Funding Public Education In Mississippi

MAYHEW, Miss. (WCBI) – State lawmakers continue to work on legislation to make sure schools have the money they need to give students the best education.

It was the top topic today on the Mayhew campus of East Mississippi Community College as The first Congressional District Democratic Party hosted a community forum.

People from all over the golden triangle gathered at EMCC and there was only one thing on everyone’s mind.

“If you want you’re child to grow up in Mississippi and be productive members of society and live happy lives they’ve got to have a good education,” said Organizer Bill Wheeler.

The Town Hall Meeting, “Stand Up For Your Child’s Education,” was an opportunity for parents and community stake holders to discuss their concerns about the state’s education system and other topics too.

“This is the first of many town hall meetings we intend to schedule throughout the First Congressional District. To address primarily education and any other issues that we as a group feel that we feel should bring to the forefront for feed back from the community,” said Senator Angela Turner Ford.

Panelists included Senator Angela Turner Ford, Hob Bryan, Nancy Loome Of the Parents Campaign, Pamela Shaw P3 strategies and Leslie Fye of MS Public Education.

Ford says in light of the conversation at the state capital about funding education formulas the group wanted to help parents and teachers understand how it will affect them and their students.

“A lot of people don’t understand the impact of what goes on in Jackson and some don’t care. We have individuals that have been elected to serve senate districts representative districts state wide offices and all of those individuals need to feel comfortable to express their opinions and represent their constituents and this is just an opportunity to provide information,” said Ford.

Wheeler coordinated Saturday’s forum.

“95 percent of the kids in Mississippi attend public school and we need our public schools funded. We need education funded. We need low student teacher ratio in the classroom where our students can learn and that’s what this is all about helping support public education in Mississippi,” said Wheeler.

“I’m not confident that the state will be able to fund what’s needed. For the past few years we’ve been allocating or appropriating funds as they have become available. The main issues is what we as a state believe are our main priorities,” said Ford.

Cheryl Doss is a 8th grade math teacher. She says she is just happy the conversation is on the table and hopes through that will bring change.

“I’m a lover of knowledge I’m a lover of education in general and i love my state Mississippi. We are always at the bottom so any time I see someone striving for excellence, I’m about that,” said Doss.