This past Tuesday marked an important day for  voters in Mississippi. On Nov. 3, voters took to the polls to vote on Initiative 42. The initiative had been on the minds of politicians and patrons alike as commercials and billboards bombarded people with the messages of either voting for Initiative 42 or Initiative 42a. The vote shocked and upset many supporters of Initiative 42.

Initiative 42 was killed in the polls. The vote against it was 54 percent and the vote for it was 46 percent, according to The Clarion Ledger. The recent article in The Clarion Ledger showed mixed reviews about how the vote turned out. Many called it a power grab by those wanting more money but others called it an attempt to save the school system in Mississippi. The results will have a lasting effect on future K-12 students here in Mississippi. 

I was disappointed with the outcome of the vote. We should be disappointed that more people are not worried about the future of Mississippi, and disappointed that it took months of commercials and campaigns to get multiple people to pay attention to the state that education has become. Why is it such a problem to want to fund someone’s education? Why is it that we must fight an uphill battle to educate the next generation? I find it sickening, disgusting and atrocious that people do not care that students are not getting the education they deserve. Here are some statistics to paint a brighter picture. According to a 2015 article on www.pewresearch.org, “The U.S. ranked 27th in math and 20th in science.” That is an average rank compared to the other nations we fall behind.

The schools have not been properly funded in 18 years, so what makes you think all of a sudden the legislation will pass laws to adequately fund the schools of this state. Students K-12 are essentially being held hostage by politicians who have no vision for the future. We talk about economic growth and investing into the future. Kids in K-12 are the future leaders and citizens of America. The cycle will continue to worsen if children are not educated properly. Yes, I understand that one judge had the power to fund schools in Mississippi, but I would rather have one judge in Hinds county decide to fund the schools than allow another 18 years of improper funding for all schools in the state of Mississippi. 

Schools are falling apart, teachers are not being paid enough and books are probably not up-to-date in some school systems. Teachers should not have to pay out of pocket to properly fund a functioning classroom. Teachers ask for donations just to buy supplies for their kids to enjoy school and enjoy learning. K-12 students spend more time with their teachers than they do their parents, but still no one believes these teachers deserve more money. It is a shame that these things are an issue in a state that is ranked high in charitable giving.

For the future to be bright we need to increase the standards of our education system. Increase the money we give to the schools and just help those in need of an education out when trying to teach the next generation. If not, one day you wonder where it all went wrong. If you do not think students K-12 deserve a fair shot at an education and adequate funding for their schools, you are sadly misguided.