After years of political pressure and criticism for underfunding education in Mississippi, Governor Tate Reeves has signed a new legislation that will overhaul the state’s public school funding formula. The new plan, called the Mississippi Student Funding Formula, will replace the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP) which has been in place since 1997 but was fully funded only twice. The new formula is designed to allocate more funding to districts with students who require additional resources, such as those living in poverty, with special needs, or who are learning English as a second language.
The Mississippi Student Funding Formula aims to provide a boost in funding for districts with weaker local tax bases, ensuring that all students receive the resources they need to succeed. House Education Committee Chairman Rob Roberson, a Republican from Starkville, stated that the new formula will address the disparities in funding between districts and provide a more equitable distribution of resources. Sanford Johnson, the executive director of Teach Plus Mississippi, praised the new formula for being simpler and more flexible, allowing districts to make decisions on how to allocate funds to improve student outcomes.
The MAEP was based on a complex set of factors, including costs of instruction, administration, operation, and maintenance of schools, which many legislators found too cumbersome. Lawmakers often faced criticism for failing to fully fund MAEP, with this academic year being no exception as legislators fell short by nearly $176 million. On the other hand, legislative leaders believe that the new funding formula will inject approximately $217 million more into schools for the upcoming year compared to what was budgeted for MAEP in the current academic year.
Despite the increased funding projected under the new formula, the debate around school funding in Mississippi is not expected to end. Johnson noted that districts will still need to make strategic decisions on how to utilize the additional funds to improve student outcomes. While the Mississippi Student Funding Formula represents a significant shift in the state’s approach to education funding, it remains to be seen how effectively the new formula will address the challenges faced by schools in Mississippi and ensure that all students have access to high-quality education. The implementation of the new funding formula on July 1st will mark a new chapter in the state’s efforts to support its public school system.
