Issue Position: Improving Education

Issue Position

I have worked hard to ensure equity funding and resources for DeSoto County schools. DeSoto County had 28,000 students enrolled in classrooms in 2006-2007, making it the second largest school district in Mississippi. Enrollment this year increased by over 1,700 students.

DeSoto County is by far the fastest growing school district in Mississippi. I helped champion fully funding high-growth school districts. DeSoto County Schools will receive over $122 million dollars this year, which is a 77% increase from 2003.

Mississippi has had a great fleet of veteran teachers, and I will continue to work to create incentives to keep these good teachers. I also believe we need to continue to honor the commitment to pay our teachers competitive salaries. I was proud to vote for consecutive 8% pay raises in 2004 and 2005, and a 3% pay raise this year. I believe every child in Mississippi has a right to a quality education, and we need to make education our number one priority each and every year. A Champion for public education, I voted to fully fund the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP), multiple teacher pay raises, and fully funding of high-growth school districts.

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