Tag Archives: schools

So, let’s change the title and create a task force, HB1431 gets a facelift…

14 Friday Feb 2025

Posted by in Accountability, Education, Educational Leadership, Leader, Leadership, Legislators, Public Schools, Purpose, School Choice, school consolidation, Teachers, Understanding

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Mississippi’s House Bill 1431 has undergone significant changes in the past week that have raised concerns among supporters of public school education…

Click the links to see the difference…
HB1431 (As Introduced)
HB1431 (As Passed the House) – “Task Force”

Originally, the bill mandated the consolidation of multiple school districts within a county into a single countywide district, aiming to streamline administrative functions and reduce costs. While this is not a bad idea, consolidation has many negative effects. However, the amended version, now newly titled “Education Efficiency Act,” establishes a task force to develop recommendations for such consolidations. On top of that, according to the Parents’ Campaign, the task force comprises approximately 20 members but includes only one designated public school representative. This is not to say that the original HB1431 had some merit, but now, this shift in focus not only waters down the supposed original intent but also leads to a misrepresentation of time and resources on taxpayer’s dollars.

What started as a “mandate” has now become a task force. Let’s just take a step backward… The initial version of HB 1431 sought to directly address administrative inefficiencies by consolidating school districts at the county level (see my blog from a few weeks ago: Educational Leadership Insights: Mississippi HB1431 and the Complexity of Consolidating School Districts). This approach was filled with the promise to reduce redundant administrative costs, allowing more funds to be allocated directly to classroom instruction and student services. But… an interesting quote was made by the House Education Chairman, who stated, “Some districts have to go away.” Did this quote lead to the amending of the bill?

Ok, so a task force is being formed… It will be seen as an imbalanced representation. The composition of the proposed task force is particularly troubling. As stated above, out of approximately 20 members, only one is a designated public school representative, the Mississippi Department of Education Superintendent. This must have been how the colonies felt before the Revolutionary War; little representation – talk about a lack of credibility and effectiveness. Educators, administrators, and other public school stakeholders possess invaluable insights into the daily ongoings of school districts. By excluding their perspectives, any task force risks developing recommendations that are disconnected from on-the-ground realities and will likely lead to ineffective or detrimental policies put in place by non-educators.

Not only does the task force have limited direct educational representation, but it will also be a waste of time and resources; forming a task force has to cost something… The state will incur costs related to meetings, research, and administrative support for the task force. Given the pressing needs within Mississippi’s education system, I can think of many different ways these resources could be better used to support public education.

Once again, true educational leadership requires making informed decisions prioritizing public school students’ well-being and success in Mississippi. By amending the bill and creating a task force model with inadequate representation from public education professionals, Mississippi’s legislators who support this are seen to be putting their own self-interests first and not listening to the people in the trenches every day fighting for public education to be better. What is the real need for HB1431? If it is for administrative efficiency, then change the administrative cap per district. If it is for the sole purpose of consolidation to help underperforming districts, then something else needs to be in the works; there is never a reason to punish school districts who are doing what they are supposed to do.

As you step into your role today, remember that you are not just an educator and leader but a shaper of the future. Your actions and decisions profoundly impact the lives of those you guide. Go, be the great educator and leader that our future needs.

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2025 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts? Follow me on… X @thebookchamber or follow the blog directly.

Sometimes, your voice is loud enough, but a motion for a roll call vote goes unheard… HB1433 goes to the floor…

07 Friday Feb 2025

Posted by in Accountability, Actions, Choice, Clarity, Decisions, Distance, Education, Educational Leadership, Expertise, Fair and Equitable Education, Intentions, Leader, Leadership, Learning, Legislators, Public Schools, Purpose, School Choice, Teachers, Trust, Truth

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In any democratic process, transparency and accountability are fundamental. When these principles are sidelined, the integrity of governance is at stake. This past Tuesday, a recent incident in the House Education Committee highlights a disturbing trend in educational leadership: the refusal to allow a roll call vote on HB1433, the House bill for school choice/vouchers. Special thanks go to various educational groups who were at the Capital this past Tuesday and were able to report to the public what transpired through their social media. The quotes and summaries are credited to The Parents’ Campaign and Toren Ballard.

The House Education Chair recently acknowledged that legislators had received an overwhelming response from their constituents regarding HB1433, a bill concerning public and private school choice. He stated that representatives had received “millions of phone calls and texts” opposing the bill. Despite this, he urged committee members to vote in favor of it.

