Miss. Code Ann. § 37-17-17 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 17-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-17-17
Status: in_force

(1) There is created the Mississippi Achievement School District for the purpose of transforming persistently failing public schools and districts throughout the state into quality educational institutions. The Mississippi Achievement School District shall be a statewide school district, separate and distinct from all other school districts but not confined to any specified geographic boundaries, and may be comprised of any public schools or school districts in the state which, during two (2) consecutive school years, are designated an “F” school or district by the State Board of Education under the accountability rating system or which have been persistently failing and chronically underperforming.

(2) The Mississippi Achievement School District shall be governed by the State Board of Education.

(3) The State Board of Education shall obtain suitable office space to serve as the administrative office of the school district.

(4) The State Board of Education shall select an individual to serve as superintendent of the Mississippi Achievement School District. The superintendent must be deemed by the board to be highly qualified with a demonstrable track record for producing results in a context relevant to that of Mississippi Achievement School District schools. The superintendent of the Mississippi Achievement School District shall exercise powers and duties that would afford significant autonomy but are bound by the governance of the State Board of Education.

(5)(a) Each public school or district in the state which, during each of two (2) consecutive school years or during two (2) of three (3) consecutive school years, receives an “F” designation by the State Board of Education under the accountability rating system or has been persistently failing as defined by the State Board of Education may be absorbed into and become a part of the Mississippi Achievement School District. All eligible public schools and districts shall be prioritized by the Mississippi Achievement School District according to criteria set by the Mississippi Achievement School District and publicized prior to the annual release of accountability rating data. The Mississippi Achievement School District shall takeover only the number of schools and districts for which it has the capacity to serve. The transfer of the school's/district's governance from the local school district to the Mississippi Achievement School District shall take effect upon the approval of the State Board of Education unless, in the sole determination of the Mississippi Achievement School District, the transition may be more smoothly accomplished through a gradual transfer of control. If the Mississippi Achievement School District elects not to assume complete control of a school or district immediately after that school receives an “F” designation during each of two (2) consecutive school years or during two (2) of the three (3) consecutive school years, the State Board of Education shall prescribe the process and timetable by which the school or district shall be absorbed; however, in no event may the transfer of the school or district to the Mississippi Achievement School District be completed later than the beginning of the school year next succeeding the year during which the school or district receives the “F” designation. School districts that are eligible to be absorbed by the Achievement School District, but are not absorbed due to the capacity of the Achievement School District, shall develop and implement a district improvement plan with prescriptive guidance and support from the Mississippi Department of Education, with the goal of helping the district improve student achievement. Failure of the school board, superintendent and school district staff to implement the plan with fidelity and participate in the activities provided as support by the department shall result in the school district retaining its eligibility for the Mississippi Achievement School District.

(b) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules and regulations governing the operation of the Mississippi Achievement School District.

(c) Designations assigned to schools or districts under the accountability rating system by the State Board of Education before the 2015-2016 school year may not be considered in determining whether a particular school or district is subject to being absorbed by the Mississippi Achievement School District. During the 2017-2018 school year, any school or district receiving an “F” designation after also being designated an “F” school or district in the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 school years may be absorbed immediately by the Mississippi Achievement School District, upon approval of the State Board of Education.

(d) The school district from which an “F” school or district is being absorbed must cooperate fully with the Mississippi Achievement School District and the State Board of Education in order to provide as smooth a transition as possible in the school's/district's governance and operations for the students enrolled in the school or district. Upon completion of the transfer of a school or district to the Mississippi Achievement School District, the school or district shall be governed by the rules, regulations, policies and procedures established by the State Board of Education specifically for the Mississippi Achievement School District, and the school or district shall no longer be under the purview of the school board of the local school district. In the event of the transfer of governance and operations of a school district, the State Board of Education shall abolish the district as prescribed in Section 37-17-13 .

(e) Upon the transfer of the school or school district to the Mississippi Achievement School District, the individual appointed by the State Board of Education to serve as superintendent for the Mississippi Achievement School District shall be responsible for the administration, management and operation of the school or school district, including the following activities: (i) approving or denying all financial obligations of the school or school district; (ii) approving or denying the employment, termination, nonrenewal and reassignment of all licensed and nonlicensed personnel; (iii) approving or denying contractual agreements and purchase orders; (iv) approving or denying all claim dockets and the issuance of checks; (v) supervising the day-to-day activities of the school or school district's staff in a manner which in the determination of the Mississippi Achievement School District will best suit the needs of the school or school district; (vi) approving or denying all athletic, band and other extracurricular activities and any matters related to those activities; (vii) honoring any reasonable financial commitment of the district being absorbed; and (viii) reporting periodically to the State Board of Education on the progress or lack of progress being made in the school or school district to improve the school or school district's impairments.

(f) Upon attaining and maintaining a school or district accountability rating of “C” or better under the State Department of Education's accountability rating system for five (5) consecutive years, the State Board of Education may decide to revert the absorbed school or district back to local governance, provided the school or school(s) in question are not conversion charter schools. “Local governance” may include a traditional school board model of governance or other new form of governance such as mayoral control, or other type of governance. The State Board of Education shall determine the best form of local governance and school board composition after soliciting the input of local citizens and shall outline a process for establishing the type of governance selected. The manner and timeline for reverting a school or district back to local control shall be at the discretion of the State School Board, but in no case shall it exceed five (5) years.

(6) The Superintendent of the Mississippi Achievement School District shall hire those persons to be employed as principals, teachers and noninstructional personnel in schools or districts absorbed into the Mississippi Achievement School District. Only highly qualified individuals having a demonstrable record of success may be selected by the superintendent for such positions in the Mississippi Achievement School District. The superintendent may choose to continue the employment of any person employed in an “F” rated school when the school or district is absorbed into the Mississippi Achievement School District; alternatively, the superintendent may elect not to offer continued employment to a person formerly employed at a school or district that is absorbed into the Mississippi Achievement School District. Any persons employed by the Mississippi Achievement School District shall not be subject to Sections 37-9-101 through 37-9-113 .

(7)(a) The Mississippi Achievement School District may use a school building and all facilities and property that is a part of a school and recognized as part of the facilities or assets of the school before it is absorbed into the Mississippi Achievement School District. In addition, the Mississippi Achievement School District shall have access to those additional facilities that typically were available to that school or district, its students, faculty and staff before its absorption by the Mississippi Achievement School District. Use of facilities by a school or district in the Mississippi Achievement School District must be unrestricted and free of charge. However, the Mississippi Achievement School District shall be responsible for providing routine maintenance and repairs necessary to maintain the facilities in as good a condition as when the right of use was acquired by the Mississippi Achievement School District. The Mississippi Achievement School District shall be responsible for paying all utilities at the facilities used for the absorbed school. Any fixtures, improvements and tangible assets added to a school building or facility by the Mississippi Achievement School District must remain at the school or district building or facility if the school or district is returned to local governance.

(b) The State Board of Education shall include in the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (5) of this section specific provisions addressing the rights and responsibilities of the Mississippi Achievement School District relating to the real and personal property of a school or district that is absorbed into the Mississippi Achievement School District.

(8)(a) The Mississippi Achievement School District shall certify annually to the State Board of Education in which a Mississippi Achievement School District school or district is located the number of students residing in the school district which are enrolled in that school or district.

(b) Whenever an increase in funding is requested by the school board for the support of schools within a particular school district absorbed into the Mississippi Achievement School District, the State Board of Education and the superintendent for the Mississippi Achievement School District shall hold a public meeting in the local municipality having jurisdiction of the absorbed school district to allow input of local residents on the matter, and subsequent to the conclusion of such meeting, the board of the Mississippi Achievement School District shall submit its request for ad valorem increase in dollars to the local governing authority having jurisdiction over the absorbed school district for approval of the request for increase in ad valorem tax effort. In a district in which a school or schools but not the entire district is absorbed into the Mississippi Achievement School District, the local school district shall pay directly to the Mississippi Achievement School District an amount for each student enrolled in that school equal to the ad valorem tax receipts and in-lieu payments received per pupil for the support of the local school district in which the student resides. The pro rata ad valorem receipts and in-lieu receipts to be transferred to the Mississippi Achievement School District shall include all levies for the support of the local school district under Sections 37-57-1 (local contribution to the education funding program) and 37-57-105 (school district operational levy) and may not include any taxes levied for the retirement of the local school district's bonded indebtedness or short-term notes or any taxes levied for the support of vocational-technical education programs, unless the school or schools absorbed include a high school at which vocational-technical education programs are offered. In no event may the payment exceed the pro rata amount of the local ad valorem payment to the education funding program under Section 37-57-1 for the school district in which the student resides. Payments made under this section by a school district to the Mississippi Achievement School District must be made before the expiration of three (3) business days after the funds are distributed to the local school district by the tax collector.

(c) If an entire school district is absorbed into the Mississippi Achievement School District, the tax collector shall pay the amounts as described in paragraph (b) of this subsection, with the exception that all funds should transfer, including taxes levied for the retirement of the local school district's bonded indebtedness or short-term notes and any taxes levied for the support of vocational-technical education programs. The Mississippi Achievement School District shall pay funds raised to retire the district's debts to the appropriate creditors on behalf of the former district.

(9)(a) The State Department of Education shall make payments to the Mississippi Achievement School District for each student in average daily membership at a Mississippi Achievement School District school equal to the state share of the education funding program payments for each student in average daily attendance at the local school district or former local school district in which that school is located. In calculating the local contribution for purposes of determining the state share of the education funding program payments, the department shall deduct the pro rata local contribution of the school district or former school district in which the student resides, to be determined as provided in Section 37-151-7(2)(a) .

(b) Payments made pursuant to this subsection by the State Department of Education must be made at the same time and in the same manner as education funding program payments are made to all other school districts under Sections 37-151-101 and 37-151-103 . Amounts payable to the Mississippi Achievement School District must be determined by the State Department of Education in the same manner that such amounts are calculated for all other school districts under the education funding program.

(10) The Mississippi Achievement School District shall be considered a local educational agency for the same purposes and to the same extent that all other school districts in the state are deemed local educational agencies under applicable federal laws.

(11) The Mississippi Achievement School District may receive donations or grants from any public or private source, including any federal funding that may be available to the school district or individual schools within the Mississippi Achievement School District.

(12) The Legislature may appropriate sufficient funding to the State Department of Education for the 2017 fiscal year for the specific purpose of funding the start-up, operational and any other required costs of the Mississippi Achievement School District during the 2017-2018 school year.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-405 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 7-405
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-405
Status: in_force

When any two (2) or more adjoining school districts shall desire and propose to join, unite and cooperate in the construction, erecting and equipping of a joint school building or for the joint operation of a school or other school facility which has been or may be constructed, erected or equipped wholly by one of such districts, as authorized by Section 37-7-403 , the school boards of all school districts concerned shall enter into an appropriate agreement as to the location and site of said school building, the manner of providing funds to defray the operating expenses thereof, the grades to be taught therein, the proportion or amount of funds for the construction, erecting and equipping of said school building to be paid or contributed by each district, the proportionate ownership of such building by each district, and all other material and pertinent considerations. In the event the school building or facility involved has been or is to be constructed, erected and equipped entirely by one of such districts, acting alone, the contract may provide that the entire ownership of the building and equipment therein shall be in the school district so constructing, erecting and equipping same.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-132-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 132-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-132-5
Status: in_force

A student teacher or intern under the supervision of a certificated teacher, principal, or other administrator shall have the protection of the laws accorded the certificated teacher, principal, or other administrator, and shall, while acting as such student teacher or intern, comply with all rules and regulations of the local board of education and observe all duties assigned certificated teachers.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-21-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 21-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-21-1
Status: in_force

It shall be the policy of this state that any person acting in the capacity of teacher, assistant teacher or teacher's aide shall possess certain educational qualifications in order to perform any of the functions, duties or powers of the same in early childhood education programs.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-59 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 153-59
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-59
Status: in_force

(1) There is established the Mississippi Health Sciences Training Infrastructure Grant Program, the purpose of which is to provide a reimbursable grant for primary care health sciences training infrastructure at any osteopathic medical school in Mississippi that is accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). This program shall be subject to the availability of funds appropriated by the Legislature using Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds made available under ARPA or any other funds appropriated by the Legislature.

(2) As used in this section, the following words have the meanings ascribed unless the context requires otherwise:

(a) “ Applicant ” means any osteopathic medical school in Mississippi that is accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).

(b) “ Health sciences training infrastructure ” means any infrastructure that is eligible under ARPA that assists with the training of health sciences students to increase their interest and encourage their pursuit of careers in primary care.

(3) On or before July 1, 2022, the office shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to administer the Mississippi Health Sciences Training Infrastructure Grant Program prescribed under this section, including application procedures and deadlines. The Department of Finance and Administration, Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management, is authorized and directed to advise the office regarding all such rules and regulations.

(4) The office shall receive applications submitted by the applicants, which shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(a) A detailed description and the cost of the health sciences training infrastructure requested;

(b) The number of students currently trained at the applicant's school that pursue graduate medical education in primary care;

(c) A certification that the health sciences training infrastructure meets the guidelines of ARPA and its implementing guidelines, guidance, rules, regulations and other criteria, as may be amended or supplemented from time to time, by the United States Department of the Treasury; and all applicable guidance issued by the department; and

(d) Any additional requirements set by the office.

(5) Applications shall be reviewed and scored by the office. The office shall certify that each application submitted is an allowable expense as defined in ARPA and all applicable guidance issued by the department. The Department of Finance and Administration, Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management, is authorized and directed to advise the office as to the estimated cost and eligibility of the projects. The office shall award the grants to the applicants based on what projects the office determines has the most significant impact on increasing student access to primary care training opportunities. A grant agreement shall be executed between the applicant and the office. All final awards will be determined at the discretion of the executive director of the office. Funds shall be made available to an applicant upon the execution of a grant agreement between the office and the approved applicants. The office shall provide these funds to the applicants on a reimbursable basis after receiving support for expenses and determining that they meet the grant award criteria.

(6) The applicant may be required to repay the State of Mississippi for any grant funds awarded not consistent with the guidelines of ARPA and its implementing guidelines, guidance, rules, regulations and other criteria, as may be amended or supplemented from time to time, by the United States Department of the Treasury, and all applicable guidance issued by the office.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-138-21 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 138-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-138-21
Status: in_force

(1) It shall be unlawful for an individual who does not possess a valid worker certificate to work as a worker on an asbestos project.

(2) It shall be unlawful for a contractor to employ a person as a worker on an asbestos project who does not possess a valid worker certificate in accordance with this section.

(3) To qualify for a worker certificate an individual shall:

(a) Satisfactorily complete a commission-approved training course for abatement workers, except that a worker training course approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency satisfactorily completed shall be sufficient to meet this requirement;

(b) Demonstrate to the satisfaction of the commission that the applicant is familiar with and is capable of complying fully with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations; and

(c) Provide written proof satisfactory to the commission, on forms prepared by the commission, of a physical examination by a physician licensed by the State Board of Medical Licensure or by a physician licensed to practice medicine in any other state approving the applicant to work on an asbestos project. Requirement (c) of subsection (3) shall be renewed every three (3) years. A chest X-ray is not required for either the initial or any renewal application.

(4) Any certificate issued by the commission pursuant to this section and requirements (a) and (b) of subsection (3) of this section shall be renewed on an annual basis.

