NATCHEZ &045; Local administrators and public education supporters will join a coalition from across the state next week in Jackson to plead their case for the full funding of the Mississippi Adequate Education Act.

The Natchez branch of the Coalition for Children and Public Education, co-chaired statewide by former Gov. William Winter, met Thursday to discuss plans to get the community involved.

The state coalition has gathered a petition for full funding with 100,000 plus names on it. The petition will be presented when the groups converge at the Capitol Tuesday.

A press conference is slated to start at 10:30 a.m. at the Capitol. The Natchez coalition is providing free transportation and a sack lunch to 40-45 people. The district will take an air-conditioned school bus to the conference. Any community member interested in going can contact the district press office at 445-2835 by Monday at noon.

Superintendent Anthony Morris told committee members Thursday that it was important to support the coalition.

&uot;It’s going to be a really interesting legislative session,&uot; he said. &uot;Funding is an issue for everyone, and it’s probably going to be more aggressive than ever before.&uot;

MAEP, the state’s formula to provide the necessary funding so each school can reach midlevel accreditation standards, was not fully funded last year, leaving schools with $79 million less than they requested.

The Department of Education has asked for $2 billion just for MAEP.

Gov. Haley Barbour’s plan proposes $1.88 billion to fund teacher salaries and classroom needs.

The Legislature’s plan recommends $1.85 billion.

One of the coalition’s goals is to increase community understanding of the need for full funding, Morris said.

&uot;I really don’t think the community knows how serious this is,&uot; Public Relations Director Millicent Mayo said Thursday. &uot;The education we give our students is our future.&uot;

The Natchez-Adams School Board raised taxes last year in order to meet their budget, an increase they say was necessary without the money expected from the state.

&uot;If the same thing happens this coming year taxes will go up, they will definitely go up,&uot; Morris said.

&uot;We do a good job of stretching the funds, really beyond what we think we can do.&uot;

The Natchez branch of the coalition is composed of Morris, Mayo and representatives from the Parent Teacher Association, the business world, retired citizens and ministers.