Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-103 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 65-103
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-103
Status: in_force

The decision or determination to close any one or more or all schools of the district shall be effectuated and evidenced by an order of such board of trustees directing the same, entered upon the minutes of such board, and the same shall be sufficient by an adjudication or determination therein of any one or more reasons authorizing such action as set out in Section 37-65-101 , and it shall not be necessary to include in said order any fact or detail other than the said reason or reasons above mentioned.

Any one or more or all schools of the district which may be closed, as hereinabove provided for, shall remain closed until further order of said board of trustees made and entered upon its minutes opening such school or schools or all schools of the district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-273 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 29-273
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-273
Status: in_force

The county superintendent of education of a county in which there is located and operated a legally constituted municipal junior college may provide for the attendance of pupils residing in the county of which he is superintendent of education at such municipal junior college, and pay for same by certificate drawn by him on the special junior college fund. Said fund shall be raised by a levy made by the board of supervisors upon the recommendation of the county board of education. However, the amount so paid shall not be greater than the pro rata share of such pupils in the actual cost of incidentals and tuition of such municipal junior college.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-63-15 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 63-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-63-15
Status: in_force

No SEICUS (or any of its subsidiaries or connections known by any other name whatsoever) programming whatsoever shall be carried by any educational television station in the State of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-329 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 101-329
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-329
Status: in_force

Sections 37-101-301 through 37-101-331 shall be deemed to be full and complete authority for the exercise of the powers herein granted, but Sections 37-101-301 through 37-101-331 shall not be deemed to repeal or to be in derogation of any existing law of this state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-123 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 33-123
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-123
Status: in_force

For the purposes of Sections 37-33-121 through 37-33-131 , a community rehabilitation program means a program that provides directly or facilitates the provision of services to individuals with disabilities to enable them to maximize their opportunities for employment. These specialized programs provide paid, time-limited work experiences to clients with disabilities through the manufacture of goods or provision of services sold to industry or other parties as the primary means in rendering realistic work based evaluation and training services designed to enable clients with disabilities to attain the necessary work skills, habits, behaviors, and experience required to successfully obtain and maintain competitive employment. Additional services provided by the community rehabilitation program to enhance and facilitate the employability of clients with disabilities include, but are not limited to, vocational evaluation/career exploration and planning, counseling and guidance, job readiness and job seeking skills training, on the job evaluation and other therapeutic or work training services that support or contribute to the ultimate employment of clients with disabilities.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-71 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 106-71
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-71
Status: in_force

(1) There is established the Mississippi Dyslexia Education Forgivable Loan Program for the purpose of identifying and recruiting qualified university and college students from the state for schooling in education with a focus on dyslexia therapy.

(2) The receipt of a forgivable loan under the program shall be solely limited to those students who are enrolled in or who have been accepted for enrollment into a master's degree program of study for dyslexia therapy at any public or private institution of higher learning within the State of Mississippi at the time an application for a forgivable loan is filed with the board.

(3) The annual amount of the forgivable loan award shall be equal to the total cost for tuition, materials and fees at the college or university in which the student is enrolled. Awards made to nonresidents of the state shall not include any amount assessed by the college or university for out-of-state tuition.

(4) Upon completion of the master's program and licensure requirements, a forgivable loan recipient who has not been previously licensed by the State Department of Education shall render service in an instructional or clinical capacity as a licensed dyslexia therapist in a public school district in the state or an eligible nonpublic school as defined by Section 37-173-1 and meets the criteria established in Section 37-173-17 , not to exceed five (5) recipients rendering instructional or clinical services in a nonpublic school at any time.

(5) Repayment and conversion terms shall be the same as those outlined in Section 37-106-53 .

(6) The board shall prepare and submit a report to the Legislature by January 1, 2015, and annually thereafter, outlining in detail the number of participants who have received forgivable loans under the program, the record of service provided by those recipients as they transition out of the degree program into the public school districts of this state, and the projection for expanding the program to include more participants annually as determined by the need for such qualified professionals in the public school setting. Additionally, the report shall include a summary of allocations and expenditures for the administration of the program and the total amount of funds issued to recipients of forgivable loans from the inception of the program until such time as the report has been prepared and submitted to the Legislature.

(7) The Mississippi Dyslexia Education Forgivable Loan Program shall be administered in the same manner as the Critical Needs Teacher Forgivable Loan Program established under Section 37-106-55 and shall be incorporated into the Critical Needs Teacher Forgivable Loan Program for all purposes.

(8) Funding for the establishment and continued operation of the Mississippi Dyslexia Education Forgivable Loan Program shall be administered by the board through a special fund established within the Critical Needs Teacher Forgivable Loan Program. The board may accept and receive monetary gifts and donations from any source, public or private, which such funds shall be deposited in the special fund for the benefit of the Mississippi Dyslexia Education Forgivable Loan Program with the Critical Needs Teacher Forgivable Loan Program.

(9) No more than twenty (20) students per cohort shall be selected annually to be admitted into the program for receipt of forgivable loans beginning with the 2013-2014 academic year. However, forgivable loans awarded under the program shall be provided only to students who have been accepted into a Dyslexia Therapy Master's Degree Cohort Program approved by the State Department of Education that provides instructional training as required under Chapter 173, Title 37, Mississippi Code of 1972 , for dyslexia therapy in preparation of those cohort students for AA licensure by the department.

(10) As part of the Mississippi Dyslexia Education Forgivable Loan Program, the State Department of Education is authorized and directed, subject to the availability of funds specifically appropriated therefor by the Legislature, to provide financial assistance for the recruitment, placement and employment of qualified licensed dyslexia therapy professionals identified under Section 37-173-15(1)(b), Mississippi Code of 1972 , in order to provide dyslexia screening, evaluation and therapy services to the students attending school in the school district. Said funding may be used to purchase curriculum materials and supplies for dyslexia therapy services. Said funding shall be provided to public school districts upon application therefor regardless of the financial need of the school district in an amount not to exceed Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) annually, and subject to specific appropriation therefor by the Legislature. In order to qualify for such funds, the school district shall meet the following criteria:

(a) Use licensed dyslexia therapists or individuals participating in an approved training program resulting in State Department of Education licensure to provide dyslexia therapy to students diagnosed with dyslexia;

(b) Use daily Orton-Gillingham-based therapy;

(c) Have school leadership trained in dyslexia; and

(d) Have a current School Program Verification and Assurances form on file with the State Department of Education, Office of Curriculum and Instruction. Procedures and standards for the application for such funds shall be established by regulations developed and issued by the State Board of Education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-55 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 113-55
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-55
Status: in_force

There is created in the State Treasury a special fund to be designated as the “Mississippi State University Veterinary School Fund.” The fund shall be maintained by the State Treasurer as a separate and special fund, separate and apart from the General Fund of the state. Monies in the fund shall be disbursed by the Department of Finance and Administration to assist Mississippi State University with paying costs associated with the design, construction, renovation, repairs, and equipping of the Wise Center. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited into such fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-217 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 153-217
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-217
Status: in_force

Grant funds shall be available under this article through December 31, 2026, or on the date of the fund expenditure deadline provided by the federal government, whichever occurs later. Each grant recipient shall certify, for any project for which a grant is awarded, that if the project is not completed by December 31, 2026, and the United States Congress does not enact an extension of the deadline on the availability of ARPA funds, then the grant recipient will complete the project through other funds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-173-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 173-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-173-3
Status: in_force

The Mississippi Dyslexia Therapy Scholarship for Students with Dyslexia Program is established to provide the option to attend a public school other than the one to which assigned, or to provide a scholarship to a nonpublic school of choice, for students with a diagnosis of dyslexia. Students in Grades 1 through 12 who have been properly screened and diagnosed with dyslexia shall be eligible to receive scholarship assistance under this program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-146-17 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 146-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-146-17
Status: in_force

(1) Upon completion of dental school and/or a dental residency program approved by the commission, a participant in the Mississippi Rural Dentists Scholarship Program must proceed to enter the full-time practice of dentistry in a rural or underserved area in Mississippi, as defined by the commission and consistent with generally acceptable designations. If an area experiences significant changes in its dental or general community which are not reflected by dental health professional shortage area (HPSA), the commission may receive testimony and, in its discretion, may qualify the area as a dentally underserved or rural area to allow the program participant to fulfill his or her practice obligation.

(2) Upon entering the practice of dentistry, a participant in the program must serve in a dental health professional shortage area (HPSA) or rural area otherwise approved for practice under subsection (1) of this section for a number of years which corresponds to the number of years, not to exceed five (5), for which the participant received funding through the program. Any participant who fails to complete the period of practice for which he or she is obligated to provide services in a dental health professional shortage area (HPSA) or rural area in exchange for financial assistance received through the Mississippi Rural Dentists Scholarship Program shall be liable for the repayment of all financial assistance provided to the participant through the program, along with other penalties that may be prescribed by the commission, an amount which shall be reduced on a pro rata basis for actual years of practice by the dentist in the area designated by the commission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-41 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 9-41
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-41
Status: in_force

The salaries of superintendents, principals and licensed employees shall be paid by pay certificates issued by the school district superintendent. Such pay certificates may be issued without additional authorization of the school board where the amount of salary has been fixed and a contract entered into as is provided in this chapter. All pay certificates shall be preserved by him as a part of the official records of his office for the same time and in the same manner as other records are preserved. Except as is herein provided, the said warrants shall be governed in all respects by the same laws regulating the issuance of other warrants for other purposes. All pay certificates and warrants issued shall show the gross amount of the salary and all authorized deductions therefrom for income taxes, Social Security, retirement contributions and other lawful purposes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-221 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 7-221
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-221
Status: in_force

The election of consolidated or consolidated line school district trustees shall be held in the manner provided for in Sections 37-7-223 through 37-7-229 rather than the method now provided by Sections 37-7-209 through 37-7-219 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-171 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 29-171
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-171
Status: in_force

No expenditures shall be made under the provisions of the Mississippi Junior College Vocational and Technical Training Law of 1964 for the construction of new buildings, renovation or expansion of existing buildings, the purchase of any new or used instructional equipment, machinery and instructional facilities, or for any other purpose under the provisions of said law until approval of the state building commission is obtained by resolution duly entered upon its minutes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-43 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 59-43
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-43
Status: in_force

(1) Whenever any school district or levying authority, as defined in Section 37-57-1(1)(b) , acting on behalf of a school district, shall have on hand any bond and interest funds, any funds derived from the sale of bonds, or any other funds in excess of the sums which will be required for payment of current obligations and expenses as they come due, and which are not needed or cannot by law be used for the payment of the current obligations or expenses of the school district, the school board of the district shall have the power and authority to invest such excess funds in any bonds or other direct obligations of the United States of America or the State of Mississippi, or of any county or municipality of this state, which such county or municipal bonds have been approved by a reputable bond attorney or have been validated by a decree of the chancery court; or in interest-bearing time certificates of deposit or interest-bearing accounts with or through any financial institution approved for the deposit of state funds; and such institution shall be eligible to hold school district funds to the extent that it is qualified as a depository for state funds; or in any type of investment permitted by Sections 27-105-33(d) and 27-105-33(e) . The rate of interest on such time certificates of deposit and interest-bearing accounts may be negotiated. The negotiated rate of interest shall be at the highest rate possible at the date of purchase or investment for such time certificates of deposit or interest-bearing accounts. In any event, the bonds or obligations in which such funds are invested shall mature or be redeemable prior to the time the funds so invested will be needed for expenditure. When bonds or other obligations have been so purchased, the same may be sold or surrendered for redemption at any time, except certificates of deposit which must mature, by order or resolution of such school board, and the president of the school board, when authorized by such order or resolution, shall have the power and authority to execute all instruments and take such other action as may be necessary to effectuate the sale or redemption thereof. In addition to the foregoing, any school board may invest any such funds in the same manner as provided for the investment of sixteenth section principal funds pursuant to Section 29-3-113 .

(2) The provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall also apply to funds of community and junior college districts, and the governing authorities of such districts are vested with all power and authority with respect to such funds and matters herein mentioned as are vested in the other boards mentioned above with respect to such matters.

(3) All earnings from funds other than bond funds or bond sinking funds in excess of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) in any fiscal year, invested according to the provisions of subsections (1) and (2) of this section shall be deposited in the district fund from which the investment was made, or the treasury of the junior college, as the case may be. Earnings from such school district funds which are less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) in any fiscal year may be deposited in the school district maintenance fund, or in the district fund from which the investment was made, in the discretion of the school board. Earnings from funds invested out of bond funds or bond sinking funds, together with the principal thereof, shall be deposited in the fund from which the investment was made.

(4) Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to prevent the payment of a portion of the earnings derived from the investment of bond proceeds or any other amounts in the bond fund or related reserve or sinking funds to the federal government to the extent required by the federal laws applicable to such bonds or the interest income thereon in order to maintain their tax exempt status.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-67 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 115-67
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-67
Status: in_force

If any such county makes the contribution or donation as provided for in Section 37-115-61 , neither such donation nor any provisions of Sections 37-115-61 through 37-115-67 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 provisions 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 hospital, facilities or equipment.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-71 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 11-71
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-71
Status: in_force

(1) This section shall be known and may be cited as the “Mississippi Asthma and Anaphylaxis Child Safety Act.”

(2) The Legislature finds:

(a) That anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and may cause death. Common triggers of anaphylaxis include food, insect bites, certain medications, and latex, with food being the most common trigger in children. Forty percent (40%) to fifty percent (50%) of those diagnosed with a food allergy are judged to have a high risk of anaphylaxis, and children with an undiagnosed food allergy may experience a first reaction at school. In addition, children with asthma are more at risk for anaphylaxis. Over ten percent (10%) of Mississippi children ages zero (0) through seventeen (17) years are living with asthma.

(b) That epinephrine is the primary treatment for anaphylaxis with no absolute contraindication to its use for a life-threatening reaction. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases recommends that epinephrine be given promptly to treat anaphylaxis because delays in the administration of epinephrine can result in rapid decline and death. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology recommends that epinephrine injectors should be included in all emergency medical treatment kits in schools. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that anaphylaxis medications should be kept in each school and made available to trained staff for administration in an emergency.

(c) Therefore, the Legislature declares it is the intent of this section to protect the health and life of children in their school environment through the use of protocols and standing orders for the emergency treatment of asthma, anaphylaxis, and all other life-threatening diseases.

(3) The school board of each local public school district and the governing body of each private and parochial school or school district shall permit the self-administration of asthma and anaphylaxis medication pursuant to the requirements of this section.

(4) As used in this section:

(a) “ Parent ” means parent or legal guardian.

(b) “ Auto-injectable epinephrine ” means a medical device for the immediate administration of epinephrine to a person at risk for anaphylaxis.

(c) “ Asthma and anaphylaxis medication ” means inhaled bronchodilator and auto-injectable epinephrine.

(d) “ Self-administration of prescription asthma and/or anaphylaxis medication ” means a student's discretionary use of prescription asthma and/or anaphylaxis medication.

(5) A student with asthma and/or anaphylaxis is entitled to possess and self-administer prescription asthma and/or anaphylaxis medication while on school property, on school-provided transportation, or at a school-related event or activity if:

(a) The prescription asthma and/or anaphylaxis medication has been prescribed for that student as indicated by the prescription label on the medication;

(b) The self-administration is done in compliance with the prescription or written instructions from the student's physician or other licensed health care provider; and

(c) A parent of the student provides to the school:

(i) Written authorization, signed by the parent, for the student to self-administer prescription asthma and/or anaphylaxis medication while on school property or at a school-related event or activity;

(ii) A written statement, signed by the parent, in which the parent releases the school district and its employees and agents from liability for an injury arising from the student's self-administration of prescription asthma and/or anaphylaxis medication while on school property or at a school-related event or activity unless in cases of wanton or willful misconduct;

(iii) A written statement from the student's physician or other licensed health care provider, signed by the physician or provider, that states:

1. That the student has asthma and/or anaphylaxis and is capable of self-administering the prescription asthma and/or anaphylaxis medication;

2. The name and purpose of the medication;

3. The prescribed dosage for the medication;

4. The times at which or circumstances under which the medication may be administered; and

5. The period for which the medication is prescribed.

(6) The physician's statement must be kept on file in the office of the school nurse of the school the student attends or, if there is not a school nurse, in the office of the principal of the school the student attends.

(7) If a student uses his/her medication in a manner other than prescribed, he/she may be subject to disciplinary action under the school codes. The disciplinary action shall not limit or restrict the student's immediate access to the medication.

(8) The school board of each local public school district and the governing body of each private and parochial school or school district shall adopt a policy authorizing a school nurse or trained school employee to administer auto-injectable epinephrine to a student who the school nurse or trained school employee, in good faith, believes is having an anaphylactic reaction, whether or not the student has a prescription for epinephrine.

