Candidate Q&A: House District 111
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:
Jimmy Fondren
Eric G. Camp (defeated in primary)
1. What is your experience with K-12 public schools, personally and/or with your children or family?
21 year old son graduated from public school (Ocean Springs), served on Ocean Springs School Board as elected position from 2016-2021.
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! Education is first in my priority list. Other areas of funding should be cut before we cut a single cent from Education.
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?
This is a loaded question. I believe there are many things that should be done including cutting the state income tax to relieve the burden on Mississippians, fully funding Education, and making government what it is supposed to be, providing for the constituents of this great state.
4. Will you oppose vouchers that send taxpayer dollars to private schools, religious schools, home schools, or virtual schools? Why or why not?
No. I believe in parent’s choice. I should be able to send my child to get the best education possible regardless of where I live. My tax dollars should follow the student to pay for this quality education, if and only if, the school district in which I live is not performing to my expectations as a concerned parent. We have an obligation to educate our children as parents, this includes intellectually, morally, and civil.
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! There HAS to be accountabilities!
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.
Absolutely! All children deserve quality education and care. There is a surplus in the State of Mississippi’s coffers, this surplus should be utilized to improve any deficient area of education FIRST!
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?
Every child should get individual attention and assessment to determine the specific needs as all children, like people, are different. I believe in the intervention process of educators to evaluate and assess a student’s home life to open the door for possible solutions.
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?
Absolutely! I served on Public School board for 5 years. This was always one of my highest priorities!
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! Serving in the Legislature shouldn’t prevent retirement from our life-long career field. I also believe we should have term limits to limit the terms government officials serve as well. I commend those who have worked and then decide to serve in a government capacity! What experience that is needed instead of these career politicians who are out of touch with reality! We shouldn’t punish people for this service.
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! I already have many connections in the Public School system having served in a public school board. I believe this is a necessity for all areas where my expertise may be limited.
I don’t give a rip about special interests nor am I wanting to go to Jackson to make friends. I am a middle-aged man with a lot of business and leadership experience as well as law enforcement background and couldn’t care any less about what those with motives may have or think about me. This is part of the problem with our government today. That is one reason why I firmly believe we should elect someone with life experience and someone established as not to be easily persuaded by those with those agendas.
Jimmy Fondren
NO RESPONSE
David Carson Futch (defeated in primary)
NO RESPONSE
