People from all across the state met at the Capitol on Thursday to deliver a message to lawmakers for more funding for public schools.
Those who rallied told lawmakers they want “A Seat at the Table,” when it comes to talking about education funding and what is really happening in public schools.
The rally comes after an attempt to rewrite the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP). Companies like EdBuild, have become involved in an initiative to do away with MAEP and replace it with a new education funding plan.
Those involved in the rally were not in support of a new formula, instead they urged lawmakers to fully fund MAEP for the second time in over 20 years.
Retired educator Howard Sanders said his major concern over reading the EdBuild proposal is that any of it could become law. He called for a new formula to be done in the right way, and not just the quickest one.
Sanders believes MAEP will create a disaster in the Delta by potentially privatizing education across the state.
“Schools will have a shortfall, as of today of $193 million dollars for next year. There is a need to ensure that the public has a seat at the table so that unwanted and misinformed mistakes on public education will not happen,” said Howard.
So far no decisions have been made on a new funding formula and rumors of a special session being called to discuss the legislation have circulated.
More on the rally:
