Press Release

Share Tweet Share (JACKSON, MS, September 22, 2023) Parents for Public Schools (PPS) is pleased to announce a three-year, $550,000 grant received from founder and supporter, Dick Molpus. The grant focuses on the long-term sustainability of the organization by providing funds to add a staff member focused on development and fundraising. Additional funding will strengthen PPS’ national infrastructure and initiatives as well as its chapters’ work across the nation. Further, this grant will aid in building the organization’s capacity to continue its advocacy on behalf of the nation’s public schools. Joann Mickens, Executive Director of PPS, stated: “We are honored that our...

Share Tweet Share (JACKSON, MS, September 22, 2023) Parents for Public Schools (PPS) is pleased to announce the appointment of five new directors to its national board: Cindy Arriagada, Executive Director Assistant, NC Foundation for Public School Children; Stephen Brooks, Ed Foundation CEO, Alameda County Office of Education; Karen Harrington, Director of Student Services, Pitt County Schools (NC); Andrea Jones-Davis, Director of Course Gateway, Educause; and Thomas Reynolds, Attorney and Mississippi State Representative. In commenting on the new appointments, PPS National Executive Director Joann Mickens stated, "We are privileged to have these excellent volunteer leaders join us as we look...

Share Tweet Share (JACKSON, MS, June 27, 2023) Parents for Public Schools (PPS) has been awarded a $45,000 grant from the Elias Foundation. The Foundation’s sole mission is to promote a more equitable and progressive society by supporting the development of emerging grassroots leaders and their organizations. The Elias Foundation has created a fund in honor of Lutonya Russell-Humes who is currently serving as the treasurer of the PPS National Board of Directors. PPS is pleased to be a recipient of a grant from that fund and sincerely thanks Ms. Russell-Humes for her support. The grant will be disbursed over...

Share Tweet Share (JACKSON, MS, February 3, 2023) Parents for Public Schools® was recently awarded a sponsorship from Amerigroup, a trusted health insurance provider that offers Medicare and Medicaid coverage. The $25,000 sponsorship will allow PPS to partner with public schools throughout Mississippi to improve health outcomes for students.  Due to this funding, PPS will develop a workshop focusing on the connection between healthy students and academic outcomes. Of this sponsorship, PPS National Executive Director, Joann Mickens, stated, “We are truly appreciative of the support we continue to receive from Amerigroup, a valued partner that has sponsored our work in...

Share Tweet Share (JACKSON, MS, January 25, 2022) Parents for Public Schools® (PPS) has officially announced Kylene Dibble as its new Director of Chapter Services. Having served as the Executive Director of Parents for Public Schools of Pitt County for more than 7 years, Kylene’s knowledge of public schools and connection to PPS will serve her greatly as a member of the National Office Staff. As the Director of Chapter Services, Kylene will be responsible for providing support and assistance to PPS chapters. She will also assist in managing the process of chapter creation and development. Additionally, she will work...

Share Tweet Share (JACKSON, MS October 13, 2022) On Thursday, Hinds County Chancery Court Judge Crystal Wise Martin ruled that a recent law which would allocate $10 million of federal pandemic relief money to infrastructure grants for private schools is unconstitutional. This ruling by Judge Martin is a major victory for Parents for Public Schools, a national organization based in Mississippi with chapters in several states. Parents for Public Schools (PPS), represented by The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)-Mississippi, Democracy Forward, and the Mississippi Center for Justice, filed a complaint in June petitioning the court to prevent the State from...

Share Tweet Share (JACKSON, MS, June 15, 2022) Today, Parents for Public Schools, Inc. (PPS), represented by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Mississippi, Mississippi Center for Justice, and Democracy Forward, filed a lawsuit to stop Mississippi state officials from using public money to fund private schools in violation of the Mississippi Constitution. The suit, filed in the Chancery Court of Hinds County, Mississippi, argues that the Mississippi Legislature violated Section 208 of the State Constitution by appropriating $10 million to private schools. The State Constitution requires that taxpayer money must be spent only on public “free schools.” Specifically,...

Share Tweet Share (JACKSON, MS, April 4, 2022) The National Office of Parents for Public Schools (PPS) is pleased to announce the newest member of its national staff, Ms. Martha Montufar. Martha joined the national staff in March 2022 and will serve as its Director of Programs and Training. As PPS continues its growth and expansion, Martha comes to the organization as a certified professional translator and helps to further expand our efforts of ensuring equity for public school families and students. As a result of her being both bilingual and biliterate in English and Spanish, PPS will be able...

Share Tweet Share (JACKSON, MS, Mar. 10, 2022) Parents for Public Schools San Francisco (PPS-SF) recently announced the acquisition of their newest team member, Executive Director Vanessa Marrero, and the National Office is pleased to also welcome her to the PPS network.  Marrero brings to PPS-SF knowledge, wisdom, and a commitment to ensure educational equity is always at the forefront of discourse and advocacy efforts. Her extensive career background includes over a decade of experience working within K-12 school districts, community colleges across California, and other organizations supporting education and student outcomes.  Additionally, Vanessa has received numerous awards, including a...

Share Tweet Share (JACKSON, MS, Feb. 23, 2022) Parents for Public Schools® (PPS), a national non-profit organization that works to increase parent engagement in public schools, will commemorate its 30th anniversary on Saturday, March 5th at 7:00 pm with a gala that will highlight its founding member, Dick Molpus, as well as showcase the accomplishments and ongoing work of the organization. The theme for this year’s anniversary celebration is “The Journey Continues with the Next Generation of Parent Voices.” The 30th anniversary festivities will begin with a pre-gala sponsorship event which will serve as an engaging experience for gala sponsors...