What is your experience with K-12 public schools, personally and/or with your children or family?
I had five children to attend public schools. My daughter-in-law is a school assistant principal. I have two nieces that are teachers in public school also.

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, MSFF should be fully funded every year. My vote will be a yes vote for fully funding our public schools. I will fight diligently for our public schools.

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 vote the greater good for the greatest number of people.

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 for schools that are not public. Public tax dollars should go to public entities like schools, etc.

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, they should all be accountable.

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, by using all monies allocated for public school to include special education services.

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

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?   
Allocate funds to put educators in place to recognize these problems in our children.

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, to keep our teachers in our state, we should have continued pay increases to keep up with inflation and salaries in our neighboring states.

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

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 welcome the help.

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?
I will look the other way and vote for what is best for our public schools. I’m a strong supporter of public schools.