What followed was a clear case of leadership disregarding democratic norms. When the bill was put to a voice vote, the nays were audibly in the majority. Yet, the Chairman moved the bill forward to the calendar for a floor vote. When committee members requested a roll call vote to formally acknowledge each legislator’s stance, he refused, simply stating, “We aren’t going to have a roll call vote today. I’m sorry.” My questions are, “Why? What are we afraid of?” There needs to be an answer…

This refusal has significant consequences… By not allowing a roll call vote, the public is denied the opportunity to know how their legislators voted in the committee process. Why would you not want votes acknowledged? Obviously, some legislators wanted their votes made public… This lack of transparency prevents constituents from holding their elected officials accountable. The public has a right to know whether their representatives represent their interests or follow party directives. Some legislators may argue that their votes will be counted on the floor, which is when it really counts. A vote is a vote regardless of whether it is in committee or on the floor.

The role of education committees is to ensure policies that shape the future of our schools are debated and decided upon fairly. If committee leadership disregards established procedures to push forward bills with minimal scrutiny, it sets a dangerous precedent. And this is a rabbit hole worth going down… The legislative process should not be manipulated to silence opposition or fast-track controversial measures.

The implications extend beyond HB1433. Other bills have passed out of committee for this session hurt public schools. What did those votes look like? So, are we at the point where legislators will ignore overwhelming public opposition and silence dissent in committee meetings? What other policies might be passed without proper oversight? This alone is a crucial reason for us to remain engaged, follow along with bills that will affect society and our interests, and demand that legislative bodies operate with integrity.

This incident also underscores the importance of continued civic engagement. Regardless of what side of the debate you are on, your voice matters. As HB1433 moves to the House floor, where votes will be officially recorded, it is imperative to keep advocating for transparency, accountability, and fairness in the legislative process. As I have previously written in other blogs, educators know more about education than legislators do.

The “need” to silence roll call votes is more than a procedural issue. It is a deliberate act of disrespect to the democracy for which we have representatives. If legislators cannot be held accountable for their votes, then the very foundation of democratic governance is at risk. It is time for educational leaders and the public to demand better from those who say they represent our educational interests.

But I will close with this… Thank you to the House members who voted no on HB1435 yesterday. We know who you are and greatly appreciate you standing up for public education.

As you step into your role today, remember that you are not just an educator and leader but a shaper of the future. Your actions and decisions profoundly impact the lives of those you guide. Go, be the great educator and leader that our future needs.

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2025 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts? Follow me on… X @thebookchamber or follow the blog directly.

Educational Leadership Insights: Mississippi HB1431 and the Complexity of Consolidating School Districts

31 Friday Jan 2025

Posted by in Decisions, Education, Educational Leadership, Fair and Equitable Education, Leader, Leadership, Legislators, Public Schools, Teachers

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Here’s the opening line to the summary of HB1431 – AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-7-103, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT FROM AND AFTER JULY 1, 2026, ALL MUNICIPAL SEPARATE, CONSOLIDATED, LINE CONSOLIDATED AND SPECIAL MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN EACH COUNTY SHALL BE ABOLISHED AND JOINED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE EFFICIENCY INTO A COUNTYWIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT WITH ONE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION AND ONE APPOINTED COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION;

You can read the full bill here: HB1431

In summary, Mississippi HB1431 proposes the consolidation of school districts to align with county boundaries. Why is this even a thought? Simply, it’s a move designed to reduce administrative costs. While cost efficiency is a valid concern, which I am all for, educational leadership demands a deeper look and an analysis of how this change would impact education quality, community identity, and student outcomes. Since when has a “one-size-fits-all” solution remotely addressed and helped solve the complexities of education.

Mississippi’s school districts are as diverse as the communities they serve, each with unique needs and priorities, and there is something to be said about that. By merging districts of each county into a single school district per county, the state risks diluting local engagement and eroding the strong community ties that often fuel educational success. This potential loss of community ties is not just a statistic; it’s a disruption to the fabric of society. Smaller districts are often more malleable, agile, and capable of addressing localized issues, from personally knowing students, building relationships with families, and supporting sports success to how the bus routes work. All of these are unique to both rural and urban schools. Centralizing administration may lead to a “one voice,” and “cookie-cutter” approach, potentially overlooking the specific needs of smaller, less influential communities. In many areas of Mississippi, the school district is the entire community, and that matters to people.

Another concern is the disruption caused by consolidation. Think about what would need to happen to merge school districts… budgets, realigning leadership structures, transportation, athletics, teacher loads, and integrating differing organizational cultures can create chaos that undermines the core mission of educating students. Research has shown that while consolidation might reduce administrative costs, it does not always translate to improved educational outcomes. A study examining Arkansas’s mandatory consolidation policy found that such mergers had either no effect or only small positive impacts on student achievement. Other research by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute concluded that consolidation efforts yielded negligible or modest gains in academic performance.