(9) Each public, private and parochial school may maintain a supply of auto-injectable epinephrine at the school in a locked, secure, and easily accessible location. A licensed physician, including, but not limited to, Mississippi State Department of Health District Health Officers, may prescribe epinephrine auto-injectors in the name of the school system or the individual school to be maintained for use when deemed necessary under the provisions of this section.

(10) Each public, private and parochial school that maintains a supply of auto-injectable epinephrine at the school shall require at least one (1) employee at each school to receive training from a registered nurse or a licensed medical physician in the administration of auto-injectable epinephrine.

(11) The State Department of Education shall require each public school district to take the following actions relating to the management of asthma in the school setting:

(a) Require that each child with asthma have a current school asthma plan (SAP) on file at the child's school for use by the school nurse, teachers and staff. Parents and guardians of a child with asthma are to have the child's SAP developed and signed by the child's health care provider. The SAP should include the child's name, date, school, age, physician's signature, parent's signature, instructions to the school if coughing or wheezing, and indicate dosage and delivery method details. If pre-medication is required, the SAP shall indicate dosage and delivery method details. The SAP will recommend whether the student administers his or her own medication or that school personnel may administer medication. The SAP must be updated annually.

(b) Adopt an emergency protocol that includes instructions for all school staff to follow in case of a major medical emergency for asthma and all other life-threatening diseases.

(c) Fully implement subsections (3) through (7) of this section, which authorizes the self-administration of asthma medication at school by students.

(d) Provide comprehensive, in-service training on asthma for teachers, school nurses, and other staff appointed by school administration. The training should include instruction on the use of school asthma plans (SAPs), the requirements of this section, emergency protocols for asthma and policies in effect in that school relating to asthma.

(e) Require school nurses to attend certified asthma educators training. The cost of the training required for school nurses shall be paid by the American Lung Association.

(f) Require local school health councils to conduct a school health needs assessment that addresses and supports the implementation of the following: healthy school environment, physical activity, staff wellness, counseling/psychological services, nutrition services, family/community involvement, health education and health services. The results of the assessment must be used in the development of long-range maintenance plans that include specific indoor air quality components for each school building.

(g) Require local school health councils to adopt and support the implementation of a local school wellness policy that includes minimizing children's exposure to dust, gases, fumes and other pollutants that can aggravate asthma in the school setting. The policy must require the air quality and ventilation systems of schools to be assessed annually, which assessment may be accomplished with the Environmental Protection Agency's Tools for Schools Indoor Air Quality Checklist. The policy also must minimize the use of hazardous substances such as, but not limited to, chemical cleaning products and pesticides in and around school buildings during the hours that children are present at school. The policy must require all school construction projects to implement containment procedures for dusts, gases, fumes and other pollutants that trigger asthma.

(h) Implement an integrated pest management program that includes procedural guidelines for pesticide application, education of building occupants and inspection and monitoring of pesticide applications. The integrated pest management program may limit the frequency, duration and volume of pesticide application on school grounds.

(i) Require school bus operators to minimize the idling of school bus engines to prevent exposure of children and adults to diesel exhaust fumes.

(j) Allow schools and school districts, with a valid prescription, to accept donated auto-injectable epinephrine from public or private entities, and seek and apply for grants to obtain funding for purchasing auto-injectable epinephrine.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-103 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 9-103
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-103
Status: in_force

(1) As used in Sections 37-9-101 through 37-9-113 , the word “employee” shall include:

(a) Any teacher, principal, superintendent or other professional personnel employed by the local school district or the Mississippi School of the Arts (MSA) for a continuous period of two (2) years with that district and required to have a valid license issued by the State Department of Education as a prerequisite of employment; or

(b) Any teacher, principal, superintendent or other professional personnel who has completed a continuous period of two (2) years of employment in a Mississippi public school district and one (1) full year of employment with the school district of current employment or the MSA, and who is required to have a valid license issued by the State Department of Education as a prerequisite of employment.

(2)(a) The Education Employment Procedures Law shall not apply to any category of employee as defined in this section employed in any school district after the Governor declares a state of emergency under the provisions of Section 37-17-6(12) . The Education Employment Procedures Law shall not be applicable in any school district for the full period of time that those conditions, as defined in Section 37-17-6(12) , exist.

(b) The Education Employment Procedures Law shall not apply to any category of teacher, administrator or other employee employed to work in any charter school.

(3) For purposes of Sections 37-9-101 through 37-9-113 , the term “ days ” means calendar days.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-65 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 115-65
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-65
Status: in_force

The proceeds of any contribution made by any county under the provisions of Section 37-115-61 , including the proceeds of any bonds issued for such purpose, shall be paid by the board of supervisors of such county into the state treasury into a special fund in the state treasury to the credit of the state building commission and shall thereafter be utilized and expended by said building commission for the construction, erection and equipping of a teaching hospital and related facilities in the manner and under the terms, provisions and conditions of Sections 37-115-21 through 37-115-33 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-77 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 113-77
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-77
Status: in_force

(1)(a) Subject to the availability of funds, the program may annually enter into agreements with up to an average of two (2) veterinary students as determined by the criteria established for the administration of the Dr. Elton Mac Huddleston Rural Veterinarians Scholarship Program.

(b) Each student entering into a program agreement under this section shall receive annual assistance in an amount not to exceed the in-state tuition rate assessed for attending the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine for a period not to exceed four (4) years for tuition and fees incurred by the student in pursuit of his or her veterinary medicine degree. Upon completion of all commitments under the provisions of the agreement and the provisions of this section, the financial obligations pursuant to this section shall be deemed satisfied and forgiven.

(2) To be eligible for program scholarship funds, recipients shall:

(a) Be a student of the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine;

(b) Agree to become licensed in the practice of veterinary medicine in the State of Mississippi upon graduation;

(c) Complete all requirements in public health, livestock biosecurity, foreign animal disease diagnosis, regulatory veterinary medicine and zoonotic disease, and an externship and mentoring requirement with a licensed, accredited veterinarian in a rural area, as required by the veterinary medical school;

(d) Enter into a contract with the program to provide full-time veterinary medicine services as a food supply animal veterinarian or as a rural mixed animal veterinarian for a minimum of four (4) years in one or more communities approved by the program; and

(e) Commence the full-time practice of veterinary medicine in a rural community within ninety (90) days after completion of the degree program or, if the scholarship recipient enters a post-degree training program, such as graduate school, internship or residency program, within ninety (90) days after completion of the post-degree training program; and

(f) Be accredited by the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services to provide services relating to food supply animals within six (6) months of graduation or passage of veterinary licensure examination.

(3) Priority shall be given to Mississippi residents. If the number of Mississippi residents applying for scholarship funds is less than the number of slots available, nonresident students may be considered. Nonresident students shall only receive scholarship funds sufficient to pay for in-state tuition rates, and they must meet the same obligations as specified in subsection (2) of this section for students who are residents of the State of Mississippi.

(4) Recipients of the scholarship must remain in good academic standing while in receipt of this scholarship, as specified in the rules and regulations promulgated by the Dean of the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine with the advice and consent of the President of Mississippi State University of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning. If a student is dismissed or withdraws from the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine, the dean shall assess the circumstances of the student's dismissal or withdrawal and make a formal recommendation regarding whether the student shall be liable for the repayment of all or a portion of the financial assistance provided to the student through the program, along with other penalties that may be prescribed in accordance with the policies adopted by the dean as prescribed in Section 37-113-81 .

(5) The dean may adopt additional provisions, requirements or conditions for participating in the program as are practicable and appropriate to accomplish the provisions of the program or which may be required for the implementation or administration of the program, and which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-37-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 37-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-37-7
Status: in_force

(1) In making audits under the provisions of this chapter, the examiners may call the attendance rolls at the schools, make field investigations and surveys, make checks of the number of students being transported upon publicly or privately owned buses, and make other and further examinations and investigations as may be necessary to determine whether or not the students reported are actually enrolled in and attending the public schools or are actually being transported or entitled to transportation to such public schools.

(2) In addition to the powers and duties of examiners in subsection (1), the State Auditor may establish policies and procedures to ensure the accuracy and reliability of student data used to determine state funding for local school districts, which may include, but are not limited to, the following:

(a) On-site audits;

(b) An auditing process that ensures the timeliness and accuracy of reports generated by school districts of this state regarding all student transactions;

(c) An auditing process that provides for the timeliness, process and accuracy of the electronic transmission of all student data to the Mississippi Department of Education, including, but not limited to, student enrollment, attendance, transportation, absenteeism, graduation and dropouts and other student data and administrative functions as deemed necessary;

(d) An audit of the accuracy and validity of all student transactions using the Mississippi Student Information System; and

(e) An audit process that ensures the timeliness and accuracy of reports, other than student data, required for submission in accordance with state law and/or State Board of Education policies.

Reviews and audits shall be conducted with advance notice, except that unannounced audits may be made upon the determination of the State Auditor when they are necessary due to complaints or valid concerns. Examiners shall make every effort to work with school districts in scheduling audits in consideration of instructional activities such as statewide student testing days. The Department of Education and the school district shall cooperate fully with examiners in providing any related information requested in order to properly conduct the review or audit.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-43-25 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 43-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-43-25
Status: in_force

Specimen copies of all textbooks, which have been made the basis of contracts under the provisions of this chapter, clearly marked and identified as such, shall be deposited by the publisher of said books with the State Superintendent of Public Education. Said specimen copies shall be preserved and kept open for inspection by the public.

A copy of all contracts and bonds executed under the provisions of this chapter shall be provided to the following, one (1) copy for the contractor, one (1) copy to be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State, and one (1) copy to be filed in the office of the State Superintendent of Public Education.

An original of each bid, whether accepted or rejected, shall be filed and preserved in the office of the State Superintendent of Public Education for at least five (5) years.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-144-19 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 144-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-144-19
Status: in_force

The Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program, acting through the commission, shall make every effort to establish an initial practice entry support system for participants in the program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-21 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 106-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-21
Status: in_force

Unless otherwise required to secure a guarantee of a loan, all funds disbursed under the provisions hereof shall be subject to the following conditions and limitations:

(a) The annual award to any recipient may be paid as required by federal laws and regulations governing the Guaranteed Student Loan Program.

(b) Payments under this chapter shall be made by the State Treasurer upon certification by the board of final approval of the recipient of each loan.

(c) Payments shall be made directly to the approved institution attended or to be attended by the student named in such certificate by check or transfer of funds made payable to the institution and accompanied by a student roster.

(d) In the event a student on whose behalf an award has been paid shall not be enrolled and carrying a minimum academic load or program as of the fifteenth classroom day following the beginning of the term for which such award was paid, the institution shall refund to the state the amount paid on behalf of such student. If at any time during the period of the loan, the student withdraws and is entitled to any refund or remittance of fees or tuition, such amount shall be repaid into the fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-223 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 33-223
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-223
Status: in_force

The Department of Rehabilitation Services shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the proper administration of the Office of Special Disability Programs and shall establish guidelines for eligibility, services, training and evaluation under the program. The State Department of Rehabilitation Services may accept funds from public and private sources for the implementation of Sections 37-33-203 through 37-33-223 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-47 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 115-47
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-47
Status: in_force

(1) The University of Mississippi Medical Center is authorized to dispose of food that has been frozen or properly preserved for human consumption through donation to charitable facilities, charitable organizations and/or individuals providing charitable services as the Medical Center deems appropriate.

(2) The executive director of the charitable facility or organization, receiving such food, or his authorized designee, shall agree to a waiver of liability in favor of the State of Mississippi and the University of Mississippi Medical Center stating that such donations are being provided in the condition used by the State of Mississippi and the University Medical Center, and without warranty of any nature.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-53 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 33-53
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-53
Status: in_force

As used in the Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind Law:

(a) “Department” or “agency” means the State Department of Rehabilitation Services;

(b) “Director” means the Director of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind;

(c) “Executive director” means the Executive Director of the State Department of Rehabilitation Services;

(d) “ Independent living services ” includes, but are not limited to, the following services in accordance with definitions in the most current amendment of the Rehabilitation Act: (i) independent living core services (information and referral services, independent living skills training, peer counseling including cross-disability peer counseling, and individual and systems advocacy) and: (ii) counseling services, including psychological, psychotherapeutic, and related services; (iii) services related to securing housing or shelter, including services related to community group living, and supportive of the purposes of the Rehabilitation Act and of the titles of the Rehabilitation Act, and adaptive housing services (including appropriate accommodations to and modifications of any space used to serve, or occupied by, individuals with disabilities); (iv) rehabilitation technology; (v) mobility training; (vi) services and training for individuals with cognitive and sensory disabilities, including life skills training, and interpreter and reader services; (vii) personal assistance services, including attendant care and the training of personnel providing such services; (viii) surveys, directories, and other activities to identify appropriate housing, recreation opportunities, and accessible transportation, and other support services; (ix) consumer information programs on rehabilitation and independent living services available under the Rehabilitation Act, especially for minorities and other individuals with disabilities who have traditionally been unserved or underserved by programs under the Rehabilitation Act; (x) education and training necessary for living in a community and participating in community activities; (xi) supported living; (xii) transportation, including referral and assistance for that transportation and training in the use of public transportation vehicles and systems; (xiii) physical rehabilitation; (xiv) therapeutic treatment; (xv) provision of needed prostheses and other appliances and devices; (xvi) individual and group social and recreational services; (xvii) training to develop skills specifically designed for youths who are individuals with disabilities to promote self-awareness and esteem, develop advocacy and self-empowerment skills, and explore career options; (xviii) services for children; (xix) services under other federal, state, or local programs designed to provide resources, training, counseling, or other assistance, of substantial benefit in enhancing the independence, productivity, and quality of life of individuals with disabilities; (xx) appropriate preventive services to decrease the need of individuals assisted under the Rehabilitation Act for similar services in the future; (xxi) community awareness programs to enhance the understanding and integration into society of individuals with disabilities; and (xxii) such other services as may be necessary and not inconsistent with the provisions of the most current amendment of the Rehabilitation Act;

(e) “ Individual who is blind ” means any person with insufficient vision to perform vocational or independent living tasks for which sight is essential;

(f) “ Maintenance ” means monetary support provided to an individual for expenses, such as food, shelter, and clothing, that are in excess of the normal expenses of the individual and that are necessitated by the individual's participation in an assessment for determining eligibility and vocational rehabilitation needs or the individual's receipt of vocational rehabilitation services under an individualized plan for employment;

(g) “ Physical restoration services ” means (i) corrective surgery or therapeutic treatment that is likely, within a reasonable period of time, to correct or modify substantially a stable or slowly progressive physical or mental impairment that constitutes a substantial impediment to employment; (ii) diagnosis of and treatment for mental or emotional disorders by qualified personnel in accordance with state licensure laws; (iii) dentistry; (iv) nursing services; (v) necessary hospitalization (either inpatient or outpatient care) in connection with surgery or treatment and clinic services; (vi) drugs and supplies; (vii) prosthetic and orthotic devices; (viii) eyeglasses and visual services, including visual training, and the examination and services necessary for the prescription and provision of eyeglasses, contact lenses, microscopic lenses, telescopic lenses, and other special visual aids prescribed by personnel that are qualified in accordance with state licensure laws; (ix) podiatry; (x) physical therapy; (xi) occupational therapy; (xii) speech or hearing therapy; (xiii) mental health services; (xiv) treatment of either acute or chronic medical complications and emergencies that are associated with or arise out of the provision of physical and mental restoration services, or that are inherent in the condition under treatment; (xv) special services for the treatment of individuals with end-stage renal disease, including transplantation, dialysis, artificial kidneys, and supplies; and (xvi) other medical or medically related rehabilitation services;

(h) “ Prosthetic appliance ” means any artificial device necessary to support, to take the place of, a part of the body, or to increase the acuity of a sense organ;

(i) “ Occupational licenses ” means any license, permit or other written authority required by any government unit to be obtained in order to engage in an occupation;

(j) “ Office ” means the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind;

(k) “ Regulations ” means regulations made by the director with the approval of the executive director and the state board, including regulations pertaining to independent living services;

(l) “ Rehabilitation engineering services ” means the systematic application of engineering sciences to design, develop, adapt, test, evaluate, apply, and distribute technological solutions to problems confronted by individuals with disabilities in functional areas, such as mobility, communications, hearing, vision, and cognition, and in activities associated with employment, independent living, education, and integration into the community;

