Charter Schools Debated at Capitol
Lawmakers continue to debate whether to add charter schools to the state.
The House passed an amendment to Senate Bill 2293 called “Innovative School Act of 2010,” which would consolidate twelve school districts throughout the state.
House Education chairman, Cecil Brown, a Democrat, says this is a good alternative to creating a new charter school.
“If you start a new school district, and it’s a publicly funded school, like charter schools are, then you’re draining resources away from the existing school district, ” Brown said.
According to the Mississippi Department of Education, the state currently has fifty-three schools classified as ‘failing’, and an additional 158 that are considered ‘at risk’ of failing.
Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant, a Republican, says changing Mississippi’s current education system is long overdue.
WTOK
3/11/10
Magnolia Tribune