(5) Applicants for a worker certificate shall submit to the commission, on forms prepared by the commission, an application for issuance or renewal of the certificate, whichever is applicable, and a certificate that shows satisfactory completion of training course(s) specified in subsection (3)(a) above and shall pay the applicable annual fee.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-109 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 65-109
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-109
Status: in_force

Upon or during any period of closure in accordance with the provisions of this article, any teacher or other employee affected thereby may be, by the board of trustees of such school district, placed in any other school within the district, or in a school or schools of another convenient district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-15-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 15-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-15-1
Status: in_force

The State Board of Education shall prepare and provide necessary forms for keeping permanent records and cumulative folders for each pupil in the public schools, including charter schools, of the state. In the permanent record and cumulative folders, the teachers and principals shall keep information concerning the pupil's date of birth, as verified by the documentation authorized in this section, record of attendance, grades and withdrawal from the school, including the date of any expulsion from the school and a description of the student's act or behavior resulting in the expulsion. The records also shall contain information pertaining to immunization and such other information as the State Board of Education may prescribe. The cumulative folder, in addition to that information maintained in the permanent records, also shall contain such other information as the State Board of Education shall prescribe. It shall be the responsibility of the person in charge of each school to enforce the requirement for evidence of the age of each pupil before enrollment. If the first prescribed evidence is not available, the next evidence obtainable in the order set forth below shall be accepted:

(a) A certified birth certificate;

(b) A duly attested transcript of a certificate of baptism showing the date of birth and place of baptism of the child, accompanied by an affidavit sworn to by a parent, grandparent or custodian;

(c) An insurance policy on the child's life which has been in force for at least two (2) years;

(d) A bona fide contemporary Bible record of the child's birth accompanied by an affidavit sworn to by the parent, grandparent or custodian;

(e) A passport or certificate of arrival in the United States showing the age of the child;

(f) A transcript of record of age shown in the child's school record of at least four (4) years prior to application, stating date of birth; or

(g) If none of these evidences can be produced, an affidavit of age sworn to by a parent, grandparent or custodian. Any child enrolling in kindergarten or Grade 1 shall present the required evidence of age upon enrollment. Any child in Grades 2 through 12 not in compliance at the end of sixty (60) days from enrollment shall be suspended until in compliance.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-71 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 27-71
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-71
Status: in_force

In any such case the board of trustees of such agricultural high school, by resolution or order, shall declare its intention to borrow any sum not in excess of the limitation fixed in Section 37-27-69 , and shall recite in said resolution or order with reasonable particulars the purpose for which said funds are to be borrowed, and shall fix a schedule of amounts and dates of maturities by which such loans shall be repaid. Such resolution or order shall be duly recorded in the permanent minutes of the board of trustees of such institution. All such loans shall be fully repaid within six (6) years, and they shall be evidenced by notes signed by the president and secretary of the board of trustees, which shall bear appropriate reference to the resolution or order of the board of trustees authorizing such loan. Such loan shall be retired in installments of not less than one-fifth (1/5) the amount thereof on the first day of April of the year next succeeding the date of such loan and an equal amount on the same date of each and every year thereafter until said loan is paid.

Notes issued in evidence of such loans shall bear interest at a rate of not to exceed four percent (4%) per annum, all interest payable semi-annually, and no such note shall be sold or negotiated by said institution for less than par and accrued interest. Funds received by such institution from the sale or negotiation of any such notes shall be paid into the treasury of the institution and disbursed as other funds thereof are disbursed, but for no other purpose than that authorized by Section 37-27-69 . Such notes shall be lithographed, or engraved, and printed in two (2) or more colors to prevent counterfeiting. Such notes shall bear the signature of the agricultural high school issuing the same, by the president and secretary of the board of trustees thereof. They shall be impressed with the seal of such institution. Interest coupons attached may bear the facsimile signatures of the aforesaid officers of the board of trustees. Before negotiation or sale and delivery thereof, said notes shall be registered in a book kept in the business office of such institution.

All indebtedness so created shall be paid from first funds derived from tax levies for maintenance and operation of said school coming into the treasury thereof and from fees, rentals and other charges as provided in Section 37-27-73 . In order to secure the prompt payment of any and all indebtedness, whether of principal or interest incurred hereunder, a special fund shall be established in the depository of the funds of said institution, the style of which shall be, “debt retirement fund of __________ agricultural high school,” and immediately upon receipt of the distribution of said first funds derived from such tax levies, annually hereafter in advance of the due date of each and every installment of said indebtedness, a sufficient sum from said taxes shall be paid into said special fund for the retirement of all principal and interest coming due within said year equal to the difference, if any, between such principal and interest and the amount collected from fees, rentals and other charges, as provided in Section 37-27-73 . Said debt retirement fund shall be used for no other purpose than for the payment of principal and interest of indebtedness incurred hereunder.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-75 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 115-75
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-75
Status: in_force

If any such county makes the contribution or donation as provided for in Section 37-115-69 , neither such donation nor any provisions of Sections 37-115-69 through 37-115-75 shall be held to give rise to any right of title, lien, encumbrance or other right in the buildings, facilities or equipment so constructed or acquired and installed by means of or with the aid of such contribution or donation or upon the site on which they are located. Neither shall such donation nor any provision of said sections give rise to any right or obligation on the part of such county with respect to the operation or maintenance of said educational facilities and equipment.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-15-39 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 15-39
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-15-39
Status: in_force

(1) The purpose of this section is to ensure that each student has a sufficient education for success after high school and that all students have equal access to a substantive and rigorous curriculum that is designed to challenge their minds and enhance their knowledge skill.

(2) The following words and phrases have the meanings ascribed in this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(a) “ Advanced placement course ” means any high school level preparatory course for a college advanced placement test that incorporates all topics specified by recognized advanced placement authorities on standards for a given subject area and is approved by recognized advanced placement authorities.

(b) “ Pre-advanced placement course ” means a middle, junior high or high school level course that specifically prepares students to enroll and participate in an advanced placement course.

(c) “ Vertical team ” means a group of educators from different grade levels in a given discipline working cooperatively to develop and implement a vertically aligned program aimed at helping students from diverse backgrounds acquire the academic skills necessary for success in the advanced placement program and other challenging course work.

(d) “ High concentration of low-income students ” means, when used with respect to a public school or school district, a public school or school district that serves a student population with fifty percent (50%) or more being low-income individuals ages five (5) through seventeen (17) years from a low-income family on the basis of: data on children eligible for the free or reduced price lunches under the National School Lunch Act; data on children in families receiving assistance under Part A of Title IV of the Social Security Act; data on children eligible to receive medical assistance under the Medicaid program under Title XIX of the Social Security Act; or an alternate method of identifying such children which combines or extrapolates that data.

(3) The State Board of Education shall establish clear, specific and challenging training guidelines that require teachers of advanced placement courses and teachers of pre-advanced placement courses to obtain a recognized advanced placement authority endorsed training. A teacher of an advanced placement or pre-advanced placement course, or both, must obtain the appropriate training.

(4)(a) In order to ensure that each student has a sufficient education for success after high school and that all students have equal access to a substantive and rigorous curriculum that is designed to challenge their minds and enhance their knowledge skill, school districts shall offer pre-advanced placement courses to prepare students for advanced placement course work.

(b) Subject to appropriation, funding shall be made available for the 2007-2008 school year so that all sophomores in Mississippi's public schools may take an examination that measures the students' ability to succeed in an advanced placement course. The State Department of Education shall seek federal funding through the Advanced Placement Incentive Grant Program and other available funding for this purpose. Funding efforts must be focused with an intent to carry out advanced placement and pre-advanced placement activities in school districts targeted as serving a high concentration of low-income students.

(c) The State Department of Education shall develop rules necessary for the implementation of advanced placement courses.

(5) Beginning with the 2007-2008 school year, all school districts must offer at least one (1) advanced placement course in each of the four (4) core areas of math, English, science and social studies, for a total offering of no less than four (4) advanced placement courses. The use of the state's online Advanced Placement Instructional Program is an appropriate alternative for the delivery of advanced placement courses.

Any public high school offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program is exempt from the requirements of this subsection. However, the school may participate in teacher training and program funding on the same basis as any high school offering advanced placement courses.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-141 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 23-141
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-141
Status: in_force

(1) The State Department of Education shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to establish a mediation system which, at a minimum, shall be available whenever a due process hearing under IDEA is requested. The mediation system shall allow parties the opportunity to resolve such disputes involving any matter relating to the identification, evaluation or educational placement of the child, or the provision of a free appropriate public education to such child.

(2) The State Department of Education shall ensure that the mediation process is:

(a) Voluntary on the part of the parties;

(b) Not used to deny or delay a parent's right to a due process hearing under IDEA or to deny any other rights afforded under IDEA; and

(c) Conducted by a qualified and impartial mediator who is trained in effective mediation techniques.

(3) The State Department of Education may establish procedures to require parents who choose not to use the mediation process to meet, at a time and location convenient to the parents, with a disinterested party who is under contract with a parent training and information center or community parent resource center in the state established under IDEA, or an appropriate alternative dispute resolution entity. The purpose of the meeting is to encourage the use, and explain the benefits, of the mediation process to the parents.

(4) The State Department of Education shall maintain a list of individuals who are qualified mediators and knowledgeable in laws and regulations relating to the provision of special education and related services.

(5) The state shall bear the cost of the mediation process, including the costs of all meetings described in this section.

(6) Each session in the mediation process shall be scheduled in a timely manner and shall be held in a location that is convenient to the parties in dispute.

(7) An agreement reached by the parties to the dispute in the mediation process shall be set forth in a written mediation agreement.

(8) Discussions that occur during the mediation process shall be confidential and may not be used as evidence in any subsequent due process hearings or civil proceedings and the parties to the mediation process may be required to sign a confidentiality pledge prior to the commencement of such process.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-51-21 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 51-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-51-21
Status: in_force

The amount of any loan made or granted to any applicant shall be reduced by a credit at the rate of one hundred dollars ($100.00) per annum for each year from and after five years from the initial date of the granting of said loan that applicant continues to reside in the State of Mississippi.

In addition, the amount of said loan shall be reduced by a credit at the rate of one hundred dollars ($100.00) per annum for each year that applicant continues his education at any junior college, college or university within the State of Mississippi after his graduation or termination from secondary school.

In addition, the amount of said loan shall be reduced by a credit at the rate of two hundred dollars ($200.00) per annum for each year that applicant resides within the state and teaches in any school system therein, beginning from the date of his certification or licensing by the state department of education to teach in any such system.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 13-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-3
Status: in_force

No doctrinal, sectarian or denominational teaching shall be permitted in public schools of this state. It shall be the duty of the county superintendents of education and the superintendents of municipal separate school districts to enforce the provisions of this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-131-13 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 131-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-131-13
Status: in_force

In order to carry into effect the right and authority granted in Sections 37-131-1 through 37-131-11 , authorizing demonstration and practice schools in connection with major state institutions of higher learning, the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning is hereby authorized to accept by donations, grants, cooperative agreements or otherwise, such sums of money as may be deemed necessary for the construction and maintenance of such demonstration and practice schools from whatever sources available, including agencies of the federal, state and county governments, the city of Starkville, Mississippi, private individuals, benevolent institutions or organizations, or any other available and legal source or sources.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-19 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 33-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-19
Status: in_force

Except as may be otherwise provided by law for the vocational rehabilitation of the blind, the state board, through the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, shall provide vocational rehabilitation services to eligible individuals with disabilities determined by the director to be eligible therefor, and in carrying out the purposes of the Vocational Rehabilitation Law, the office is authorized among other things:

(a) To cooperate with other departments, agencies and institutions, both public and private, in providing for the vocational rehabilitation of eligible individuals with disabilities, in studying the problems involved therein, and in establishing, developing and providing, in conformity with the purposes of that law, such programs, facilities and services as may be necessary or desirable;

(b) To conduct research and compile statistics relating to the vocational rehabilitation of eligible individuals with disabilities;

(c) To prescribe and provide such courses of vocational training as may be necessary for the vocational rehabilitation of eligible individuals with disabilities.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-159 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 101-159
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-159
Status: in_force

The consideration and proceeds derived or received from all oil, gas and mineral leases provided for in Section 37-101-153 , including, but not limited to bonuses, rentals, royalties and delay rentals, shall be paid to the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning for the use and benefit of the institution owning or having the use and benefit of the land from which said money was derived. All such money or funds shall be allocated to or used for the benefit of such institution or institutions.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-47-55 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 47-55
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-47-55
Status: in_force

The state treasurer shall keep a record in his office of the issuance of all bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter, and he shall execute a certificate to that effect on the back of each bond, which certificate may be signed by either the original or the facsimile signature of the state treasurer. The state treasurer shall also keep proper records relating to the sale and issuance of bonds under the provisions of this chapter, and the amounts received therefor and paid into the state treasury for the purposes provided in this chapter. He shall also keep a full and complete record of all registered bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-147-13 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 147-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-147-13
Status: in_force

The authority shall have the power to implement and further the purposes of the Mississippi University Research Authority Act including the power:

(a) To lease, sell, exchange or transfer to a university or university research corporation personal property, money or other assets on terms and conditions established by the authority which are fair, just and reasonable to the authority and the university involved and to enter into any other contract or agreement with the university research corporation or other private entity.

(b) To conduct, sponsor, finance and contract in connection with technological innovations of all kinds.

(c) To receive gifts, grants and donations of money, personal property or other assets of any kind from any source.

(d) To do anything else which the authority deems appropriate to further the purposes of the Mississippi University Research Authority Act.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-139-11 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 139-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-139-11
Status: in_force

For the operation and support of the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, the board is authorized and empowered to receive contributions, donations, gifts, bequests of money, other forms of financial assistance and/or property, equipment, materials or manpower from persons, foundations, trust funds, corporations, organizations and other sources, private or public, to be expended and utilized by said board in carrying out the provisions of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 104-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-7
Status: in_force

There is hereby created a body politic and corporate to be known as the “Mississippi Educational Facilities Authority for Private, Nonprofit Institutions of Higher Learning,” hereinafter referred to as “the Authority.” The Authority is constituted a public agency and instrumentality of the State of Mississippi and the exercise by the Authority of the powers conferred by this chapter shall be deemed and held to be the performance of an essential public function of the State of Mississippi. The administration of the powers and functions of the Authority shall be conducted by the State Bond Advisory Division, Office of the Governor, subject to the direction and approval of the members of the Authority.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-291 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 101-291
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-291
Status: in_force

(1) In order to help alleviate the problem of the shortage of health care professionals at the state health institutions, there is established a program of paid educational leave for the study of such health care professions as defined in Section 37-101-285 and licensed practical nursing by any employee who works at a state health institution and who declares an intention to work in such respective health care occupation in the same state health institution in which the employee was working when granted educational leave, for a minimum period of time after graduation.

(2) The paid educational leave program shall be administered by the respective state health institutions.

(3)(a) Within the limits of the funds available to a state health institution for such purpose, the institution may grant paid educational leave to those applicants deemed qualified therefor, upon such terms and conditions as it may impose and as provided for in this section.

(b) In order to be eligible for paid educational leave, an applicant must:

(i) Be working at a state health institution at the time of application;

(ii) Attend any college or school approved and designated by the state health institution; and

(iii) Agree to work in a health care profession as defined in Section 37-101-285 or as a licensed practical nurse in the same state health institution for a period of time equivalent to the period of time for which the applicant receives paid educational leave compensation, calculated to the nearest whole month, but in no event less than two (2) years.

(c)(i) Before being granted paid educational leave, each applicant shall enter into a contract with the state health institution, which shall be deemed a contract with the State of Mississippi, agreeing to the terms and conditions upon which the paid educational leave shall be granted to him. The contract shall include such terms and provisions necessary to carry out the full purpose and intent of this section. The form of such contract shall be prepared and approved by the Attorney General of this state, and shall be signed by the executive director of the respective state health institution and the recipient. If the recipient is a minor, his minority disabilities shall be removed by a chancery court of competent jurisdiction before the contract is signed.

(ii) The state health institution shall have the authority to cancel any contract made between it and any recipient for paid educational leave upon such cause being deemed sufficient by the executive director of such institution.

(iii) The state health institution is vested with full and complete authority and power to sue in its own name any recipient for any balance due the state on any such uncompleted contract, which suit shall be filed and handled by the Attorney General of the state. The state health institution may contract with a collection agency or banking institution, subject to approval by the Attorney General, for collection of any balance due the state from any recipient. The State of Mississippi, agencies of the state and the state health institution and its employees are immune from any suit brought in law or equity for actions taken by the collection agency or banking institution incidental to or arising from their performance under the contract. The state health institution, collection agency and banking institution may negotiate for the payment of a sum that is less than full payment in order to satisfy any balance the recipient owes the state, subject to approval by the facility director of the sponsoring facility within the state health institution.

(iv) Failure to meet the terms of an educational loan contract shall be grounds for revocation of the professional license which was earned through the paid educational leave compensation granted under this section.

(v) A finding by the sponsoring agency of a default by the recipient shall be a finding of unprofessional conduct and therefore, a basis for the revocation of the professional license which was obtained through the educational leave program. The finding also will be grounds for revocation of any license, as defined by Section 93-11-153 .

(vi) Notice of pending default status shall be mailed to the recipient at the last known address by the sponsoring agency.

(vii) The sponsoring agency shall conduct a hearing of pending default status, make a final determination, and issue an Order of Default, if appropriate.

(viii) Recipients may appear either personally or by counsel, or both, and produce and cross-examine witnesses or evidence in the recipient's behalf. The procedure of the hearing shall not be bound by the Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure and Evidence.

(ix) If a recipient is found to be in default, a copy of an Order of Default shall be forwarded to the appropriate licensing agency.

(x) Appeals from a finding of default by the sponsoring agency shall be to the Circuit Court of Hinds County. Actions taken by a licensing entity in revoking a license when required by this section are not actions from which an appeal may be taken under the general licensing and disciplinary provisions applicable to the licensing agency.

(xi) Rules and regulations governing hearing and other applicable matters shall be promulgated by the sponsoring agency.

