Mississippi education leaders seek 8 percent budget increase

(AP) — Mississippi's public schools, community colleges and universities are asking for an additional $372 million in the budget year beginning July 1, even as House Appropriations Committee Chairman Herb Frierson said lagging state revenue makes large increases more unlikely than ever.

Education officials made budget presentations Tuesday to the House Appropriations Committee, cumulatively requesting an 8 percent increase over the $4.5 billion Mississippi is spending this year on schools from kindergarten through universities.

Lawmakers have long failed to meet funding levels that formulas call for them to give to K-12 schools and community colleges.

The formula was barely a footnote in state Superintendent Carey Wright's presentation, which focused on the idea that public schools are advancing academically statewide and that lawmakers should spend more to help the state Board of Education meet its goals.

Lawmakers have also pledged to fund Mississippi's 15 community colleges at a per-student rate halfway between funding for K-12 schools and universities.

Senate Bill 2162, authored by state Sen. Josh Harkins, a Flowood Republican, would replace the current five-member board, all appointed by Jackson Mayor Tony Yarber, with a nine-member board that would give Gov. Phil Bryant five appointments and Yarber only one.