(m) “ Rehabilitation training ” means all necessary training provided to an individual who is blind to enable him or her to overcome his or her substantial impediment to employment, including, but not limited to, manual, preconditioning, prevocational, vocational, and supplementary training and training provided for the purpose of developing occupational skills and capacities;

(n) “ Supported employment services ” means ongoing support services and other appropriate services needed to support and maintain an individual with a most significant disability in supported employment that are provided by the department (i) for a period of time not to exceed eighteen (18) months, unless under special circumstances the eligible individual and the rehabilitation counselor or coordinator jointly agree to extend the time to achieve the employment outcome identified in the individualized plan for employment; and (ii) following transition, as post-employment services that are unavailable from an extended services provider and that are necessary to maintain or regain the job placement or advance in employment;

(o) “ State board ” means the State Board of Rehabilitation Services;

(p) “ Substantial impediment to employment ” means that a physical or mental impairment (in light of attendant medical, psychological, vocational, educational, communication, and other related factors) hinders an individual from preparing for, entering into, engaging in, or retaining employment consistent with the individual's abilities and capabilities;

(q) “ Vocational rehabilitation ” and “ vocational rehabilitation services ” mean, for an individual who is blind, services available to assist an individual with a disability in preparing for, securing, retaining, or regaining an employment outcome that is consistent with the individual's strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice, including, but not limited to, services in accordance with definitions in the most current amendment of the Rehabilitation Act: (i) assessment for determining eligibility and priority for services by qualified personnel, including, if appropriate, an assessment by personnel skilled in rehabilitation technology; (ii) assessment for determining vocational rehabilitation needs by qualified personnel, including, if appropriate, an assessment by personnel skilled in rehabilitation technology; (iii) vocational rehabilitation counseling and guidance, including information and support services to assist an individual in exercising informed choice; (iv) referral and other services necessary to assist applicants and eligible individuals to secure needed services from other agencies, including other components of the statewide workforce investment system and to advise those individuals about client assistance programs; (v) physical and mental restoration services, to the extent that financial support is not readily available from a source other than the State Department of Rehabilitation Services (such as through health insurance or a comparable service or benefit); (vi) vocational and other training services, including personal and vocational adjustment training, books, tools, and other training materials, except that no training or training services in an institution of higher education (universities, colleges, community or junior colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes, or hospital schools of nursing) may be paid for with funds under this law unless maximum efforts have been made by the state unit and the individual to secure grant assistance in whole or in part from other sources to pay for that training; (vii) maintenance; (viii) transportation in connection with the rendering of any vocational rehabilitation service; (ix) vocational rehabilitation services to family members of an applicant or eligible individual if necessary to enable the applicant or eligible individual to achieve an employment outcome; (x) interpreter services, including sign language and oral interpreter services, for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and tactile interpreting services for individuals who are deaf-blind provided by qualified personnel; (xi) reader services, rehabilitation teaching services, and orientation and mobility services for individuals who are blind; (xii) job-related services, including job search and placement assistance, job retention services, follow-up services, and follow-along services; (xiii) supported employment services; (xiv) personal assistance services; (xv) post-employment services; (xvi) occupational licenses, tools, equipment, initial stocks, and supplies; (xvii) rehabilitation technology including vehicular modification, telecommunications, sensory, and other technological aids and devices; (xviii) transition services; (xix) technical assistance and other consultation services to conduct market analyses, develop business plans, and otherwise provide resources, to the extent those resources are authorized to be provided through the statewide workforce investment system, to eligible individuals who are pursuing self-employment or telecommuting or establishing a small business operation as an employment outcome; (xx) other goods and services determined necessary for the individual with a disability to achieve an employment outcome.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-13 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 65-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-13
Status: in_force

Upon or during any closure of any school in accordance with the provisions of this article, any and all transportation routes or transportation facilities may be changed or adjusted by the interested board or boards of trustees to accommodate the transportation of children who would be otherwise entitled to transportation had such closure not occurred.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-261 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 29-261
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-261
Status: in_force

The board of supervisors of any county which levies a tax for the support of a junior college district may, in its discretion, permit county road department employees or road district employees, if any, to operate county-owned equipment and machinery to assist in the maintenance of the public property on such junior college campus.

The board of trustees of the junior college district affected and the board of supervisors may agree as to the terms and conditions under which such public property may be worked and supplies or materials may be furnished.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-135-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 135-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-135-1
Status: in_force

The following compact of the southern states for the purpose of operating regional educational institutions in the southern states be, and the same is, hereby ratified and approved:

Whereas, the states who are parties hereto have during the past several years conducted careful investigation looking toward the establishment and maintenance of jointly owned and operated regional educational institutions in the southern states in the professional, technological, scientific, literary and other fields, so as to provide greater educational advantages and facilities for the citizens of the several states who reside within such region, and

Whereas, Meharry Medical College of Nashville, Tennessee, has proposed that its lands, buildings, equipment, and the net income from its endowment be turned over to the southern states, or to an agency acting in their behalf, to be operated as a regional institution for medical, dental and nursing education upon terms and conditions to be hereafter agreed upon between the southern states and Meharry Medical College, which proposal, because of the present financial condition of the institution, has been approved by the said states who are parties, hereto, and

Whereas, the said states desire to enter into a compact with each other providing for the planning and establishment of regional educational facilities;

Now therefore, in consideration of the mutual agreements, covenants and obligations assumed by the respective states who are parties hereto (hereinafter referred to as “states”), the said several states do hereby form a geographical district or region consisting of the areas lying within the boundaries of the contracting states which, for the purposes of this compact, shall constitute an area for regional education supported by public funds derived from taxation by the constituent states for the establishment, acquisition, operation and maintenance of regional educational schools and institutions for the benefit of citizens of the respective states residing within the region so established as may be determined from time to time in accordance with the terms and provisions of this compact.

(a) The states do further hereby establish and create a joint agency which shall be known as the Board of Control for Southern Regional Education (hereinafter referred to as the “board”), the members of which board shall consist of the governor of each state, ex officio, and four (4) additional citizens of each state to be appointed by the governor thereof, at least one (1) of whom shall be selected from the field of education, and at least one (1) of whom shall be a member of the legislature of that state. In making his appointments, the governor shall appoint persons as broadly representative as possible of the variety of higher education at institutions in the state. The governor shall continue as a member of the board during his tenure of office as governor of the state but the members of the board appointed by the governor shall hold office for a period of four (4) years, except that in the original appointment one (1) board member so appointed by the governor shall be designated at the time of his appointment to serve an initial term of three (3) years, but thereafter his successor shall serve the full term of four (4) years. Vacancies on the board caused by death, resignation, refusal or inability to serve, shall be filled by appointment by the governor for the unexpired portion of the term. The officers of the board shall be a chairman, a vice chairman, a secretary, a treasurer and such additional officers as may be created by the board from time to time.

(b) It shall be the duty of the board to submit plans and recommendations to the states from time to time for their approval and adoption by appropriate legislative action for the development, establishment, acquisition, operation and maintenance of educational schools and institutions within the geographical limits of the regional area of the states, of such character and type and for such educational purposes, professional, technological, scientific, literary or otherwise, as they may deem and determine to be proper, necessary or advisable. Title to all such educational institutions when so established by appropriate legislative actions of the states and to all properties and facilities used in connection therewith shall be vested in said board as the agency of and for the use and benefit of the said states and the citizens thereof, and all such educational institutions shall be operated, maintained and financed in the manner herein set out, subject to any provisions or limitations which may be contained in the legislative acts of the states authorizing the creation, establishment and operation of such educational institutions.

(c) In addition to the power and authority heretofore granted, the board shall have the power to enter into such agreements or arrangements with any of the states and with educational institutions or agencies, as may be required in the judgment of the board, to provide adequate services and facilities for the graduate, professional, and technical education for the benefit of the citizens of the respective states residing within the region.

(d) The board shall have such additional and general power and authority as may be vested in it by the states from time to time by legislative enactments of the said states.

(e) Any two (2) or more states who are parties of this compact shall have the right to enter into supplemental agreements providing for the establishment, financing and operation of regional educational institutions for the benefit of citizens residing within an area which constitutes a portion of the general region herein created, such institutions to be financed exclusively by such states and to be controlled exclusively by the members of the board representing such states, provided such agreement is submitted to and approved by the board prior to the establishment of such institutions.

Each state agrees that, when authorized by the legislature, it will from time to time make available and pay over to said board such funds as may be required for the establishment, acquisition, operation and maintenance of such regional educational institutions as may be authorized by the states under the terms of this compact, the contribution of each state at all times to be in the proportion that its population bears to the total combined population of the states who are parties hereto as shown from time to time by the most recent official published report of the bureau of census of the United States of America or upon such other basis as may be agreed upon.

(f) This compact shall not take effect or be binding upon any state unless and until it shall be approved by proper legislative action of as many as six (6) or more of the states whose governors have subscribed hereto within a period of eighteen (18) months from the date hereof. When and if six (6) or more states shall have given legislative approval to this compact within said eighteen (18) months period, it shall be and become binding upon such six (6) or more states sixty (60) days after the date of legislative approval by the sixth state and the governors of such six (6) or more states shall forthwith name the members of the board from their states as hereinabove set out, and the board shall then meet on call of the governor of any state approving this compact, at which time the board shall elect officers, adopt bylaws, appoint committees and otherwise fully organize. Other states whose names are subscribed hereto shall thereafter become parties hereto upon approval of this compact by legislative action within two (2) years from the date hereof, upon such conditions as may be agreed upon at the time.

(g) After becoming effective this compact shall thereafter continue without limitation of time, provided, however, that it may be terminated at any time by unanimous action of the states and provided, further, that any state may withdraw from this compact if such withdrawal is approved by its legislature, such withdrawal to become effective two (2) years after written notice thereof to the board accompanied by a certified copy of the requisite legislative action, but such withdrawal shall not relieve the withdrawing state from its obligations hereunder accruing up to the effective date of such withdrawal. Any state so withdrawing shall ipso facto cease to have any claim to or ownership of any of the property held or vested in the board or to any of the funds of the board held under the terms of this compact.

If any state shall at any time become in default in the performance of any of its obligations assumed herein or with respect to any obligation imposed upon said state as authorized by and in compliance with the terms and provisions of this compact, all rights, privileges and benefits of such defaulting state, its members on the board and its citizens shall ipso facto be and become suspended from and after the date of such default. Unless such default shall be remedied and made good within a period of one (1) year immediately following the date of such default this compact may be terminated with respect to such defaulting state by an affirmative vote of three-fourths ( 3 / 4 ) of the members of the board (exclusive of the members representing the state in default), from and after which time such state shall cease to be a party to this compact and shall have no further claim to or ownership of any of the property held by or vested in the board or to any of the funds of the board held under the terms of this compact, but such termination shall in no manner release such defaulting state from any accrued obligation or otherwise affect this compact or the rights, duties, privileges or obligations of the remaining states thereunder.

(h) In witness whereof this compact has been approved and signed by the governors of the several states, subject to the approval of their respective legislatures in the manner hereinabove set out, as of the __________ day of __________, 1948.

State of Florida,

State of Tennessee,

By __________________________________________

By __________________________________________

Governor

Governor

State of Maryland,

Commonwealth of Virginia,

By __________________________________________

By __________________________________________

Governor

Governor

State of Georgia,

State of Arkansas,

By __________________________________________

By __________________________________________

Governor

Governor

State of Louisiana,

State of North Carolina,

By __________________________________________

By __________________________________________

Governor

Governor

State of Alabama,

State of South Carolina,

By __________________________________________

By __________________________________________

Governor

Governor

State of Mississippi,

State of Texas,

By __________________________________________

By __________________________________________

Governor

Governor

Commonwealth of Kentucky,

State of Oklahoma,

By __________________________________________

By __________________________________________

Governor

Governor

State of West Virginia,

By ________________________________

Governor
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-183-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 183-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-183-5
Status: in_force

(1) There is established the Postsecondary Education COVID-19 Mitigation Relief Program for public and private postsecondary educational institutions to be administered by the department, which shall set the dates and deadlines for applying for an award under this section. The program is established for the purpose of providing reimbursement to eligible postsecondary educational institutions for unreimbursed expenses directly related to COVID-19. The department shall establish such rules and regulations as it deems necessary and proper to carry out the purposes and intent of this section.

(2) The department shall approve applications for reimbursement from each eligible postsecondary educational institution. For each eligible postsecondary educational institution, the department shall only award funds equivalent to the lesser of the total of itemized eligible COVID-19-related expenses or the maximum allowable for each institution based on the total number of students enrolled during the 2019-2020 scholastic year, who were actively enrolled as a part-time or full-time student on March 1, 2020, as determined by the student allocation formulas specified in subsections (3) and (4) of this section. To qualify for reimbursement, each postsecondary educational institution's application for reimbursement must, in addition to specifying the amount of reimbursement requested, also include an itemized expense report that evidences the eligible expenses incurred by the eligible postsecondary educational institution.

(3)(a) Each four-year postsecondary educational institution shall be eligible to be reimbursed at an amount equivalent to Five Hundred Sixty-eight Dollars ($568.00) per student actively enrolled as a part-time or full-time student on March 1, 2020. Each four-year postsecondary educational institution's reimbursement shall be determined upon the submission of the itemized expense report, required under subsection (2) of this section. Failure of a four-year postsecondary educational institution to submit the itemized expense report will subject the institution to forfeiture of any allotted funds designated for the specific institution's eligible maximum reimbursement amount.

(b) Upon a showing of itemized eligible COVID-19-related expenses, the eligible maximum reimbursement amount allowed for each four-year postsecondary educational institution, as determined by the student allocation formula prescribed in paragraph (a) of this subsection, shall be as follows:

(i)

Alcorn State University․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․$ 1,854,520.00

(ii)

Delta State University․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․$ 1,946,536.00

(iii)

Jackson State University․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․$ 3,603,960.00

(iv)

Mississippi State University․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․$ 11,704,776.00

(v)

Mississippi University for Women․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․$ 1,523,944.00

(vi)

Mississippi Valley State University․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․$ 1,147,928.00

(vii)

University of Mississippi․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․$ 11,981,392.00

(viii)

University of Southern Mississippi․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․$ 7,320,384.00

(ix)

Belhaven University․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․$ 2,272,000.00

(x)

Blue Mountain College․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․$ 340,800.00

(xi)

Millsaps College․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․$ 433,952.00

(xii)

Mississippi College․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․$ 2,465,688.00

(xiii)

Rust College․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․$ 364,088.00

(xiv)

Tougaloo College․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․$ 397,600.00

(xv)

William Carey University․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․$ 2,433,312.00.

(c) The department shall directly allocate to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning the amount of One Hundred and Thirty Thousand Dollars ($130,000.00) to be used for COVID-19-related expenses.

(d) The total allocating authority provided to the Department of Finance and Administration under the provisions of this subsection (3) shall not exceed Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000.00).

(4)(a) Each two-year postsecondary educational institution, upon a showing of itemized eligible COVID-19-related expenses, shall be eligible to be awarded funds equivalent to the lesser of the total of its itemized eligible expenses or the base amount of Three Hundred Fifty-one Thousand Five Hundred Fifty Dollars and Seventy-one Cents ($351,550.71) available to each respective institution, as determined by calculating the total amount of unreimbursed expenses incurred by all two-year postsecondary educational institutions multiplied by the full-time equivalent (FTE) rate of fifteen percent (15%), and divided by the total number of two-year postsecondary educational institutions based on a thirty-seven percent (37%) reduction. The total of the base amount actually awarded to each institution under this paragraph (a) shall be deducted from the eligible maximum reimbursement amount allowed for each institution under paragraph (c) of this subsection.

(b) The remaining eighty-five percent (85%) of the unreimbursed expenses incurred by all two-year postsecondary educational institutions shall then be divided by the total number of FTE students enrolled in all two-year postsecondary educational institutions to be reimbursed at an amount equivalent to Five Hundred Forty-five Dollars and Forty-two Cents ($545.42) per FTE student at each respective two-year postsecondary educational institution as of March 1, 2020, based on a thirty-seven percent (37%) reduction. Each postsecondary educational institution's reimbursement shall be determined upon the submission of the itemized expense report, required under subsection (2) of this section. Failure of a postsecondary educational institution to submit the itemized expense report will subject the institution to forfeiture of any allotted funds designated for the specific institution's eligible maximum reimbursement amount.

