MSBA Legislative Program

MSBA is the lobbying wing of Mississippi school boards at the State and Federal levels and assists school districts with their grassroots lobbying efforts at the local level. 

MISSION
To ensure that first and foremost the legislature adequately funds K-12 public education. Second, to ensure that the legislature enacts laws that support and do not hinder the efforts of public schools to provide a high quality education for every Mississippi child.

MSBA WILL
Work with legislators in an attempt to accomplish the above mission,  Recommend to its membership that its legislative program center on  four primary issues as identified through a survey of its membership, and Implement a legislative network concentrating on linking local school board members with their legislators in an effort to share the needs of the local school district(s) and to increase awareness of how legislation could impact the district(s).   

2022 Legislative Priorties

As determined by the Membership at the 2021 MSBA Delegate Assembly

1. Legislation to fully fund the public education funding formula.
2. Legislation further increasing teacher pay.
3. Legislation providing incentives to people majoring in education and/or people seeking an alternative route license.
4. Legislation requiring each local school board to formally adopt a code of conduct for board members.
   
   

2022 Association Positions

SUPPORT

1. Legislation increasing school board member compensation.
   
2. Legislation providing teacher incentives to remain in education.
   
3. Legislation changing the public education funding formula from average daily attendance to total enrollment.
   
4. Legislation creating a structured, statewide approach to quality early childhood education.
   
5. Legislation that would require all school board members to be elected.
   
6. Legislation that would allow for board members to be eligible for state insurance.
   
7. Reduce the amount of time spent testing.

OPPOSE

1. Legislation basing school board member salary on student enrollment.
2. Legislation restricting local control of school boards.
3. Legislation allowing public funds to be diverted from public schools to nonpublic, home, or virtual schools by means of vouchers, tuition tax credits, or scholarships.
4. Legislation allowing public charter schools in districts with successful accountability ratings of A, B, or C.