(xii) A license which has been revoked pursuant to this statute shall be reinstated upon a showing of proof that the recipient is no longer in default.

(xiii) A finding by the sponsoring facility of educational leave default is a disciplinary action, not a collection action, and therefore shall not be affected by the recipient declaring bankruptcy.

(4)(a) Any recipient who is granted paid educational leave by a state health institution shall be compensated by the institution during the time the recipient is in school, at the rate of pay received by a nurse's aide employed at the respective state health institution. All educational leave compensation received by the recipient while in school shall be considered earned conditioned upon the fulfillment of the terms and obligations of the educational leave contract and this section. However, no recipient of full-time educational leave shall accrue personal or major medical leave while the recipient is on paid educational leave. Recipients of paid educational leave shall be responsible for their individual costs of tuition and books.

(b) Paid educational leave shall be granted only upon the following conditions:

(i) The recipient shall fulfill his or her obligation under the contract with the State of Mississippi by working as a professional in a health care profession defined in Section 37-101-285 or as a licensed practical nurse in a state health institution; a recipient sponsored by a health institution under the supervision of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health may fulfill his or her obligation under the contract with the State of Mississippi at another health institution under the supervision of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health with prior written approval of the Director of the Department of Mental Health institution with which he or she originally contracted for educational leave. The total compensation that the recipient was paid while on educational leave shall be considered as unconditionally earned on an annual pro rata basis for each year of service rendered under the educational leave contract as a health care professional in his respective state health institution.

(ii) If the recipient does not work as a professional in a health care profession as defined in Section 37-101-285 or as a licensed practical nurse in his respective state health institution for the period required under subsection (3)(b)(iii) of this section, the recipient shall be liable for repayment on demand of the remaining portion of the compensation that the recipient was paid while on paid educational leave which has not been unconditionally earned, with interest accruing at ten percent (10%) per annum from the recipient's date of graduation or the date that the recipient last worked at that state health institution, whichever is the later date. In addition, there shall be included in any contract for paid educational leave a provision for liquidated damages equal to Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) which may be reduced on a pro rata basis for each year served under such contract.

(iii) If any recipient fails or withdraws from school at any time before completing his or her health care training, the recipient shall be liable for repayment on demand of the amount of the total compensation that the recipient was paid while on paid educational leave, with interest accruing at ten percent (10%) per annum from the date the recipient failed or withdrew from school. However, the recipient shall not be liable for liquidated damages, and if the recipient returns to work in the same position held in the same state health institution prior to accepting educational leave, the recipient shall not be liable for payment of any interest on the amount owed.

(iv) The issuance and renewal of the professional license required to work in a health care profession as defined in Section 37-101-285 for which the educational leave was granted shall be contingent upon the repayment of the total compensation that the recipient received while on paid educational leave. No license shall be granted until a contract for repayment is executed. No license shall be renewed without proof of an existing contract which is not in default. Failure to meet the terms of an educational loan contract shall be grounds for revocation of the professional license which was earned through the paid educational leave compensation granted under this section. Any person who receives any amount of paid educational leave compensation while in school and subsequently receives a professional license shall be deemed to have earned the professional license through paid educational leave.

(v) The obligations of educational leave recipients under contracts entered into before July 1, 2002, shall remain unchanged. However, state health institutions may use the collection or license revocation provisions of this section to collect money owed under all educational leave contracts, regardless of when those contracts were executed.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-159-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 159-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-159-7
Status: in_force

The school board of any school district situated within a geographical area of the state where there exists a critical shortage of teachers, as designated by the State Board of Education, in its discretion, may reimburse persons who interview for employment as a licensed teacher with the district for the mileage and other actual expenses incurred in the course of travel to and from the interview by such persons at the rate authorized for county and municipal employees under Section 25-3-41 . Any reimbursement by a school board under this section shall be paid from funds other than adequate education program funds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-75 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 115-75
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-75
Status: in_force

If any such county makes the contribution or donation as provided for in Section 37-115-69 , neither such donation nor any provisions of Sections 37-115-69 through 37-115-75 shall be held to give rise to any right of title, lien, encumbrance or other right in the buildings, facilities or equipment so constructed or acquired and installed by means of or with the aid of such contribution or donation or upon the site on which they are located. Neither shall such donation nor any provision of said sections give rise to any right or obligation on the part of such county with respect to the operation or maintenance of said educational facilities and equipment.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-103-23 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 103-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-103-23
Status: in_force

All aliens are classified as nonresidents.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-71 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 31-71
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-71
Status: in_force

For the purposes of Sections 37-31-71 through 37-31-79 , the term “ regional education center ” means all facilities utilized for the carrying out of instruction on the level of secondary or postsecondary education or both which are jointly operated by or which accept students on a contractual basis from two (2) or more school districts of this state, or for any school district which encompasses an entire county.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-3-69 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 3-69
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-3-69
Status: in_force

The success of the Alliance for Families program shall be measured in terms of progress on test scores, increase in participation of school events, increase in numbers of persons/school districts participating in the program, and other appropriate measures.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-67 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 31-67
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-67
Status: in_force

Sections 37-31-61 through 37-31-65 are in addition to and supplementary to existing school laws, and shall not be construed to repeal any laws now in existence governing any of the public schools of this state or the operation thereof.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-57-108 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 57-108
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-57-108
Status: in_force

In the event that the amount of revenue collected or estimated to be collected from local sources, on behalf of a school district during a fiscal year, is less than the amount provided for in the duly adopted budget of said school district for the fiscal year, then the school district may issue promissory notes in an amount and in the manner set forth in Section 27-39-333 , not to exceed the estimated shortfall of revenue from local sources, but in no event to exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of its budget anticipated to be funded from the sources of the shortfall for the fiscal year. A school district issuing notes under the provisions of this section shall not be required to publish notice of its intention to do so or to secure the consent of the qualified electors or the tax levying authority of such school district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 153-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-5
Status: in_force

For purposes of this article, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) “ State board ” or “ board ” means the Mississippi State Workforce Investment Board.

(b) “ District councils ” means the Local Workforce Development Councils.

(c) “ Local workforce investment board ” means the board that oversees the workforce development activities of local workforce areas under the federal Workforce Investment Act.

(d) “ Office ” means the Mississippi Office of Workforce Development, housed at the Department of Finance and Administration.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-123 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 101-123
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-123
Status: in_force

When any such bonds or other direct obligations of the United States of America shall have been purchased with such excess funds as is provided for in Section 37-101-121 , such bonds or other obligations may be sold or surrendered for redemption at any time by order or resolution adopted by the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning, and approved by the state building commission. Any member or members thereof or any officers or employees thereof, or any other person or persons, when authorized by such order or resolution, shall have the power and authority to sell said bonds or other obligations or to surrender same for redemption and to execute all instruments and take such other action as may be necessary to effectuate the sale or redemption thereof. When such bonds or other obligations shall be sold or redeemed, the proceeds thereof, including the accrued interest thereon, shall be paid into the proper fund and shall in all respects be dealt with and expended for the purpose for which said funds were originally derived or made available.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-301 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 29-301
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-301
Status: in_force

The Legislature finds and declares as follows:

(a) Mississippi's public community and junior colleges are Mississippi's best educational buy. An education at Mississippi's community and junior colleges is affordable and accessible to all. Mississippians have an option to attend a community or junior college close to home, with smaller class sizes and at approximately one-half ( 1 / 2 ) the cost of tuition at a public four-year institution;

(b) In recent fiscal years, appropriations for community and junior colleges have not kept pace with increases appropriated to Grades K-12 and the institutions of higher learning;

(c) A need exists to provide adequate funding for Mississippi's community and junior colleges; and

(d) Adequate funding should be accomplished through appropriate funding on a full-time equivalency (FTE) basis.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-15-29 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 15-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-15-29
Status: in_force

(1) Except as provided in subsections (2), (3), (4) and (5) of this section, no minor child may enroll in or attend any school except in the school district of his residence, unless such child be lawfully transferred from the school district of his residence to a school in another school district in accord with the statutes of this state now in effect or which may be hereafter enacted.

(2) Those children whose parent(s) or legal guardian(s) are instructional personnel or certificated employees of a school district may at such employee's discretion enroll and attend the school or schools of their parent's or legal guardian's employment regardless of the residence of the child.

(3) No child shall be required to be transported in excess of thirty (30) miles on a school bus from his or her home to school, or in excess of thirty (30) miles from school to his or her home, if there is another school in an adjacent school district located on a shorter school bus transportation route by the nearest traveled road. Those children residing in such geographical situations may, at the discretion of their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), enroll and attend the nearer school, regardless of the residence of the child. In the event the parent or legal guardian of such child and the school board are unable to agree on the school bus mileage required to transport the child from his or her home to school, an appeal shall lie to the State Board of Education, or its designee, whose decision shall be final. The school districts involved in the appeal shall provide the Mississippi Department of Education with any school bus route information requested, including riding the buses as necessary, in order to measure the bus routes in question, as needed by the State Board of Education in considering the appeal.

(4) Those children lawfully transferred from the school district of his residence to a school in another school district prior to July 1, 1992, may, at the discretion of their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), continue to enroll and attend school in the transferee school district. Provided further, that the brother(s) and sister(s) of said children lawfully transferred prior to July 1, 1992, may also, at the discretion of their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), enroll and attend school in the transferee school district.

(5)(a) Those children whose parent(s) or legal guardian(s) are active members of the United States Armed Forces may, at the discretion of their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), enroll and attend the school district and school campus of their parent's or legal guardian's choosing, regardless of the residence of the child.

(b) Those children whose parent(s) or legal guardian(s) are civilian military personnel and reside on a military base may, at the discretion of their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), enroll and attend the school district and school campus of their parent's or legal guardian's choosing, regardless of the residence of the child.

(c) For purposes of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection (5):

(i) A school district is not required to provide transportation to a student who enrolls in or transfers to another school district or school campus within the district of chosen attendance;

(ii) A student eligible for enrollment or transfer shall be allowed only one (1) school transfer per academic year;

(iii) Once admitted, and unless expelled, the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of students transferring under the authority of this subsection shall not be required to reapply for admission for continued enrollment in the school district or school campus of last attendance for any subsequent years of attendance therein; and

(iv) If the school district is unable to accommodate a request for enrollment for transfer due to a lack of capacity to accept the student in to the district or a specific school campus, the school board shall deny the request and spread the same upon its minutes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-207 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 33-207
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-207
Status: in_force

The Office of Special Disability Programs established by Section 37-33-153 shall be administered by a director appointed by the executive director in conformity with policies adopted by the department. In carrying out his or her other duties under the Special Disability Programs Law, the director:

(a) Shall, with the approval of the executive director, make regulations governing the protection of records and confidential information, the manner and form of filing applications, eligibility and investigations and determinations thereof for rehabilitation services through special disability programs, procedures for fair hearings and such other regulations as are found necessary to carry out the purposes of that law;

(b) Shall, with the approval of the executive director, establish appropriate subordinate administrative units within the office;

(c) Shall, with the approval of the executive director, recommend for appointment such personnel as may be necessary for the efficient performance of the functions of the office;

(d) Shall prepare and submit to the state board, through the executive director, annual reports of activities and expenditures and, before each regular session of the Legislature, shall submit estimates of sums required for carrying out the Special Disability Programs Law and estimates of the amounts to be made available for this purpose from all sources;

(e) Shall, if the executive director so authorizes, make certifications on behalf of the executive director for the disbursement of funds available for rehabilitation services;

(f) Shall, with the approval of the executive director, appoint boards to serve as the governing authority of centers for independent living or other entities as required by federal law and regulations;

(g) Shall, with the approval of the executive director, take such other action as he or she deems necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of the Special Disability Programs Law;

(h) May, with the approval of the executive director, delegate to any officer or employee of the office such of his or her powers and duties, except the making of regulations and the making of recommendations for appointment of personnel, as he or she finds necessary to carry out the purposes of the Special Disability Programs Law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-53 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 27-53
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-53
Status: in_force

When any pupils who shall attend any agricultural high school or junior college under the provisions of Section 37-27-51 are otherwise entitled to transportation at public expense under any applicable statute, such pupils shall remain entitled to such transportation, and shall be reported for the allotment of transportation funds by the county or municipal separate school district in which they reside and, when so reported, transportation funds shall be allotted therefor just as though such pupils were attending the regular schools of the district in which they reside, and transportation shall be furnished therefor by the county board of education or board of trustees of the municipal separate school district, as the case may be, as is otherwise provided by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-27 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 101-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-27
Status: repealed

(1) There is created within the Working Cash-Stabilization Reserve Fund in the State Treasury a trust to be known as the Ayers Endowment Trust, which shall be used as provided in this section. On July 1, 1997, Fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000.00) in the Working Cash-Stabilization Reserve Fund shall be set aside and placed in the Ayers Endowment Trust.

(2) The principal of the Ayers Endowment Trust shall remain inviolate within the Working Cash-Stabilization Reserve Fund, and shall be invested in the same manner as the remainder of the Working Cash-Stabilization Reserve Fund.

(3) The interest and income earned from the investment of the principal of the Ayers Endowment Trust shall be appropriated by the Legislature to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning for the benefit of Jackson State University, Alcorn State University and Mississippi Valley State University, the historically black institutions of higher learning in Mississippi, with one-third ( 1 / 3 ) of the amount of the interest and income earned being allocated for the benefit of each of those universities. The money allotted for each university shall be used for continuing educational enhancement and racial diversity, including recruitment of white students and scholarships for white applicants.

(4) The creation of the Ayers Endowment Trust and the appropriation of the interest and income for the purposes specified in this section shall be to comply with the order of the United States District Court in the case of Ayers v. Fordice, 879 F.Supp. 1419 (N.D. Miss. 1995) , with regard to Jackson State University and Alcorn State University, and to provide Mississippi Valley State University with an equal amount of funding for the same purposes as for the other historically black institutions of higher learning.

(5) If the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi approves and directs the implementation of a settlement agreement in the case of Ayers v. Musgrove (Civil Action No. 4:75CV9-B-D, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi), and if the agreement becomes final and effective according to its terms (including, but not limited to, the exhaustion of all rights of appeal) before the first day of the 2005 Regular Session of the Legislature, there shall be created in the State Treasury a fund to be known as the Ayers Settlement Fund. Monies deposited into the Ayers Settlement Fund under Section 27-103-203(2) shall be appropriated by the Legislature to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning for the purpose of establishing a public endowment for the benefit of Jackson State University, Alcorn State University and Mississippi Valley State University in compliance with the settlement agreement.

(6) If the Ayers Settlement Fund is created under subsection (5) of this section, subsection (1) through (4) of this section shall be repealed when the Ayers Endowment Trust reaches Zero Dollars ($0.00) in accordance with Section 27-103-203(3) .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-135-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 135-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-135-3
Status: in_force

The States of Delaware and West Virginia are hereby approved by the State of Mississippi for admission into the southern regional education compact to which the State of Mississippi became a party with the States of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia on April 13, 1948, under the provisions of Section 37-135-1 , said section being Chapter 284, Laws of Mississippi of 1948, as amended and further amplified by Chapter 383, Laws of Mississippi of 1950, approved April 18, 1950. The admission of the States of Delaware and West Virginia to the southern regional education compact shall become effective upon the approval of their respective legislatures and their respective governors and upon the approval of their admission by the other states who are parties to the compact.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-146-11 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 146-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-146-11
Status: in_force

(1) Students in the program may apply to the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry.

(2) Students in the program seeking admission to the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry shall be eligible for the admissions process pursuant to criteria established by the School of Dentistry Admissions Committee which will include consideration of the attributes of participation in the program.

(3) In carrying out the admissions process developed for the Mississippi Rural Dentists Scholarship Program participants under this section, the goal is for the program to work with the School of Dentistry to enhance the capability of participants to successfully enter and complete dental school and enter practice in rural or underserved areas in Mississippi. To the extent feasible, the early admissions process should be completed before December 1 of the year preceding a student's admission to dental school.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-17-13 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 17-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-17-13
Status: in_force

(1) Whenever the Governor declares a state of emergency in a school district in response to a certification by the State Board of Education and the Commission on School Accreditation made under Section 37-17-6(12)(b) , or when the State Board of Education places a school district into a District of Transformation for academic or financial reasons under Section 37-17-6 (12)(b) , the State Board of Education, in addition to any actions taken under Section 37-17-6 , shall abolish the school district and assume control and administration of the schools formerly constituting the district, and appoint an interim superintendent to carry out this purpose under the direction of the State Board of Education. In such case, the State Board of Education shall have all powers which were held by the previously existing school board, and the previously existing superintendent of schools or county superintendent of education, including, but not limited to, those enumerated in Section 37-7-301 , and the authority to request tax levies from the appropriate governing authorities for the support of the schools and to receive and expend the tax funds as provided by Section 37-57-1 et seq. and Section 37-57-105 et seq.

