| Magee Courier-Simpson County News

Over $5 billion in K-12 education funding passed in the Mississippi House

Mon, 02/23/2026 - 10:22 AM

The Mississippi House has sent the Senate appropriations bills that seek to provide $5,000 in teacher pay raises as well as raising the base student cost nearly $500 per student, among other provisions.

Two appropriation bills were passed in the Mississippi House on Thursday concerning the state’s K-12 education system. Combined, the bills provide just over $5 billion in funding for education in Mississippi.

Cox: Why I am for all students, not just those in my public schools

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Mon, 02/23/2026 - 09:48 AM

Below is an opinion column by Laurie Cox:

Communities flourish when all their children can learn in an environment well-suited to their individual needs.

I am a former public school teacher of more than 30 years and a member of the school board in the Florida county where I live. Public schooling is in my blood; I am a product of our public schools and I’m very proud of the many, many students who’ve benefited from the public schools where I grew up and taught.

House Education Committee Chairman Rob Roberson, R-Starkville, presides over a committee meeting discussing House Bill 2 at the State Capitol, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Jackson. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today

Shy of special session, Mississippi school choice appears dead

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Thu, 02/19/2026 - 01:48 PM

The House Education Committee, in a five-minute meeting on Wednesday, passed two Senate education bills before its leader announced that the panel would not meet again this session.

That means that the last school choice measure standing before the Legislature, a bill that would make it easier for students to transfer between public school districts, would be dead.

House Education Committee kills all but two Senate education bills

brandonsup

Thu, 02/19/2026 - 09:48 AM

Neither of the bills dealt with education freedom. The House Education Chairman said he expected Wednesday’s committee meeting to be the last for this session but “that’s subject to change.”

During a House Education Committee meeting held Wednesday afternoon, Chairman State Rep. Rob Roberson (R) announced it would be their “last meeting.”

District will lose some Title I and fed funds

sfairchild

Tue, 02/17/2026 - 12:34 PM

The Simpson County School Board covered a full agenda during its recent meeting, recognizing board members, receiving construction updates, approving program changes, and reviewing federal funding allocations.
The meeting began with recognition of board members in honor of School Board Appreciation Week, acknowledging their service and commitment to the district.

Local Board of Education honored

sfairchild

Tue, 02/17/2026 - 12:32 PM

Members of the Simpson County School District Board of Education were honored during the district’s regularly scheduled board meeting on Thursday, February 12, in recognition of School Board Appreciation Week, observed statewide February 16-20.
A reception was held prior to the meeting, and principals from across the district presented gifts to honor the board members for their leadership and continued service to students, staff, and families.

Kids visit Mendenhall’s Little Free Library

sfairchild

Tue, 02/17/2026 - 12:31 PM

Conner, Emily, Ivy and Delilah browse selections from the Little Free Library at Alice Davis Park in downtown Mendenhall taking time this week to enjoy a good book outdoors.

Special session for education freedom reform “not off the table,” Speaker White says

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Tue, 02/17/2026 - 08:58 AM

Speaker Jason White called the 90-second Senate Education Committee hearing that killed HB 2 a “theatrical committee performance.”

While expressing frustration over the failure of school choice legislation this session, Speaker of the Mississippi House Jason White (R) said Monday that calling a special session to reconsider the bill is “not off the table.”

Senate Education Committee sends limited student transfer program, student felony arrest bills to floor

brandonsup

Fri, 02/13/2026 - 04:14 PM

Both bills are works in progress as lawmakers continue to move legislation out of committees for consideration.

The Mississippi Senate Education Committee passed two bills on Monday that could have far reaching implications.

One measure would create a small student transfer program for students in the lowest ranking school districts while a separate bill would mandate school districts receive notification within 24 hours of a student’s felony arrest.

Wall Street Journal slams Delbert Hosemann, Mississippi Senate for killing school choice

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Fri, 02/13/2026 - 04:10 PM

“Republicans should know better than to believe that miracles only happen when the government runs something.” In a stinging rebuke of the Senate’s decision to kill the popular conservative policy, The Wall Street Journal’s Editorial Board said Hosemann got the issue “exactly wrong.”

