This is a call for action. You may be aware that two distinct ideas about how to “fully fund” Mississippi’s public schools are alive in the Legislature. 

Senate Bill 2332 is similar to the measure proposed last year which aims to edit the current MAEP funding formula to make it more sustainable and reliable. House Bill 1452, creates a new formula for funding our public schools. 

These measures are currently in the opposing chambers’ Education Committees and must be voted out of committee by April 2 or they will die. 

Most importantly, we want to make sure that the actions we support through Raise Mississippi are under consideration and will survive the session. Fully funding our schools is our number one goal. 

FEEL FREE TO SHARE OUR MESSAGE WITH your friends, family, and church members, too! 

^{The Mississippi Association of Educators is a non-partisan organization devoted to making sure that Mississippi's students have the best opportunity to succeed to their highest potential in life through a solid, safe, and supportive public education. It is the organizing association for the Raise Mississippi effort.}

As educators, we know that the decisions made by our elected officials directly affect what happens in our public schools, classrooms, and communities.

It is our responsibility to help make sure that the folks who are elected have Mississippi's public education system success at the top of their to-do lists.

Want help identifying champions of public education on your ballot? See our full list of endorsements here.

Whether you're a parent, a business owner, an educator, a member of the faith community, a neighbor, or an elected official, it will take all of us raising our voices and working together to ensure that Mississippi's public schools are strong so that all students who graduate from them are prepared to succeed to their highest potential, right here at home.

Raise Mississippi is a vision for strong public schools in every community across Mississippi to ensure our students today become the skilled workforce of tomorrow and remain lifelong Mississippians.

Our vision for the schools that serve 90% of students in Mississippi include:

• Access to a broad range of in-school support that includes school nurses, librarians, counselors, art and music teachers, and support staff who help every student thrive. 
• Classrooms equipped with up-to-date technology, books, and learning materials that prepare students to compete in a global economy. 
• Nutritious meals and health services that enhance whole-student wellness.
• Safe, clean, and modern school buildings. 
• The best and brightest educators and school staff in every school, all of whom are paid a competitive, living wage.

Please join our movement to Raise Mississippi. Together, we can raise our children, raise our public schools, raise our state and local economy, and raise our shared quality of life. Stronger schools today mean a stronger Mississippi tomorrow.

^{The Mississippi Association of Educators is a non-partisan organization devoted to making sure that Mississippi's students have the best opportunity to succeed to their highest potential in life through a solid, safe, and supportive public education. It is the organizing association for the Raise Mississippi effort.}

WE WON!  

We spoke up. Legislators listened. The Mississippi Legislature has approved an additional $100 million dollars to fund the schools our students deserve.

Together we're stronger. Together we're heard. This happened because thousands of educators came together to raise our collective voice for our students. When we speak together with one voice, we can make changes to improve the lives of our students and our community.

WE'VE GOT MORE WORK TO DO.

School districts will be deciding how to prioritize and spend the additional funding soon.

As educators, we know what's best for our schools. That's why we're coming together again—this time to tell district leaders what should be prioritized and how the additional school funding should be spent. 

Need examples of how the additional funding can help your students?

• More instructional materials for hands-on learning and updated technology for student use  

• The upkeep and repair of your classrooms, schools, and facilities  

• Additional funding for school programs like art and music education, vocational education, and gifted/special education  

• Resources to maintain and purchase school buses and meet other transportation needs  

• Ensure high-quality educator recruitment and retention through educator pay and benefits

Stronger schools mean a stronger Mississippi.

By adding my name to this petition, I join thousands of other Mississippians who stand together in support of our public schools. I support educators, parents, community members and leaders, and elected officials working together to ensure our students succeed to their highest potential in safe, fully-resourced public schools. Like others, I know our future depends on strong, vibrant, thriving public schools, and I am ready to help ensure this vision becomes a reality across Mississippi.