(c) Upon a showing of itemized eligible COVID-19-related expenses, the eligible maximum reimbursement amount allowed for each institution, as determined by the student allocation formulas prescribed in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection, shall be as follows:

(i)

Coahoma Community College․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․$ 1,104,018.54

(ii)

Copiah-Lincoln Community College․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․$ 1,641,377.19

(iii)

East Central Community College․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․$ 1,429,800.67

(iv)

East Mississippi Community College․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․$ 1,943,536.14

(v)

Hinds Community College․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․$ 4,900,064.29

(vi)

Holmes Community College․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․$ 2,908,719.58

(vii)

Itawamba Community College․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․$ 2,511,704.35

(viii)

Jones County Junior College․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․$ 2,359,313.34

(ix)

Meridian Community College․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․$ 1,697,113.29

(x)

Mississippi Delta Community College․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․$ 1,453,472.11

(xi)

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․$ 4,220,356.11

(xii)

Northeast Mississippi Community College․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․$ 1,866,958.52

(xiii)

Northwest Mississippi Community College․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․$ 3,372,657.14

(xiv)

Pearl River Community College․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․$ 2,497,523.94

(xv)

Southwest Mississippi Community College․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․$ 1,248,446.98.

(d) The department shall directly allocate:

(i) To the Mississippi Community College Board the amount of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00); and

(ii) To the individual two-year postsecondary educational institutions, based on full-time enrolled students for all COVID-19-related education expenses, including, but not limited to, PPE and hardened technology infrastructure, the amount of Thirteen Million Eight Hundred Forty-four Thousand Nine Hundred Thirty-seven Dollars and Eighty-one Cents ($13,844,937.81).

Funds allocated under this paragraph (d), at the discretion of the individual two-year postsecondary educational institutions, may be transferred to the Community College Board for consortium distance learning purchases. The Community College Board shall provide the department with the number of full-time enrolled students at the two-year postsecondary educational institutions. Funds allocated under this paragraph (d) shall be for all COVID-19-related education expenses, including, but not limited to, PPE and hardened technology infrastructure at all two-year postsecondary educational institutions.

(e) The total allocating authority provided to the department under the provisions of this subsection (4) shall not exceed Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000.00).

(5) The department may retain One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00) for administrative expenses of the program.

(6) The total allocating authority provided to the department under the provisions of subsections (3) and (4) of this section shall not exceed One Hundred Million Dollars ($100,000,000.00).

(7) Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, the department shall develop regulations, procedures and application forms to govern the administration of the program, which at a minimum, shall require eligible postsecondary educational institutions to:

(a) Submit an application for a grant for reimbursement;

(b) Demonstrate the need and purpose of the grant funds received to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the operation of the school and its delivery of instruction; and

(c) Provide an itemized list of reimbursable-eligible expenses, as defined in Section 37-183-3 , which the eligible postsecondary educational institution has previously incurred, is presently incurring or will incur in the future, as such expenses relate to mitigation of the impact of COVID-19.

(8) The department shall report on the utilization of the program to the Chairs of the Universities and Colleges Committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives, the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House and the Governor by October 1, 2020. At a minimum, the report shall contain:

(a) The name of each educational institution;

(b) The total amount of reimbursement requested by each educational institution; and

(c) The total amount of reimbursement received by each educational institution.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-5-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 5-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-5-7
Status: in_force

(1) On the first Tuesday after the first Monday in May, 1954, an election shall be held in each county in this state in the same manner as general state and county elections are held and conducted, which election shall be held for the purpose of electing the county boards of education established under the provisions of this chapter. At such election, the members of the said board from Supervisors Districts One and Two shall be elected for the term expiring on the first Monday of January, 1957; members of the board from Supervisors Districts Three and Four shall be elected for a term expiring on the first Monday of January, 1959; and the member of the board from Supervisors District Five shall be elected for a term expiring on the first Monday of January, 1955. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2), all subsequent members of the board shall be elected for a term of six (6) years at the regular general election held on the first Monday in November next preceding the expiration of the term of office of the respective member or members of such board. All members of the county board of education as herein constituted, shall take office on the first Monday of January following the date of their election.

(2) On the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, in any year in which any county shall elect to utilize the authority contained in Section 37-5-1(2) , an election shall be held in each such county in this state for the purpose of electing the county boards of education in such counties. At said election the members of the said county board of education from Districts One and Two shall be elected for a term of four (4) years, the members from Districts Three and Four shall be elected for a term of six (6) years, and the member from District Five shall be elected for a term of two (2) years. Thereafter, members shall be elected at general elections as vacancies occur for terms of six (6) years each. All members of the county board of education shall take office on the first Monday of January following the date of their election.

(3)(a) Current members of the Board of Trustees of the Greenwood Public School District serving on November 1, 2017, shall continue in office as the new County Board of Education of the Greenwood-Leflore School District until their successors are elected as follows:

(i) The two (2) appointed board members of the Greenwood Public School District whose terms are nearest to expiration shall expire on January 1, 2019, and thereafter become permanently elected positions to be filled by persons elected as board members from Supervisors Districts 2 and 3 in a November 2018 election held for that purpose, in the manner prescribed in Section 37-7-203 , and the newly elected members will take office on January 1, 2019, for a term of four (4) years;

(ii) The final two (2) appointed board members of the Greenwood Public School District whose terms are the farthest removed from expiration shall expire on January 1, 2020, and thereafter become permanently elected positions to be filled by persons elected as board members from Supervisors Districts 4 and 5 in a November 2019 election held for that purpose, in the manner prescribed in Section 37-7-203 , and the newly elected members will take office on January 1, 2020, for a term of four (4) years; and

(iii) One (1) appointed board member of the Greenwood Public School District whose term is next nearest to expiration shall expire on January 1, 2021, and thereafter become a permanently elected position to be filled by a person elected as a board member from Supervisors District 1 in a November 2020 election held for that purpose, in the manner prescribed in Section 37-7-203 , and the newly elected members will take office on January 1, 2021, for a term of four (4) years.

(b) All subsequent members shall be elected for a term of four (4) years at the regular general election held on the first Monday in November next preceding the expiration of the term of office of the respective members, and shall take office on January 1 next succeeding the election.

(4) On the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2017, an election shall be held in Holmes County for the purpose of electing the county board of education in the new Holmes County Consolidated School District. At the election, the members of the said county board of education shall be elected from single member board of education districts, which shall be consistent with the supervisors district lines in the county, and shall be elected for an initial term of six (6) years. Subsequent elections for the Holmes County Board of Education shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2023 and every four (4) years thereafter at the same time and manner as other general elections are held, and the member shall be elected for a term of four (4) years. All members of the county board of education in the new Holmes County Consolidated School District shall take office on the first Monday of January following the date of their election.

(5) On the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2023, an election shall be held in Chickasaw County for the purpose of electing the county board of education in the new Chickasaw County School District. The board of supervisors shall declare and designate posts for each member of the new board. At said election, the members of the said county board of education from Posts One and Two shall be elected for a term of four (4) years, the members from Posts Three and Four shall be elected for a term of three (3) years and the member from Post Five shall be elected for a term of two (2) years. Thereafter, members shall be elected at general elections as vacancies occur for terms of four (4) years each. All members of the county board of education in the new Chickasaw County School District shall take office on the first Monday of January following the date of their election.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-144-19 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 144-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-144-19
Status: in_force

The Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program, acting through the commission, shall make every effort to establish an initial practice entry support system for participants in the program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-47-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 47-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-47-5
Status: in_force

For the purposes of this chapter, the term “capital improvement” shall mean the cost of (1) erecting, repairing, equipping, remodeling and enlarging school buildings and related facilities, including, but not being limited to, gymnasiums, auditoriums, lunch rooms, vocational training buildings, libraries, teachers' homes, school barns, garages for transportation vehicles, and (2) providing necessary water, lights, heating, air conditioning and sewerage facilities for school buildings. Such term shall not include the cost of the acquisition of land whereon to construct or establish any of the facilities named above.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-21 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 27-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-21
Status: in_force

It shall be the duty of the legislature to make appropriations to meet the conditions of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-57 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 33-57
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-57
Status: in_force

The director, with the approval of the executive director and the state board, may accept and use gifts and donations made unconditionally or otherwise for carrying out the purposes of the Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind Law, from either public or private sources. Gifts made under such conditions as in the judgment of the state board are proper and consistent with the provisions of that law may be so accepted and shall be held, invested, reinvested and used in accordance with the conditions of the gift. All monies received as gifts or donations, except conditional gifts requiring other treatment, shall be deposited in the State Treasury and shall constitute a permanent fund to be called the “Special Fund for the Vocational Rehabilitation of Individuals who are Blind,” and to be used by the state board for those purposes. The state board shall report annually to the State Legislature, setting forth the condition of vocational rehabilitation of individuals who are blind in Mississippi, the expenditures made from state and federal funds in carrying out the provisions of that law or its purpose, and a detailed statement of all gifts and donations offered and accepted, together with the names of donors and the respective amounts prescribed by each and all the disbursements made therefrom.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-147-11 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 147-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-147-11
Status: in_force

(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of state law, an officer or employee of a university, except any chief executive officer, any chief financial officer, any chief research officer or any member of the authority, may, pursuant to subsections (2) and (3) of this section, apply to the authority which, under policies, rules and regulations established by the authority, may grant permission to establish and maintain a material financial interest in a private entity which provides or receives equipment, material, supplies or services in connection with the university in order to facilitate the transfer of technological innovations from the university to commercial and industrial enterprises for economic development.

(2) To receive consideration for permission pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, the officer or employee of the university must first receive approval in writing from the chief executive officer, or his designee, of the university at which he is employed. The chief executive officer may grant approval to the officer or employee only if all the following conditions are met:

(a) The officer or employee provides a detailed description of his interest in the private entity to the chief executive officer;

(b) The nature of the undertaking or enterprise is fully described to the chief executive officer;

(c) The officer or employee demonstrates to the satisfaction of the chief executive officer that the proposed undertaking may benefit the economy of this state;

(d) The officer or employee demonstrates to the satisfaction of the chief executive officer that the proposed undertaking will not adversely affect research, public service or instructional activities at the university; and

(e) The officer's or employee's interests in the private entity, or benefit from the interest, will not adversely affect any substantial state interest.

(3) The authority may authorize an officer or employee of a university to establish and maintain a material financial interest in a private entity if all of the following conditions are met:

(a) The application as set forth in subsection (2) of this section is approved by the chief executive officer of the university at which the applying officer or employee is employed;

(b) The authority enters such application upon its minutes and reaches positive findings:

(i) That the application contains an adequately detailed description of the officer's or employee's interest in the private entity;

(ii) That the application contains a detailed description of the proposed undertaking or enterprise that is sufficient;

(iii) That the authority is satisfied that the proposed undertaking will benefit the economy of the state;

(iv) That the authority is satisfied that the proposed venture will not adversely affect research, public service or instructional activities at the university; and

(v) That the officer's or employee's interests in the private entity, or benefit from the interest, will not adversely affect any substantial state interest.

(4) On the recommendation of the authority, the chief executive officer of the university at which the officer or employee is employed may require that the university or the university's research corporation have a share in any royalties or shares or other proceeds or equity positions from the proposed undertaking of the private entity.

(5) The authority may establish policies, rules and regulations for the implementation of this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-203 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 33-203
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-203
Status: in_force

Sections 37-33-203 through 37-33-223 shall be known as the “Special Disability Programs Law of Mississippi.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-275 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 29-275
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-275
Status: in_force

Any act, which, if committed within the limits of a city, town or village, or in any public place, would be a violation of the general laws of this state, shall be criminal and punishable if done on the campus, grounds or roads of any of the state-supported junior colleges. The peace officers duly appointed by the board of trustees of state-supported community or junior colleges or officers of private security firms licensed by the State of Mississippi contracted by the boards of trustees of state supported community/junior colleges are vested with the powers and subjected to the duties of a constable for the purpose of preventing and punishing all violations of law on state-supported junior college grounds and for preserving order and decorum thereon. Peace officers appointed by the boards of trustees or officers of private security firms licensed by the State of Mississippi contracted by the boards of trustees shall have authority to bear arms in order to carry out their law enforcement responsibilities if such officers have been certified according to the minimum standards established by the Board on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Training. The peace officers duly appointed by the boards of trustees of public community/junior colleges are also vested with the powers and subjected to the duties of a constable for the purpose of preventing all violations of law that occur within five hundred (500) feet of any property owned by the college, if reasonably determined to have a possible impact on the safety of students, faculty or staff of the college while on said property. Provided, however, that nothing in this section shall be interpreted to require action by any such peace officer appointed by a college to events occurring outside the boundaries of college property, nor shall any such college or its employees be liable for any failure to act to any event occurring outside the boundaries of property owned by the college. If a law enforcement officer is duly appointed to be a peace officer by a college under this section, the board of trustees of the public community/junior college may enter into an interlocal agreement with other law enforcement entities for the provision of equipment or traffic control duties, however, the duty to enforce traffic regulations and to enforce the laws of the state or municipality off of college property lies with the local police or sheriff's department which cannot withhold its services solely because of the lack of such an agreement.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-263 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 29-263
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-263
Status: in_force

Any other provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, the various junior colleges of the state are authorized to defray the cost of providing electronic data processing equipment out of any available funds acquired from taxes levied within the junior college district, whether designated for capital expenditures or operating costs, whether such equipment is acquired by purchase, lease or under any other form of contract. However, no such funds shall be expended unless the acquisition of such equipment has been approved by the central data processing authority.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-99 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 101-99
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-99
Status: in_force

The Department of Finance and Administration, acting through the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management, is hereby authorized to supervise the contracting for, and the erection of, all buildings erected as a result of the provisions of Sections 37-101-91 through 37-101-103 which the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning does not self-administer or allow a state institution of higher learning to administer.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-175-15 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 175-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-175-15
Status: in_force

(1) Each local school district shall adopt a policy to ensure that students will be screened for speech, language, voice and fluency disorders before the end of Grade 1.

(2) If a student fails the screener, the parent or legal guardian will be notified of the results of the screener.

(3) If a student fails the screener, the school district, in its discretion, may perform a comprehensive speech-language evaluation.

(4) If a parent or a legal guardian of a student who fails the speech-language screener exercises the option to have a subsequent evaluation performed, such evaluation shall be administered by a speech-language pathologist. The subsequent evaluation obtained by the parents shall be considered by the school district for eligibility in the area of speech-language in accordance with the procedures mandated by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for a placement in a speech-language program within the current school or to receive a Mississippi speech-language therapy scholarship for placement in a speech-language program in a nonpublic special purpose school. A parent or legal guardian may provide written notification to the local school district opting out of the mandatory screening provided by the district. The provisions of this section shall not apply to homeschooled students.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-85 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 41-85
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-85
Status: in_force

No school board shall purchase any school bus or pupil transportation service vehicle as authorized by Section 37-41-81 except in the manner prescribed in Section 37-41-101 . No school bus shall be purchased or otherwise acquired which does not conform to the specifications provided by the State Board of Education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-45 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 45-45
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-45
Status: in_force

The schedule of cost in the chancery courts of this state shall apply, where applicable, to the cost accruing or incurred in the proceedings before the commission.

The cost of the services of said reporter and any other cost provided for in this chapter shall be taxed as a part of the cost of any hearing before the commission. All costs paid to any employee of the commission and all costs collected by the commission and not required to be paid to some person by the terms of this chapter shall be paid into the treasury of the State of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-71 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 33-71
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-71
Status: in_force

The State Treasurer is designated as the custodian of all funds received by the state from appropriations made by the Congress of the United States, or from other sources for the purpose of carrying out any state or federal statutes pertaining to vocational rehabilitation services for individuals who are blind. The State Treasurer is authorized to receive and provide for the proper custody of those funds, establish such special funds and accounts as may be necessary, and shall make disbursements from those funds and accounts for vocational rehabilitation purposes upon requisition by the executive director and upon the issuance of warrants by the State Fiscal Officer.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-105-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 105-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-105-9
Status: in_force

Any act which, if committed within the limits of a city, town or village, or in any public place, would be a violation of the general laws of this state, shall be criminal and punishable if done on the campus, grounds or roads of any of the state institutions of higher learning. The peace officers duly appointed by the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning are vested with the powers and subjected to the duties of a constable for the purpose of preventing and punishing all violations of law on university or college grounds, and for preserving order and decorum thereon.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-155-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 155-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-155-1
Status: in_force

This article shall be known and may be cited as the “Mississippi Prepaid Affordable College Tuition Program.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-123-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 123-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-123-3
Status: in_force

The principal object of the Delta State College shall be to qualify teachers for the public schools of this state, by imparting instruction in the art and practice of teaching in all branches of study which pertain to a common school education, and such other studies as the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning may from time to time prescribe.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 153-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-9
Status: in_force

(1) In accordance with the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998, there shall be established, for each of the four (4) state workforce areas prescribed in Section 37-153-3 (2)(c) , a local workforce investment board to set policy for the portion of the state workforce investment system within the local area and carry out the provisions of the Workforce Investment Act.

