We have more than 1,000 public schools in Mississippi. While they may vary in size, grade levels and demographics, they all shoulder the incredible responsibility of helping Mississippi's boys and girls learn, grow and develop into caring, competent and contributing adults.
They depend on the Mississippi Board of Education and the State Superintendent of Education to inform the members of the Mississippi Legislature of their needs and help garner the state resources necessary to provide an excellent education to every child.
The process begins with the Legislative Budget Committee hearing, which was held last week in Jackson. We know that K-12 education makes up the largest segment of the general fund budget, but we are entrusted with preparing our future leaders, future business owners, future workers, future teachers and future parents. In short, we are the trustees of the future of our state. While we may be requesting a large increase in funding for the next fiscal year, Mississippi still falls behind other Southern states in terms of per pupil spending and teacher salaries.
The bulk of our request is for full funding of the Mississippi Adequate Education Program. The Mississippi Adequate Education Program was designed to provide the necessary resources to all school districts in an equitable manner. The required full funding level for MAEP is prescribed by Mississippi Code Section 37-151-7. Full funding of MAEP includes $9.2 million for Phase II of the expansion of the teacher salary schedule from 25 to 35 years as mandated by Senate Bill 2176 that was passed during the 2008 Legislative Session.
We are also requesting that the funds designated for Teacher Supply Funds and Public School Building Funds not be redirected to fund MAEP. A portion of the sales tax diversion into the Education Enhancement Fund has been redirected to fund MAEP for six of the last seven years and the public school building funds have also been redirected to fund MAEP for the last seven years. Because of this, districts have not had the resources needed for instructional supplies or the repairs and renovations needed by their schools.
MAEP, Teacher Supply Funds and Public School Building Funds are all requests that are determined by the law. The Mississippi Board of Education has also identified additional needs that can move education forward and make a substantial difference to our students and our state.
One of these additional needs is for High School Redesign. Redesigning Education for the 21st Century Workforce in Mississippi is a comprehensive initiative that will dramatically change the face of education in Mississippi.
During the last two Legislative Sessions, the Legislature has funded the initial pilot sites, the expansion of the program at those sites as well as additional sites. It is important that investing in this program continues until the program is implemented in all high schools in the state. Creating a better prepared work force will attract more business and industry to Mississippi. High School Redesign is one of the best economic development tools we have in this state. We have also requested funding for a teacher recruitment initiative and a teacher pay increase. The quality of the teacher is the classroom is the most important factor in improving education.
The State Board is focused on improving under-performing schools to ensure that all students have the opportunity to receive a world-class education. Additional resources are needed to provide assistance and, when necessary, impose sanctions to improve student learning outcomes at these schools, as mandated by Senate Bill 2666.
The mental development of children from birth to age 5 is a critical component of success in school, and we have requested funding for the Early Childhood Education Collaborative Grant, which was established in the Early Learning Collaborative Act of 2007 to foster collaboration among public schools, Head Start Centers and child care facilities. We have requested that the grant receive funding.