Association For Excellence In Education Awards Grants To Tupelo Schools

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Business and civic leaders from across Tupelo had an opportunity to see how a public-private partnership helps students and teachers.

The annual Association for Excellence in Education held its end of school year lunch at Parkway Elementary.

33 grants were awarded to teachers totaling more than $75,000.  The grants are provided by businesses and individuals.

“I really feel like this is what sets Tupelo apart, that folks in the private sector come together and raise funds to help these teachers do things in the classroom that they otherwise wouldn’t get to do,” said AEE President, Amy Tate.

“Some people think we’re spending a lot of money on education, I like to compare, we’re spending about $7,000 a year per student and $26,000  a year per prisoner in the state of Mississippi, I don’t know what the right figure is, but I know those two figures and at least there’s an opportunity to get a return on our investment with young people,” said State Sen. Chad McMahan, who was given the ‘JC Whitehead Advocate for Education Award’ during the lunch.

Some of the projects from recent AEE grants were on display at the luncheon.