A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING PUBLIC EDUCATION AND THE LOUISVILLE MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DISTRICT 

Editor’s Note: The Winston County Board of Supervisors on Monday, December 1 unanimously approved a resolution affirming support for public education and the Louisville Municipal School District while opposing state proposals to expand voucher and other “school choice” programs. 

WHEREAS, the Winston County Board of Supervisors recognizes the fundamental importance of robust, accessible, and adequately funded public schools in providing educational opportunities for all children in our community; and 

WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi, through the work of the Mississippi Legislature, the Mississippi Department of Education, the State Board of Education, and local school boards, has established nationally recognized standards and measures for accountability in public education; and 

WHEREAS, the Louisville Municipal School District serves the children of our community with dedication and transparency, adhering to public accountability requirements including open budgets, compliance with open meetings and records laws, public reporting of student achievement, and accountability measures established by state and federal law; and 

WHEREAS, the Louisville Municipal School District represents a vital community institution, attracting young families, supporting economic development, and providing local educators with stable employment opportunities that strengthen our local economy; and 

WHEREAS, “school choice” initiatives – including vouchers, education savings accounts (ESAs), tax-credit scholarship programs, and tax credits for donations to private schools – redirect critical public funds away from local public school districts toward private, unaccountable education providers; and 

WHEREAS, private schools participating in voucher and ESA programs operate without the accountability standards required of public schools, including transparent budgeting, open meetings, standardized testing, and public reporting of student outcomes; and 

WHEREAS, such programs have not demonstrated reliable improvement in student outcomes and frequently result in lower academic performance when compared to traditional public schools; and 

WHEREAS, vouchers and choice programs grant choices to private schools rather than to students and parents, as private schools retain the authority to determine admission criteria, enrollment numbers, and which students they will accept or deny, and may dismiss students for reasons unavailable to public schools, and because private schools often charge tuition that exceeds voucher amounts, placing true “choice” beyond the reach of many families; and 

WHEREAS, vouchers and other private school choice programs divert critical public resources away from the students who need them most, reducing funds available for students who remain in public schools; and 

WHEREAS, the diversion of these resources undermines the financial viability of public school districts, threatening their ability to maintain educational quality, retain experienced teachers, and provide comprehensive services to all students; and 

WHEREAS, a strong public education system benefits the entire community by preparing an educated workforce, fostering informed citizenship, and promoting shared community values; 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Winston County Board of Supervisors affirms its support for public education and the Louisville Municipal School District; 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Board opposes voucher programs, education savings accounts, tax-credit scholarship programs, and other private school choice initiatives that undermine public education by diverting public resources to private, unaccountable institutions;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Board calls upon the Mississippi Legislature to reject such proposals and instead prioritize adequate and equitable funding for public schools that serve all children in our community; 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Louisville Municipal School District, the legislative delegation representing Winston County, and the State Superintendent of Education. 

ADOPTED this 1 day of December 2025 

Winston County Board of Supervisors