Candidate Q&A: House District 36
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:
Karl Gibbs (Incumbent)
Karl Gibbs (Incumbent)
1. What is your experience with K-12 public schools, personally and/or with your children or family?
I went to the public school system all the way through and my mother was an educator for over forty years, so I’m a firm believer in public education.
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.
Yes, I do, because the children are our future and they need all of the adequate funding in order to make them able to compete in the world once they graduate from high school. I will work hard with my colleagues to help fully fund education and, also, I would like to see the lottery changed for more to go towards education and infrastructure.
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 hard to see that we get adequate funding for it.
4. Will you oppose vouchers that send taxpayer dollars to private schools, religious schools, home schools, or virtual schools? Why or why not?
I’ll oppose it if it’s taking money from the public school system because the public school system is for everybody. If you choose to go to a different school then you should be responsible for paying for that, not the taxpayer.
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?
If someone receives taxpayer dollars, they should be accountable to the taxpayers. They should be held to the same standards.
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.
Yes, it should be because a person can’t help if they have a disability – that is something out of their control, so yes, it should be. I will work hard with the people across the aisle and my colleagues in order to come up with some sort of plan to fully fund education.
7. Do you agree that Mississippi should provide high quality early childhood education statewide?
Yes, because that will help the children when they get into grade school. If you start early you can’t help but help them, you know as they say, the early bird gets the worm.
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?
They should work to come up with some kind of plan to get people the adequate help that they need to prevent this.
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 do! I have been campaigning on that all the time.
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 really do not. I don’t agree with that because if you wanted to do that, then go ahead and you’re double dipping and killing the retirement system, when you do that.
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. Anything that’s coming up educationally, I will call the superintendent in our district and he and I will talk on whatever the particular issue is.
I vote for what is best for my district, I don’t do that other.
Terell Harris (defeated in primary)
1. What is your experience with K-12 public schools, personally and/or with your children or family?
Personal and children.
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.
Yes, I’m completely in full support of fully funding (MAEP) and I will vote for it. I will also speak up for it and stand against the ones who don’t support it! I will speak with congress and the senator to try to get this passed.
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 put together an action plan and speak with my constituents on the things that will help them lead productive lives and I will push to ensure that this happens. I will study to present an accurate and precise bill that concentrates on the bettering of the district.
4. Will you oppose vouchers that send taxpayer dollars to private schools, religious schools, home schools, or virtual schools? Why or why not?
Yes, we should concentrate on fully funding (MAEP).
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.
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.
Yes, special education should be fully funded, and I would push for this in every way possible!
7. Do you agree that Mississippi should provide high quality early childhood education statewide?
Yes.
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?
Focus more on mental health in early childhood through adults. We can’t forget that young adults see a lot and most hold it in. They need help to push through. More school counseling referrals and counselors on hand.
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?
Yes.
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.
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, and also holding town hall meetings. I plan to put a committee together to help me understand the needs of the educators and parents.
I will stand up and against the pressure! My job is to serve my constituents and I will vote only to better my district and help my constituents.
