Today, the Senate narrowly voted to concur with the House version of SB 2161, the charter school bill that allows students in districts rated C, D, and F to cross district lines to attend charter schools. The vote was 24-21, with seven senators not voting. Educators tell us they fear that districts now rated A […]
Senate Votes on Charter Bill Read More »
The Senate charter school bill, SB 2161, has not yet been taken up for a vote. Please continue to contact the senators who represent your school district about this bill. SB 2161 threatens to siphon resources away from the C-rated districts that are doing some of our very best work with high-poverty students, allowing their
Keep Calling on Charter Bill, News from House Read More »
This afternoon, a House committee passed a tax cut bill (SB 2858) that would reduce state revenue by $134-million next year through elimination of the 3% income tax bracket. If the state has $134-million to give away, then the state has $134-million to increase school funding. See what $134-million in additional MAEP funding would mean for your school district. Remind
Urgent: School Funding at Risk Read More »
Please give your senator a call about the charter school bill before Monday afternoon. While high quality charter schools can be a beneficial addition in chronically under-performing (D or F) school districts, they have the potential to harm good school districts by pulling away resources and diminishing the education provided to the vast majority of
Charter Bill Needs a Change – Please Call Read More »
This morning, the House tabled the motion to reconsider on the Senate charter bill. House Education Chairman John Moore moved to send SB 2161 to the Senate as it passed the House initially. Rep. Steve Holland urged the House to defeat Moore’s motion so that the bill could be reconsidered and amended to remove C
See Your Rep’s Vote on Charter Bill Read More »
The charter school bill that passed the House yesterday remains on the calendar on a motion to reconsider (vote again). Word is that there is a move to amend the bill to allow only students in districts rated D or F to cross district lines to attend charter schools, a move we encourage. Thanks to all those
Worrisome education bills are scheduled for floor votes in both chambers. Please make sure your legislators understand that recent changes to the House and Senate charter school bills reveal a troubling focus on expanding charter schools to C-rated districts. There is a tendency among some legislators to cast C-rated districts as under-performing. To the contrary,
Troublesome Ed Bills on Calendar for Votes Read More »
Two charter school bills are headed for floor votes. Now is the time to call your representative and senator about these bills. The most recent changes to SB 2161 and HB 1044 make both bills problematic. To be voted on by the House: SB 2161, as amended by the House Education Committee, allows students in districts rated C,
Need Calls on Charter Schools Read More »
The current leadership has for years suggested that the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP) formula should be changed – they just haven’t been able to tell us what changes need to be made. Altering the school funding formula is serious business. It could have a dramatic effect on the quality of education provided Mississippi children and the equity with which
HB 458 – Significant Changes to MAEP Formula Shouldn’t Be Made in Conference Read More »
Next Tuesday is the deadline for Senate committees to act on House general bills and for House committees to act on Senate general bills (appropriations and revenue bills have a later deadline). Please ask your legislators to vote as follows: Bills to be voted on by the Senate HB 29 – Transfers authority from the
Important Update on Ed Bills Read More »