(2) When a school district is abolished under this section, loans from the School District Emergency Assistance Fund may be made by the State Board of Education for the use and benefit of the schools formerly constituting the district in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 37-17-6(15) for such loans to the district. The abolition of a school district under this section shall not impair or release the property of that school district from liability for the payment of the loan indebtedness, and it shall be the duty of the appropriate governing authorities to levy taxes on the property of the district so abolished from year to year according to the terms of the indebtedness until same shall be fully paid.

(3) After a local school board is abolished by the State Board of Education, at such time the State Board of Education determines that the impairments are being substantially corrected and the responsibility of the district transformation in such district upon the conclusion of the final scholastic year in which a district has maintained a “C” accountability rating for three (3) consecutive years, the State Board of Education may appoint a new five-member board for the administration of the school district and shall notify the local county board of supervisors and/or municipal governing authority of such appointment, spreading the names of the new school board members on its minutes. The new local school board members shall be residents of the school district. The new local school board members appointed by the State Board of Education may serve in an advisory capacity to the interim superintendent for its first year of service and thereafter shall have full responsibility to administer the school district. Thirty (30) days prior to the end of the first year of office as an advisory board, each member shall draw lots to determine when the members shall rotate off the board as follows: one (1) member shall serve a one-year term of office; one (1) member shall serve a two-year term of office; one (1) member shall serve a three-year term of office; one (1) member shall serve a four-year term of office; and one (1) member shall serve a five-year term of office. At that time, the State Board of Education shall notify the appropriate board of supervisors or municipal governing authority of this action and request them to provide for the election or appointment of school board members at the end of the terms of office in the manner provided by law, in order for the local residents of the school district to select a new school board on a phased-in basis. In such situations, the Governor will set the date of any necessary special election which shall be conducted by the county election commission. During the new school board's first two (2) years administering the school district, the interim superintendent shall continue to serve alongside the school board. The State Board of Education shall request the new school board to provide for the appointment of a superintendent to govern the reconstituted or reorganized school district one (1) year after the new school board's first year of administering the school district. The new superintendent shall serve as deputy to the interim superintendent while the interim superintendent is assigned to the district. A board member or superintendent in office at the time the Governor declares a state of emergency in a school district, or when the State Board of Education places a school district into a District of Transformation due to academic or financial reasons, shall not be eligible to serve in the office of school board member or superintendent for the school district reconstituted or reorganized following the district transformation period.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-25-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 25-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-25-5
Status: in_force

On or before July 1, 2025, the State Superintendent of Public Education and the Commissioner of Public Safety shall jointly prepare and recommend to the State Board of Education, and the board shall adopt rules and regulations governing the establishment, conduct and scope of driver education and training programs in secondary schools of this state, subject to the requirements and exceptions set forth in this chapter. Said program shall be established and maintained only in accordance with such rules and regulations. Said program shall include both classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel instruction. The State Driver Education and Training Program in secondary schools of this state shall include a program of study for distracted driving, alcohol, drug and safety education as it pertains to driver and highway safety and shall also include instruction relating to organ and tissue donation and organ and tissue donation procedures, and shall include instruction on the litter laws of the state and the responsibilities of the driver and all passengers to dispose of litter in the proper container. The state driver education and training program in secondary schools of this state shall also include a program of study, developed by the Department of Public Safety under Section 37-25-29 , on how persons should properly respond when stopped by law enforcement officers.

The State Superintendent of Public Education shall prepare an administrative budget from funds made available under this chapter which budget shall be approved by the State Board of Education. It shall be the responsibility of the State Superintendent of Public Education to administer this program in accordance with rules and regulations established by the State Board of Education and to appoint the necessary supervisors of safety education and the necessary clerical personnel.

On or before July 1, 2025, the State Superintendent of Education and the Commissioner of Public Safety shall jointly prepare an estimated budget and fiscal report of the additional expenses and costs related to the implementation of mandatory drivers education programs and present the same to the Legislature.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-123-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 123-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-123-1
Status: in_force

The body politic and corporate created by Chapter 284, Laws of Mississippi 1924, by the name of “Delta State Teachers' College” is continued to have perpetual succession with power to contract and be contracted with; to receive by any legal method of transfer or conveyance, property of any description, to have, hold and employ the same; to make and use a corporate seal, with power to change the same; to adopt bylaws, rules and regulations for the government of its members, official agents and employees. However, the name of said “Delta State Teachers' College” shall be hereafter changed to “Delta State University” without interference with the rights, powers and prerogatives of said college which shall continue in all respects.

Wherever the name “Delta State Teachers' College” or “Delta State College” appears, the same shall be construed to denote Delta State University.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-159-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 159-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-159-7
Status: in_force

The school board of any school district situated within a geographical area of the state where there exists a critical shortage of teachers, as designated by the State Board of Education, in its discretion, may reimburse persons who interview for employment as a licensed teacher with the district for the mileage and other actual expenses incurred in the course of travel to and from the interview by such persons at the rate authorized for county and municipal employees under Section 25-3-41 . Any reimbursement by a school board under this section shall be paid from funds other than adequate education program funds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-57-104 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 57-104
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-57-104
Status: in_force

(1) Each school board shall submit to the levying authority for the school district a certified copy of an order adopted by the school board requesting an ad valorem tax effort in dollars for the support of the school district. The copy of the order shall be submitted by the school board when the copies of the school district's budget are filed with the levying authority pursuant to Section 37-61-9 . Upon receipt of the school board's order requesting the ad valorem tax effort in dollars, the levying authority shall determine the millage rate necessary to generate funds equal to the dollar amount requested by the school board. For the purpose of calculating this millage rate, any additional amount that is levied pursuant to Section 37-57-105(1) to cover anticipated delinquencies and costs of collection or any amount that may be levied for the payment of the principal and interest on school bonds or notes shall be excluded from the limitation of fifty-five (55) mills provided for in subsection (2) of this section.

(2)(a) Except as otherwise provided under paragraph (b) or (c) of this subsection, if the millage rate necessary to generate funds equal to the dollar amount requested by the school board is greater than fifty-five (55) mills, and if this millage rate is higher than the millage then being levied pursuant to the school board's order requesting the ad valorem tax effort for the currently existing fiscal year, then the levying authority shall call a referendum on the question of exceeding, during the next fiscal year, the then existing millage rate being levied for school district purposes. The referendum shall be scheduled for not more than six (6) weeks after the date on which the levying authority receives the school board's order requesting the ad valorem tax effort.

When a referendum has been called, notice of the referendum shall be published at least five (5) days per week, unless the only newspaper published in the school district is published less than five (5) days per week, for at least three (3) consecutive weeks, in at least one (1) newspaper published in the school district. The notice shall be no less than one-fourth ( 1 / 4 ) page in size, and the type used shall be no smaller than eighteen (18) point and surrounded by a one-fourth-inch solid black border. The notice may not be placed in that portion of the newspaper where legal notices and classified advertisements appear. The first publication of the notice shall be made not less than twenty-one (21) days before the date fixed for the referendum, and the last publication shall be made not more than seven (7) days before that date. If no newspaper is published in the school district, then the notice shall be published in a newspaper having a general circulation in the school district. The referendum shall be held, as far as is practicable, in the same manner as other referendums and elections are held in the county or municipality. At the referendum, all registered, qualified electors of the school district may vote. The ballots used at the referendum shall have printed thereon a brief statement of the amount and purpose of the increased tax levy and the words “FOR INCREASING THE MILLAGE LEVIED FOR SCHOOL DISTRICT PURPOSES FROM (MILLAGE RATE CURRENTLY LEVIED) MILLS TO (MILLAGE RATE REQUIRED UNDER SCHOOL BOARD'S ORDER) MILLS,” and “AGAINST INCREASING THE MILLAGE LEVIED FOR SCHOOL DISTRICT PURPOSES FROM (MILLAGE RATE CURRENTLY LEVIED) MILLS TO (MILLAGE RATE REQUIRED UNDER SCHOOL BOARD'S ORDER) MILLS.” The voter shall vote by placing a cross (X) or checkmark (✓) opposite his choice on the proposition.

If a majority of the registered, qualified electors of the school district who vote in the referendum vote in favor of the question, then the ad valorem tax effort in dollars requested by the school board shall be approved. However, if a majority of the registered, qualified electors who vote in the referendum vote against the question, the millage rate levied by the levying authority shall not exceed the millage then being levied pursuant to the school board's order requesting the ad valorem tax effort for the then currently existing fiscal year.

Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require any school district that is levying more than fifty-five (55) mills pursuant to Sections 37-57-1 and 37-57-105 to decrease its millage rate to fifty-five (55) mills or less. Further, nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require a referendum in a school district where the requested ad valorem tax effort in dollars requires a millage rate of greater than fifty-five (55) mills but the requested dollar amount does not require any increase in the then existing millage rate. Further, nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require a referendum in a school district where, because of a decrease in the assessed valuation of the district, a millage rate of greater than fifty-five (55) mills is necessary to generate funds equal to the dollar amount generated by the ad valorem tax effort for the currently existing fiscal year.

(b) However, if a levying authority is levying in excess of fifty-five (55) mills on July 1, 1997, the levying authority may levy an additional amount not exceeding three (3) mills in the aggregate for the period beginning July 1, 1997, and ending June 30, 2003, subject to the limitation on increased receipts from ad valorem taxes prescribed in Sections 37-57-105 and 37-57-107 .

(c) If the levying authority for any school district lawfully has decreased the millage levied for school district purposes, but subsequently determines that there is a need to increase the millage rate due to a disaster in which the Governor has declared a disaster emergency or the President of the United States has declared an emergency or major disaster, then the levying authority may increase the millage levied for school district purposes up to an amount that does not exceed the millage rate in any one (1) of the immediately preceding ten (10) fiscal years without any referendum that otherwise would be required under this subsection.

(3) If the millage rate necessary to generate funds equal to the dollar amount requested by the school board is equal to fifty-five (55) mills or less, but the dollar amount requested by the school board exceeds the next preceding fiscal year's ad valorem tax effort in dollars by more than four percent (4%), but not more than seven percent (7%) (as provided for under subsection (4) of this section), then the school board shall publish notice thereof at least five (5) days per week, unless the only newspaper published in the school district is published less than five (5) days per week, for at least three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper published in the school district. The notice shall be no less than one-fourth ( 1 / 4 ) page in size, and the type used shall be no smaller than eighteen (18) point and surrounded by a one-fourth-inch solid black border. The notice may not be placed in that portion of the newspaper where legal notices and classified advertisements appear. The first publication shall be made not less than fifteen (15) days before the final adoption of the budget by the school board. If no newspaper is published in the school district, then the notice shall be published in a newspaper having a general circulation in the school district. If at any time before the adoption of the budget a petition signed by not less than twenty percent (20%) or fifteen hundred (1500), whichever is less, of the registered, qualified electors of the school district is filed with the school board requesting that a referendum be called on the question of exceeding the next preceding fiscal year's ad valorem tax effort in dollars by more than four percent (4%), then the school board shall adopt, not later than the next regular meeting, a resolution calling a referendum to be held within the school district upon the question. The referendum shall be called and held, and notice thereof shall be given, in the same manner provided for in subsection (2) of this section. The ballot shall contain the language “FOR THE SCHOOL TAX INCREASE OVER FOUR PERCENT (4%)” and “AGAINST THE SCHOOL TAX INCREASE OVER FOUR PERCENT (4%).” If a majority of the registered, qualified electors of the school district who vote in the referendum vote in favor of the question, then the increase requested by the school board shall be approved. For the purposes of this subsection, the revenue sources excluded from the increase limitation under Section 37-57-107 also shall be excluded from the limitation described in this subsection in the same manner as they are excluded under Section 37-57-107 . Provided, however, that any increases requested by the school board as a result of the required local contribution to the total funding formula as required by Sections 37-151-200 through 37-151-215 , as certified to the local school district by the State Board of Education under Section 37-151-211 , shall not be subject to the four percent (4%) and/or seven percent (7%) tax increase limitations provided in this section.

(4) If the millage rate necessary to generate funds equal to the dollar amount requested by the school board is equal to fifty-five (55) mills or less, but the dollar amount requested by the school board exceeds the seven percent (7%) increase limitation provided for in Section 37-57-107 , the school board may exceed the seven percent (7%) increase limitation only after the school board has determined the need for additional revenues and three-fifths ( 3 / 5 ) of the registered, qualified electors voting in a referendum called by the levying authority have voted in favor of the increase. The notice and manner of holding the referendum shall be as prescribed in subsection (2) of this section for a referendum on the question of increasing the millage rate in school districts levying more than fifty-five (55) mills for school district purposes.

(5) The aggregate receipts from ad valorem taxes levied for school district purposes pursuant to Sections 37-57-1 and 37-57-105 , excluding collection fees, additional revenue from the ad valorem tax on any newly constructed properties or any existing properties added to the tax rolls or any properties previously exempt which were not assessed in the next preceding year, and amounts received by school districts from the School Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund pursuant to Section 37-61-35 , shall be subject to the increase limitation under this section and Section 37-57-107 .

(6) The school board shall pay to the levying authority all costs that are incurred by the levying authority in the calling and holding of any election under this section.

(7) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to affect in any manner the authority of school boards to levy millage for the following purposes:

(a) The issuance of bonds, notes and certificates of indebtedness, as authorized in Sections 37-59-1 through 37-59-45 and Sections 37-59-101 through 37-59-115 ;

(b) The lease of property for school purposes, as authorized under the Emergency School Leasing Authority Act of 1986 ( Sections 37-7-351 through 37-7-359 );

(c) The lease or lease-purchase of school buildings, as authorized under Section 37-7-301 ;

(d) The issuance of promissory notes in the event of a shortfall of ad valorem taxes and/or revenue from local sources, as authorized under Section 27-39-333 ; and

(e) The construction of school buildings outside the school district, as authorized under Section 37-7-401 .

Any millage levied for the purposes specified in this subsection shall be excluded from the millage limitations established under this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-33 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 104-33
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-33
Status: in_force

Any holder of revenue bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter, or of any of the interest coupons pertaining thereto, except to the extent that such rights are not restricted by the bond loan agreement and the resolution directing the issuance of such revenue bonds, may, either at law or in equity, by suit, action, mandamus, or other proceeding, protect and enforce any and all rights granted hereunder and under the bond loan agreement and the authorizing resolution; and may enforce and compel performance of all duties required by this chapter and by the bond loan agreement and the authorizing resolution. No holder of any revenue bonds shall have the right to compel any exercise of taxing power by the State of Mississippi to provide funds to pay any such revenue bonds or the interest thereon, or to enforce the payment thereof against any property of the State of Mississippi; nor shall any such revenue bonds constitute a charge, lien, or encumbrance, legal or equitable, upon any property of the state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-15 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 31-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-15
Status: in_force

The school board may, in its discretion, cooperate with the State Board of Education in the establishment and maintenance of vocational and technical schools or classes giving instruction in vocational and technical training which does not terminate in a bachelors degree to persons in need of such instruction, and may use for paying the cost of such cooperation any monies raised by public taxation in the same manner as monies for other school purposes are used for the maintenance and support of public schools.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-103-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 103-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-103-5
Status: in_force

A person who has entered the State of Mississippi from another state and enters an educational institution is considered a nonresident. Even though he may have been legally adopted by a resident of Mississippi, or may have been a qualified voter, or a landowner, or may otherwise have sought to establish legal residence, except as otherwise provided in Section 37-103-25(2) , such a person will still be considered as being a nonresident of Mississippi if he has entered this state for the purpose of enrolling in an educational institution.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 28-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-5
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, the following words and phrases have the meanings ascribed in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) “ Applicant ” means any person or group that develops and submits an application for a charter school to the authorizer.

(b) “ Application ” means a proposal from an applicant to the authorizer to enter into a charter contract whereby the proposed school obtains charter school status.

(c) “ Authorizer ” means the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board established under Section 37-28-7 to review applications, decide whether to approve or reject applications, enter into charter contracts with applicants, oversee charter schools, and decide whether to renew, not renew, or revoke charter contracts.

(d) “ Charter contract ” means a fixed-term, renewable contract between a charter school and the authorizer which outlines the roles, powers, responsibilities and performance expectations for each party to the contract.

(e) “ Charter school ” means a public school that is established and operating under the terms of charter contract between the school's governing board and the authorizer. The term “ charter school ” includes a conversion charter school and start-up charter school.

(f) “ Conversion charter school ” means a charter school that existed as a noncharter public school before becoming a charter school.

(g) “ Education service provider ” means a charter management organization, school design provider or any other partner entity with which a charter school intends to contract for educational design, implementation or comprehensive management.

