Vicksburg Warren board adopts resolution opposing school-choice vouchers

The Vicksburg Warren School District Board of Trustees on Nov. 20 adopted a resolution formally opposing state legislation that would divert public taxpayer funds to private schools and other school-choice mechanisms. Speaker 2 read the resolution during the meeting and the board approved it by voice vote.

The resolution, introduced and read aloud by Speaker 2, says the board "formally opposes any legislation that diverts public taxpayer funds to private schools, homeschooling subsidies, or other non-public education entities without holding them to the same accountability and transparent standards as public schools." It also opposes unfunded open-enrollment and transfer mandates and urges state leaders to prioritize full and stable funding of the Mississippi student funding formula and supports investments in special education and teacher recruitment.

Board members discussed what to do with the adopted resolution; Speaker 2 said the superintendent will transmit the resolution to the governor, legislative education committee chairs and the local Warren County legislative delegation and the district will post it publicly. The motion to adopt the resolution was moved, seconded and approved with an "Aye" from those present.

The resolution cites concerns that vouchers and similar proposals can create unpredictable enrollment fluctuations that complicate budgeting and staffing and that private schools are not subject to the same transparency and nondiscrimination requirements as public schools. The board's action places the district in alignment with several neighboring districts that have already recorded similar positions in their minutes.

The board took the vote during its regular meeting and then moved on to other agenda items; the superintendent was directed to transmit the resolution to state officials and post it on the district website.