JACKSON, Miss.—In an effort to continue the open dialogue with the public regarding the Legislature’s examination of the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP) formula, Speaker Philip Gunn and Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves have announced the second public meeting with EdBuild, the nonprofit hired to look at and recommend suggestions for revamping the formula.
This meeting will be held on Thursday, Nov. 17, at 4 p.m. in Room 113 of the Mississippi State Capitol. The meeting will last one hour. Education Committee leadership will facilitate the meeting.
The public is invited to attend this meeting and offer suggestions as to what they would like to see in a restructured formula.
Written comments will be accepted to share with EdBuild as they assist with the review. To make a three-minute comment at the meeting, either bring a written comment or e-mail schoolfinance@ls.ms.gov with Public Meeting in the subject line. Speaking sign-up sheets will be available at the meeting.
On November 7, EdBuild announced that the organization would be seeking the public’s opinion regarding how public schools are funded in Mississippi.
The organization has held meetings with state lawmakers to make suggestions toward changes in the MAEP formula.
Rebecca Sibilia, CEO of Edbuild, discussed the MAEP formula and the direction the organization believes the state needs to be in.
“The huge obligation that the legislature has,” said Sibilia. “Is to make sure that the state funding that is being provided to school districts is representative to student needs…it is the state’s responsibility to make sure that those funds are being provided adequately, fairly,and transparently.”
The public meetings are just part of the organization’s way to gather a more clear and concise plan for the legislature to follow.
“We’ve been asked to provide preliminary recommendations by the end of this calendar year,” said Sibilia. “We anticipate continuing to be involved in the process as the legislative process moves forward into next year.”
