A House committee took significant steps on Tuesday by moving forward with a bill that aims to redirect taxpayer dollars from public schools to private institutions. This action maintains momentum in a long-standing campaign championed by private school advocates and raises alarms among Democrats who worry that the bill might harm public educational facilities that cater to some of the state’s most disadvantaged youth.
House Education Chairman Rob Roberson managed to pass the bill after an hour-long discussion. He pushed the legislation through via a voice vote, circumventing a call for a recorded count of votes from Democrats. Although Roberson conceded that the bill might face stiff resistance in the Legislature before having any viable chance of being enacted, he emphasized the need to address the quality of education for students in underprivileged areas.
“The goal here is to keep discussing how we can assist the poorest of the poor students,” Roberson stated. He acknowledged the pressure Democrats might be feeling to oppose the bill but insisted that these discussions are crucial for the welfare of the children involved, regardless of any discomfort it may cause.
A spokesperson for House Speaker Jason White indicated that this bill forms part of a broader collection of educational reforms aligned with President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at promoting “school choice.”
Under the provisions of Roberson’s bill, students who have been enrolled in a district rated D or F within the last five years could utilize the state’s portion of the base student cost—funds typically allocated to their local public institution—to finance private school tuition. Moreover, students would be eligible for these funds only if they resided more than 30 miles from a district that was rated A or B willing to accept them.
However, the bill excludes coverage for transportation expenses, a factor that committee Democrats argue would further burden impoverished families. To insulate the legislation from legal challenges, the funds would be placed into an education scholarship account for each child.
The legality of education savings accounts in Mississippi is still a contentious issue. Critics argue that these accounts are unconstitutional as they facilitate the use of public funds for private education. Supporters counter by stating that the accounts do not directly finance private schools but instead give families the agency to choose their children’s educational venues.
Initially, the legislation includes an appropriation of $5 million in public funds, with future allocations needing to reflect the state Department of Education’s estimates concerning students attending private institutions that receive public dollars and the predicted number of eligible students willing to enroll in a private school.
Priority for funding would be given to students from families earning less than 138% of the federal poverty level, with remaining funds distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Students wishing to transfer to another public school must secure approval from the receiving district, which holds the power to deny admission on the basis of insufficient space.
Advocates of school choice assert that parents should have greater control over customizing their children’s education and that it is unjust for students to be confined to underperforming schools. Conversely, opponents argue that such policies would strip underfunded public schools of the necessary resources they need to operate effectively.
Rep. Cheikh Taylor, D-Starkville, expressed concerns that this bill would only intensify the divide between affluent and impoverished education systems. He predicted that the legislation would likely face legal challenges if enacted. “This bill will deepen educational disparities, and its constitutionality has not been adequately examined,” Taylor remarked.
In contrast, Roberson claimed that the educational divide is already a reality in Mississippi, where wealthier families often find ways to enroll their children in their chosen schools, whether public or private. He stated, “In reality, wealthy families have the options to send their kids anywhere they like, while underprivileged children are left to attend whatever remains.”
Debates surrounding school choice significantly overlap with discussions on race and class in education. Critics contend that such policies could contribute to the re-segregation of schools, while proponents maintain that high-performing districts may resist these measures to avoid admitting students from lower-income or minority backgrounds.
Roberson admitted that the Legislature may not be prepared to endorse comprehensive school choice initiatives. Furthermore, key figures such as Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann and various senators have not indicated support for the allocation of public funds to private schools. Senate Education Chairman Dennis DeBar expressed skepticism about even modest proposals to ease transfers among public schools.
The proposal has garnered substantial opposition from public education advocates, who claim that it lays the groundwork for an unconstitutional voucher initiative that would negatively impact all public educational institutions in the region. Erica Jones, Executive Director of the Mississippi Association of Educators, pointed out, “Even if the funds pass through parents before going to private schools, this still constitutes an unconstitutional action in our view.”
The bill now awaits a vote in the House.
