A continuation of the PEER Committee’s evaluation of public education in Mississippi, this report’s purpose was to determine the effectiveness of the utilization of post-secondary educational resources. Other areas of concern included administration, governance, and finance at the state and local levels; curricula; costs; and faculty and facilities utilization. Of concern also was the compliance of these institutions and their governing boards with existing statutes in the area of operations.
The report noted that the Junior College Commission, along with the State Department of Education, was responsible for state level coordination and supervisory services. However, because of the problems in the statutory composition of the commission, the Committee recommended that the Legislature consider alternatives. To fulfill its statutory duties, the Junior College Division needed at least two additional employees and computer services. Further, the duties of the Director of the Division, also set by statute, created a potential conflict of interest.
Other findings-variance in salaries of comparable junior college administrators, instances of poor utilization of existing academic classrooms, increasingly expensive athletic programs-were detailed, and recommendations were made to correct them. In general, the Junior College Commission should exert more guidance and control over the junior college system.
For a paper copy of this report, contact PEER by telephone at 601-359-1226 or by e-mail at reports@peer.ms.gov.