WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 286

Elementary professional school counselors; allocate funds under Mississippi Student Funding Formula for.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Omeria Scott

Mississippi bill allocates state education formula funding for elementary school counselor positions to ensure equitable mental health and academic support access across districts.

Died In Committee
#appropriationsa #education
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 286

Legislative bill overview

HB 286 proposes to allocate funding for elementary school professional counselors through Mississippi's Student Funding Formula, which determines how state education dollars are distributed to school districts. The bill would create a dedicated funding mechanism to support counselor positions at the elementary level, rather than leaving such positions to be funded through discretionary district budgets.

Why is this important

Elementary school counselors provide critical mental health support, academic guidance, and early intervention for behavioral issues during formative years. Dedicating formula funding ensures equitable access across districts regardless of local wealth, addressing potential disparities where poorer districts might otherwise lack counselor resources.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and budget priority: Adding counselor positions to the state funding formula represents a significant recurring expense that requires either new appropriations or reallocation from other education funding areas
  • Implementation feasibility: School districts may struggle to hire qualified counselors immediately, especially in rural areas, raising questions about whether funding would be utilized effectively
  • Formula design complexity: Determining appropriate funding levels per student, accounting for district size variations, and integrating counselors into the existing funding model requires careful technical structuring

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.