| Magee Courier-Simpson County News

Governor Reeves endorses House’s INSPIRE Act to replace MAEP

Tue, 03/26/2024 - 03:41 PM

“We must fund students, not systems. And we must keep tax dollars where they are most impactful — in the classroom,” Governor Tate Reeves said on Monday.

Governor Tate Reeves threw his support behind the House’s effort to replace the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP) on Monday, saying in a social media post that the Investing in the Needs of Students to Prioritize, Impact and Reform Education Act, or INSPIRE, would fund students and not systems.

Cook named 21st President of Alcorn State University

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Tue, 03/26/2024 - 03:31 PM

Dr. Tracy Cook has served as the interim president since July 2023.

The 21st President of Alcorn State University was named by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning late last week.

Dr. Tracy M. Cook will begin officially serving in that role on April 1st, though he has been the interim president of the university since July 2023.

Senate seeks to replace end of course testing in Mississippi high schools

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Tue, 03/26/2024 - 03:21 PM

Alternatives suggested in the bill include the ACT and ACT WorkKeys.

A bill in the state Senate would replace the current system of using federal end of course testing in Mississippi high schools with a national testing option, such as the ACT.

University-wide focus on economic, workforce development at the heart of Southern Miss

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Tue, 03/26/2024 - 02:31 PM

Business columnist Phil Hardwick wraps up his three-part series on entrepreneurship and economic development efforts at Mississippi’s Big 3 universities by talking with Southern Miss Trent Lott Center Director Brian Henson.

In this three-part series, we focus on entrepreneurship and economic development programs at the state’s three major universities. 

‘An obvious desire:’ IHL names internal candidate new president of Alcorn State, citing campus support

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Sat, 03/23/2024 - 11:21 AM

The governing board of Mississippi’s public universities gave Alcorn State University’s interim president the full appointment on Thursday, forgoing a national search and marking the ninth time in 10 years the board has hired an internal candidate as a top leader.

In a press release, the Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees cited the campus support for Tracy Cook that was shared during listening sessions earlier this year as a reason for his appointment. The board did not hire a search firm, IHL confirmed to Mississippi Today.

The already difficult application working-class students in Mississippi must complete to receive college loans and grants could soon require an extra step. Credit: Eric J. Shelton, Mississippi Today/Report For America

College financial aid program designed to exclude Mississippi’s poorest students has helped children of millionaires

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Fri, 03/22/2024 - 12:41 AM

A Mississippi college financial aid program intended for the middle class has helped children of millionaires pay tuition.

But if the poorest students apply, they’ll be denied.

Magee Bicentennial committee seeking help

sfairchild

Thu, 03/21/2024 - 10:32 AM

The Magee Bicentennial committee is asking for help with identifying the Sanatorium employees seen in this photo. They are also asking for citizens to submit any old photos to be featured in the Bicentennial Celebration. For more information, contact Jean Allen at 601-842-3930. Bottom row L to R: Mardell Windham, Third from left Margie Tony; Back Row Fifth from left Christine Nichols, Sixth from left Gladys Jones.

Concerned parent Brandy Hickman addresses the school board with safety concerns for the students in the Simpson County School District and emphasized problems at Mendenhall Junior High.

SCSD questions Hub taxes

sfairchild

Wed, 03/20/2024 - 10:45 AM

At the Simpson County School Board meeting on March 14, Mark Hudson of Mendenhall High School was celebrated as the District Band Director of the Year, and the Magee Middle School Boys and Girls teams were honored as district basketball champs.
During board comments, member Stan Bulger expressed concern for the MS Hub project for natural gas that has existed in the county for years. He said the current owners are impeding the tax base of the property, which will have a negative effect on the county.

INSPIRE Act to provide $250 million more in education funding

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Wed, 03/20/2024 - 01:41 AM

Updated estimates from the House show the chamber’s proposed new K-12 funding formula could provide significant increases to schools.

Mississippi’s House of Representatives passed an appropriations bill Thursday that would provide a significant increase in K-12 education funding through the INSPIRE Act if the legislation can make it out of the Senate.

Auditor: Mississippi outside-the-classroom, administrative spending continues to rise

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Tue, 03/19/2024 - 11:51 PM

From 2006 to 2021, administrative spending in Mississippi grew by 6.51% while inside-the-classroom spending dropped by 7.76%.