And, if administrative efficiency is a concern as to why consolidation is needed, then let’s lower the percentage of administrative costs per district. Currently, school districts are required to keep administrative costs under a cap of 5% of the district’s total operating budget. The state average percent of total administrative costs is 3.32%. Let’s pass a measure that reduces administrative costs to 3.5%. I don’t know what the savings would look like, but we might be talking about real money sooner or later. 

Leaders must also consider the human cost; some things you cannot put a price tag on… Consolidation could result in job losses for local administrators, faculty, and staff, creating economic ripple effects in small communities. Moreover, parents and students may feel disconnected from a distant central office, reducing trust and collaboration. Sometimes, things are just too big; it is refreshing to know that doors are always open, phone calls are answered, and people are on a first-name basis.

Cost-saving initiatives are necessary, but leadership requires balancing fiscal responsibility with a commitment to student success. Education should be fair and educatable rather than broad consolidation. I would say that no one likes to have a school that looks like a corporation. Innovative approaches should be explored in schools, putting their money toward students and not so much administration and collaboration. It’s a way to achieve sustainable, meaningful education improvements that respect our communities’ unique needs and priorities.

And the final thought? What happens to the mascots and the school names? Who gets to keep and who loses theirs. Now, that’s an issue people will fight over…

As you step into your role today, remember that you are not just an educator and leader but a shaper of the future. Your actions and decisions profoundly impact the lives of those you guide. Go, be the great educator and leader that our future needs.

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2025 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts? Follow me on… X @thebookchamber or follow the blog directly.

HB1433 Shows Desperation Breeds Dependence: The Hidden Costs of School Vouchers and School Choice on Mississippi Public Schools

24 Friday Jan 2025

Posted by in Accountability, Achievement Gap, Education, Educational Leadership, Fair and Equitable Education, Leader, Leadership, Legislators, School Choice, Teachers, Vouchers

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Word on the street is that HB1433, a bill for school voucher and school choice has been proposed… and You can read the entire bill here: HB1433IN . Thoughts?

Why is this important?

A quick Google search stated that right at 90% of students attend public schools in Mississippi. Many of these students come from low-income, rural, or underserved communities. HB1433 would take funds away from public schools, leaving them with fewer resources to meet the needs of their students. Also, HB1433 will allow students in a “D” or “F” school within the past five years to enroll in a higher-performing school, district, or accredited nonpublic school. If this is not a school choice and voucher bill, what is it? Taxpayer monies, base student costs, will travel to private schools. Also, HB1433 does not require private schools or nonpublic educational programs to adhere to the same accountability standards as public schools, such as standardized testing, financial transparency, or other admissions policies. This lack of oversight opens the door to misuse of funds and a widening achievement gap. And, here, I thought we were trying to close the achievement gap…

When people and organizations face struggles, desperation can lead to decisions that have lasting, unintended consequences. The increasing legislative push toward school vouchers and choice programs is a glaring example of the desperation Mississippi’s legislature is trying to bring to public education. These programs are being “thrown out there” as solutions to solve education challenges. But they often make matters worse for the very problems they claim to solve.

Desperation arises when public schools face chronic underfunding, crumbling infrastructure, and teacher shortages. Instead of addressing these root issues, voucher and choice systems redirect resources, leaving public schools with fewer funds to serve the majority of students. Mississippi public schools cannot afford this erosion of its public education system.

Voucher programs create a dependence on private institutions and higher-performing school districts. While public schools serve ALL in their zone freely, many private schools have admission requirements. Also, what happens to those from low-income families who cannot afford additional costs beyond the voucher amount. This selective enrollment leaves public schools with the most challenging and costly-to-serve students, further stretching their already limited resources.

Vouchers weaken the social contract that binds communities together. Public schools are more than educational institutions; they are cornerstones of neighborhoods, fostering unity and shared responsibility. When resources are siphoned, little by little, off to private schools, the public system loses funding and the collective investment of parents, teachers, and leaders.

Mississippi’s public schools need more than lip service and legislative organizational support; they do not need a patchwork solution that leaves them even more vulnerable. True leadership requires addressing the systemic challenges head-on: equitable funding, better teacher pay, and meaningful reforms. We, school leaders and the MS legislature, need to strengthen public schools to ensure a brighter future for every child, not just a select few. HB1433 will cause more harm than good.

As you step into your role today, remember that you are not just an educator and leader but a shaper of the future. Your actions and decisions profoundly impact the lives of those you guide. Go, be the great educator and leader that our future needs.

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2025 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts? Follow me on… X @thebookchamber or follow the blog directly.