Mississippi Association of Educators President Erica Jones issues the following statement on Public School Funding Bills:
"With all the discussion swirling about public school funding bills, we are grateful that the Legislature has heard our voices asking for fully funding public schools during this legislative session. Full funding was the leading point in our Raise Mississippi initiative, and based on public support of that program, we believe our legislators listened.
We support efforts to establish a reliable, effective, fair funding formula that will ensure each schools’ full potential can be fulfilled. Those of us at MAE are standing by to offer our insights and concerns to legislative leadership, education committee members, and members of both chambers as they work through the components of their proposals to achieve the ultimate goal.
We thank everyone who has worked to consider our public school students’ and educators’ needs. We believe that for the first time in nearly two decades our public schools will be fully funded this year.
Every single public school student in Mississippi deserves to attend clean, safe, and supportive schools and to be taught by well-paid, professional educators so that our students will be prepared for bright futures right here in Mississippi.
Again, our hopes are high for full, reliable funding for our schools, and we thank everyone who is working to make sure it happens this year."
Both the House and the Senate have proposed measures to fully fund Mississippi’s public schools. See the links below for more information.
