The House of Representatives has passed the K-12 education funding bill, HB1494. The funding in HB1494 is approximately $25.5-million above the Legislative Budget Recommendation, largely due to $16.3-million to cover an increase in the cost of state retirement.
HB1494 as passed by the House provides our schools level funding for the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP) plus the additional funding needed to cover state retirement. The bill also provides level funding for teacher supply funds and the National Board Certification program, and it fully funds the Chickasaw Cession interest payment. See vote.
Though the bill underfunds the MAEP by $232-million, it is a fair and balanced bill, avoiding any additional cuts beyond the dramatic cuts under which schools are currently operating while making cautious use of improved state revenue.
The bill will now go to the Senate Appropriations Committee where changes are possible. We are watching that action closely and will inform our members if we believe school funding is in danger of more cuts.
