What is your experience with K-12 public schools, personally and/or with your children or family?

My wife has nearly two decades of experience as a public school educator and is currently a school principal in the Clarksdale Public School District. Our daughter is a rising 4th grader at Kirkpatrick Health and Wellness Magnet School in Clarksdale, MS. I am a proud product of public education—attending grades 1–4 in the Coahoma County School District and grades 5–12 in the Greenville Public School District.

Do you agree that the Mississippi Student Funding Formula (MSFF) should be fully funded every year? If yes, what actions will you take to ensure full funding? If no, explain why.

Yes, I do. Fully funding the MSFF is essential for improving public education and moving our state forward. I will work in collaboration with like-minded legislators, regardless of political affiliation, to prioritize education funding and advocate for full, consistent support of the MSFF.

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 use my voice both to call out injustices in education and to highlight successes that deserve recognition. My experience over the last four years in philanthropy has focused on improving quality of life for Mississippians. Coupled with my previous service as a State Representative during the pandemic, I am committed to smart fiscal policy that ensures our state can provide essential services to all citizens.

Will you oppose vouchers that send taxpayer dollars to private schools, religious schools, home schools, or virtual schools? Why or why not?   

Yes, I will oppose vouchers that redirect taxpayer dollars to private, religious, home, or virtual schools. Public funds should remain in public schools, where they benefit all students and uphold accountability standards designed to serve the entire community.

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, I believe all schools receiving taxpayer dollars must be held to the same accountability standards as public schools. Taxpayers deserve transparency and assurance that their investments are yielding quality education, no matter the setting.

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? If yes, how will you accomplish full funding? If no, explain why.   

Yes, special education services should be fully funded every year. Every child deserves access to a quality education that meets their needs. I will advocate for prioritizing special education in the state budget and work with colleagues to ensure those funds are protected and allocated equitably.

Do you agree that Mississippi should provide high-quality early childhood education statewide?   

Yes, Mississippi should absolutely provide high-quality early childhood education statewide. Early learning sets the foundation for lifelong academic and social success and is one of the smartest investments we can make in our future.

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?   

From my work in philanthropy over the past four years, I’ve seen firsthand how wraparound service programs, such as afterschool programs and mental health services, can be a critical lifeline for students and families. These programs help alleviate stress, provide emotional support, and/or offer a safe space for children to grow. I’ll advocate for funding and expanding these types of supports as a way to address poverty and mental health challenges impacting our students.

In the 2022 Legislative Session, a significant teacher pay raise was passed, however the most recent national teacher salary surveys show that Mississippi is once again last in the nation in teacher pay. Do you support continued pay increases to ensure that Mississippi’s teacher salaries keep pace with inflation and salaries in our neighboring states?   

Yes, increasing teacher pay is a top priority in my campaign. I will work to raise teacher salaries to at least the national average. Additionally, I support expanding access to National Board Certification for Mississippi teachers, which not only improves instructional quality but also boosts pay for those who achieve it.

Do you agree that retired educators (and other retired state employees) should be able to draw their retirement while serving in the Legislature?   

Yes. Both of my parents are retired educators, and I would be deeply concerned if they, or anyone in their position, were discouraged from serving due to a rule that suspends their retirement benefits. We should be encouraging experienced public servants to contribute, not penalizing them.

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 have a child in public school, a wife working in public education, two parents who are retired public school educators, and a strong network of friends and colleagues in the field. I will continue to rely on this trusted circle, along with direct input from my community, to guide my decisions on education policy.

In the past, legislators have received tremendous pressure from the leaders of their chamber (House or Senate), state and party leaders, and corporate lobbyists to vote in ways that could contradict the will of their constituents and harm their communities. How would you respond to such pressure?

As I did during my previous service as a State Representative, I will always weigh the facts, listen to all sides, and make independent, informed decisions that reflect the needs and voices of my constituents, not political or corporate pressure.