Funding

EdBuild, the consultant hired to recommend changes to Mississippi’s school funding formula, suggests that the state save money by shifting more of the burden for funding public schools down to the local level. They propose to accomplish this by eliminating the “27% option” in the equity provision of the Mississippi Adequate Education Program, our state’s school […]

EdBuild, the consulting firm hired by the leadership to recommend changes to the school funding formula, presented its report to a packed house at the Capitol this afternoon. You can see the full recommendations here. Unfortunately, we still do not have the most important piece of data: the impact that the EdBuild recommendations will have on

Worried about funding for public education? Disgusted with privatizers who want to sell out our kids? Ready to storm the Capitol, but don’t have time to make the trip? You aren’t alone! It’s time to lift our voices in support of public education, and we’re making it easy with our #protectPUBLICed$ campaign. Lights, camera… ACTion! Here’s how

The Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) is recommending that public schools be underfunded by $180.9-million in the 2017-2018 school year. The budget proposed by the committee provides $180.9-million less than what the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP) law says is needed to provide a basic education for our children. The JLBC wants to add $20.4-million in merit pay for

“Isn’t the MAEP based on students’ needs?” “Why do we need a new formula?” These are now our most frequently asked questions. The answer to the first question is, “Yes.” EdBuild proposes using a base student cost, which we use now, and replacing our “add-ons” with “multipliers” to fund additional needs like poverty and disabilities. They agree

The November “public” hearing about the MAEP revamp raised even more red flags in a process that already had public education supporters deeply skeptical. It has become crystal clear that this is not a sincere effort to engage in a meaningful analysis of the critical, complicated formula that determines our schools’ funding. This rushed, secret effort is

This afternoon, Lt. Gov. Reeves and Speaker Gunn announced that a public hearing on the MAEP revamp will be held this Thursday, November 17, at 4 p.m. in Room 113 of the State Capitol in Jackson. An EdBuild representative will be on hand to hear your ideas and concerns. Please attend and make your voice heard. To speak at

The school funding revamp remains a pressing concern for public school supporters. Here’s the latest… Public hearings about possible changes to the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP) have not yet been scheduled, however, Lt. Gov. Reeves and Speaker Gunn have set up an email address for the public to use to provide input. You can send your thoughts and

Rebecca Sibilia of EdBuild presented her ideas for a student-centered school funding formula to a capacity crowd of observers this afternoon. The media was fully present, as well, and several decided to live stream the event due to the high level of interest. You can view video from The Clarion-Ledger here. Ms. Sibilia advocated a weighted system that provides every student

The House and Senate education committees will meet at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 27, to hear from EdBuild about a possible revamp of the school funding formula. This meeting, which is open to the public, will be held in Room 216 of the Capitol. The leadership has said that public hearings will be held around the