(h) “ Governing board ” means the independent board of a charter school which is party to the charter contract with the authorizer and whose members have been elected or selected pursuant to the school's application.

(i) “ Noncharter public school ” means a public school that is under the direct management, governance and control of a school board or the state.

(j) “ Parent ” means a parent, guardian or other person or entity having legal custody of a child.

(k) “ School board ” means a school board exercising management and control over a local school district and the schools of that district pursuant to the State Constitution and state statutes.

(l) “ School district ” means a governmental entity that establishes and supervises one or more public schools within its geographical limits pursuant to state statutes.

(m) “ Start-up charter school ” means a charter school that did not exist as a noncharter public school before becoming a charter school.

(n) “ Student ” means any child who is eligible for attendance in a public school in the state.

(o) “ Underserved students ” means students qualifying as low-income or qualifying for a special education program under Section 37-151-201 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-111 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 29-111
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-111
Status: in_force

Bonds issued under the provisions of Section 37-29-109 , may be refunded, in whole or in part, in any of the following circumstances, to wit:

(a) When any such bonds by their terms become due and payable and there are not sufficient sums in the fund established for their payment to pay such bonds and the interest thereon;

(b) When any such bonds are by their terms callable for payment and redemption in advance of their date of maturity and shall have been duly called for payment and redemption;

(c) When any such bonds are voluntarily surrendered by the holder or holders thereof in exchange for refunding bonds; and

(d) When, in connection with the issuance of any additional bonds under the provisions of Section 37-29-109 for the purpose of financing any additional construction authorized under the provisions of Section 37-29-107 , any such board shall determine to combine such new issue of bonds with any issue or issues of bonds of the same board then outstanding, for the purpose of unifying such indebtedness and utilizing the income and revenues derived from all projects or facilities operated by such board to the payment of such indebtedness, and such board shall determine that such outstanding bonds are by their terms then callable for redemption or are obtainable by and through the voluntary surrender thereof by the holder or holders thereof.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-123 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 65-123
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-123
Status: in_force

The words “ qualified elector ” or “ qualified electors ” for the purposes of this article, shall in addition to the provisions of the first paragraph of Section 37-65-119 , mean:

A person, who on the day he or she signs any petition provided for in the section, is properly registered and qualified to vote in a county wide election of the county if such were then held, according to the voter roll as electronically maintained in the Statewide Elections Management System in the office of the circuit clerk and registrar of the county, in which all or any part of the school district is located, and who is a resident of the school district in which one or more schools have been closed, and who (a) is qualified to vote in an election of a trustee of that school district, if any be elective and (b) if the school district be a municipal separate school district or a special municipal separate school district and such person lives within the corporate limits of the municipality then such person must be qualified to vote in a city wide election if such were held on the day he or she signs any petition herein provided for.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-431 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 29-431
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-431
Status: in_force

If the board of trustees of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College District shall not elect itself to cause an election to be held, it shall immediately upon the adoption of the resolution mentioned in Section 37-29-429 certify the same to the boards of supervisors of each county and immediately cause notice of the proposed issuance of said bonds to be published once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in each of the four (4) counties of the district in a newspaper having general circulation therein. Said notice shall state that the determination to issue said bonds has been made by the board of trustees and the same will be issued unless, within thirty (30) days after the first publication of said notice, a petition signed by at least ten percent (10%) or twenty-five hundred (2500), whichever is less, of the qualified electors of the county shall be filed with the board of supervisors of the county protesting against the issuance of said bonds and seeking an election with respect thereto. If no protest be filed, the clerk of the board of supervisors shall immediately so certify to the secretary of the board of trustees of the junior college district and the said bonds may be then issued as proposed.

If ten percent (10%) or twenty-five hundred (2500), whichever is less, of the qualified electors of any of the counties shall file their protest with the clerk of the board of supervisors of the county demanding an election on the issuance of said bonds, the board of supervisors shall promptly meet and consider said petition. If the said board shall find the petition to be sufficient, it shall enter an order directing the election commission of said county to cause an election to be held in the said county, fixing the date therefor in the order, to determine whether or not bonds shall be issued for the purposes set out in the resolution of the board of trustees and in the maximum amount therein provided. It shall thereupon become the duty of the election commissioners of the county to hold said election on the date fixed by the board of supervisors. Said election shall be held as nearly as is practicable in accordance with the laws governing general elections, and three (3) weeks notice of said election shall be given by publication in a newspaper having general circulation in the county. The ballot used shall substantially describe the bond issue proposal and electors shall be permitted to vote for the bond issue or against the bond issue.

Within three (3) days, Sundays and legal holidays excluded, after the holding of said election, the election commissioners shall certify to the board of trustees of the junior college district and to the board of supervisors of the county the result of said election. If after all of the elections have been held in the counties where the same have been called and the results thereof duly certified, the board of trustees shall determine that the majority of the qualified electors voting in any two (2) counties of the district, one (1) of which shall border on the Gulf of Mexico, shall have voted for the said bond issue, then the said bonds may be issued; otherwise the said bonds shall not be issued as proposed.

If an election on the issuance of the bonds shall have been called in any county and it shall appear that no elections are being called in other counties or in a sufficient number of counties to result in an effective election, then the board of supervisors of the county having called the election may give notice of the cancellation thereof at any time prior to the actual date of said election.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-127 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 65-127
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-127
Status: in_force

Any action or order of the board of trustees provided for in this article or deemed necessary may be taken at any regular or special meeting thereof, held at the place where such board holds its regular meetings, or otherwise as provided in this article and at which a majority of the board of trustees shall be present.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-138-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 138-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-138-9
Status: in_force

The commission shall administer and enforce this chapter and shall have the following powers and duties under this chapter:

(a) To adopt, modify, repeal and promulgate, after due notice and hearing, and where not otherwise prohibited by federal or state law, to make exceptions to and grant exemptions and variances from, and to enforce rules and regulations implementing or effectuating the powers and duties of the commission under this chapter, including but not limited to rules and regulations concerning the required accreditation training, the issuance and annual renewal of certificates, the assessment of annual fees and the assessment of penalties, reprimands, and the suspension and revocation of certificates, abatement emergencies and the exclusion of minor abatement and/or routine maintenance activities at commercial buildings, industrial facilities, public buildings and school buildings from any requirements of this chapter;

(b) To issue certificates for the positions of management planner, project designer, air monitor, contractor, supervisor, inspector and worker and to renew said certificates annually;

(c) To assess penalties, to issue reprimands and to suspend and revoke certificates;

(d) To assess annual fees for the issuance and annual renewal of certificates;

(e) To approve the accreditation of training courses administered to applicants for issuance and annual renewal of certificates and to develop an examination and grading system for testing applicants, to be administered by the designated university;

(f) Administration and expenditure of funds deposited in and expended by legislative appropriation from the Asbestos Abatement Accreditation and Certification Fund;

(g) Reciprocal arrangements for accreditation and certification of management planners, project designers, air monitors, contractors, supervisors, inspectors and workers with other states that have established accreditation and certification programs that meet or exceed the accreditation and certification requirements of this chapter;

(h) To apply for, receive and expend any federal or state funds or contributions, gifts, devises, bequests or funds from any other source relating to this chapter;

(i) To commission or conduct studies relating to this chapter;

(j) To enter into, and to authorize the executive director to execute with the approval of the commission, contracts, grants and cooperative agreements with any federal or state agency or subdivision thereof, or any public or private institution located inside or outside the State of Mississippi, or any person, corporation or association in connection with carrying out the provisions of this chapter; but this authority under this chapter shall not include contracts, grants or cooperative agreements which do not develop data or information usable by the commission in connection with this chapter, or which provide goods, services or facilities to the commission or any of its bureaus, and shall exclude any monies for special interest groups for purposes of lobbying or otherwise promoting their special interests; and

(k) To discharge such other duties, responsibilities and powers as are necessary to implement the provisions of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-61-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 61-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-61-3
Status: in_force

The total funding formula allotments to the public school districts and the funds derived from the supplemental school district tax levies authorized by law shall be used exclusively for the support, maintenance and operation of the schools in the manner provided by law for the fiscal years for which such funds were appropriated, collected or otherwise made available, and no part of said funds or allotments shall be used in paying any expenses incurred during any preceding fiscal year. However, this shall not be construed to prohibit the payment of expenses incurred during the fiscal year after the close of such fiscal year from amounts remaining on hand at the end of such fiscal year, provided that such expenses were properly payable from such amounts. Moreover, this shall not be construed to prohibit the payment of the salaries of superintendents, principals and teachers and other school employees whose salaries are payable in twelve (12) monthly installments after the close of the fiscal year from amounts on hand for such purpose at the end of the fiscal year.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-23 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 41-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-23
Status: in_force

The State Board of Education shall prescribe keeping and preservation of all records and the making of all reports and the description thereof as the board may deem necessary for the efficient operation of the school district transportation system of this state. It shall be unlawful for any pay certificate to be issued to any school district carrier or bus driver until all such reports required by the regulations of the State Board of Education shall have been filed in accordance with said regulations. Any person making a false list, report, or record required by the aforesaid rules and regulations of the State Board of Education shall be subject to the penalties provided by Section 37-41-25 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-39 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 45-39
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-39
Status: in_force

The reporter shall act in the same capacity as an official court reporter of the chancery courts of this state. His shorthand notes and the transcription thereof shall be preserved in the same manner and accorded the same verity as those of chancery court reporters.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-19 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 33-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-19
Status: in_force

Except as may be otherwise provided by law for the vocational rehabilitation of the blind, the state board, through the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, shall provide vocational rehabilitation services to eligible individuals with disabilities determined by the director to be eligible therefor, and in carrying out the purposes of the Vocational Rehabilitation Law, the office is authorized among other things:

(a) To cooperate with other departments, agencies and institutions, both public and private, in providing for the vocational rehabilitation of eligible individuals with disabilities, in studying the problems involved therein, and in establishing, developing and providing, in conformity with the purposes of that law, such programs, facilities and services as may be necessary or desirable;

(b) To conduct research and compile statistics relating to the vocational rehabilitation of eligible individuals with disabilities;

(c) To prescribe and provide such courses of vocational training as may be necessary for the vocational rehabilitation of eligible individuals with disabilities.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-155-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 155-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-155-3
Status: in_force

The Legislature hereby finds and declares as follows:

(a) Tuition and required fees at institutions of higher education are difficult for many to afford and difficult to predict. As a result, the ability of individuals and families to plan for future educational expenses has been adversely affected.

(b) It is in the best interest of the citizens of this state to foster higher education in order to provide well-educated citizens.

(c) It is in the best interest of the citizens of this state to encourage state residents to enroll in institutions of higher education.

(d) Providing a mechanism to help assure the higher education of the citizens of this state is necessary and desirable for the public health, safety and welfare.

(e) The purposes of this article are to:

(i) Provide wide and affordable access to the public institutions of higher education for the residents of this state.

(ii) Encourage attendance at institutions of higher education and help individuals plan for educational expenses.

(iii) Provide a program for the advance purchase of tuition and required fees as both a means and an incentive for the citizens of this state to provide for future higher education expenses.

(iv) Provide a program through which many of the costs associated with postsecondary attendance may be paid in advance and fixed at a guaranteed level for the duration of the undergraduate enrollment.

(v) Provide for the creation of a trust fund, as an agency and instrumentality of the State of Mississippi, to assist qualified students in financing a portion of the cost of attending institutions of higher education in the State of Mississippi.

(vi) Encourage timely financial planning for higher education by the creation of prepaid tuition contracts.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-157 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 101-157
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-157
Status: in_force

All oil, gas and mineral leases provided for in Section 37-101-153 , shall be executed by the President of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and attested by the Commissioner of Higher Education, respectively, on behalf of the institution owning or having the use of such lands as the case may be. The corporate seal of the institution owning or having benefit of such land shall be affixed to all leases. In all such cases such leases shall be executed only upon order or resolution of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning in the manner hereinbefore set forth.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-71-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 71-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-71-5
Status: in_force

The State Board of Education, in conjunction with the Department of Employment Security, the State Workforce Investment Board, the Mississippi Community College Board, and any relevant licensing authority shall identify high-school-to-work apprenticeships and other student internship programs that may be eligible for exemptions from those federal and state labor laws and regulations for which exemptions are available for student apprenticeship programs. The State Board of Education, the Department of Employment Security, the State Workforce Investment Board and the Mississippi Community College Board shall also establish procedures by which such exemptions may be obtained for high-school-to-work apprenticeships and other student internship programs.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-417 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 29-417
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-417
Status: in_force

The trustees of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College District are authorized to execute oil, gas and mineral leases on any of the property of the district but such leases shall not extend for a term beyond five years unless oil, gas or other minerals shall be in production under said leases at the expiration of said period. The terms and conditions of said lease, within the limitations above set out, shall be for the determination and within the discretion of the trustees.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-121-15 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 121-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-121-15
Status: in_force

The Mississippi Small Farm Development Center (MSFDC) on the campus of Alcorn State University in Lorman, Mississippi, shall be renamed the Mississippi Small Farm and Agribusiness Center (MSFAC).
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 145-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Mississippi Opportunity Loan Program Act.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-138-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 138-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-138-7
Status: in_force

The commission is authorized and directed to adopt regulations for certification of contractors, inspectors, management planners, project designers, air monitors, supervisors and workers. The regulations shall include an accreditation plan which shall be equivalent to paragraphs 1 through 3 of the Model Plan. The accreditation plan shall be no more stringent than the Model Plan, except as provided herein. The regulations and accreditation plan shall include the requirements for all training courses for accreditation of contractors, inspectors, management planners, project designers, air monitors, supervisors and workers. All regulations promulgated by the commission pursuant to this chapter shall not be effective until November 1, 1990. By October 1, 1989, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning shall designate a university which may offer all training courses set forth in the regulations and accreditation plan and such university may charge reasonable fees to offset costs of the courses offered. The commission shall not approve any training courses offered in Mississippi other than those courses offered at the designated university and those certified abatement worker courses that have received Environmental Protection Agency approval pursuant to Section III of Appendix C to Title 40, Part 763 , Subpart E, of the Code of Federal Regulations.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-10 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 13-10
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-10
Status: in_force

The State Board of Education is authorized and directed to require all public school districts to meet the following elementary education curriculum standard: The standard course of study shall include the requirement that the public schools provide instruction in cursive reading and writing, implemented across the curriculum, so that students create readable documents through legible cursive handwriting by the end of the fifth grade, and that students pass with proficiency a teacher-constructed test demonstrating the students competency in both reading and writing cursive. This requirement shall be applicable beginning with the 2018-2019 school year. The provisions of this section shall not be applicable to the Mississippi School for the Blind and the Mississippi School for the Deaf.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-4-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 4-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-4-7
Status: in_force

The Mississippi Community College Board shall study the feasibility of developing and implementing a state adopted uniform contract within each community and junior college district. Such study shall include, but not be limited to, the following areas for consideration:

(a) Terms of employment;

(b) Salary schedules;

(c) Leave provisions;

(d) Health insurance benefits;

(e) Tenure;

(f) Retirement benefits.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-97 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 151-97
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-97
Status: in_force

The State Department of Education shall develop an annual reporting process to inform the Legislature, local district personnel and the general public as to the ongoing and future plans for the state's educational programs. The annual reporting process will include those vital statistics that are commonly reported by schools and districts and that can provide clear demographic, strategic and educational information to constituencies such as, but not limited to, the following information:

(a) Student enrollment and attendance reported in the aggregate and specifically for each student population that is subject to weighting under Sections 37-151-200 through 37-151-215 , and drop-out and graduation data;

(b) Overall student and district achievement;

(c) Budget, administrative costs and other pertinent fiscal information, including:

(i) The receipts and disbursements of all school funds handled by the board;

(ii) Reports of expenditures for public schools, which, upon request must be made available on an individual district basis by the State Department of Education;

1. Total Student Expenditures:

a. Instruction (1000s);

b. Other Student Instructional Expenditures (2100s, 2200s);

2. General Administration (2300s and 2500s);

3. School Administration (2400s);

4. Other Expenditures (2600s, 2700s, 2800s, 3100s, 3200s); and

5. Nonoperational Expenditures (4000s, 5000s, 6000s);

(iii) The number of school districts, school teachers employed, school administrators employed, pupils taught and the attendance record of pupils therein;

(iv) County and district levies for each school district and agricultural high school;

(v) The condition of vocational education, a list of schools to which federal and state aid has been given, and a detailed statement of the expenditures of federal funds and the state funds that may be provided, and the ranking of subjects taught as compared with the state's needs.

(d) Other as directed by the State Board of Education.

