We are writing this letter in response to Slim Smith’s column, “Just in Time for Halloween: The scary story of “a single liberal judge.”
First to clear up any misunderstanding about Initiative No 42. The initiative changes section 201 of the Mississippi Constitution to provide an “adequate and efficient system of free public schools.” It would still be up to the Legislature to fund education to an adequate level. Adequate has previously been defined by the MAEP formula which was passed by the Legislature in 1997.
By changing the Constitution, parties could sue the Legislature if adequate funding is not provided. A chancery judge would hear the case and make a determination on its merits.
Next is the issue of education funding in Mississippi. According to the Budget Bulletin issued by the Joint Legislative Budget Committee on May 1, 2015, total public education is funded at $2,271,539,645 (39.78%) and higher education is funded at $824,078,671 (14.43%). That is a total of 54.21% of the General Fund appropriations for the state of Mississippi. Social Welfare is funded at 18.92%.
Between education and social welfare, the Legislature is only left with about 26% of the general fund dollars to fund all the other needs for the state of Mississippi.
Mr. Smith, we don’t have a funding problem, we have a personal responsibility problem. People want to blame everybody for the problems today (in this case education). It’s the President, it’s the Congress, it’s Jackson, it’s anybody but ourselves. The problems we have now are the parents’ fault – it is our responsibility to raise our children, not the government’s. You even write in your column “the future of our state depend to a great degree on the outcome of this vote.” In other words – “it’s for the children.”
If parents want to help their children with their education, sit down at the family dinner table tonight and discuss what is going on with their lives and with their education – take responsibility!
Parents of an 8th and 9th grader in public schools
Rob and Tara Fort
Caledonia
The Forts are parents of eighth and ninth graders, both of whom attend public schools.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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