Legislation that allows charter schools in some Mississippi public school districts is advancing through the state legislature, though its fate is uncertain.

The Mississippi Senate passed the House version of a charter school bill last week, the same day the Senate version of the bill died in the House chamber, according to press reports.
Mississippi is infamous for poor student test scores, and supporters of charter schools are pushing to create another opportunity for students.   

Charter schools are a “very simple tool” for public education, said District 10 Rep. Nolan Mettetal, who has voted for charter school legislation in the House.

There has been vocal opposition to allowing charter schools, but their operation would give students another choice in “D” and “F” school districts, he said.

Much like students’ test scores, public school districts are currently graded annually from “A” to “F” by the Miss. Department of Education. South Panola is a “C” and North Panola is an “F.”
Mettetal, a Republican, likened charter schools to home schooling, which he said he also supports. “It’s about having choices,” he said.

District 11 State Sen. Steve Hale said he has voted against the Senate bill and instead prefers language in the House version.

“The main reason is that the Senate version doesn’t allow school boards in ‘C’ districts to veto charter schools,” Hale explained.

The House version gives veto power to school boards in districts with “A”, “B”, and “C” ratings, Hale noted.

Hale, a Democrat, said he also opposed for-profit charter schools and allowing students to cross district lines, which are both allowed in the Senate version.

“I don’t want to mislead anyone and I say I would definitely vote for the House version,” Hale said. “But I can say I’m more agreeable to the House version.”

Asked about for-profit charter schools, Mettetal said he, too, supported non-profits over for-profit schools.

“That has been an issue,” Mettetal said. “I’m not for making money out of education.”

The House bill would limit the Miss. Department of Education to allow a maximum of 15 charter schools per year, Mettetal also said.