The Mississippi Senate Education Committee met outside of the Capitol Thursday. Chairman Videt Carmichael brought the group to Meridian's MSU Riley Center.

Carmichael acted on a suggestion by Mississippi's lieutenant governor. He also invited superintendents from Meridian, Lauderdale County, Enterprise and Quitman schools to speak to the panel.

"If there were some things that they felt like that they wanted to let us know, in a smaller atmosphere, so to speak, that they would feel more free to talk to us about it," said Carmichael.

Budget cuts have been ordered in most areas of state government, but public education is one that will see an increase overall.