The Mississippi Economic Council on Wednesday brought its traveling road show to McComb, one of 26 towns on a “marathon tour” promoting education and economic development.
Blake Wilson, president and chief executive officer of the state chamber of commerce, presented an hour-long program at the regular meeting of the McComb Rotary Club. Also in attendance were members of the McComb Kiwanis Club and several elected officials.
The MEC is partnering with other organizations in promoting early childhood education, dropout prevention, teacher retention, workforce development, economic development, improved competiveness and healthy lifestyles.
Wilson presented recorded interviews with business and political leaders, including Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann and State Superintendent of Education Hank Bounds, addressing the issues.
Bounds said “whatever the question is, the answer is education” in stressing the need for early childhood education and dropout prevention.
Wilson said Mississippi is one of just 13 states that doesn’t put significant money into pre-kindergarten education, but the state has a tremendous network of private pre-kindergarten day care centers and Head Starts funded by federal dollars.
One approach to early childhood education would be to improve the effectiveness of programs already funded privately or by the federal government, he said.
Another education issue MEC is considering is increasing the years teachers must work before retirement from 25 to 30.
Too many are retiring early, some as young as 47, and going to other states or private academies, Wilson said.
The MEC is advocating increasing the tenure of new teachers — not those already in the system — and paying them more on the front end to attract more teachers, Wilson said.
