What is your experience with K-12 public schools, personally and/or with your children or family?
I have personal experience with Mississippi’s K-12 public schools through my children, grandchildren, and children in my care. I appreciate the work our teachers do, but I believe students need greater access to counselors, mental-health support, special education services, and resources that help every child succeed.

Do you agree that the Mississippi Student Funding Formula should be fully funded every year? If yes, what actions will you take to ensure full funding? If no, explain why.
Yes. I support providing the funding called for under Mississippi’s public-school funding formula. As a representative, I would carefully review education appropriations and work with educators, parents, and other legislators to make sure public schools have the resources necessary to educate our children.

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 carefully review the state budget and work to make responsible decisions about spending and revenue. My priorities would include education, infrastructure, public safety, health services, and programs that help families become productive and self-sufficient. I also believe we should support workforce development and economic growth that can strengthen Mississippi’s economy and tax base.

Will you oppose vouchers that send taxpayer dollars to private schools, religious schools, home schools, or virtual schools? Why or why not?
I believe our first responsibility is to make sure Mississippi’s public schools are properly funded and able to serve every child. Any proposal to use taxpayer dollars outside the public-school system should be carefully reviewed for its impact on public-school funding, student services, accountability, and taxpayers.

Do you agree that all K-12 schools that receive taxpayer dollars, including private voucher schools, should be open to the public and held accountable to taxpayers for the quality of education they provide, using the same accountability measures as public schools?
Yes. When taxpayer dollars are being used for education, I believe there should be transparency and accountability for how that money is spent and for the education students receive.

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. Children with disabilities deserve the services and support necessary for them to succeed. I would support adequate funding for special education and listen to parents, teachers, special-education professionals, and school districts about staffing, classroom resources, therapies, and other needs.

Do you agree that Mississippi should provide high-quality early childhood education statewide?
Yes. A child’s education begins long before high school. I support access to high-quality early childhood education so children across Mississippi can begin school prepared to learn, regardless of where they live or their family’s income.

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?
We have to address the whole child. I would support greater access to school counselors and mental-health services, early intervention, special education, affordable childcare, after-school programs, and partnerships with parents and community organizations. We also need to help families connect with employment and other resources that can reduce the pressures children bring with them into the classroom.

Do you support continued pay increases for public school teachers to ensure that Mississippi’s teacher salaries keep pace with inflation and salaries in our neighboring states?
Yes. I support competitive teacher pay and believe Mississippi should work to recruit and retain qualified educators. Teachers carry tremendous responsibility, and compensation should be reviewed as inflation and regional salaries change.

Do you agree that retired educators and other retired state employees should be able to draw their retirement while serving in the Legislature?
I believe qualified Mississippians should have a fair opportunity to serve in the Legislature. I would carefully review the retirement laws and financial implications and support a policy that is fair, transparent, and consistent for retired public employees.

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. That is very important to me. Before supporting legislation that affects public education, I want to listen to teachers, principals, superintendents, counselors, special-education professionals, parents, students, and community leaders. My commitment is to Listen. Learn. Work. I will not pretend to know everything; I will seek information from the people who work with our children every day.

In the past, legislators have received tremendous pressure from the leaders of their chamber, 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 listen to all sides, study the facts, and remember the people I was elected to represent. My decisions should be based on what I believe serves the people of my district and the State of Mississippi. I will ask questions, seek input from my constituents, and be transparent about my decisions.