(2) Each community college district shall have an affiliated District Workforce Development Council. The district council shall be composed of a diverse group of fifteen (15) persons appointed by the board of trustees of the affiliated public community or junior college. The members of each district council shall be selected from persons recommended by the chambers of commerce, employee groups, industrial foundations, community organizations and local governments located in the community college district of the affiliated community college with one (1) appointee being involved in basic literacy training. However, at least eight (8) members of each district council shall be chief executive officers, plant managers that are representatives of employers in that district or service sector executives. The District Workforce Development Council affiliated with each respective community or junior college shall advise the president of the community or junior college on the operation of its workforce development center/one-stop center.

The Workforce Development Council shall have the following advisory duties:

(a) To develop an integrated and coordinated district workforce investment strategic plan that:

(i) Identifies workforce investment needs through job and employee assessments of local business and industry;

(ii) Sets short-term and long-term goals for industry-specific training and upgrading and for general development of the workforce; and

(iii) Provides for coordination of all training programs, including ABE/High School Equivalency Diploma, Skills Enhancement and Industrial Services, and shall work collaboratively with the State Literacy Resource Center;

(b) To coordinate and integrate delivery of training as provided by the workforce development plan;

(c) To assist business and industry management in the transition to a high-powered, quality organization;

(d) To encourage continuous improvement through evaluation and assessment; and

(e) To oversee development of an extensive marketing plan to the employer community.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-155-19 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 155-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-155-19
Status: in_force

In addition to any other requirements of this article the board of directors shall:

(a) Make available summary information on the financial condition of the trust fund to all purchasers of prepaid college tuition contracts;

(b) Prepare, or cause to be prepared, an annual accounting of the trust fund and transmit a copy of same to the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and

(c) Make all necessary and appropriate arrangements with state colleges and universities in order to fulfill its obligations under the prepaid tuition contracts, which arrangements shall include the payment by the trust fund of current applicable tuition and fee charges on behalf of a beneficiary to the college or university.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-57-113 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 57-113
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-57-113
Status: in_force

The board of supervisors of any class one county which has a population in the 1970 decennial census of not less than thirty-five thousand (35,000) and not more than fifty thousand (50,000) and having a total assessed valuation in 1971 of not less than forty million dollars ($40,000,000.00) and not more than fifty million dollars ($50,000,000.00) may impose an excise and/or transfer tax upon the sale or construction of all new family units as defined in Section 37-57-111 for capital improvement of public schools as provided by law for countywide public school districts. Said taxation shall not exceed three percent (3%) of the first twenty thousand dollars ($20,000.00) and one-half of one percent ( 1 / 2 of 1%) of all over twenty thousand dollars ($20,000.00) of the total sale or contract price of the family unit; however, said taxation shall not exceed three percent (3%) of the first ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) and one-half of one percent ( 1 / 2 of 1%) of all over ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) of the total sale or contract price of apartments, condominiums, duplexes or townhouses.

The tax hereby authorized, if imposed by order of the board of supervisors of the county by order duly spread upon the minutes of said board, shall apply only to the initial sale or construction of new family units not heretofore occupied or used for residence purposes, and shall be an indebtedness of the owner of the family unit.

Said tax shall not apply to such family units purchased or constructed by or for any religious, charitable, educational or nonprofit corporation or institution, nor shall it apply to demonstration of model homes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 141-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-5
Status: in_force

The main office building of the University Research Center and the Department of Economic Development in the City of Jackson shall be known and designated as the Paul B. Johnson, Jr. Building. The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and the Governor's Office of General Services shall coordinate and cooperate to effect the relocation of the Department of Economic Development to the Paul B. Johnson, Jr. Building and any other related agency relocations necessary to accomplish the requirement of this section if such relocation is feasible. If such relocation of the Department of Economic Development to the Paul B. Johnson, Jr. Building is not feasible because of space limitations, the Governor's Office of General Services shall coordinate the relocation of such department to some other location and shall, if possible, secure the amount of space necessary to also place the University Research Center in the same location with the department.

The Office of General Services shall provide proper signs to be placed on the building in accordance with this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-175-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 175-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-175-5
Status: in_force

(1) Parents or legal guardians may exercise the option to remove their child from a traditional public school setting to be enrolled in a nonpublic school which meets the standards for appropriate specific instruction designed to meet the unique learning needs of young students with a speech-language impairment. The objectives of such school shall be:

(a) To emphasize the importance of early intervention; and

(b) To provide intensive high-quality speech-language pathology services.

(2) The parent or legal guardian of a public school student with a speech-language impairment may request and receive from the state a Mississippi Speech-Language Therapy Scholarship for the child to enroll in and attend a nonpublic school in accordance with this section if:

(a) The student has spent the previous school year in attendance at a Mississippi public school or any other state accredited nonpublic special purpose school in the state that is organized to provide and emphasizes instruction in speech-language therapy and intervention as the primary purpose of the school; or

(b) The parent or legal guardian has obtained acceptance for admission of the student to a nonpublic school that is eligible for the program under Section 37-175-19 and has requested from the department a scholarship within thirty (30) days before the date of the first scholarship payment. The request must be through a communication directly to the department in a manner that creates a written or electronic record of the request and the date of receipt of the request. The State Department of Education must notify the district of the parent's or legal guardian's intent upon receipt of the parent's or legal guardian's request.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-61-31 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 61-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-61-31
Status: in_force

The boards of supervisors of the various counties in Mississippi which are entitled to share in the distribution of the Chickasaw school funds, are hereby authorized and empowered to make settlement with any separate school district in said counties which has received more or less than its proportionate part of said funds, and the boards of supervisors may appropriate any money now on hand or that may be allotted to said counties in the future in the payment of any amount due to such separate school districts.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-63-15 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 63-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-63-15
Status: in_force

No SEICUS (or any of its subsidiaries or connections known by any other name whatsoever) programming whatsoever shall be carried by any educational television station in the State of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-15 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 45-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-15
Status: in_force

The commission shall keep full, complete, and permanent minutes and records of all its proceedings, including the rules and regulations adopted by it, and said minutes shall be signed by the chairman, or vice-chairman, and attested by the secretary. All minutes of the commission shall be signed and approved not later than the close of the next regular meeting.

Any meeting or hearing of or by the commission may be recessed from day to day or time to time without the necessity of daily entering the fact of recess upon the minutes of the commission. However, the fact of recess of any hearing, where the proceedings are taken by a reporter, shall be shown in the record of the proceedings.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-55 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 141-55
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-55
Status: in_force

(1) No request for funds shall be granted unless the project will have a positive economic impact on at least an entire county.

(2) No funding provided by the University Research Center shall be used to fund operating costs.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-65 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 101-65
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-65
Status: in_force

All bonds issued by an educational building corporation may be executed and delivered at any time and from time to time, may be in such form and denominations, may be of such tenor, may be payable in such installments and at such time or times not exceeding thirty (30) years from their date, may be payable at such place or places, may bear interest at such rate or rates payable at such place or places and evidenced in such manner, and may contain such provisions not inconsistent herewith, all as may be provided by resolution of its board of directors. The bonds issued by any such corporation shall be signed by the chairman of its board of directors or other chief executive officer and attested by its secretary, and the seal of such corporation shall be affixed thereto. Any such bonds may be sold at public or private sale in such manner and from time to time as may be determined by the board of directors to be most advantageous, and the corporation may pay all expenses, premiums and commissions which its board of directors may deem necessary or advantageous in connection with the authorization, sale and issuance thereof. All such bonds shall be construed to be negotiable instruments, despite the fact that they are payable solely from a specified source.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-463 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 29-463
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-463
Status: in_force

The board of trustees of the Copiah-Lincoln Junior College District shall each year, on or before June 15, prepare a budget which shall contain a detailed estimate of the revenues and expenses anticipated for the ensuing year for general operation and maintenance, and shall set forth the reasonable requirements for anticipated needs for capital outlays for land, buildings, initial equipment for new buildings and major repairs, a reasonable accumulation for such purposes being hereby expressly authorized.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-437 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 29-437
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-437
Status: in_force

After the budget shall have been prepared as is provided for in Section 37-29-415 , the board of trustees of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College District shall certify the same in writing to the boards of supervisors of the several counties and shall certify to the said boards of supervisors the number of mills of ad valorem taxation required to make provisions for the revenue required in said budget. It shall thereupon become the duty of the board of supervisors of each of the four counties to levy the taxes in the number of mills specified by the board of trustees. The tax levy for maintenance and operation of the district shall not exceed four mills nor shall the levy for capital outlay, including purchase of lands, construction and equipment of buildings and structures, making of major repairs, and for the retirement of bonds, exceed three mills.

Promptly upon having certified the requirements of the district to the several boards of supervisors the board of trustees of the district shall cause publication of notice to be made in each county in a newspaper published or having general circulation therein giving notice of the filing of the request for the levy aforesaid. Said notice shall be published at least one time and within ten days after the certification of the request for such levy to the boards of supervisors. The said notice shall provide that the said levy requested will be made in each county unless a petition signed by twenty percent (20%) of the qualified electors of the district shall be filed with the secretary of the board of trustees of the said district within thirty (30) days from the date of the first publication protesting against the said levy and demanding an election thereon. In the event of the filing of such a petition, it shall be the duty of the secretary forthwith to call a special meeting of the board of trustees of the district setting forth the fact of the filing of such petition in the notice of the call and the said board shall promptly meet and consider the said petition. If it shall find that the same does in fact protest against the said levies and is in fact signed by at least twenty percent (20%) of the qualified electors of the said district, it shall then so certify to the boards of supervisors of the several counties. As early as possible but not later than fifteen (15) days after the receipt of such notice, it shall be the duty of the board of supervisors of each county to enter an order directing the election commissioners of the county to proceed to hold an election in all of the voting precincts of said county to determine whether or not the levy shall be made as requested by the board of trustees of the district.

The said election shall be held within thirty (30) days from the date of the said order of the board of supervisors requesting that the same be called and notice thereof shall be published once a week for three (3) weeks during the period between the order directing the election commissioners to hold the same and the actual date thereof.

The election shall be held in accordance with the laws governing general elections as nearly as is practicable and the election commissioners of each county shall, promptly after the holding of said election, certify to the secretary of the board of trustees of the district the result thereof in each county, certifying also the number of qualified electors in each county on the date of the holding of said election. The board of trustees of the district shall promptly meet and consider the several certificates of the election commissioners and shall determine the result of said election in the district. If it shall be determined that a majority of the qualified electors of the district have voted against the levy requested, the same shall not be made but the board of supervisors in each county shall continue in effect the levy made for the preceding fiscal year. If it be determined that a majority of the qualified electors has not voted against said levy, it shall be the duty of the board of supervisors of each county to make the levy as requested. In any event, the levy for full faith and credit bonds outstanding as obligations of the county before May 10, 1962, for capital outlays and improvements for Perkinston Junior College and/or bonds subsequently issued shall be continued in effect in accordance with the obligations undertaken in the issuance of said bonds. All of such bond levies, however, as are reasonably required to meet the annual maturities and interest on outstanding bonds shall be considered a part of the three mill maximum above provided for capital outlays, buildings, purchase of land and other similar items hereinbefore mentioned.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-25-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / 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. § 37-140-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 140-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-140-5
Status: in_force

(1) The school shall be governed by the State Board of Education. The board shall develop a plan relating to the opening, operation and funding of the school to be presented to the Legislature during the 2000 Regular Session. The plan shall include an equitable and reasonable plan for student recruitment without regard to race, creed or color.

(2) The State Superintendent of Public Education shall appoint an advisory panel to assist the board in developing the plan relating to the school. The advisory panel shall consist of the following twelve (12) appointed or designated members:

(a) Three (3) licensed school teachers or administrators, one (1) to be appointed from each of the three (3) Mississippi Supreme Court Districts;

(b) Three (3) citizens or professionals representing the areas of dance, creative writing, literature, music, theater arts or visual arts, one (1) to be appointed from each of the three (3) Mississippi Supreme Court Districts;

(c) Three (3) citizens knowledgeable in business, personnel management or public administration, with at least three (3) years' actual experience therein, one (1) to be appointed from each of the three (3) Mississippi Supreme Court Districts.

(d) One (1) member shall be a representative of the Mississippi Arts Commission to be designated by the commission, one (1) member shall be a representative of the Mississippi Humanities Council to be designated by the council, and one (1) member shall be a representative of the state institutions of higher learning in Mississippi which offer degrees in visual, fine and performing arts, to be designated by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning.

Appointments to the advisory panel shall be made within ninety (90) days of April 23, 1999. The advisory panel shall meet upon the call of the State Superintendent of Public Education and shall organize for business by selecting a chairman and vice chairman/secretary for keeping records of the panel. Members of the advisory panel shall receive no compensation but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses and mileage for attending meetings and necessary business of the panel, in the amount authorized for state employees under Section 25-3-41 .

(3) The board may utilize the staff of the State Department of Education and other state agencies as may be required for the implementation of this chapter. The department may employ any personnel deemed necessary by the board for assisting in the development and implementation of the plan relating to the opening, operation and funding of the school. The board also may contract or enter into agreements with other agencies or private entities which it deems necessary to carry out its duties and functions relating to the opening and operation of the school.

(4) To the extent possible, the board shall enter into agreements with the Board of Trustees of the Brookhaven Municipal Separate School District for the dual enrollment of students for the purpose of teaching academic courses to students attending the school, and the local school board shall be fully authorized to offer any such courses to students attending the school. The State Board of Education may develop and issue necessary regulations for the coordination of such courses for these students, the preparation and transfer of transcripts, and the reimbursement of any costs incurred by the school district for providing such services.

(5) The board may enter into agreements with public school districts to authorize students enrolled in such school districts to participate in the fine arts programs at the school to the extent that adequate space is available. The parent or guardian of any student participating in fine arts programs at the school under this subsection shall be responsible for transporting the student to and from the school.

(6) Effective July 1, 2020, all administrative, instructional and noninstructional employees of the Mississippi School of the Arts shall be transferred from state service and the authority of the State Personnel Board to employment status as employees of the Mississippi School of the Arts. All administrative and instructional employees at the said school shall enter into written contracts of employment to indicate and cover the period for which they are respectively employed. All such contracts for administrative and instructional employees shall be exempt from the requirements of the Public Procurement Review Board for state agency employment contracts. The State Board of Education may set and determine qualifications necessary for such employees and may appoint a subcommittee of the board for the purpose of authorizing the execution of such employment contracts on a timely basis. Such administrators and employees shall be offered contracts by the Superintendent/Executive Director of the MSA and all such contracts and employment rights prescribed thereunder shall be awarded and governed in accordance with Sections 37-9-1 et seq. , as applicable, and Section 37-7-307 . Any and all references within Section 37-9-1 et seq. , to a “local school district” shall apply to MSA and any and all references to a “local school board” shall apply to the State Board of Education's role as defined in Section 37-140-1 . The MSA may renew employment or nonrenew employment with such administrative and instructional employees in accordance with the provisions of said sections relating to school district employment. Noninstructional employees of the MSA shall be full-time employees of the MSA and shall serve at the will and pleasure of the Superintendent of the MSA. All salaries and contracts shall be subject to the approval of the State Board of Education, and the MSA may continue to use the teacher salary scale for its instructional employees which is in effect on January 1, 2019. Any unused leave accumulated at the Mississippi School of the Arts shall be transferred in accordance with the provisions of Section 37-7-307 . There shall be no interruption of service with the Public Employees' Retirement System and the State and School Employees' Health Insurance Plan for administrative, instructional and noninstructional employees due to an employee's employment status under this subsection. The MSA shall not 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 law. The MSA may receive donations or grants from any public or private source, including any federal funding that may be available to the schools within the MSA.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-189-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 189-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-189-1
Status: in_force

The Governor is authorized and directed to execute the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact on behalf of this state with any other state or states legally joining therein in the form substantially as follows:

ARTICLE I

PURPOSE

The purpose of this compact is to facilitate the mobility of teachers across the member states with the goal of supporting teachers through a new pathway to licensure. Through this compact, the member states seek to establish a collective regulatory framework which expedites and enhances the ability of teachers from a variety of backgrounds to move across state lines. This compact is intended to achieve the following objectives, as applied in the State of Mississippi, and shall be interpreted according to Mississippi law. The member states hereby ratify the same intentions by subscribing hereto:

A. Create a streamlined pathway to licensure mobility for teachers;

B. Support the relocation of eligible military spouses;

C. Facilitate and enhance the exchange of licensure information between the member states;

D. Enhance the power of state and district-level education officials to hire qualified, competent teachers by removing barriers to the employment of out-of-state teachers;

E. Support the retention of teachers in the profession by removing barriers to relicensure in a new state; and

F. Maintain state sovereignty in the regulation of the teaching profession.

ARTICLE II

DEFINITIONS

As used in this compact, and except as otherwise provided, the following definitions shall govern the terms herein:

A. “ Active military member ” means any person with full-time duty status in the Armed Forces of the United States, including members of the National Guard and Reserve.

