Editorial Roundup: Mississippi

Recent editorials from Mississippi newspapers:

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Dec. 4

The (Columbus) Dispatch on coding programs in schools:

As so often seems to be the case, there is good news and bad news about how our state prepares its young people for the future.

The good news is that, for the past few years, there has been more talk about the need for preparing our children for the jobs of the future.

The bad news is we should have been talking about this about a decade sooner.

During the recent campaign season, candidates up and down the ballot, regardless of party affiliation, pushed for workforce development programs that put heavy emphasis on the new technology that is transforming the working landscape. Almost every job seems to require its own technological skill set. There’s a premium on those skills, many of which do not require a four-year degree.

Slowly, our state is at last beginning to recognize the importance of this type of training and appears to be taking the necessary steps to provide that training.

On Tuesday evening, a group of 12 Starkville High School students showed off their computer technology prowess as part of a pilot program sponsored by C Spire. The classes are a dual-enrollment program with East Mississippi Community College, with Mississippi State University providing the curriculum. With two years of high school classes and a year at EMCC, students can earn up to four Microsoft certifications and can work as a junior software developer, with an average starting salary of $70,000.

Since August, the students have learned the essentials -- HTML, CSS and an introduction to JavaScript.

The program is in place in 25 high schools throughout the state. Joe Wilson, the C Spire market manager for Starkville, said his company would like to start the program in every school district.

“We’d love to do this everywhere, but really, a lot of it is up to the districts,” he said. “They have to be ready, with instructors, equipment and the support before we can do this.”

We applaud the Starkville School District for providing the resources needed to accommodate this program, and C Spire for taking a leadership role. We encourage all our school districts to follow suit.

There are, at the present, 1,000 computer technology jobs in the state that are unfilled for a lack of qualified workers, said Wilson.

The sooner our schools prepare students for the jobs, the better.

Online: https://www.cdispatch.com/

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Dec. 4

The Greenwood Commonwealth on funding Mississippi schools:

State Auditor Shad White, in a report last month, gave the Mississippi Legislature a good way to justify this year’s pay raise for teachers in public schools.

White’s report, citing information from the 2006 to 2016 fiscal years, said Mississippi and its school districts have been spending comparatively less money “inside the classroom” than all Southern states except Texas and Oklahoma, along with Washington, D.C. This includes salaries and benefits for teachers and other instructional staff, classroom supplies and student transportation.

That also means Mississippi has been spending more money “outside the classroom” than 13 of the 16 Southern states. This is certainly a concern, but it’s not a complete surprise when you consider all the federal education dollars sent to a poor state such as Mississippi. The statistics may be affected by how much of this money is classified as classroom-related.

Using 2016 figures, White’s report said Mississippi spent about 71% of its education dollars on inside-the-classroom expenses. The Southern average of 16 states and D.C. that year was 73.5%, while the two top states, Maryland and Virginia, spent 77% of their money inside the classroom.

For a comparison with Mississippi’s immediate neighbors, Alabama is spending 72% of school money inside the classroom, Louisiana and Arkansas are spending 73%, and Tennessee is at 75%.

Three thoughts about all these numbers.

First, it’s not a surprise that Mississippi is near the bottom of yet another list. That’s what happens when you say that an adequate education deserves X number of dollars, but then trim 5% or 10% from that figure year after year.

Second, if there is a problem with White’s report, it’s that it does not include the three most recent fiscal years, since 2016 was the latest data available. Still, the broad point is valid: If Mississippi allocated as high a percentage of money to classroom expenses as Maryland, the Southern leader, it would add $250 million a year to classrooms.

As a comparison, the report noted that the state’s $1,500 teacher pay raise approved this year will cost $77 million. Expecting Mississippi to act like Maryland may be unrealistic, but the 2019 raise, and promises of more to come from incoming Gov. Tate Reeves and Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, should give a nice boost to Mississippi’s classroom spending percentage.

The final thought, of course, is whether the state and its school districts can do more to control outside-the-classroom spending. This includes salaries and benefits for administrators, principals and office staff, along with operations, maintenance and upkeep.

It’s hard to complain too loudly when 71% of Mississippi’s education dollars are being spent inside the classroom. However, it is fair to note that most other states in the South are doing a little better than Mississippi in this regard.

As of 2016, Mississippi’s classroom spending was about 2 percentage points behind the Southern average. Aiming for that average seems like a good target for now.

Online: https://www.gwcommonwealth.com/

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Dec. 1

The (Tupelo) Daily Journal on donating blood for the holidays:

Over the next few weeks, children will be shaking boxes under the Christmas tree to see what might be hidden away for them. Others will be attending Christmas parties and having the chance to stand under the mistletoe with someone special.

Despite being a time of joy and fellowship with family and friends, there will be accidents that injure drivers, passengers and others. Emergency care will be needed, and possibly units of blood. This time of year it is critical that hospitals have an adequate supply of blood on hand.

It is estimated that less than 38% of the population can give blood. For those who are healthy enough to donate, this is all the more reason. The statistics and what they mean are somewhat staggering. But it’s also something that nearly every one of us can and should do something about.

According to the Red Cross, there is a patient in need of blood every two seconds in the United States. It is essential for surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illness and traumatic injuries. And just one person making a blood donation can potentially save up to three lives.

But if you still need a little more motivation, Vitalant has something just for you, as reported by Daily Journal staff writer Michaela Gibson Morris. Donors who give blood now through Dec. 15 can receive a $25 Amazon gift card through the online rewards store. Donors can give at the Vitalant center on South Eason Boulevard in Tupelo or visit Vitalant.org to find a blood mobile.

No one should ever take this life-saving substance for granted. You never know when you may be the one in an emergency or operating room requiring blood to stay alive.

‘Tis the season of giving, and this gift can literally save someone’s life. You can help, and the cost will only be a few minutes of your time. There are a lot of gifts you can give this holiday season, but none greater than the gift of blood.

Online: https://www.djournal.com/