Rural school districts in Mississippi face dire financial strains after Congress failed to renew the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program funding. This funding is essential for education, roads, and emergency services. With $2.2 million distributed to Mississippi, educators like Jacqueline Brown emphasize the difficulty in attracting and retaining qualified teachers. The loss of SRS funding means significant budget cuts, leading to potential layoffs and reduced extracurricular activities. Education advocates warn that this situation exacerbates existing disparities, especially in underserved Black communities. Calls for equal access to educational resources are emphasized by leaders like Becky Pringle.
"Every student should have access and opportunities and resources, and it shouldn't be determined by the ZIP code... They can't have it all because they don't have the resources."
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