B. “ Adverse action ” means any limitation or restriction imposed by a member state's licensing authority, such as revocation, suspension, reprimand, probation or limitation on the licensee's ability to work as a teacher.

C. “ Bylaws ” means those bylaws established by the Commission.

D. “ Career and technical education license ” means a current, valid authorization issued by a member state's licensing authority allowing an individual to serve as a teacher in P-12 public educational settings in a specific career and technical education area.

E. “ Charter member states ” means a member state that has enacted legislation to adopt this compact where such legislation predates the initial meeting of the Commission after the effective date of the compact.

F. “ Commission ” means the interstate administrative body which membership consists of delegates of all states that have enacted this compact, and which is known as the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact Commission.

G. “ Commissioner ” means the delegate of a member state.

H. “ Eligible license ” means a license to engage in the teaching profession which requires at least a bachelor's degree and the completion of a state-approved program for teacher licensure.

I. “ Eligible military spouse ” means the spouse of any individual in full-time duty status in the active Armed Forces of the United States, including members of the National Guard and Reserve moving as a result of a military mission or military career progression requirements or are on their terminal move as a result of separation or retirement (to include surviving spouses of deceased military members).

J. “ Executive committee ” means a group of Commissioners elected or appointed to act on behalf of, and within the powers granted to them by, the Commission as provided for herein.

K. “ Licensing authority ” means an official, agency, board, or other entity of a state that is responsible for the licensing and regulation of teachers authorized to teach in P-12 public educational settings.

L. “ Member state ” means any state that has adopted this compact, including all agencies and officials of such a state.

M. “ Receiving state ” means any state where a teacher has applied for licensure under this compact.

N. “ Rule ” means any regulation promulgated by the Commission under this compact, which shall have the force of law in each member state. As applied in the State of Mississippi, such rules shall only be binding and have the force of law if consistent with Mississippi law.

O. “ State ” means a state, territory, or possession of the United States, and the District of Columbia.

P. “ State practice laws ” means a member state's laws, rules, and regulations that govern the teaching profession, define the scope of such profession, and create the methods and grounds for imposing discipline.

Q. “ State specific requirements ” means a requirement for licensure covered in coursework or examination that includes content of unique interest to the state.

R. “ Teacher ” means an individual who currently holds an authorization from a member state that forms the basis for employment in the P-12 public schools of the state to provide instruction in a specific subject area, grade level or student population.

S. “ Unencumbered license ” means a current, valid authorization issued by a member state's licensing authority allowing an individual to serve as a teacher in P-12 public educational settings. An unencumbered license is not a restricted, probationary, provisional, substitute or temporary credential.

ARTICLE III

LICENSURE UNDER THE COMPACT

A. Licensure under this compact pertains only to the initial grant of a license by the receiving state. Nothing herein applies to any subsequent or ongoing compliance requirements that a receiving state might require for teachers.

B. Each member state shall, in accordance with rules of the commission, define, compile and update, as necessary, a list of eligible licenses and career and technical education licenses that the member state is willing to consider for equivalency under this compact and provide the list to the commission. The list shall include those licenses that a receiving state is willing to grant teachers from other member states, pending a determination of equivalency by the receiving state's licensing authority.

C. Upon the receipt of an application for licensure by a teacher holding an unencumbered license, the receiving state shall determine which of the receiving state's eligible licenses the teacher is qualified to hold and shall grant such a license or licenses to the applicant. Such a determination shall be made in the sole discretion of the receiving state's licensing authority and may include a determination that the applicant is not eligible for any of the receiving state's licenses. For all teachers who hold an unencumbered license, the receiving state shall grant one or more unencumbered licenses that, in the receiving state's sole discretion, are equivalent to the license held by the teacher in any other member state.

D. For active duty military members and eligible military spouses who hold a license that is not unencumbered, the receiving state shall grant an equivalent license or licenses that, in the receiving state's sole discretion, is equivalent to the license or licenses held by the teacher in any other member state, except where the receiving state does not have an equivalent license.

E. For a teacher holding an unencumbered career and technical education license, the receiving state shall grant an unencumbered license equivalent to the career and technical education license held by the applying teacher and issued by another member state, as determined by the receiving state in its sole discretion, except where a career and technical education teacher does not hold a bachelor's degree and the receiving state requires a bachelor's degree for licenses to teach career and technical education. A receiving state may require career and technical education teachers to meet state industry recognized requirements, if required by law in the receiving state.

ARTICLE IV

LICENSURE NOT UNDER THE COMPACT

A. Except as provided in Article III, nothing in this compact shall be construed to limit or inhibit the power of a member state to regulate licensure or endorsements overseen by the member state's licensing authority.

B. When a teacher is required to renew a license received pursuant to this compact, the state granting such a license may require the teacher to complete state-specific requirements as a condition of licensure renewal or advancement in that state.

C. For purposes of determining compensation, a receiving state may require additional information from teachers receiving a license under the provisions of this compact.

D. Nothing in this compact shall be construed to limit the power of a member state to control and maintain ownership of its information pertaining to teachers or limit the application of a member state's laws or regulations governing the ownership, use or dissemination of information pertaining to teachers.

E. Nothing in this compact shall be construed to invalidate or alter any existing agreement or other cooperative arrangement which a member state may already be a party to or limit the ability of a member state to participate in any future agreement or other cooperative arrangement to:

1. Award teaching licenses or other benefits based on additional professional credentials, including, but not limited to, National Board Certification;

2. Participate in the exchange of names of teachers whose license has been subject to an adverse action by a member state; or

3. Participate in any agreement or cooperative arrangement with a nonmember state.

ARTICLE V

TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

FOR LICENSURE UNDER THE COMPACT

A. Except as provided for active military members or eligible military spouses under Article III D, a teacher may only be eligible to receive a license under this compact where that teacher holds an unencumbered license in a member state.

B. A teacher eligible to receive a license under this compact shall, unless otherwise provided herein:

1. As the compact is applied in Mississippi, upon their application to receive a license under this compact and receipt of an employment offer by a school district, undergo a criminal background check in the receiving state in accordance with the laws and regulations of the receiving state; and

2. Provide the receiving state with information in addition to the information required for licensure for the purposes of determining compensation, if applicable.

ARTICLE VI

DISCIPLINE AND ADVERSE ACTIONS

A. Nothing in this compact shall be deemed or construed to limit the authority of a member state to investigate or impose disciplinary measures on teachers according to the state practice laws thereof.

B. Member states shall be authorized to receive, and shall provide, files and information regarding the investigation and discipline, if any, of teachers in other member states upon request. Any member state receiving such information or files shall protect and maintain the security and confidentiality thereof, in at least the same manner that it maintains its own investigatory or disciplinary files and information. Prior to disclosing any disciplinary or investigatory information received from another member state, the disclosing state shall communicate its intention and purpose for such disclosure to the member state which originally provided that information.

ARTICLE VII

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE INTERSTATE TEACHER MOBILITY

COMPACT COMMISSION

A. The interstate compact member states hereby create and establish a joint public agency known as the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact Commission:

1. The Commission is a joint interstate governmental agency comprised of states that have enacted the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact; and

2. Nothing in this compact shall be construed to be a waiver of sovereign immunity.

B. Membership, Voting, and Meetings

1. Each member state shall have and be limited to one (1) delegate to the Commission, who shall be given the title of Commissioner.

2. The Commissioner shall be the primary administrative officer of the state licensing authority or their designee.

3. Any Commissioner may be removed or suspended from office as provided by the law of the state from which the Commissioner is appointed.

4. The member state shall fill any vacancy occurring in the Commission within ninety (90) days.

5. Each Commissioner shall be entitled to one (1) vote about the promulgation of rules and creation of bylaws and shall otherwise have an opportunity to participate in the business and affairs of the Commission. A Commissioner shall vote in person or by such other means as provided in the bylaws. The bylaws may provide for Commissioners' participation in meetings by telephone or other means of communication.

6. The Commission shall meet at least once during each calendar year. Additional meetings shall be held as set forth in the bylaws.

7. The Commission shall establish, by rule, a term of office for Commissioners.

C. The Commission shall have the following powers and duties:

1. Establish a Code of Ethics for the Commission;

2. Establish the fiscal year of the Commission;

3. Establish bylaws for the Commission;

4. Maintain its financial records in accordance with the bylaws of the Commission;

5. Meet and take such actions as are consistent with the provisions of this interstate compact, the bylaws and rules of the Commission;

6. Promulgate uniform rules to implement and administer this interstate compact. The rules shall have the force and effect of law and shall be binding in all member states, except that in Mississippi, the rules shall only be binding if consistent with Mississippi law. In the event the Commission exercises its rulemaking authority in a manner that is beyond the scope of the purposes of the compact, or the powers granted hereunder, then such an action by the Commission shall be invalid and have no force and effect of law;

7. Bring and prosecute legal proceedings or actions in the name of the Commission, provided that the standing of any member state licensing authority to sue or be sued under applicable law shall not be affected;

8. Purchase and maintain insurance and bonds;

9. Borrow, accept or contract for services of personnel, including, but not limited to, employees of a member state, or an associated nongovernmental organization that is open to membership by all states;

10. Hire employees, elect or appoint officers, fix compensation, define duties, grant such individuals appropriate authority to carry out the purposes of the compact, and establish the Commission's personnel policies and programs relating to conflicts of interest, qualifications of personnel, and other related personnel matters;

11. Lease, purchase, accept appropriate gifts or donations of, or otherwise own, hold, improve, or use, any property, real, personal or mixed, provided that at all times the Commission shall avoid any appearance of impropriety;

12. Sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, abandon or otherwise dispose of any property real, personal or mixed;

13. Establish a budget and make expenditures;

14. Borrow money;

15. Appoint committees, including standing committees composed of members and such other interested persons as may be designated in this interstate compact, rules or bylaws;

16. Provide and receive information from, and cooperate with, law enforcement agencies;

17. Establish and elect an Executive Committee;

18. Establish and develop a charter for an Executive Information Governance Committee to advise on facilitating exchange of information, use of information, data privacy and technical support needs, and provide reports as needed;

19. Perform such other functions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this interstate compact consistent with the state regulation of teacher licensure; and

20. Determine whether a state's adopted language is materially different from the model compact language such that the state would not qualify for participation in the compact.

D. The Executive Committee of the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact Commission

1. The Executive Committee shall have the power to act on behalf of the Commission according to the terms of this interstate compact;

2. The Executive Committee shall be composed of eight (8) voting members:

a. The Commission chair, vice chair and treasurer; and

b. Five (5) members who are elected by the Commission from the current membership:

i. Four (4) voting members representing geographic regions in accordance with commission rules; and

ii. One (1) at-large voting member in accordance with commission rules;

3. The Commission may add or remove members of the Executive Committee as provided in commission rules;

4. The Executive Committee shall meet at least once annually;

5. The Executive Committee shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

a. Recommend to the entire Commission changes to the rules or bylaws, changes to the compact legislation, fees paid by interstate compact member states such as annual dues, and any compact fee charged by the member states on behalf of the Commission. As applied in Mississippi, implementation of any recommendation or rules or bylaws related to annual dues shall be subject to appropriation by the Legislature;

b. Ensure Commission administration services are appropriately provided, contractual or otherwise;

c. Prepare and recommend the budget;

d. Maintain financial records on behalf of the Commission;

e. Monitor compliance of member states and provide reports to the Commission; and

f. Perform other duties as provided in rules or bylaws.

6. Meetings of the Commission

a. All meetings shall be open to the public, and public notice of meetings shall be given in accordance with Commission bylaws;

b. The Commission or the Executive Committee or other committees of the Commission may convene in a closed, nonpublic meeting if the Commission or Executive Committee or other committees of the Commission must discuss:

i. Noncompliance of a member state with its obligations under the compact;

ii. The employment, compensation, discipline or other matters, practices or procedures related to specific employees or other matters related to the Commission's internal personnel practices and procedures;

iii. Current, threatened, or reasonably anticipated litigation;

iv. Negotiation of contracts for the purchase, lease or sale of goods, services or real estate;

v. Accusing any person of a crime or formally censuring any person;

vi. Disclosure of trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is privileged or confidential;

vii. Disclosure of information of a personal nature where disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy;

viii. Disclosure of investigative records compiled for law enforcement purposes;

ix. Disclosure of information related to any investigative reports prepared by or on behalf of or for use of the Commission or other committee charged with responsibility of investigation or determination of compliance issues pursuant to the compact;

x. Matters specifically exempted from disclosure by federal or member state statute; and

xi. Others matters as set forth by Commission bylaws and rules;

c. If a meeting, or portion of a meeting, is closed pursuant to this provision, the Commission's legal counsel or designee shall certify that the meeting may be closed and shall reference each relevant exempting provision; and

d. The Commission shall keep minutes of Commission meetings and shall provide a full and accurate summary of actions taken, and the reasons therefore, including a description of the views expressed. All documents considered in connection with an action shall be identified in such minutes. All minutes and documents of a closed meeting shall remain under seal, subject to release by a majority vote of the Commission or order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

7. Financing of the Commission

a. The Commission shall pay, or provide for the payment of, the reasonable expenses of its establishment, organization and ongoing activities;

b. The Commission may accept all appropriate donations and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials and services, and receive, utilize and dispose of the same, provided that at all times the Commission shall avoid any appearance of impropriety or conflict of interest;

c. The Commission may levy on and collect an annual assessment from each member state or impose fees on other parties to cover the cost of the operations and activities of the Commission, in accordance with the commission rules, but the requirement to pay the assessment in Mississippi, shall be subject to appropriation by the Legislature;

d. The Commission shall not incur obligations of any kind prior to securing the funds adequate to meet the same; nor shall the Commission pledge the credit of any of the member states, except by and with the authority of the member state; and

e. The Commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of the Commission shall be subject to accounting procedures established under Commission bylaws. All receipts and disbursements of funds of the Commission shall be reviewed annually in accordance with Commission bylaws, and a report of the review shall be included in and become part of the annual report of the Commission.

8. Qualified Immunity, Defense and Indemnification

a. The members, officers, executive director, employees and representatives of the Commission shall be immune from suit and liability, either personally or in their official capacity, for any claim for damage to or loss of property or personal injury or other civil liability caused by or arising out of any actual or alleged act, error or omission that occurred, or that the person against whom the claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties or responsibilities; provided that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to protect any such person from suit or liability for any damage, loss, injury or liability caused by the intentional or willful or wanton misconduct of that person.

b. The Commission shall defend any member, officer, executive director, employee or representative of the Commission in any civil action seeking to impose liability arising out of any actual or alleged act, error or omission that occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties or responsibilities, or that the person against whom the claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities; provided that nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit that person from retaining his or her own counsel; and provided further, that the actual or alleged act, error or omission did not result from that person's intentional or willful or wanton misconduct.

c. The Commission shall indemnify and hold harmless any member, officer, executive director, employee or representative of the Commission for the amount of any settlement or judgment obtained against that person arising out of any actual or alleged act, error or omission that occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties or responsibilities, or that such person had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties or responsibilities, provided that the actual or alleged act, error or omission did not result from the intentional or willful or wanton misconduct of that person.

ARTICLE VIII

RULEMAKING

A. The Commission shall exercise its rulemaking powers pursuant to the criteria set forth in this interstate compact and the rules adopted thereunder. Rules and amendments shall become binding as of the date specified in each rule or amendment, provided that as applied in the State of Mississippi, the rules shall only be binding if consistent with Mississippi law.

B. The Commission shall promulgate reasonable rules to achieve the intent and purpose of this interstate compact. In the event the Commission exercises its rulemaking authority in a manner that is beyond purpose and intent of this interstate compact, or the powers granted hereunder, then such an action by the Commission shall be invalid and have no force and effect of law in the member states.

C. If a majority of the legislatures of the member states rejects a rule, by enactment of a statute or resolution in the same manner used to adopt the compact within four (4) years of the date of adoption of the rule, then such rule shall have no further force and effect in any member state.

D. Rules or amendments to the rules shall be adopted or ratified at a regular or special meeting of the Commission in accordance with commission rules and bylaws.

