The success of acupuncture depends on knowing where to apply the pressure.
The same can be said of influencing policy.
In Tuesday’s edition, a Dispatch editorial challenged the fairness of a process that will weigh heavily on whether Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science remains on the Mississippi University for Women campus in Columbus or moves to a new home on the campus of Mississippi State University in Starkville.
Based on the interest the editorial has generated, we believe many people want to make their voices heard on this issue. That means knowing where to apply the pressure.
If you want to make your voice heard, here’s who to contact. Phone calls are most effective, but emails are also good.
Miss. Board of Education
The most important people to contact are the members of the State Board of Education, which will make a critical recommendation to the legislature.
The state board is made up of nine members appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker of the House. None of the current members are from the Golden Triangle.
Board members’ phone numbers aren’t listed, but there is the main switchboard number and individual email addresses.
• MDE Board main switchboard: (601) 359-3513.
• Matt Miller: [email protected]
• Glen East: [email protected]
• Wendi Barrett: [email protected]
• Matt Mayo: [email protected]
• Bill Jacobs: [email protected]
• Ronnie McGehee: [email protected]
• Mike Pruitt: [email protected]
• Billye Jean Stroud: [email protected]
• Mary Werner: [email protected]
State Legislature
Funding for MSMS ultimately comes from the Legislature. MUW has been at times unfairly criticized for the deterioration of MSMS facilities, including dormitories. So if you want to address that matter, asking the legislature to provide funds for adequate facilities is the place to start.
• Rob Roberson (Starkville); chair of the House education committee; (601) 359-3359; [email protected]
• Dana McLean (Columbus); member of House universities and college committee; (662) 328-0607; [email protected]
• Donnie Scoggin (Ellisville); chair of House universities and college committee; (601) 477-8553; [email protected]
• Nicole Boyd (Oxford); chair of Senate universities and college committee; (601) 395-2886; [email protected]
• Dennis DeBar (Waynesboro); chair of Senate education committee; (601) 359-3250; [email protected]
Legislative Leadership:
You can also take your argument to the top of each chamber. The Lt. Governor and Speaker of the House set the agenda for each chamber and have massive influence on legislation.
• Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann; (601) 359-3200; [email protected]
• House Speaker Jason White; (601) 359-3300; [email protected]
Talking points to consider:
• MSMS has thrived in Columbus, becoming one of the top high schools in the country. Why fix something that isn’t broken?
• Funding for MSMS has not increased significantly since it was established in 1987. That needs to change regardless of where the school is located.
• There are numerous safety concerns with residential high school students living in close proximity to college students. The Dispatch has done a story comparing crime rates between MUW to MSU.
• Nationally-recognized MSMS programs such as Tales from the Crypt and Eighth of May Emancipation Celebration are built around Columbus’ rich history.
• Columbus and Lowndes provided seed money to help start MSMS.
At this point, Mississippi State has not publicly advocated to become the new home of MSMS. Nothing requires MSU to submit a proposal, so it might be worth a call to MSU President Mark Keenum at (662) 325-3221; [email protected]
Finally, there is a Bible parable about a poor widow who kept going to an indifferent judge with a complaint until he gave in to her request, not on merit, but exhaustion.
The moral of the story: Persistent pressure pays off.
Make calls, send emails. Rinse and repeat.
Editor’s note: A previous version of this story misspelled Matt Miller’s and Billye Jean Stroud’s names. We regret the errors.
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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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 29 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 29 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