Further, the reporting process will include an annual report developed specifically to relate the mission and goals of the State Board of Education, state superintendent and departments. This document will become the method through which the strategic planning and management process of the department is articulated to the public. It will explain and inform the public of the major initiatives of the department and clearly identify rationale for program development and/or elimination. The report will establish benchmarks, future plans and discuss the effectiveness of educational programs.

In addition to the information specified herein, the State Board of Education shall have full and plenary authority and power to require the furnishing of such further, additional and supplementary information as it may deem necessary for the purpose of determining the cost of the total funding formula in such school district for the succeeding fiscal year, the amount of the total funding formula funds to be allotted to each school district for the succeeding fiscal year, and for any other purpose authorized by law or deemed necessary by said State Board of Education.

It shall be the duty of the State Department of Education to prescribe the forms for the reports provided for in this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 115-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-3
Status: in_force

The lands and property of the University of Mississippi shall not be subject to state, county or municipal taxation. The buildings and improvements that are or may be erected on any land belonging to the university that has been or may be leased to private persons for the purpose of affording cheap board to the students attending the institution, shall not be subject to taxation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-6-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 6-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-6-7
Status: in_force

Each school district shall be governed by a school board consisting of five (5) members, selected in the manner provided by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-119-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 119-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-119-1
Status: in_force

The institution incorporated by an act of the legislature, approved March 30, 1910, and established in pursuance thereof, shall continue to exist as a body-politic and corporate by the name of University of Southern Mississippi, with all its property and franchises, rights, powers and privileges conferred on it by law, or properly incident to such body and necessary to accomplish the purpose of its creation; said university may receive and hold all real estate and personal property conveyed or given it, and wherever the term of Mississippi Southern College appears in the laws of the State of Mississippi the same shall be construed to refer to the University of Southern Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-138-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 138-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-138-3
Status: in_force

The purpose of this chapter is to provide for the accreditation and certification of persons who perform inspections and reinspections, prepare management plans and perform as air monitors, contractors, project designers, supervisors and workers in abatement projects for the purpose of identifying, evaluating and abating the hazard of asbestos-containing material in public and private elementary and secondary school buildings and in all public and commercial buildings in this state. It is the intent of this chapter that the cost of the administration of this chapter shall be borne fully by the certification fees provided for herein.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 23-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-1
Status: in_force

The purpose of Sections 37-23-1 through 37-23-159 is to mandate free appropriate public educational services and equipment for exceptional children in the age range three (3) through twenty (20) for whom the regular school programs are not adequate and to provide, on a permissive basis, a free appropriate public education, as a part of the state's early intervention system in accordance with regulations developed in collaboration with the agency designated as “lead agency” under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The portion of the regulations developed in collaboration with the lead agency which are necessary to implement the programs under the authority of the State Board of Education shall be presented to the State Board of Education for adoption. This specifically includes, but shall not be limited to, provision for day schools for the deaf and blind of an age under six (6) years, where early training is in accordance with the most advanced and best approved scientific methods of instruction, always taking into consideration the best interests of the child and his improvement at a time during which he is most susceptible of improvement. Educational programs to exceptional children under the age of three (3) years shall be eligible for total funding formula funds provided in Sections 37-151-200 through 37-151-215 .

All references in the laws of this state to the “Individuals with Disabilities Education Act” or to the “IDEA” shall be construed to include any subsequent amendments to that act.

The educational programs and services provided for exceptional children in Sections 37-23-1 through 37-23-15 , 37-23-31 through 37-23-35 , 37-23-61 through 37-23-75 and 37-23-77 shall be designed to provide individualized appropriate special education and related services that enable a child to reach his or her appropriate and uniquely designed goals for success. The State Board of Education shall establish an accountability system for special education programs and students with disabilities. The system shall establish accountability standards for services provided to improve the educational skills designed to prepare children for life after their years in school. These standards shall be a part of the accreditation system and shall be implemented before July 1, 1996.

The State Department of Education shall establish goals for the performance of children with disabilities that will promote the purpose of IDEA and are consistent, to the maximum extent appropriate, with other goals and standards for children established by the State Department of Education. Performance indicators used to assess progress toward achieving those goals that, at a minimum, address the performance of children with disabilities on assessments, drop-out rates, and graduation rates shall be developed. Every two (2) years, the progress toward meeting the established performance goals shall be reported to the public.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-21-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 21-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-21-7
Status: in_force

(1) This section shall be referred to as the “Mississippi Elementary Schools Assistant Teacher Program,” the purpose of which shall be to provide an early childhood education program that assists in the instruction of basic skills. The State Board of Education is authorized, empowered and directed to implement a statewide system of assistant teachers in kindergarten classes and in the first, second and third grades. The assistant teacher shall assist pupils in actual instruction under the strict supervision of a licensed teacher.

(2)(a) Except as otherwise authorized under subsection (7), each school district shall employ the total number of assistant teachers funded under subsection (6) of this section. The superintendent of each district shall assign the assistant teachers to the kindergarten, first-, second- and third-grade classes in the district in a manner that will promote the maximum efficiency, as determined by the superintendent, in the instruction of skills such as verbal and linguistic skills, logical and mathematical skills, and social skills.

(b) If a licensed teacher to whom an assistant teacher has been assigned is required to be absent from the classroom, the assistant teacher may assume responsibility for the classroom in lieu of a substitute teacher. However, no assistant teacher shall assume sole responsibility of the classroom for more than three (3) consecutive school days. Further, in no event shall any assistant teacher be assigned to serve as a substitute teacher for any teacher other than the licensed teacher to whom that assistant teacher has been assigned.

(3) Assistant teachers shall have, at a minimum, a high school diploma or a High School Equivalency Diploma equivalent, and shall show demonstratable proficiency in reading and writing skills. The State Department of Education shall develop a testing procedure for assistant teacher applicants to be used in all school districts in the state.

(4)(a) In order to receive funding, each school district shall:

(i) Submit a plan on the implementation of a reading improvement program to the State Department of Education; and

(ii) Develop a plan of educational accountability and assessment of performance, including pretests and posttests, for reading in Grades 1 through 6.

(b) Additionally, each school district shall:

(i) Provide annually a mandatory preservice orientation session, using an existing in-school service day, for administrators and teachers on the effective use of assistant teachers as part of a team in the classroom setting and on the role of assistant teachers, with emphasis on program goals;

(ii) Hold periodic workshops for administrators and teachers on the effective use and supervision of assistant teachers;

(iii) Provide training annually on specific instructional skills for assistant teachers;

(iv) Annually evaluate their program in accordance with their educational accountability and assessment of performance plan; and

(v) Designate the necessary personnel to supervise and report on their program.

(5) The State Department of Education shall:

(a) Develop and assist in the implementation of a statewide uniform training module, subject to the availability of funds specifically appropriated therefor by the Legislature, which shall be used in all school districts for training administrators, teachers and assistant teachers. The module shall provide for the consolidated training of each assistant teacher and teacher to whom the assistant teacher is assigned, working together as a team, and shall require further periodic training for administrators, teachers and assistant teachers regarding the role of assistant teachers;

(b) Annually evaluate the program on the district and state level. Subject to the availability of funds specifically appropriated therefor by the Legislature, the department shall develop: (i) uniform evaluation reports, to be performed by the principal or assistant principal, to collect data for the annual overall program evaluation conducted by the department; or (ii) a program evaluation model that, at a minimum, addresses process evaluation; and

(c) Promulgate rules, regulations and such other standards deemed necessary to effectuate the purposes of this section. Noncompliance with the provisions of this section and any rules, regulations or standards adopted by the department may result in a violation of compulsory accreditation standards as established by the State Board of Education and the Commission on School Accreditation.

(6) Each school district shall be allotted sufficient funding under the total funding formula provided in Sections 37-151-200 through 37-151-215 for the purpose of employing assistant teachers. No assistant teacher shall be paid less than the amount he or she received in the prior school year. No school district shall receive any funds under this section for any school year during which the aggregate amount of the local contribution to the salaries of assistant teachers by the district shall have been reduced below such amount for the previous year.

For assistant teachers, the minimum annual salary shall be as follows:

2022-2023 and Subsequent Years Minimum Salary․․․․․․․․․․ $17,000.00

In addition, for each one percent (1%) that the Sine Die General Fund Revenue Estimate Growth exceeds five percent (5%) in fiscal year 2006, as certified by the Legislative Budget Office to the State Board of Education and subject to the specific appropriation therefor by the Legislature, the State Board of Education shall revise the salary scale in the appropriate year to provide an additional one percent (1%) across-the-board increase in the base salaries for assistant teachers. The State Board of Education shall revise the salaries prescribed above for assistant teachers to conform to any adjustments made in prior fiscal years due to revenue growth over and above five percent (5%). The assistant teachers shall not be restricted to working only in the grades for which the funds were allotted, but may be assigned to other classes as provided in subsection (2)(a) of this section.

(7)(a) As an alternative to employing assistant teachers, any school district may use the funding provided under subsection (6) of this section for the purpose of employing licensed teachers for kindergarten, first-, second- and third-grade classes; however, no school district shall be authorized to use the funding for assistant teachers for the purpose of employing licensed teachers unless the district has established that the employment of licensed teachers using such funds will reduce the teacher:student ratio in the kindergarten, first-, second- and third-grade classes. All state funds for assistant teachers shall be applied to reducing teacher:student ratio in Grades K-3.

It is the intent of the Legislature that no school district shall dismiss any assistant teacher for the purpose of using the assistant teacher funding to employ licensed teachers. School districts may rely only upon normal attrition to reduce the number of assistant teachers employed in that district.

(b) Districts meeting the highest levels of accreditation standards, as defined by the State Board of Education, shall be exempted from the provisions of subsection (4) of this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-55 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 145-55
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-55
Status: in_force

The bonds may be secured by an indenture by and between the company and a corporate trustee which may be any bank or other corporation having the power of a trust company or any trust company within or without this state. Such indenture may contain such provisions for protecting and enforcing the rights and remedies of the bondholders as may be reasonable and proper and not in violation of law, including covenants setting forth the duties of the company in relation to the exercise of its powers.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-19-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 19-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-19-7
Status: in_force

(1) Teachers' salaries in each public school district shall be determined and paid in accordance with the scale for teachers' salaries as provided in this subsection. For teachers holding the following types of licenses or the equivalent as determined by the State Board of Education, and the following number of years of teaching experience, the scale shall be as follows:

2022-2023 AND SUBSEQUENT SCHOOL YEARS MINIMUM SALARY SCHEDULE

Exp.

AAAA

AAA

AA

A

0

45,500.00

44,000.00

43,000.00

41,500.00

1

46,100.00

44,550.00

43,525.00

41,900.00

2

46,700.00

45,100.00

44,050.00

42,300.00

3

47,300.00

45,650.00

44,575.00

42,700.00

4

47,900.00

46,200.00

45,100.00

43,100.00

5

49,250.00

47,500.00

46,350.00

44,300.00

6

49,850.00

48,050.00

46,875.00

44,700.00

7

50,450.00

48,600.00

47,400.00

45,100.00

8

51,050.00

49,150.00

47,925.00

45,500.00

9

51,650.00

49,700.00

48,450.00

45,900.00

10

53,000.00

51,000.00

49,700.00

47,100.00

11

53,600.00

51,550.00

50,225.00

47,500.00

12

54,200.00

52,100.00

50,750.00

47,900.00

13

54,800.00

52,650.00

51,275.00

48,300.00

14

55,400.00

53,200.00

51,800.00

48,700.00

15

56,750.00

54,500.00

53,050.00

49,900.00

16

57,350.00

55,050.00

53,575.00

50,300.00

17

57,950.00

55,600.00

54,100.00

50,700.00

18

58,550.00

56,150.00

54,625.00

51,100.00

19

59,150.00

56,700.00

55,150.00

51,500.00

20

60,500.00

58,000.00

56,400.00

52,700.00

21

61,100.00

58,550.00

56,925.00

53,100.00

22

61,700.00

59,100.00

57,450.00

53,500.00

23

62,300.00

59,650.00

57,975.00

53,900.00

24

62,900.00

60,200.00

58,500.00

54,300.00

25

65,400.00

62,700.00

61,000.00

56,800.00

26

66,000.00

63,250.00

61,525.00

57,200.00

27

66,600.00

63,800.00

62,050.00

57,600.00

28

67,200.00

64,350.00

62,575.00

58,000.00

29

67,800.00

64,900.00

63,100.00

58,400.00

30

68,400.00

65,450.00

63,625.00

58,800.00

31

69,000.00

66,000.00

64,150.00

59,200.00

32

69,600.00

66,550.00

64,675.00

59,600.00

33

70,200.00

67,100.00

65,200.00

60,000.00

34

70,800.00

67,650.00

65,725.00

60,400.00

35

& above

71,400.00

68,200.00

66,250.00

60,800.00

2024-2025 AND SUBSEQUENT SCHOOL YEARS MINIMUM SALARY SCHEDULE

The school district, with assistance from the Department of Education, shall consider the teacher's years of service and license type and determine the corresponding salary for the retired teacher. After determining the retired teacher's corresponding salary, the school district may allocate up to one hundred twenty-five percent (125%) of the amount provided under the salary schedule for such teacher, as applicable, as salary and assessment under the program.

After determining the retired teacher's salary, the school district may pay no more than fifty percent (50%) of the retired teacher's compensation as salary to the retired teacher. The remaining fifty percent (50%) of the retired teacher's compensation as salary shall be paid by the school district to PERS as a pension liability participation assessment.

It is the intent of the Legislature that any state funds made available for salaries of licensed personnel in excess of the funds paid for such salaries for the 1986-1987 school year shall be paid to licensed personnel pursuant to a personnel appraisal and compensation system implemented by the State Board of Education. The State Board of Education shall have the authority to adopt and amend rules and regulations as are necessary to establish, administer and maintain the system.

All teachers employed on a full-time basis shall be paid a minimum salary in accordance with the above scale. However, no school district shall receive any funds under this section for any school year during which the local supplement paid to any individual teacher shall have been reduced to a sum less than that paid to that individual teacher for performing the same duties from local supplement during the immediately preceding school year. The amount actually spent for the purposes of group health and/or life insurance shall be considered as a part of the aggregate amount of local supplement but shall not be considered a part of the amount of individual local supplement.

The level of professional training of each teacher to be used in establishing the salary for the teacher for each year shall be determined by the type of valid teacher's license issued to that teacher on or before October 1 of the current school year. However, school districts are authorized, in their discretion, to negotiate the salary levels applicable to licensed employees who are receiving retirement benefits from the retirement system of another state.

(2)(a) The following employees shall receive an annual salary supplement in the amount of Six Thousand Dollars ($6,000.00), plus fringe benefits, in addition to any other compensation to which the employee may be entitled:

(i) Any licensed teacher or retired teacher employed by a school district under the authority of Section 25-11-126 who has met the requirements and acquired a Master Teacher certificate from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and who is employed by a local school board or the State Board of Education as a teacher and not as an administrator. Such teacher shall submit documentation to the State Department of Education that the certificate was received prior to October 15 in order to be eligible for the full salary supplement in the current school year, or the teacher shall submit such documentation to the State Department of Education prior to February 15 in order to be eligible for a prorated salary supplement beginning with the second term of the school year.

(ii) A licensed nurse who has met the requirements and acquired a certificate from the National Board for Certification of School Nurses, Inc., and who is employed by a local school board or the State Board of Education as a school nurse and not as an administrator. The licensed school nurse shall submit documentation to the State Department of Education that the certificate was received before October 15 in order to be eligible for the full salary supplement in the current school year, or the licensed school nurse shall submit the documentation to the State Department of Education before February 15 in order to be eligible for a prorated salary supplement beginning with the second term of the school year.

(iii) Any licensed school counselor who has met the requirements and acquired a National Certified School Counselor (NCSC) endorsement from the National Board of Certified Counselors and who is employed by a local school board or the State Board of Education as a counselor and not as an administrator. Such licensed school counselor shall submit documentation to the State Department of Education that the endorsement was received prior to October 15 in order to be eligible for the full salary supplement in the current school year, or the licensed school counselor shall submit such documentation to the State Department of Education prior to February 15 in order to be eligible for a prorated salary supplement beginning with the second term of the school year. However, any school counselor who started the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards process for school counselors between June 1, 2003, and June 30, 2004, and completes the requirements and acquires the Master Teacher certificate shall be entitled to the master teacher supplement, and those counselors who complete the process shall be entitled to a one-time reimbursement for the actual cost of the process as outlined in paragraph (b) of this subsection.

