Candidate Q&A: House District 10
Election 2023
Our public education questionnaire is offered to candidates in statewide and legislative elections. Search for candidates’ questionnaire responses below. Election dates: Primary – August 8, 2023, General – November 7, 2023
General Election Candidate:
Josh Hawkins
Lofton Gray (defeated in primary)
1. What is your experience with K-12 public schools, personally and/or with your children or family?
Growing up I attended 3 different Public School systems in Mississippi and ultimately graduated from Madison Central High School (Go Jags!). My grandfather was a teacher, coach, and administrator at Forest Hill High School for many years and gave me the desire to get into education myself. Thus, my first job out of college was teaching at a private school in Batesville, MS (North Delta School). I knew I wanted to get involved with touching the lives of young people in the classroom and on the field, so this small private school was a perfect introduction into that career field. Although I later decided to attend law school, my plan is to return to the classroom (likely in a public school setting) some time in the future.
2. Do you agree that the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP) should be fully funded every year? If yes, what actions will you take to ensure full funding? If no, explain why.
The MAEP funding mechanism has yielded verifiable results since it was put in place, especially as of late. And, this is all while the state has failed to fully fund it. MAEP is a formula that is sensible and that works for Mississippi. The only revision I would offer to the current formula (outside of the regular revisions for high-growth districts and revisions for inflation) are revisions that would make it more difficult for politicians in Jackson to hold up funding over political issues. Politicians will be politicians, and as long as stringent measures are not put in place to mandate fully funding the program, we can be sure that some legislators in Jackson will highjack the funds and politicize the formula year-after-year as they have done since MAEP’s inception. MAEP was curated to solve an equity problem, and it has served as a valid solution to that issue.
3. What will you do to ensure state revenue that is sufficient to provide all of the services Mississippi’s citizens need to lead productive lives?
The state of Mississippi currently has more money on hand than in the history of the state. We need wise legislators who have the foresight to know that this windfall is not permanent and who use the surplus to ensure economic growth statewide. Education is an area where money spent is not just another expenditure, it is an investment in our economy, our children, and our collective future. When Mississippi has the highest paid state superintendent in the United States, it is my belief that the state needs to look at allocating existing resources more wisely before it looks to other solutions. Cutting government waste should be a priority.
4. Will you oppose vouchers that send taxpayer dollars to private schools, religious schools, home schools, or virtual schools? Why or why not?
Yes. Public money ought to be spent on purely public education, anything else is unfair to the taxpayers. It is unjust to use taxpayer dollars on schools that are not mandated by law to be open to all students, and that operate for-profit. While private schools play a vital role, it is against the very foundation of our civil system of government to handout taxpayer dollars to organizations that do not exist for the purpose of availing itself to all citizens.
5. Do you agree that all K-12 schools that receive taxpayer dollars, including private voucher schools, should be accountable to taxpayers for the quality of education they provide, using the same accountability measures as public schools?
Yes, anything else would be unjust to Mississippi educators themselves and the taxpayers.
6. Public schools serve the vast majority of Mississippi students with disabilities. Do you agree that special education services in public schools should be fully funded every year? (Special education has been underfunded by the state every year since 2008.) If yes, how will you accomplish full funding? If no, explain why.
During my time as a teacher I had a number of students with disabilities including dyslexia. There is no way around the fact that these students require extra care and attention from professionals, and truly there are few things as disheartening as seeing a child in this situation not receive the assistance that could help them achieve their potential. As a legislator, I will stand behind these children. One legislator alone does not wield enough influence to bring this to pass. Whoever is elected will need to work with fellow legislators and make concessions along party lines and across the aisle in order to find common solutions to the issues that matter to them. These children matter to me, and as your representative you can be rest assured that they will have a fighter on their side in Jackson.
7. Do you agree that Mississippi should provide high quality early childhood education statewide?
All studies show that early childhood education gives children an incredible leg-up for the rest of their academic careers. This is a program that would need to be undertaken with great care so as to avoid waste. However, the benefits show us that it is worth trying.