E. Upon determination that an emergency exists, the Commission may consider and adopt an emergency rule with forty-eight (48) hours' notice, with opportunity to comment, provided that the usual rulemaking procedures shall be retroactively applied to the rule as soon as reasonably possible, in no event later than ninety (90) days after the effective date of the rule. For the purposes of this provision, an emergency rule is one that must be adopted immediately in order to:

1. Meet an imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare;

2. Prevent a loss of Commission or member state funds;

3. Meet a deadline for the promulgation of an administrative rule that is established by federal law or rule; or

4. Protect public health and safety.

F. As applied in the State of Mississippi, if a rule or amendment promulgated by the Commission conflicts with Mississippi law, Mississippi law shall control and the rule or amendment promulgated by the Commission shall have no effect.

ARTICLE IX

FACILITATING INFORMATION EXCHANGE

A. The Commission shall provide for facilitating the exchange of information to administer and implement the provisions of this compact in accordance with the rules of the Commission, consistent with generally accepted data protection principles and federal and state law.

B. Nothing in this compact shall be deemed or construed to alter, limit or inhibit the power of a member state to control and maintain ownership of its licensee information or alter, limit or inhibit the laws or regulations governing licensee information in the member state.

ARTICLE X

OVERSIGHT, DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND ENFORCEMENT

A. Oversight

1. The executive and judicial branches of state government in each member state shall enforce this compact and take all actions necessary and appropriate to effectuate the compact's purposes and intent, provided that as applied in the State of Mississippi, the compact shall only be binding if consistent with Mississippi law. The provisions of this compact shall have standing as statutory law, provided that as applied in the State of Mississippi, the compact shall only be binding if consistent with Mississippi law.

2. Venue is proper and judicial proceedings by or against the Commission shall be brought solely and exclusively in a court of competent jurisdiction where the principal office of the Commission is located. The Commission may waive venue and jurisdictional defenses to the extent it adopts or consents to participate in alternative dispute resolution proceedings. Nothing herein shall affect or limit the selection or propriety of venue in any action against a licensee for professional malpractice, misconduct or any such similar matter.

3. All courts and all administrative agencies shall take judicial notice of the compact, the rules of the Commission, and any information provided to a member state pursuant thereto in any judicial or quasi-judicial proceeding in a member state pertaining to the subject matter of this compact, or which may affect the powers, responsibilities or actions of the Commission.

4. The Commission shall be entitled to receive service of process in any proceeding regarding the enforcement or interpretation of the compact and shall have standing to intervene in such a proceeding for all purposes. Failure to provide the Commission service of process shall render a judgment or order void as to the Commission, this compact or promulgated rules.

B. Default, Technical Assistance and Termination

1. If the Commission determines that a member state has defaulted in the performance of its obligations or responsibilities under this compact or the promulgated rules, the Commission shall:

a. Provide written notice to the defaulting state and other member states of the nature of the default, the proposed means of curing the default or any other action to be taken by the Commission; and

b. Provide remedial training and specific technical assistance regarding the default.

2. If a state in default fails to cure the default, the defaulting state may be terminated from the compact upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the Commissioners of the member states, and all rights, privileges and benefits conferred on that state by this compact may be terminated on the effective date of termination.

3. Termination of membership in the compact shall be imposed only after all other means of securing compliance have been exhausted. Notice of intent to suspend or terminate shall be given by the Commission to the Governor, the majority and minority leaders of the defaulting state's Legislature, the state licensing authority and each of the member states.

4. A state that has been terminated is responsible for all assessments, obligations and liabilities incurred through the effective date of termination.

5. The Commission shall not bear any costs related to a state that is found to be in default or that has been terminated from the compact, unless agreed upon in writing between the Commission and the defaulting state.

6. The defaulting state may appeal the action of the Commission by petitioning the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the Commission has its principal offices.

C. Dispute Resolution

1. Upon request by a member state, the Commission shall attempt to resolve disputes related to the compact that arise among member states and between member and nonmember states.

2. The Commission shall promulgate a rule providing for nonbinding alternative dispute resolution for disputes as appropriate.

D. Enforcement

1. The Commission, in the reasonable exercise of its discretion, shall enforce the provisions and rules of this compact.

2. By majority vote, the Commission may initiate legal action in a court of competent jurisdiction to enforce compliance with the provisions of the compact and its promulgated rules and bylaws. The relief sought may include injunctive relief.

ARTICLE XI

EFFECTUATION, WITHDRAWAL, AND AMENDMENT

A. The compact shall come into effect on the date on which the compact statute is enacted into law in the tenth member state.

1. On or after the effective date of the compact, the Commission shall convene and review the enactment of each of the charter member states to determine if the statute enacted by each such charter member state is materially different from the model compact statute.

2. A charter member state whose enactment is found to be materially different from the model compact statute shall be entitled to the default process set forth in Article X.

3. Member states enacting the compact subsequent to the charter member states shall be subject to the process set forth in Article VII.C.20 to determine if their enactments are materially different from the model compact statute and whether they qualify for participation in the compact.

B. If any member state is later found to be in default, or is terminated or withdraws from the compact, the Commission shall remain in existence and the compact shall remain in effect even if the number of member states should be less than ten (10).

C. Any state that joins the compact after the Commission's initial adoption of the rules and bylaws shall be subject to the rules and bylaws as they exist on the date on which the compact becomes law in that state, provided that as applied in the State of Mississippi, the compact shall only be binding if consistent with Mississippi law. Any rule that has been previously adopted by the Commission shall have the full force and effect of law on the day the compact becomes law in that state, provided that as applied in the State of Mississippi, the compact shall only be binding if consistent with Mississippi law, as the rules and bylaws may be amended as provided in this compact.

D. Any member state may withdraw from this compact by enacting a statute repealing the same. A member state's withdrawal shall not take effect until six (6) months after enactment of the repealing statute.

E. This compact may be amended by the member states. No amendment to this compact shall become effective and binding upon any other member state until it is enacted into the laws of all member states.

ARTICLE XII

CONSTRUCTION AND SEVERABILITY

The provisions of this compact shall be severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence or provision of this compact is declared to be contrary to the constitution of any member state or a state seeking membership in the compact, contrary to Mississippi law, or of the United States or the applicability thereof to any other government, agency, person or circumstance is held invalid, the validity of the remainder of this compact and the applicability thereof to any government, agency, person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby. If this compact shall be held contrary to the constitution of any member state, or as applicable in the State of Mississippi, with Mississippi law, the compact shall remain in full force and effect as to the remaining member states and in full force and effect as to the member state affected as to all severable matters.

ARTICLE XIII

CONSISTENT EFFECT AND CONFLICT WITH OTHER STATE LAWS

A. Nothing herein shall prevent or inhibit the enforcement of Mississippi law that is not inconsistent with the compact.

B. Any laws, statutes, regulations or other legal requirements in a member state in conflict with the compact are superseded to the extent of the conflict, provided that as applied in the State of Mississippi, the compact shall only be binding if consistent with Mississippi law.

C. All permissible agreements between the Commission and the member states are binding in accordance with their terms, provided that as applied in the State of Mississippi, the agreements shall only be binding if consistent with Mississippi law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-70 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 9-70
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-70
Status: in_force

(1) The superintendent shall keep and maintain an office as necessary for the discharge of his or her duties and responsibilities in office. The cost of the operation of said office shall be paid out of such funds as may be available to the school board from all sources, except as provided for in the following subsection.

(2) In all school districts in which the superintendent or the administrative superintendent was, prior to July 1, 1986, known and referred to as county superintendent of education under the statutes of the State of Mississippi or as district superintendent of a special municipal separate school district which embraces all of the territory of a county, the board of supervisors shall be responsible for providing an office together with all necessary furniture and water, gas, electricity, and other utilities necessary and required for the operation of his said office, which shall be paid for out of the general fund of the county upon allowance of the board of supervisors.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-205 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 151-205
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-205
Status: in_force

(1) The preliminary weighted enrollment of each school district and charter school under Sections 37-151-200 through 37-151-215 is determined by applying the weights prescribed in this section, none of which are mutually exclusive of another, to each applicable school district or charter school's net enrollment, as determined by Section 37-151-207 . To determine additional funding authorized under this section, the number of students in a school district that are identified as the applicable weight shall be calculated as a percentage of the students in the school district. Such amount shall be referred to as the “percentage of applicable students.”

(2) For students identified as low-income, as defined in Section 37-151-201 , the percentage of applicable students in the school district is multiplied by thirty one-hundredths ( 30 / 100 ), and then multiplied by net enrollment.

(3) For students identified as English Language Learners, as defined in Section 37-151-201 , the percentage of applicable students in the school district is multiplied by fifteen one-hundredths ( 15 / 100 ), and then multiplied by net enrollment.

(4) The following weights are applied to students who are identified as entitled to and receiving services in a special education program:

(a) Tier I: For students diagnosed with a specific learning disability, speech and language impairment, or developmental delay, the percentage of applicable students in the school district is multiplied by sixty one-hundredths ( 60 / 100 ), and then multiplied by net enrollment.

(b) Tier II: For students diagnosed with autism, hearing impairment, emotional disability, orthopedic impairment, intellectual disability, or other health impairment, the percentage of applicable students in the school district is multiplied by one hundred ten one-hundredths (1 10 / 100 ), and then multiplied by net enrollment.

(c) Tier III: For students diagnosed with visual impairment, deaf-blindness, multiple disabilities, or traumatic brain injury, the percentage of applicable students in the school district is multiplied by one hundred thirty one-hundredths (1 30 / 100 ), and then multiplied by net enrollment.

For the purpose of student counts, a student entitled to and receiving special education services may not be included under more than one (1) tier prescribed in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this subsection. A student having multiple diagnoses must be counted under the highest tier applicable to that student.

(5) A weight of five percent (5%) is applied to five percent (5%) of a school district or charter school's net enrollment for the purpose of providing gifted education, regardless of the number of students in a school district or charter school that have been identified as gifted students: the total number of students in net enrollment in a school district or charter school, as determined by Section 37-151-207 , is multiplied by five one-hundredths ( 5 / 100 ), which is again multiplied by five one-hundredths ( 5 / 100 ).

(6) For Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth Grade students enrolled in a career and technical education course, as defined in Section 37-151-201 , the percentage of applicable students in the school district is multiplied by ten one-hundredths ( 10 / 100 ), and then multiplied by net enrollment. Students enrolled in multiple career and technical education courses are counted once.

(7) In each school district or charter school where the number of students identified as low income, as defined in Section 37-151-201 , exceeds thirty-five percent (35%) of the school district or charter school's net enrollment, a weight of ten percent (10%) is applied only to the number of low income students in excess of the number of low income students which constitute thirty-five percent (35%) of net enrollment. The number of students eligible for this weight is calculated by subtracting the number of students equivalent to thirty-five percent (35%) of the net enrollment of that school district or charter school from the total number of students in that school district or charter school identified as low income: if the total percentage of applicable students identified in subsection (2) exceeds thirty-five percent (35%) of the school district or charter school's total net enrollment, as determined in Section 37-151-207 , the difference between the total percentage of applicable students identified in subsection (2) and thirty-five percent (35%) of the school district or charter school's total net enrollment is multiplied by ten one-hundredths ( 10 / 100 ), and then multiplied by net enrollment.

(8) The final weighted enrollment of each school district and charter school under the total funding formula as provided for in Sections 37-151-200 through 37-151-215 is determined as follows:

(a) The final weighted enrollment for each school district or charter school that is not classified as a sparsely populated district or charter school, as defined in Section 37-151-201 , is equivalent to the preliminary weighted enrollment of that school district or charter school, as determined in subsections (1) through (7) of this section: the State Department of Education shall add to the school district or charter school's net enrollment, as determined under Section 37-151-207 , each of the additional figures calculated in accordance with subsections (2) through (7), and this total is the final weighted enrollment.

(b) The final weighted enrollment for each sparsely populated district or charter school, as defined in Section 37-151-201 , is determined by multiplying the sparsity weight by the preliminary weighted enrollment, as determined in subsections (1) through (7) of this section, and then adding that figure to the preliminary weighted enrollment. To calculate the final weighted enrollment, the State Department of Education shall add to the school district or charter school's net enrollment, each of the additional figures calculated in accordance with subsections (2) through (7) to determine the preliminary weighted enrollment, multiply this figure by the sparsity weight as determined below, and add this resulting number to the preliminary weighted enrollment to find the final weighted enrollment. To calculate the sparsity weight, the State Department of Education shall find the difference between the number of students per square mile in that district or charter school and a sparsity threshold of eight (8) students per square mile, and then shall divide the resulting figure by one hundred (100) to create a percentage: for example, if the number of students per square mile in a district is three (3), the difference is five (5) (eight (8) minus three (3)), and the sparsity weight is five percent (5%), or five one-hundredths ( 5 / 100 ).
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-173-27 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 173-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-173-27
Status: in_force

No liability shall arise on the part of the state based on the award or use of a Mississippi Dyslexia Therapy Scholarship.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-104 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 7-104
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-104
Status: in_force

(1) In any Mississippi county in which are located, as of February 8, 2012, three (3) school districts and only three (3) school districts, all of which are under conservatorship as defined by the Mississippi Department of Education as of February 8, 2012, there shall be an administrative consolidation of all of the school districts in the county into one (1) countywide school district with one (1) county board of education. The State Board of Education shall determine the school district(s) applicable to the provisions of this section and spread this finding on the minutes of its August 2012 meeting. On or before September 1, 2012, the State Board of Education shall serve the local school boards applicable to the provisions of this section, or the Mississippi Department of Education Conservator for each of the three (3) school districts, with notice and instruction regarding the action to be taken to comply with this section. In such county, there shall be a new county board of education elected in a November 2013 special election which shall be called for that purpose and the new county board members shall be elected as provided in Section 37-5-7, Mississippi Code of 1972 . No previous board member shall be eligible to serve on the newly elected board. Provided, however, that it shall be the responsibility of the board of supervisors of such county to apportion the countywide school district into five (5) new single member board of education districts which shall be consistent with the supervisors district lines in said county. The board of supervisors of said county shall thereafter publish the same in some newspaper of general circulation within said county for at least three (3) consecutive weeks and after having given notice of publication and recording the same upon the minutes of the board of supervisors of said county, said new district lines will thereafter be effective for the November 2013 special election. If necessary, the county board of education of said county shall reapportion the board of education districts in accordance with applicable law as soon as practicable after the results of the 2020 decennial census are published and as soon as practicable after every decennial census thereafter. The new county board of education, with the written approval of the Mississippi Department of Education Conservator and the State Board of Education, shall provide for the administrative consolidation of all school districts in the county into one (1) countywide school district on or before July 1 next following the November 2013 election. The new county board of education shall serve as the school board for the county. Any school district affected by the required administrative consolidation that does not voluntarily consolidate with the new school district ordered by the county board of education shall be administratively consolidated by the State Board of Education with the countywide school district, to be effective on July 1 following the election of the new county board of education. The State Board of Education shall promptly move on its own motion to administratively consolidate any school district which does not voluntarily consolidate in order to enable the affected school districts to reasonably accomplish the resulting administrative consolidation into one (1) countywide district by July 1 following the election of the new county board of education. All affected school districts shall comply with any consolidation order issued by the county board of education or the State Board of Education, as the case may be, on or before July 1 following the election of the new county board of education.

(2) On July 1 following the election of the new county board of education, the former county board of education and the former board of trustees of any municipal separate, or special municipal separate school district located in such county shall be abolished. All real and personal property which is owned or titled in the name of a school district located in such county shall be transferred to the new reorganized school district of the county in which such school district is located. The Mississippi Department of Education Conservator and the State Board of Education shall be responsible for establishing the contracts for teachers and principals for the next school year following the required administrative consolidation with the consultation of the newly elected successor county board of education. The successor county board of education shall appoint the new county superintendent of education for the reorganized school district. The county superintendent of education of said reorganized school district shall not be elected but shall thereafter be appointed by the successor county board of education in the manner provided in Section 37-9-25 . The superintendents of the former under-performing school districts located in the county shall not be eligible for appointment as the new superintendent. The selection of the appointed county superintendent of education and the assistant superintendent of education in the central administration office of the successor countywide school district shall be the responsibility of the successor county board of education with the approval of the Mississippi Department of Education Conservator and the State Board of Education. No such administratively consolidated school district shall have more than one (1) assistant superintendent of education. It shall be the responsibility of the successor county board of education, with approval of the Mississippi Department of Education Conservator and the State Board of Education, to prepare and approve the budget of the new reorganized districts, and the county board of education may use staff from the former school districts to prepare the budget. Any proposed order of the successor county board of education directing the transfer of the assets, real or personal property of an affected school district in the county, shall be submitted and approved by the State Board of Education. The finding of the State Board of Education shall be final and conclusive for the purposes of the transfer of property required by such administrative consolidation. Any person or school district aggrieved by an order of the successor county school board of education pursuant to the required administrative consolidation may appeal therefrom to the State Board of Education within ten (10) days from the date of the adjournment of the meeting at which such order is entered. Such appeal shall be de novo, and the finding of the State Board of Education upon such question shall be final and conclusive for the purpose of the approval or disapproval of the action by said county board of education.

