Candidate Q&A: House District 105
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; Primary Runoff – August 29, 2023; General – November 7, 2023
General Election Candidates:
Matthew Daves • Elliot Burch
Matt Brewer (defeated in primary)
NO RESPONSE
Elliot Burch (winner of primary runoff)
NO RESPONSE
Matthew Daves
NO RESPONSE
Dale Goodin (Incumbent - defeated in primary runoff)
1. What is your experience with K-12 public schools, personally and/or with your children or family?
Retired Vo-Tech CTE Director
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. We need to fully fund MAEP.
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?
We need to do a better job in a lot of areas to help those fellow Mississippians that are less fortunate. Especially our most important resource – our children.
4. Will you oppose vouchers that send taxpayer dollars to private schools, religious schools, home schools, or virtual schools? Why or why not?
Yes. It is in our Mississippi State Constitution.
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. We need to fully fund our most vulnerable population.
7. Do you agree that Mississippi should provide high quality early childhood education statewide?
Yes. The sooner the better.
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?
Provide support services to help families thrive. Not just survive.
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. I can personally relate to this question.
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. The current staffs and faculty in our District 105 schools have always been very helpful to me. I have known and worked with a lot of them for years.
You have to be your own person and vote the way you know is the right way. The pressure is unfortunately part of the job. You must have a strong sense of independence.
