The Legislature has adopted a K-12 funding bill for the coming school year (2017-2018) that reduces funding for the Mississippi Adequate Education Program another $20-million below the sparse funding schools were left with for the current school year after two rounds of mid-year budget cuts. HB 1502 puts public schools statewide about $40-million below what they were appropriated this time last year. We are waiting for official word from MDE on the exact amount that the MAEP will be funded below what the law requires. I will share that and additional analysis of the bill as soon as I have it.
The conference report on the voucher bill, HB 1046, was filed shortly before tonight’s deadline. I have been told by a conferee that the intention of the conference committee is to restrict the dyslexia scholarship to special purpose schools, as is current law, and to allow it to be used through grade 12. However, a drafting error has made the language ambiguous in one portion of the bill. I will learn more tomorrow and will let you know immediately if we need your help. Please watch your inbox!
Thank you for standing up for our children. Together, we’ve got this!