8. The nation’s top teachers say that the greatest barriers to school success for K-12 students are family stress, poverty, and learning and psychological problems. What steps do you believe legislators should take to alleviate these obstacles for Mississippi children?
A rising tide lifts all boats. When we find solutions that increase educational outcomes, provide for a better infrastructure, create high quality access to healthcare, and increase workforce development training, we are alleviating family stress, poverty, and more. Outside of this and in the wake of a mounting nationwide mental health crisis, Mississippi will need to look to hiring specialists who can meet younger students where they are and mentor them through tough family situations.
9. In the 2022 Legislative Session, a significant teacher pay raise was passed. Do you support continued pay increases to ensure that Mississippi’s teacher salaries keep pace with inflation and salaries in our neighboring states?
The unavoidable truth is that Mississippi is a competitor in a marketplace of states. Mississippi has to compete with others states for the best teachers. Just like in any other market, Mississippi has to offer competitive incentives to its employees in order to be competitive in that marketplace. If we want the best, we have to put our money where our mouth is. This is not to say that Mississippi should outright match the salaries/incentives of other states, but it would be foolhardy not to attempt to be competitive with other states. Outside of that, it is important to remember that Mississippi is also competing for the students and their families. Mississippi is the only southern state that lost population in the last census. Investments in public education are just that, investments. Healthy public education keeps Mississippians here and attracts out-of-state residents. As far as funding, Mississippi can only bring in as much money as the size of the tax base allows; and there is no surer way to ensure that our tax base and economy grows than investing in public education. Heightened student access to vocational opportunities, more employed teachers, smaller class sizes, and greater a variety of educational offerings will increase the size and success of our collective economy and in turn create more revenue for the state. It will not happen overnight, but Mississippi has to start somewhere. One fiscally responsible way to solve the teacher shortage would be to offer tax-incentives and scholarships to undergraduate education students in Mississippi in order to entice them to stay in Mississippi to teach.
10. Do you agree that retired educators (and other retired state employees) should be able to draw their retirement while serving in the Legislature?
I do not see a reason why not. If anything, we should hope that more retired teachers and other educational professionals seek election to the legislature. Without hearing the argument against it, I see no reason to withhold a public employee’s duly earned retirement just because they continue their public service in the legislature.
11. Legislators have little or no staff to help them understand the many bills they must consider. Before introducing or supporting a bill that could affect public education, will you commit to seeking input from teachers, principals, superintendents, and parents of public school students in your district? Who will be advising you on education policies?
Absolutely, a legislator is only as strong and wise as those whose counsel he relies on. When elected I will consider the opinions and counsel of professionals in education whether those be principals, superintendents, and certainly teachers.
When elected I will maintain my independence and seek only to speak for the people that I represent. Party politics, interest groups, and political patronage have an outsized effect on our legislature and I would never appease them at the expense of the people.
Josh Hawkins
1. What is your experience with K-12 public schools, personally and/or with your children or family?
I am a product of our local public schools(1st -12th grade). I am a graduate of South Panola High School . Both our kids attend South Panola High School (9th and 11th grade). I have been a board member for the South Panola Foundation for Public Educations since 2019, serving as President for the last two years. My wife recently has accepted a position as the school nurse at South Panola Jr. High.
2. Do you agree that the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP) should be fully funded every year? If yes, what actions will you take to ensure full funding? If no, explain why.
I think the current MAEP funding formula is flawed and needs to reworked or an entirely new system/formula adopted. The formula is not a true representation of the total cost needed or used to educate a child in MS because several things like administrative cost and a lot of programs are not included in it. We need a formula that uses a better representation of the total cost, as well as, considers the total revenue from local, state (outside of MAEP), federal, and/or private funds that might be available. I do recognize each district’s need for a formula or set funding mechanism for planning purposes . I am open-minded and willing to work with my fellow legislators and the Department of Education to develop and adopt a new system or formula.
3. What will you do to ensure state revenue that is sufficient to provide all of the services Mississippi’s citizens need to lead productive lives?