(iv) Any licensed speech-language pathologist and audiologist who has met the requirements and acquired a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and any certified academic language therapist (CALT) who has met the certification requirements of the Academic Language Therapy Association and who is employed by a local school board. The licensed speech-language pathologist and audiologist and certified academic language therapist shall submit documentation to the State Department of Education that the certificate or endorsement was received before October 15 in order to be eligible for the full salary supplement in the current school year, or the licensed speech-language pathologist and audiologist and certified academic language therapist shall submit the documentation to the State Department of Education before February 15 in order to be eligible for a prorated salary supplement beginning with the second term of the school year.

(v) Any licensed athletic trainer who has met the requirements and acquired Board Certification for the Athletic Trainer from the Board of Certification, Inc., and who is employed by a local school board or the State Board of Education as an athletic trainer and not as an administrator. The licensed athletic trainer shall submit documentation to the State Department of Education that the certificate was received before October 15 in order to be eligible for the full salary supplement in the current school year, or the licensed athletic trainer shall submit the documentation to the State Department of Education before February 15 in order to be eligible for a prorated salary supplement beginning with the second term of the school year.

(b) An employee shall be reimbursed for the actual cost of completing each component of acquiring the certificate or endorsement, excluding any costs incurred for postgraduate courses, not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for each component, not to exceed four (4) components, for a teacher, school counselor or speech-language pathologist and audiologist, regardless of whether or not the process resulted in the award of the certificate or endorsement. A local school district or any private individual or entity may pay the cost of completing the process of acquiring the certificate or endorsement for any employee of the school district described under paragraph (a), and the State Department of Education shall reimburse the school district for such cost, regardless of whether or not the process resulted in the award of the certificate or endorsement. If a private individual or entity has paid the cost of completing the process of acquiring the certificate or endorsement for an employee, the local school district may agree to directly reimburse the individual or entity for such cost on behalf of the employee.

(c) All salary supplements, fringe benefits and process reimbursement authorized under this subsection shall be paid directly by the State Department of Education to the local school district and shall be in addition to its allotments from the total funding formula provided in Sections 37-151-200 through 37-151-215 and not a part thereof in accordance with regulations promulgated by the State Board of Education. Local school districts shall not reduce the local supplement paid to any employee receiving such salary supplement, and the employee shall receive any local supplement to which employees with similar training and experience otherwise are entitled. However, an educational employee shall receive the salary supplement in the amount of Six Thousand Dollars ($6,000.00) for only one (1) of the qualifying certifications authorized under paragraph (a) of this subsection. No school district shall provide more than one (1) annual salary supplement under the provisions of this subsection to any one (1) individual employee holding multiple qualifying national certifications.

(d) If an employee for whom such cost has been paid, in full or in part, by a local school district or private individual or entity fails to complete the certification or endorsement process, the employee shall be liable to the school district or individual or entity for all amounts paid by the school district or individual or entity on behalf of that employee toward his or her certificate or endorsement.

(3) The following employees shall receive an annual salary supplement in the amount of Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000.00), plus fringe benefits, in addition to any other compensation to which the employee may be entitled:

Effective July 1, 2016, if funds are available for that purpose, any licensed teacher or retired teacher employed by a local school district under the authority of Section 25-11-126 who has met the requirements and acquired a Master Teacher Certificate from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and who is employed in a public school district located in one (1) of the following counties: Claiborne, Adams, Jefferson, Wilkinson, Amite, Bolivar, Coahoma, Leflore, Quitman, Sharkey, Issaquena, Sunflower, Washington, Holmes, Yazoo and Tallahatchie. The salary supplement awarded under the provisions of this subsection (3) shall be in addition to the salary supplement awarded under the provisions of subsection (2) of this section.

Teachers who meet the qualifications for a salary supplement under this subsection (3) who are assigned for less than one (1) full year or less than full time for the school year shall receive the salary supplement in a prorated manner, with the portion of the teacher's assignment to the critical geographic area to be determined as of June 15th of the school year.

(4)(a) This subsection shall be known and may be cited as the “Mississippi Performance-Based Pay (MPBP)” plan. In addition to the minimum base pay described in this section, only if funds are available for that purpose, the State of Mississippi may provide monies from state funds to school districts for the purposes of rewarding licensed teachers, administrators and nonlicensed personnel at individual schools showing improvement in student test scores. The MPBP plan shall be developed by the State Department of Education based on the following criteria:

(i) It is the express intent of this legislation that the MPBP plan shall utilize only existing standards of accreditation and assessment as established by the State Board of Education.

(ii) To ensure that all of Mississippi's teachers, administrators and nonlicensed personnel at all schools have equal access to the monies set aside in this section, the MPBP program shall be designed to calculate each school's performance as determined by the school's increase in scores from the prior school year. The MPBP program shall be based on a standardized scores rating where all levels of schools can be judged in a statistically fair and reasonable way upon implementation. At the end of each year, after all student achievement scores have been standardized, the State Department of Education shall implement the MPBP plan.

(iii) To ensure all teachers cooperate in the spirit of teamwork, individual schools shall submit a plan to the local school district to be approved before the beginning of each school year. The plan shall include, but not be limited to, how all teachers, regardless of subject area, and administrators will be responsible for improving student achievement for their individual school.

(b) The State Board of Education shall develop the processes and procedures for designating schools eligible to participate in the MPBP. State assessment results, growth in student achievement at individual schools and other measures deemed appropriate in designating successful student achievement shall be used in establishing MPBP criteria.

(5)(a) If funds are available for that purpose, each school in Mississippi shall have mentor teachers, as defined by Sections 37-9-201 through 37-9-213 , who shall receive additional base compensation provided for by the State Legislature in the amount of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) per each beginning teacher that is being mentored. The additional state compensation shall be limited to those mentor teachers that provide mentoring services to beginning teachers. For the purposes of such funding, a beginning teacher shall be defined as any teacher in any school in Mississippi that has less than one (1) year of classroom experience teaching in a public school. For the purposes of such funding, no full-time academic teacher shall mentor more than two (2) beginning teachers.

(b) To be eligible for this state funding, the individual school must have a classroom management program approved by the local school board.

(6) Effective with the 2014-2015 school year, the school districts participating in the Pilot Performance-Based Compensation System pursuant to Section 37-19-9 may award additional teacher and administrator pay based thereon.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-211 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 33-211
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-211
Status: in_force

(1) The Office of Special Disability Programs shall assist individuals with the most severe disabilities determined to be eligible and in carrying out the purposes of the Rehabilitation Act is authorized among other things:

(a) To cooperate with other departments, agencies and institutions, both public and private, in providing rehabilitation services, in studying the problems involved therein, and in establishing, programs and services as may be necessary or desirable; and

(b) To conduct research and compile statistics relating to the provision of rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities.

(2) The Office of Special Disability Programs shall utilize federal grant money through Title VII of the most current amendment of the federal Rehabilitation Act to assist those individuals with the most severe disabilities. The office will work to provide medical equipment, home modifications, vehicle modifications and other independent living services to assist those individuals determined to be eligible according to the regulations of Title VII of the most current amendment of the Rehabilitation Act to remain in or return to mainstream society.

(3) The State Attendant Care Program created by the Mississippi Legislature in 1985 to provide personal care services for people who are severely disabled may function under the Office of Special Disability Programs. Personal care services will be provided to those individuals determined to be eligible by the office in accordance with policies established by the department.

(4) The Office of Special Disability Programs shall provide special disability services through programs developed with other state and federal agencies. The individuals and services provided shall be in conformity with any program policies and eligibility categories established by the programs.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-55 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 41-55
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-55
Status: in_force

(1) The driver of every school transportation vehicle used to transport pupils, on approaching any railroad crossing, shall bring the vehicle to a complete stop within fifty (50) feet but not less than fifteen (15) feet from the nearest rail of the railroad. While stopped, the driver shall open the service door and driver's window, and look and listen for:

(a) Approaching trains or any other vehicle operated upon the rails for the purpose of maintenance of railroads, including, but not limited to, all hi-rail vehicles and on-track maintenance machines; and

(b) Signals indicating the approach of a train or other vehicle or machine operated upon the rails.

The driver shall not proceed until the driver has determined that it is safe to proceed.

(2) The driver of every school transportation vehicle used to transport pupils, on approaching any highway intersection, shall bring the vehicle to a complete stop and shall not proceed until the driver has determined that it is safe to proceed.

(3) Any driver who fails to bring his vehicle to a complete stop and follow the procedures as herein required is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) for each offense.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-63 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 106-63
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-63
Status: in_force

(1) There is hereby created the state dental forgivable loan program. The purpose of the program shall be to enable eligible applicants who desire to become dentists to obtain a standard four-year education in the study of dentistry in the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry, which will qualify them to become licensed, practicing dentists.

(2) The board shall establish, by rule and regulation, the maximum annual award which may be made under this program at an amount not to exceed the cost of tuition and other expenses, and shall establish the maximum number of awards, which may be made not to exceed the length of time required to complete the degree requirements.

(3) Repayment and conversion terms shall be the same as those outlined in Section 37-106-53 and shall include the following:

(a) Payment in full of principal and interest must be made in sixty (60) or less equal monthly installments;

(b) In lieu of payment in full of both principal and interest, a loan recipient may elect to repay by entry into public health work at a state health institution as defined in Section 37-106-67(2) , or community health centers that are grantees under Section 330 of the United States Public Health Service Act;

(c) In lieu of payment in full of both principal and interest, a loan recipient may elect to repay by entry into the practice of dentistry in an area outside of a metropolitan statistical area, as defined and established by the United States Census Bureau, and within a region ranking between 1 and 54, inclusively, on the Relative Needs Index of Four Factors for Dentists, as annually determined by the State Board of Health, for a period of five (5) years.

(4) The board shall establish the rules and regulations as it deems necessary and proper to carry out the purposes and intent of this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-104 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 9-104
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-104
Status: in_force

If the board of trustees makes a preliminary determination not to offer the school district superintendent a renewal contract for a successive year, written notice of the preliminary nonreemployment determination must be given to the superintendent before February 1. However, an interim conservator appointed pursuant to Section 37-17-6(15)(a) or a school board acting on the recommendation of a school district financial advisor appointed pursuant to Section 37-9-18 is not required to comply with the time limitations prescribed in this section for recommending the reemployment of superintendents.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-31 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 31-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-31
Status: in_force

The intention of Sections 37-31-31 through 37-31-41 is to enable the State of Mississippi, by and through the state board of education to secure the benefits of the federal social security act pertaining to services for crippled children, and said sections shall be liberally construed in order to effectuate such intention.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-127 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 33-127
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-127
Status: in_force

(1) Any city, county, nonprofit corporation, state-supported institution, or any combination thereof, may apply to the Director of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation of the State Department of Rehabilitation Services for assistance in establishing or operating, or both establishing and operating, a community rehabilitation program. Applications for that assistance shall be on forms supplied by the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. Each applicant shall annually submit to the Director of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation its plan and budget for the next fiscal year. No applicant shall be eligible for a grant under this section unless its plan and budget have been approved by the director.

(2) In order to provide the necessary funds for a community rehabilitation program, the governing body of any city or county may expend any money in the general fund of the city or county for that purpose. Any city, county, nonprofit corporation and state-supported institution may accept gifts or grants from any source for the community rehabilitation program. Any money received as a gift or nonfederal grant may be used to match federal funds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-91 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 23-91
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-91
Status: in_force

The board of education in any Class 1 county of the state having a total population of more than one hundred thousand (100,000) according to the 1960 census and having a total assessed valuation in excess of Sixty Million Dollars ($60,000,000.00), bordering on the Gulf of Mexico and in which there is a federal military base, under the methods set out in Sections 37-23-91 through 37-23-111 , may establish a child development center for children in the county who have an intellectual or physical disability or are otherwise unable to attend public school, including, but not limited to, any child of educable or trainable mind under twenty-one (21) years of age for whose particular educational needs institutional care and training are not available in such county, or who cannot pursue regular classwork due to reason or reasons of defective hearing, vision, speech, intellectual disability or physical conditions, as determined by competent medical authorities and psychologists who are approved by the State Board of Education. This specifically includes, but shall not be limited to, provision for the deaf and blind of an age under six (6) years, where early training is in accordance with the most advanced and best approved scientific methods of instruction, always taking into consideration the best interests of the child and his improvement at a time during which he is most susceptible to improvement.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-251 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 9-251
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-251
Status: in_force

(1) The following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed in this subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) “ Beginning principal ” means a principal who:

(i) Possesses an administrator's license issued by the Commission on Teacher and Administrator Education, Certification and Licensure and Development;

(ii) Is employed as a principal by a public school district; and

(iii) Has served fewer than ninety (90) consecutive days, or one hundred eighty (180) days total, as a licensed principal in any public school.

(b) “ Formal assistance ” means a program provided by a mentor principal to a beginning principal which includes, but is not limited to: direct administrative observation and consultation; assistance in administrative planning and preparation; support in implementation and delivery of principal administrative responsibilities; and support in the administrative functions of school leadership, student psychology, student health, student drug abuse, human relations, multicultural and multiethnic relations, crisis management and other assistance intended to enhance the professional performance and development of the beginning principal.

(c) “ Mentor principal ” means a principal who:

(i) Possesses a standard administrative license issued by the Commission on Teacher and Administrator Education, Certification and Licensure and Development;

(ii) At the time of selection, is employed under contract primarily as a principal by a public school district or is retired from a public school district;

(iii) Has successfully served for three (3) or more years as a licensed principal in any public school; and

(iv) Has demonstrated mastery of administrative skills and subject matter knowledge and has been selected and trained as described in this section.

(2) The School Executive Management Institute of the State Department of Education shall establish a Beginning Principal Support Pilot Program to provide eligible beginning principals in this state with continued and sustained support from a formally assigned mentor principal during the first full year of principal service.

(3) The State Board of Education shall select one (1) school district in each of the five (5) Mississippi congressional districts, pursuant to the application process provided for in this section, to participate in the Beginning Principal Support Pilot Program. Two (2) or more districts may operate jointly a Beginning Principal Support Pilot Program if the districts meet all the requirements of this section. School districts may coordinate with institutions of higher learning in the design, implementation and evaluation of mentorship programs. Private educational consortia established for approved principal education programs are eligible to operate a Beginning Principal Support Pilot Program to serve beginning principals in a participating school district.

(4) Each district that wishes to participate in the Beginning Principal Support Pilot Program shall submit a formal application to the School Executive Management Institute according to rules of the institute. Along with an application, districts shall provide the institute with the following information:

(a) The names of all eligible beginning principals employed by the district and a description of their administrative duties;

(b) The names of mentor principals selected by a district and a description of their administrative assignments and endorsements;

(c) A description of the content and calendar of the proposed Beginning Principal Support Pilot Program. The program shall provide a minimum of ninety (90) hours of direct contact between mentor principals and beginning principals, including observation or assistance with administrative duties, or both, during the school day; and

(d) A description of the amount and nature of each eligible beginning principal's administrative duties.

(5) After consulting with representatives of administrators, school boards, schools of education of the institutions of higher learning and such others as it considers appropriate, the School Executive Management Institute shall develop or approve workshops to provide training for mentor principals and beginning principals.

(6) The selection, nature and extent of duties of mentor principals shall be determined by the school district, subject to the following:

(a) No principal shall be designated as a mentor principal unless willing to perform in that role;

(b) Each mentor principal shall complete successfully a training workshop provided or approved by the School Executive Management Institute in the Beginning Principal Support Pilot Program; and

(c) Participating school districts shall be fully authorized to compensate mentor principals, grant release time for mentor principals and employ and compensate substitute administrators for additional duties performed under the Beginning Principal Support Pilot Program which are in addition to regular school day responsibilities.

(7) The School Executive Management Institute shall be responsible for the regular and ongoing evaluation of the Beginning Principal Support Pilot Program and may contract for such evaluation. The institute shall report to the State Board of Education and the Legislature in the 2003 Regular Session on the desirability of extending this assistance program statewide.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-51 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 141-51
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-51
Status: in_force

(1) There is hereby created the Regional Initiatives Program within the University Research Center as created by Section 37-141-1 et seq.

(2) The program shall provide financial assistance to counties through grants to substate economic development organizations or an aggregate of such organizations to carry out specific projects that will augment the objectives and strategies of the statewide economic development plan in accordance with the Statewide Planning Act of 1987.

(3) Counties may designate substate economic development organizations to include but not limited to economic development organizations such as local chambers of commerce, local economic development authorities, planning development districts, multicounty organizations funded by local governing authorities and the federal government or other organization deemed appropriate.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-2 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 101-2
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-2
Status: in_force

There is hereby established within the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning a Welfare Policy Institute at a campus location to be designated by the board of trustees. The purpose of the institute shall be to research and gather empirical information regarding the social and welfare programs authorized under Sections 37-101-2 , 43-1-8 , 43-1-10 , 43-1-30 , 43-13-115 , 43-17-1 , 43-17-5 , and 43-49-1 through 43-49-15 and to write grant proposals regarding the policy implications of such program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-203 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 153-203
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-203
Status: in_force

(1) The Mississippi Legislature finds that:

(a) The public health crisis related to COVID-19 resulted in a general disruption in the Mississippi economy and workforce, particularly in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities and other health care facilities across the state;

(b) Workforce shortages exist in the health care industry; and

(c) The availability of unprecedented federal funding to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the workforce and economy has created a unique opportunity for the office, working with community colleges, to provide education and training to help Mississippians find employment in the nursing, allied health and other health care fields, including paramedics.