Mississippi bill could challenge Supreme Court’s ban on school prayer

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Fri, 02/13/2026 - 03:54 PM

The Mississippi House passed a bill Wednesday that would allow prayer during school, adding Mississippi to a list of states challenging the Supreme Court edict that church and state remain separate.

House Bill 1310 would mandate in state law that public schools provide students and employees with time to pray or read religious text during the school day.

Education freedom advocates continue their push for more choice for parents, students

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Fri, 02/13/2026 - 03:38 PM

National school choice advocate Corey DeAngelis urged Governor Tate Reeves to call a special session to handle the issue after the Senate killed the House bill.

Even though HB 2 died in the Senate Education Committee last week, supporters of education freedom are not giving up on their push to allow parents to find the best options for their child.

Speaker of the House Jason White speaks during the Mississippi Economic Council's annual Hobnob at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today

After Senate killed House’s main education measure, will House return the favor?

brandonsup

Fri, 02/13/2026 - 03:30 PM

House Speaker Jason White was not happy the Senate killed his expansive school choice bill, without even taking a full vote.

Now House leaders appear to be sending a message to the other chamber: Most of the education bills passed by the Senate have been sent to two committees in the House, or “double-referred,” a tactic often used to kill bills or delay their passage and overhaul them.

Simpson County School District Celebrates School Board Appreciation Week

sfairchild

Fri, 02/13/2026 - 01:36 PM

A reception was held prior to the meeting, and principals from across the district presented gifts to honor the board members for their leadership and continued service to students, staff, and families.

IHL board approves up to $10M on winter storm cleanup at Ole Miss

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Fri, 02/13/2026 - 12:50 PM

University of Mississippi officials are still assessing the full storm damage from Winter Storm Fern.

University of Mississippi leaders plan to spend up to $10 million on tree removal and other debris cleanup on the Oxford campus because of an ice storm that caused widespread damage in the northern part of the state.

House opts in to Mississippi Open to Religion Act, sending the measure to the Senate for consideration

brandonsup

Fri, 02/13/2026 - 12:22 PM

The measure would allow students to opt-in to pray and participate in religious activities while on public school grounds, so long as it does not affect instruction time.

A bill that would allow students to engage in prayer or other religious activities while attending school has passed in the Mississippi House of Representatives.

Opinion: Education Savings Accounts recognize a simple truth - No two students are the same

brandonsup

Thu, 02/12/2026 - 01:06 PM

Below is an opinion column by Samuel Gonzalez, Harry Williams, Thomas Waller, & JD Woodward:

Educational freedom is not about rejecting public education. It is about honoring the American belief that individuals flourish when given choice, responsibility, and opportunity.

Senate sends Financial Literacy Act, Civics education bills to House

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Thu, 02/12/2026 - 01:02 PM

Both bills aim to provide Mississippi’s students with valuable lessons in money management and how their government operates.

The Mississippi Senate passed two education bills late last week that aim to increase young people’s knowledge of finances and civics.

The J.P. Wilemon Jr. Financial Literacy Act, also known as SB 2483, would require all high school students to complete a half Carnegie unit course on financial literacy in order to graduate.

The Dixie National Wagon Train’s Mt. Olive Rid

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sfairchild

Tue, 02/10/2026 - 10:58 AM

The Dixie National Wagon Train’s Mt. Olive Ride makes its way through downtown Mendenhall, drawing smiles and waves as riders on horseback and in wagons continue the long-standing tradition of riding to the big rodeo.

All elected school board bill moves forward in Mississippi House

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Tue, 02/10/2026 - 08:42 AM

An adopted amendment to the bill added the ability for the public to remove members through a recall vote.

A bill that would require all school boards members to be elected in the state of Mississippi passed out of the House Education committee on Thursday. It was also amended to include a recall process for board members if the electorate decides the process is needed.

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