I will work with our local businesses and leaders, as well as the leadership in Jackson, to support and pass legislation that will allow our current businesses and industries to thrive, as well as promote growth and new start-ups. Our local small businesses are vital to helping maintain and grow our communities into the places we love and dream about.
4. Will you oppose vouchers that send taxpayer dollars to private schools, religious schools, home schools, or virtual schools? Why or why not?
With the exception of vouchers for kids with special needs or disabilities, I would be opposed to a taxpayer funded voucher program. I am opposed to a voucher program because in my district(10) we have three high performing school districts that offer and provide an excellent education to our young people. We also have a good private school in each county in the district 10 to give our parents another choice or option. For me to even consider letting our private schools accept taxpayer funded vouchers, the schools would have to meet and be subject to the same testing and and guidelines as our public schools. A lot of parents that current choose the private school option have done so because of mandated testing that is required for our public schools. I don’t see the private schools accepting these requirements.
5. Do you agree that all K-12 schools that receive taxpayer dollars, including private voucher schools, should be accountable to taxpayers for the quality of education they provide, using the same accountability measures as public schools?
All schools that receive taxpayer money should be held to the same accountability measures as our public schools.
6. Public schools serve the vast majority of Mississippi students with disabilities. Do you agree that special education services in public schools should be fully funded every year? (Special education has been underfunded by the state every year since 2008.) If yes, how will you accomplish full funding? If no, explain why.
I do agree and would support that special education services in public schools be funded. Without knowing the formula and how it determined, I can’t say 100% that I would vote to “fully” fund the programs. There are several factors and additional information (that changes regularly) needed to “fully” answer this question. As a parent of a kid on the autism spectrum with an IEP, I know and appreciate the hard work, dedication, and cost associated with providing special education services.
7. Do you agree that Mississippi should provide high quality early childhood education statewide?
I do agree that MS should provide a high quality early childhood education statewide. The sooner we can start educating our children, the better situation they and communities will be in. A smarter community is a better community. Mississippi’s Early Learning Collaboratives and Pre-K programs are great and I will support and vote to continue expanding them.
8. The nation’s top teachers say that the greatest barriers to school success for K-12 students are family stress, poverty, and learning and psychological problems. What steps do you believe legislators should take to alleviate these obstacles for Mississippi children?
I’m not certain we can legislate people out of family stress or poverty. We need to continue educating and providing opportunities for our people to better themselves. As far as learning and psychological problems, we need to continue supporting our frontline workers (teachers and law enforcement officers) through educating and training on how to better handle individuals with these problems. We also need to help train and educate their family members on how to help them alleviate or live with their problems.
9. In the 2022 Legislative Session, a significant teacher pay raise was passed. Do you support continued pay increases to ensure that Mississippi’s teacher salaries keep pace with inflation and salaries in our neighboring states?
I would support continued pay increases to help make sure our teachers and other educators are paid a fair and competitive salary. We need to do this strategically and wisely to ensure that if we have a significant downturn in our economy that we can sustain it.
10. Do you agree that retired educators (and other retired state employees) should be able to draw their retirement while serving in the Legislature?
Yes, I do believe that all retired state employees should be able to draw their retirement and serving in the legislature, if it is legal. I’m not certain why exactly this has not been allowed in the past. I think they should be eligible for full time retirement, not part-time. If the retiree is below 59.5 years of age, they would still be subject to early retirement taxes that might be owed.
11. Legislators have little or no staff to help them understand the many bills they must consider. Before introducing or supporting a bill that could affect public education, will you commit to seeking input from teachers, principals, superintendents, and parents of public school students in your district? Who will be advising you on education policies?
Yes, I will commit to seeking input from our local educators, as well as groups such as the Parents’ Campaign, on bills that might concern them. I will rely heavily on our local educators to advise me.
I am not worried about the pressure. The only promise I will make during this campaign is to put District 10 and our people first. I’m not worried about what is best for myself or outside groups. I will do everything I can to make sure I make the best decision for the district as a whole. District 10 will come first.
Brady B. Williamson (Incumbent - defeated in primary)
NO RESPONSE