(2) Therefore, the intent of the Mississippi Legislature is:

(a) To provide funding for outreach efforts to connect citizens seeking employment in nursing, allied health, and other health care fields, including paramedics, with the education and training required to obtain necessary skills for relevant employment in the state;

(b) To provide funding for new and increased capacity in existing nursing and allied health training programs, including accredited paramedic programs, or to help retain and graduate nursing and allied health students, including students in an accredited paramedic program, to include any required equipment or supplies, at community and junior colleges or through other entities facilitating healthcare-focused workforce training programs across the state;

(c) To provide funding for new and increased capacity in physician residency and fellowship programs in hospitals across the state; and

(d) To gauge the effectiveness of these programs by gathering data related to participation and wage and employment outcomes in order to replicate successful efforts in future workforce development programs.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-69 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 29-69
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-69
Status: in_force

Any junior college district is hereby authorized and empowered to operate junior college attendance centers at existing sites of junior college plants and facilities and at such other places within the district, subject to the approval of the Mississippi Community College Board, as the board of trustees shall determine to be in the best interest of the district.

Two (2) or more boards of trustees may cooperate in establishing, operating and maintaining attendance centers.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-135 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 23-135
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-135
Status: in_force

(1) For the purposes of this section, each local educational agency is eligible for assistance under IDEA Part B for a fiscal year if, in providing for the education of children with disabilities within its jurisdiction, policies, procedures and programs are in effect that are consistent with the regulations established by the State Department of Education.

(2) The local educational agency shall have in effect policies and procedures, and programs that are consistent with the State Department of Education's policies and procedures to ensure:

(a) A free appropriate public education is available to all children with disabilities residing in the state between the ages of three (3) and twenty (20), inclusive. Educational services for children with disabilities who have been suspended or expelled from school shall be provided based on the requirements of IDEA, applicable federal regulations and state regulations;

(b) The full educational opportunity goal established by the state is implemented;

(c) All children with disabilities, who are in need of special education and related services, including children with disabilities attending private school, regardless of the severity of their disabilities, are identified, located, and evaluated;

(d) An individualized education program is developed, reviewed and revised for each child with a disability;

(e) Children with disabilities are provided services within their least restrictive environment;

(f) Children with disabilities and their parents are afforded the procedural safeguards required under IDEA;

(g) Children with disabilities are evaluated as required under IDEA;

(h) The State Department of Education and local education agencies will assure the protection of the confidentiality of any personally identifiable data, information and records collected or maintained as required under IDEA and the Family Rights and Privacy Act.

(i) Children with disabilities participating in early intervention programs assisted under IDEA Part C who will participate in preschool programs assisted under IDEA Part B shall experience a smooth transition. An individualized educational program shall be developed and implemented by the child's third birthday;

(j) Children with disabilities enrolled in private schools by their parents shall be provided special education and related services to the extent required under IDEA;

(k) Children with disabilities who are placed in private schools or facilities by the local educational agency shall be provided special education and related services, in accordance with an individualized education program, at no cost to their parents;

(l) A comprehensive system of personnel development has been developed to ensure appropriately qualified personnel are available and personnel are trained in accordance with the requirements of the State Department of Education and IDEA;

(m) Personnel providing educational services to children with disabilities meet the personnel standards of the State Department of Education;

(n) The performance goals and indicators shall be implemented as established by the State Board of Education; and

(o) Children with disabilities are included in statewide and district-wide assessment programs, with appropriate accommodations, in accordance with regulations established by the State Board of Education.

(3) The local educational agency shall make available to parents of children with disabilities and to the general public all documents relating to the agency's eligibility under IDEA.

(4) If the State Department of Education determines that a local educational agency is not eligible to receive federal funds due to compliance violations not being resolved within a specified timeline, the local educational agency shall be notified of that determination and shall be provided with reasonable notice and an opportunity for a hearing. The local educational agency in receipt of such notice, shall, by means of public notice, take such measures as may be necessary to bring the pendency of an action to withhold funds to the attention of the public within the jurisdiction of such agency.

(5) The State Department of Education, after reasonable notice and an opportunity for a hearing, shall reduce or shall not provide any further payments to the local educational agency until the department is satisfied that the violations have been corrected.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-25-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 25-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-25-3
Status: in_force

Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, the school board of any school district maintaining a secondary school which includes any of the grades nine (9) through twelve (12) inclusive, shall establish and maintain driver education and training programs for pupils enrolled in the day secondary schools in that district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-45 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 59-45
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-45
Status: in_force

No interest-bearing indebtedness shall hereafter be incurred by any such school district except in the manner provided in this article or as may otherwise be provided by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-303 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 7-303
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-303
Status: in_force

(1) The school board of any school district may insure motor vehicles for any hazard that the board may choose, and shall insure the school buildings, equipment and other school property of the district against any and all hazards that the board may deem necessary to provide insurance against. In addition, the local school board of any school district shall purchase and maintain business property insurance and business personal property insurance on all school district-owned buildings and/or contents as required by federal law and regulations of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as is necessary for receiving public assistance or reimbursement for repair, reconstruction, replacement or other damage to those buildings and/or contents caused by the Hurricane Katrina Disaster of 2005 or subsequent disasters. The school district is authorized to expend funds from any available source for the purpose of obtaining and maintaining that property insurance. The school district is authorized to enter into agreements with the Department of Finance and Administration, other local school districts, community or junior college districts, state institutions of higher learning, community hospitals and/or other state agencies to pool their liabilities to participate in a group business property and/or business personal property insurance program, subject to uniform rules and regulations as may be adopted by the Department of Finance and Administration. Such school board shall be authorized to contract for such insurance for a term of not exceeding five (5) years and to obligate the district for the payment of the premiums thereon. When necessary, the school board is authorized and empowered, in its discretion, to borrow money payable in annual installments for a period of not exceeding five (5) years at a rate of interest not exceeding eight percent (8%) per annum to provide funds to pay such insurance premiums. The money so borrowed and the interest thereon shall be payable from any school funds of the district other than the total funding formula funds provided for in Sections 37-151-200 through 37-151-215 . The school boards of school districts are further authorized and empowered, in all cases where same may be necessary, to bring and maintain suits and other actions in any court of competent jurisdiction for the purpose of collecting the proceeds of insurance policies issued upon the property of such school district.

(2) Two (2) or more school districts, together with other educational entities or agencies, may agree to pool their liabilities to participate in a group workers' compensation program. The governing authorities of any school board or other educational entity or agency may authorize the organization and operation of, or the participation in such a group self-insurance program with other school boards and educational entities or agencies, subject to the requirements of Section 71-3-5 . The Workers' Compensation Commission shall approve such group self-insurance programs subject to uniform rules and regulations as may be adopted by the commission applicable to all groups.

(3) The governing board of any county, municipality, municipal separate school district, other school district or community/junior college district, and the governing board or head of any other political subdivision or entity may negotiate for, secure and pool their risks under this section and may provide for the purchase of any one or more policies of property insurance, or the establishment of a self-insurance fund or self-insurance reserves, or any combination thereof. The governing board of any political subdivision or other entity set forth in this section is authorized to expend funds from any available source for the purpose of obtaining and maintaining that property insurance. The administration and service of any such self-insurance program shall be contracted to a third party and approved by the Commissioner of Insurance.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-63-11 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 63-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-63-11
Status: in_force

(1) The Authority for Educational Television is empowered to request and to receive such state funds for educational television construction and operation as may be appropriated or allocated to it, and to solicit and receive contributions, matching funds, gifts, bequests and devises from any source, whether federal, state, public or private. It may enter into agreements with federal, state, public or private agencies, departments, institutions, firms, corporations or persons for the production, transmission, sale, lease or purchase of educational television and educational radio programs, or any research and development projects, joint ventures pertaining to content or other projects that do not duplicate communication facilities or services utilized under contract by the state and that the authority determines are in its best interests. The authority may enter into any contracts and other agreements necessary for those purposes, and in doing so, the authority may agree to terms of indemnification, the law of another state or jurisdiction or other necessary terms when, in the judgment of the authority, that would be in its best interests. The authority may delegate to its executive director its power to enter into these contracts or other agreements, or to exercise any of its other powers, in accordance with guidelines established by the authority. All materials produced or received by the authority in the exercise of its power, in the preceding provisions of this subsection, that are protected by copyright or considered confidential or proprietary information of third parties, shall not be public records. All such materials shall not be subject to release under the Public Records Act. The authority may also lease antenna space on television towers which it owns. Before the authority is empowered to contract for communication facilities to carry television signals, it shall obtain written authority to do so from the Department of Finance and Administration in order to ensure that there be no duplication of state communication facilities.

(2) There is hereby established in the State Treasury a special fund for the purpose of providing for the payment of all expenses in respect to the administration of this chapter. Such fund shall be administered by the authority. The State Treasurer shall be the custodian of such funds and all monies and securities in such fund shall be held in trust by such Treasurer and shall not be the money or property of the state. The State Treasurer is authorized to disburse monies from such fund only upon order of the authority. The official bond of the State Treasurer shall be conditioned for the faithful performance of his duty hereunder. The State Treasurer shall deposit any monies paid into such fund into such qualified depository banks as the authority may designate and is authorized to invest any portion of the fund which, in the opinion of the authority, is not needed for current requirements in the same manner and subject to all provisions of the law with respect to the deposit of state funds by such Treasurer. All interest earned by such portion of the fund as may be invested by the State Treasurer shall be collected by him and placed to the credit of such fund.

(3) The Authority for Educational Television is empowered to provide noncommercial production or reproduction services for other public agencies, and may collect the costs of providing the services from the public agency. These costs shall be deposited into the special fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-81 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 27-81
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-81
Status: in_force

When an agricultural high school is abolished under the provisions of Section 37-27-79 , then it shall be the duty of the board of supervisors or boards of supervisors, to advertise the sale of and to sell all of the property of such school to the highest bidders for cash. The proceeds of such sale shall be used to pay off any outstanding indebtedness of such school. If there is a balance after paying all outstanding indebtedness then such balance shall be paid into the county school fund of such county or counties.

In the event the proceeds of the sale of the property of such school are not sufficient to pay all outstanding indebtedness of such school, then the board or boards of supervisors of such county or counties shall levy a tax on the property of the county or counties sufficient to pay the outstanding indebtedness when it becomes due.

Alternatively, the board of supervisors may transfer any part or all of such property to any school district in said county.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-47 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 101-47
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-47
Status: in_force

Any leases executed under the provisions of Section 37-101-41 shall be legal investments for trustees and other fiduciaries, and for banks, trust companies, and insurance companies authorized to do business in the State of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-43-17 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 43-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-43-17
Status: in_force

If any person related within the third degree by blood or marriage, as computed by civil law, to any member of the board, or if any person that is associated in any business or partnership with any member of said board, shall be employed in good faith by any school book company, firm, corporation or agent in connection with the adoption of textbooks within this state, the said member of the board so related by blood or marriage, or so associated in business or partnership with such person, shall not vote in the rating and adoption of any school book or books offered by such school book company, firm, corporation or agent for adoption.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-69 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 115-69
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-69
Status: in_force

Any county of this state now or hereafter having a population of more than one hundred thousand according to the latest available census, and in which there is located a municipality of one hundred thousand or more, acting by and through its board of supervisors, is hereby authorized and empowered to contribute the sum of one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) toward the construction, erection and equipping of educational facilities to be utilized by the University of Mississippi within such county, by the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-67 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 101-67
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-67
Status: in_force

All bonds issued by an educational building corporation shall be solely and exclusively obligations of the corporation and shall not create an obligation or debt of the State of Mississippi. The state shall not pledge its full faith or credit for the payment of any debt incurred or bonds issued by such corporation.

All such bonds shall not constitute a debt of the college or university for which the facilities are to be constructed.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-4.1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 13-4.1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-4.1
Status: in_force

(1) The legislative intent and purpose for this section is to protect the freedom of speech guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, to define for the citizens of Mississippi the rights and privileges that are accorded them on public school property, other public property or other property at school-related events; and to provide guidance to public school officials on the rights and requirements of law that they must apply. The intent and purpose of the Legislature is to accommodate the free exercise of religious rights of its student citizens in the public schools and at public school events as provided to them by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and the judicial interpretations thereof as given by the United States Supreme Court.

(2) On public school property, other public property or other property, invocations, benedictions or nonsectarian, nonproselytizing student-initiated voluntary prayer shall be permitted during compulsory or noncompulsory school-related student assemblies, student sporting events, graduation or commencement ceremonies and other school-related student events.

(3) This section shall not diminish the right of any student or person to exercise his rights of free speech and religion, including prayer, as permitted by the United States Constitution, on public school property, other public property or other property, at times or events other than those stated in subsection (2) of this section.

(4) The exercise of the rights guaranteed under subsection (2) of this section shall not be construed to indicate any support, approval or sanction of the contents of any such prayer, invocation, benediction or other activity, or be construed as an unconstitutional use of any public property or other property by the State of Mississippi or any agency, department, board, commission, institution or other instrumentality thereof or any political subdivision of the state, including any county or municipality and any instrumentality thereof. The exercise of these rights on public school property, other public property or on other property for school-related activities, by students or others, shall not be construed as the promotion or establishment of any religion or religious belief.

(5) The provisions of this section are severable. If any part of this section is declared invalid or unconstitutional, that declaration shall not affect the part or parts that remain.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-3-49 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 3-49
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-3-49
Status: in_force

(1) The State Department of Education shall provide an instructional program and establish guidelines and procedures for managing such program in the public schools within the school districts throughout the state as part of the State Program of Educational Accountability and Assessment of Performance as prescribed in Section 37-3-46 . Public school districts may (a) elect to adopt the instructional program and management system provided by the State Department of Education, or (b) elect to adopt an instructional program and management system which meets or exceeds criteria established by the State Department of Education for such. This provision shall begin with the courses taught in Grades K-8 which contain skills tested through the Mississippi Basic Skills Assessment Program and shall proceed through all secondary school courses mandated for graduation and all secondary school courses in the Mississippi end-of-course testing program. Other state core objectives must be included in the district's instructional program as they are provided by the State Department of Education along with instructional practices, resources, evaluation items and management procedures. Districts are encouraged to adapt this program and accompanying procedures to all other instructional areas. The department shall provide that such program and guidelines, or a program and guidelines developed by a local school district which incorporates the core objectives from the curriculum structure are enforced through the performance-based accreditation system. It is the intent of the Legislature that every effort be made to protect the instructional time in the classroom and reduce the amount of paperwork which must be completed by teachers. The State Department of Education shall take steps to insure that school districts properly use staff development time to work on the districts' instructional management plans.

(2) The State Department of Education shall provide such instructional program and management guidelines which shall require for every public school district that:

(a) All courses taught in Grades K-8 which contain skills which are tested through the Mississippi Basic Skills Assessment Program, all secondary school courses mandated for graduation, and all courses in the end-of-course testing program shall include the State Department of Education's written list of learning objectives.

(b) The local school board must adopt the objectives that will form the core curriculum which will be systematically delivered throughout the district.

(c) The set of objectives provided by the State Department of Education must be accompanied by suggested instructional practices and resources that would help teachers organize instruction so as to promote student learning of the objectives. Objectives added by the school district must also be accompanied by suggested instructional practices and resources that would help teachers organize instruction. The instructional practices and resources that are identified are to be used as suggestions and not as requirements that teachers must follow. The goal of the program is to have students to achieve the desired objective and not to limit teachers in the way they teach.

(d) Standards for student performance must be established for each core objective in the local program and those standards establish the district's definition of mastery for each objective.

(e) There shall be an annual review of student performance in the instructional program against locally established standards. When weaknesses exist in the local instructional program, the district shall take action to improve student performance.

(3) The State Board of Education and the board of trustees of each school district shall adopt policies to limit and reduce the number and length of written reports that classroom teachers are required to prepare.

(4) This section shall not be construed to limit teachers from using their own professional skills to help students master instructional objectives, nor shall it be construed as a call for more detailed or complex lesson plans or any increase in testing at the local school district level.

(5) Districts meeting the highest levels of accreditation standards, as defined by the State Board of Education, shall be exempted from the provisions of subsection (2) of this section.