(3) When any school district in such county is abolished under the provisions of this section, the abolition thereof shall not impair or release the property of such former school district from liability for the payment of the bonds or other indebtedness of such district and it shall be the duty of the board of supervisors of said county to levy taxes on the property of said district so abolished from year to year according to the terms of such indebtedness until same shall be fully paid.

(4) In the administratively consolidated countywide school district created under this section, the ad valorem tax rate shall be determined as set forth under Section 37-57-1 et seq.

(5) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require or restrict the closing of any school or school facility, unless such facility is an unneeded administrative office located within a school district which has been abolished under the provisions of this section. All administrative consolidations under this section shall be accomplished so as not to delay or in any manner negatively affect the desegregation of another school district in the county pursuant to court order.

(6) The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules and regulations to facilitate the administrative consolidation of the school districts in a county pursuant to this section. When the orders of the successor county board of education adopting the boundaries of the successor countywide school district have been entered and are final, as approved by the State Board of Education, the new district lines shall be submitted by the State Board of Education with the assistance of the Attorney General to the Attorney General of the United States for preclearance or to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia for a declaratory judgment in accordance with the provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended and extended. In the event the change in the school district lines are precleared or approved, the State Board of Education shall formally declare the new lines as the new boundaries of the consolidated countywide school district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-175 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 23-175
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-175
Status: in_force

For purposes of Sections 37-23-171 through 37-23-181 , the following terms shall have the following meanings unless the context shall prescribe otherwise:

(a) “Gifted children” shall mean children who are found to have an exceptionally high degree of intellect, and/or academic, creative or artistic ability.

(b) “Gifted education” shall mean programs for instruction of intellectually gifted children within Grades 2 through 12 and programs for instruction of academically gifted children within Grades 9 through 12 and programs for instruction of creative or artistically gifted children within Grades 2 through 12 of the public elementary and secondary schools of this state. Such programs shall be designed to meet the individual needs of gifted children and shall be in addition to and different from the regular program of instruction provided by the district.

(c) “Department” shall mean the State Department of Education.

(d) “Board” shall mean the State Board of Education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-103-19 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 103-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-103-19
Status: in_force

(1) Resident status of a spouse or child of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States on extended active duty shall be that of the military spouse or parent for the purpose of attending state-supported institutions of higher learning and community/junior colleges of the State of Mississippi during the time that the military spouse or parent is stationed within the State of Mississippi and shall be continued through the time that the military spouse or parent is stationed in an overseas area with last duty assignment within the State of Mississippi, excepting temporary training assignments en route from Mississippi. Resident status of a spouse or minor child terminates upon reassignment under Permanent Change of Station Orders of the military spouse or parent for duty in the continental United States outside the State of Mississippi, excepting temporary training assignments en route from Mississippi. However, except for spouses who enroll at a professional school or college, spouses or children of members of the Armed Forces who attain Mississippi residency in accordance with the provisions of this subsection and who enroll full time in a Mississippi institution of higher learning or community/junior college shall maintain their residency status so long as they remain enrolled in good standing at a Mississippi institution of higher learning or community/junior college. Enrollment during summer school is not required to maintain such resident status.

(2) The spouse or child of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States who dies or is killed is entitled to pay the resident tuition fee if the spouse or child becomes a resident of Mississippi within one hundred eighty (180) days of the date of death.

(3) If a member of the Armed Forces of the United States is stationed outside Mississippi and the member's spouse or child establishes residence in Mississippi and registers with the Mississippi institution of higher learning or community/junior college at which the spouse or child plans to attend, the institution of higher education or community/junior college shall permit the spouse or child to pay the tuition, fees and other charges provided for Mississippi residents without regard to length of time that the spouse or child has resided in Mississippi.

(4) A member of the Armed Forces of the United States or the child or spouse of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States who is entitled to pay tuition and fees at the rate provided for Mississippi residents under another provision of this section shall maintain resident classification for tuition and fee purposes as long as he or she is continuously enrolled at a Mississippi institution of higher learning or community/junior college. A student may withdraw or may choose not to reenroll for no more than one (1) semester or term while pursuing a degree or certificate without losing resident status only if that student provides sufficient documentation by a physician that the student has a medical condition that requires withdrawal or nonenrollment. For purposes of this subsection, a person is not required to enroll in a summer term to remain continuously enrolled in a degree or certificate program. The person's eligibility to pay tuition and fees at the rate provided for Mississippi residents under this subsection does not terminate because the person is no longer a member of the Armed Forces of the United States or the child or spouse of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-39-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 39-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-39-5
Status: in_force

It shall be the duty of each school board to make or cause to be made, a list of supplies and equipment, including quality specifications when applicable, regularly used in the schools under its supervision, and to maintain such a list in the office of the school district or county superintendent of education or other executive officer of the board. Such list shall be used by the board in obtaining competitive bids for supplies or equipment to be purchased, and shall be available to any interested persons.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-16-17 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 16-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-16-17
Status: in_force

(1) Purpose.(a) The purpose of this section is to create a quality option in Mississippi's high schools for students not wishing to pursue a baccalaureate degree, which shall consist of challenging academic courses and modern career-technical studies. The goal for students pursuing the career technical education pathways is to graduate from high school with a standard diploma and credit toward a community college certification in a career-technical field. These students also shall be encouraged to take the national assessment in the career-technical field in which they become certified.

(b) The State Board of Education shall develop and adopt course and curriculum requirements for career technical education pathways offered by local public school boards in accordance with this section. The Mississippi Community College Board and the State Board of Education jointly shall determine course and curriculum requirements for the career technical education pathways. The State Board of Education shall require school districts to provide notice to all incoming middle school students and junior high students of the career technical education pathways offered by local school boards. Such notice shall include the career technical education pathways available, the course requirements of each pathway, how to enroll in the pathway and any other necessary information as determined by the State Board of Education.

(2) Career technical education pathway; description; curriculum.(a) A career technical education pathway shall provide a student with greater technical skill and a strong academic core and shall be offered to each high school student enrolled in a public school district. The career technical education pathway shall be linked to postsecondary options and shall prepare students to pursue either a degree or certification from a postsecondary institution, an industry-based training or certification, an apprenticeship, the military, or immediate entrance into a career field. The career technical education pathway shall provide students with alternatives to entrance into a four-year university or college after high school graduation.

(b) Students pursuing a career technical education pathway shall be afforded the opportunity to dually enroll in a community or technical college or to participate in a business internship or work-study program, when such opportunities are available and appropriate.

(c) Each public school district shall offer a career technical education pathway approved by the State Board of Education.

(d) Students in a career technical education pathway shall complete an academic core of courses and a career and technical sequence of courses.

(e) Students pursuing a career technical education pathway must complete the twenty-four (24) course unit requirements for a regular high school diploma, which may include, but not be limited to the following course content:

(i) English I;

(ii) English II;

(iii) Technical writing;

(iv) Computer programming;

(v) Algebra I;

(vi) Personal Finance;

(vii) Advanced technical mathematics;

(viii) Computer Science;

(ix) Biology;

(x) Earth and Space Science;

(xi) U.S. History;

(xii) Mississippi Studies/U.S. Government;

(xiii) Health;

(xiv) Physical Education;

(xv) Soft skills, which include, but are not limited to, communication ability, language skills, time management, teamwork and leadership traits;

(xvi) Career technical education pathway courses; and

(xvii) Integrated technology.

Academic courses within the career technical education pathway of the standard diploma shall provide the knowledge and skill necessary for proficiency on the state subject area tests.

(f) The courses provided in paragraph (e) of this subsection may be tailored to the individual needs of the school district as long as the amendments align with the basic course requirements of paragraph (e).

(3) Nothing in this section shall disallow the development of a dual enrollment program with a technical college so long as an individual school district, with approval from the State Department of Education, agrees to implement such a program in connection with a technical college and the agreement is also approved by the proprietary school's commission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-41 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 104-41
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-41
Status: in_force

All monies received by the Authority pursuant to this chapter, from any source whatever, shall be deemed to be trust funds to be held and applied solely as provided herein.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-37 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 145-37
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-37
Status: in_force

All bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 37-145-23 through 37-145-41 shall be legal investments for trustees and other fiduciaries, and for savings banks, trust companies and insurance companies organized under the laws of the State of Mississippi, and such bonds shall be legal securities which may be deposited with and shall be received by all public officers and bodies of this state and all municipalities and political subdivisions for the purpose of securing the deposit of public funds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-55 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 45-55
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-55
Status: in_force

Any school board is authorized to pay the premium on any appeal bond entered into under the provisions of Section 37-45-51 . The said school board may pay same from the administrative fund provided by Section 37-19-31 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-97-103 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 97-103
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-97-103
Status: in_force

As used in this article, the following terms shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) “ Compensation ” means any remuneration, in cash or in kind, whether provided at the time or at any subsequent date, to a student-athlete.

For the purposes of this article, “compensation” shall not mean any grant, scholarship, fellowship, tuition assistance, or other form of financial aid provided to a student for pursuing a post-secondary education.

(b) “ Intercollegiate athletics program ” means an intercollegiate athletics sport played at the collegiate level for which eligibility requirements for participation by a student-athlete are established by a national association, conference or any other group or organization with authority over the sport, that promotes or regulates collegiate athletics.

(c) “ Publicity Rights ” means any right associated with the name, image, likeness, publicity, reputation, fame, or personal following of a student recognized under federal or state law as permitting an individual to control or profit from the use of the same.

(d) “ Postsecondary educational institution ” means a public university or community college or private university or college.

(e) “ Student-athlete ” means an individual who is enrolled in or has signed a National Letter of Intent or other written agreement to enroll in a postsecondary educational institution or is being recruited by a postsecondary educational institution to participate in an intercollegiate athletics program. If an individual is permanently ineligible to participate in a particular intercollegiate sport, the individual is not a student-athlete for purposes of that sport.

(f) “ Third party ” means any individual or entity or group of the same other than a postsecondary educational institution, including a charitable organization that qualifies as an exempt organization under 26 USC Section 501(c)(3) , as amended.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-307 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 101-307
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-307
Status: in_force

The principal of and interest on such bonds shall be payable in the manner hereinafter set forth. Such bonds shall bear such date or dates, be in such denomination or denominations, bear interest at such rate or rates, be payable at such place or places within or without the State of Mississippi, shall mature absolutely at such time or times, be redeemable prior to maturity at such time or times and upon such terms, with or without premium, shall bear such registration privileges, and shall be substantially in such form, all as shall be determined by resolution of the State Bond Commission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-101 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 65-101
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-101
Status: in_force

In addition to all other power and authority which may now be vested in any board of trustees of any school district by the constitution or statutes, or both, of the State of Mississippi, any such board of trustees is hereby vested with the authority to close any one or more or all schools in any school district when, in its discretion, it determines such closure to be to the best interest of a majority of the educable children of the territory served, or to the best interest of a majority of the children enrolled in any such school or schools. Said board of trustees is also vested with the authority, in its discretion, to close any one or more or all schools in any school district when such board, in its discretion, determines such closure will promote or preserve the public peace, order or tranquility of the district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-217 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 7-217
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-217
Status: in_force

(1) The county election commissioners shall indicate on the ballot which of the persons whose names appear thereon are candidates for a full term, and which of such persons, if any, are candidates for an unexpired term or terms.

(2) The qualified electors of each school district operating under Section 37-7-215 shall vote on the date specified in that section and at the special trustee election districts.

(3) A person elected shall assume the duties of his office for the full term on the first day of January if the election is for the full term. A person elected to an unexpired term shall assume office immediately.

(4) The county election commissioners shall forthwith certify the results of the election to the superintendent of the municipal separate or special municipal separate school district, as the case may be, which certificate shall be delivered to such superintendent within five (5) days following the first election.

(5) If a person does not receive a majority of the votes cast at the election, a runoff shall be held between the two (2) persons receiving the highest number of votes at the first election. In the event a runoff is necessary, the runoff shall be held four (4) weeks thereafter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-137 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 29-137
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-137
Status: in_force

Subject to the provisions of Sections 37-29-131 through 37-29-139 , any lease agreement shall be binding on the board of trustees of the college and any party thereto in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that any such lease shall include a provision that the lessee's obligation to pay any amounts due or perform any covenants requiring or resulting in the expenditure of money shall be contingent and expressly limited to the extent of any covenants requiring or resulting in the expenditure of money shall be contingent and expressly limited to the extent of any appropriation made to fund such lease agreement and that nothing contained in the lease agreement shall be construed as creating any monetary obligations on the part of the lessee beyond such current and specific support appropriations. Rentals payable by the community or junior college under leases pursuant to Sections 37-29-131 through 37-29-139 , shall be payable from any revenue available for the support and enlargement, improvement, and repair of the college.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-25-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 25-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-25-7
Status: in_force

Any student receiving instruction under this chapter shall be:

(a) Fourteen (14) years of age or above;

(b) A regularly enrolled student in the ninth, tenth, eleventh or twelfth grade; and

(c) A full-time student in the respective secondary school.

Any driver education student shall not be required to possess a learner's permit or driver's license while the student is under the direct supervision of a driver education instructor and is actually enrolled in an approved course of driver education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-44 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 101-44
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-44
Status: in_force

(1) In lieu of exercising the authority set forth in Section 37-101-43 and before entering into or awarding any lease under Section 37-101-41 , the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, subject to the provisions of Section 37-101-42 , may award contracts to a single entity for privately financed design and construction or renovation of facilities on university campuses, as well as for maintaining, furnishing and equipping of such facilities, if the entities receiving the contract or contracts and those entities to which work or services are subcontracted are duly licensed and qualified in the state to perform the contract or contracts. State General Fund appropriations or bonds backed by the state may not be used to finance the construction or maintenance of any such facility.

(2) The design-build delivery system described under subsection (1) of this section shall be administered pursuant to Section 31-7-13.1 and may be authorized only when the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning makes a determination, entered on its minutes, with specific findings for the project demonstrating how it is in the best interest of the public to enter into a design-build contract.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-102-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 102-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-102-7
Status: in_force

The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning shall submit to the Legislature budget requests with off-campus programs being an identified part of the total general support budget request for universities by being a separate item within the budget request of the respective university which offers the program. Said budget request shall include a statement of all actual or estimated receipts and disbursements for such off-campus programs and such other information as may be required by the Legislative Budget Office.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-175-15 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 175-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-175-15
Status: in_force

(1) Each local school district shall adopt a policy to ensure that students will be screened for speech, language, voice and fluency disorders before the end of Grade 1.

(2) If a student fails the screener, the parent or legal guardian will be notified of the results of the screener.

(3) If a student fails the screener, the school district, in its discretion, may perform a comprehensive speech-language evaluation.

(4) If a parent or a legal guardian of a student who fails the speech-language screener exercises the option to have a subsequent evaluation performed, such evaluation shall be administered by a speech-language pathologist. The subsequent evaluation obtained by the parents shall be considered by the school district for eligibility in the area of speech-language in accordance with the procedures mandated by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for a placement in a speech-language program within the current school or to receive a Mississippi speech-language therapy scholarship for placement in a speech-language program in a nonpublic special purpose school. A parent or legal guardian may provide written notification to the local school district opting out of the mandatory screening provided by the district. The provisions of this section shall not apply to homeschooled students.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-187-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 187-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-187-7
Status: in_force

(1) The grant monies distributed under this chapter shall be used by school districts and schools to negotiate and contract with existing or potential broadband providers to increase or gain broadband access for the unserved areas where their students reside. To achieve such increased broadband access, the school districts and schools may utilize any broadband technology available to increase or gain broadband access in the unserved areas.

(2) The use of grants shall be subject to audit by the United States Department of the Treasury's Office of Inspector General and the Mississippi Department of Education. A school district or school found to be fully or partially noncompliant with grant requirements shall return to the state all or a portion of the grant monies received. Recipient school districts and schools shall confirm their understanding of these terms.

(3) Mississippi public school districts, independent schools and Native American tribal schools that receive grant monies under this chapter shall provide periodic project status reports to the Mississippi Department of Education and any other documentation that the Mississippi Department of Education determines is necessary to ensure compliance with this chapter and the United States Department of the Treasury regarding the use of monies from the Coronavirus Relief Fund established in Section 5001 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.