JACKSON, Mississippi --Former Gov. Ronnie Musgrove is leading a group traveling Mississippi in the hopes of convincing school districts to join a lawsuit which, if successful, would force the state to repay some $1.5 billion it has shorted its public schools since 2008.
According to the Mississippi Association of Educators, since the state legislature last fully funded the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP) in 2008, it has underfunded schools by $1.5 billion -- funds which would have provided another 5,423 classroom teachers statewide.
Locally, the four Jackson County school districts have lost $259 million in that time -- money that would have provided another 95 teachers.
Mississippi public schools will be shorted $259 million by the state during the upcoming school year.
Those supporting the "Better Schools, Better Jobs" initiative, however, are pushing for a Constitutional amendment requiring the state legislature to fully fund the state's public schools.
They are actively seeking at least 110,000 signatures on a petition which would place the amendment on a ballot.
Supporters of the amendment are concerned that the lawsuit could blow a hole in the state's budget, anger lawmakers and give lawyers too much of the money if they won. They argue a constitutional guarantee of future adequate funding is better.
A spokesman for Musgrove, who was lieutenant governor when the funding formula was enacted, declined comment Friday. It appears only a handful of districts have signed up so far for the lawsuit.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.