As lawmakers continue to debate reforms to the Mississippi Adequate Education Program related to how public schools should be funded, a new report released this week from the State Auditor’s office says the Magnolia State continues to prioritize spending on administration over spending inside the classroom in its K-12 education system.

Too much spent on administration

sfairchild

Wed, 03/13/2024 - 12:35 PM

The Mississippi Legislature appears committed to making some changes this year to the way it funds the state’s K-12 public schools.

Presently, the House and Senate are far apart on how drastic those changes should be.

The House wants to scrap the current funding formula, the Mississippi Adequate Education Program, and replace it with one of its own devising. The Senate wants to keep MAEP in place but modify it.

Magee Star Teacher and Student 2024

sfairchild

Wed, 03/13/2024 - 09:45 AM

Congratulations to Magee High School’s STAR Student Logan Chapin. He was chosen by the MS Economic Council based on his Academic Excellence and score of a 28 on the ACT. Chapin chose Mr. Jeffery Sanford, Magee High Algebra I and ESports coach as Star Teacher.

Magee Lions Club

sfairchild

Wed, 03/13/2024 - 09:43 AM

Representative Price Wallace spoke to the Magee Lions Club Monday, updating the members on current state legislation.

Magee Lions Club

sfairchild

Wed, 03/13/2024 - 09:37 AM

Garrison Ashley, right, receives the Tommy Everett Scholarship from the Magee Lions Club Monday to attend Mississippi State University.

All 106 MSMS seniors receive full tuition scholarships to Southern Miss

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Tue, 03/12/2024 - 08:41 AM

Dr. Joe Paul, President of USM, called it “a strategic investment in Mississippi’s best and brightest.”

Students who graduate from the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science (MSMS) in May will receive an eight-semester award for full tuition to the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) with the requirement that they enroll for the fall 2024 semester.

Fight over how to fund public schools intensifies in Legislature

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Tue, 03/12/2024 - 07:51 AM

The divide between the Senate and the House over how to fund public education — specifically local school districts — intensified dramatically on Thursday, setting the stage for a potentially contentious remainder of the 2024 legislative session.

On Thursday, the Senate passed its public school funding plan with no senator voting no and two voting present. The Senate plan would update the long-standing Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP) that features an objective formula to determine the amount of money schools need for their basic operation.

Olson and Sanders: Mississippi can build on recent education wins this year

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Tue, 03/12/2024 - 07:41 AM

Below is an opinion column by David Olson and Nathan Sanders:

Mississippi is one of 15 states with a current ESA program and could be the eleventh state to offer universal school choice to all students within its borders.

House holds firm on INSPIRE Act as Senate passes MAEP changes

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Mon, 03/11/2024 - 12:11 PM

While Speaker White wants the Senate to seriously consider the House legislation, Senate Education Chairman DeBar says the INSPIRE Act lacks objectivity and accountability.

On Thursday, education funding bills remained a hot topic in the Magnolia State’s Capitol.

Accusations were levied in the House concerning the passage of the INSPIRE Act the day before while the Senate passed its own version of an education funding bill that tweak the current Mississippi Adequate Education Program, or MAEP funding formula .

Competing legislation to change Mississippi’s education funding model still alive in House, Senate

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Mon, 03/11/2024 - 11:51 AM

The proposed new INSPIRE Act in the House could add $240 million to K-12 funding while the Senate’s tweaks to MAEP could increase education spending by $210 million.

Two bills that would change the way Mississippi’s education funding system operates have survived the legislative deadline for committees to report out general bills. Another bill that could set up a form of public school choice gained some traction on Tuesday.

Tracy Harden, owner of Chuck’s Dairy Bar in Rolling Fork, told the Indianola Rotary Club this week her survival story from the March 24, 2023 tornado that destroyed her business and much of the small town. She is pictured, left, with Rotarian James Robertson.

Chuck’s Dairy Bar owner Tracy Harden reflects on a year of tragedy and triumph

editor1

Mon, 03/11/2024 - 11:11 AM

March 24, 2023 started out as a perfect day for Tracy Harden and her small Rolling Fork business, Chuck’s Dairy Bar.
The sun was shining. The wind was blowing briskly, and many area farmers around the south Delta town had planned to work past sundown, which meant they were ordering more food than usual from the restaurant.

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