provide suitable facilities for the education of all children in our State.
 

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)

I support funding for this program 

 

• Vocational Education

I support funding for this program 

 

• Gifted Education

I support funding for this program 

 

• Special Education

I support funding for this program 

 

• Education Enhancement/Teacher Supply Fund (EEF)

I support funding for this program 

 

• Teacher Salaries

Must be competitive with other Southern states. 

 

• Chickasaw Cession Payments

I co-sponsored House Bill 6 which established modern day Chickasaw Cession Funding and continue to support it 

 

• The Public Employee Retirement System (PERS)

I strongly support protection of PERS, including the 13th check. 

 

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

We must prioritize our spending, and education must be a top priority. 

 

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 supported such a proposal for Lafayette County and would certainly consider such a proposal for the remainder of our State. 

 

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

Increased scholarships for teaching students and better pay for teachers. 

 

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

Teachers teaching in the field for which they are qualified. 

 

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

Better training for school leaders must be required. 

 

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?

YES.