Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-57 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 153-57
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-57
Status: in_force

(1) There is established the Accelerate Mississippi Workforce Development Program, which shall be directed by the office for the purpose of providing education and training to citizens seeking employment in high-wage, high-demand industries in the state, including, but not limited to, the nursing and healthcare fields, which were impacted by the disruption to the economy and workforce caused by COVID-19. This program shall be subject to the availability of funds appropriated by the Legislature using Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds made available under ARPA or any other funds appropriated by the Legislature.

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

(a) “ Recipient ” means a community college, institution of higher learning, or trainee recipient of grant funding under this section.

(b) “ Trainee ” means an individual receiving training or other services through programs under this article with the goal of becoming employed in a high-wage, high-demand industry.

(c) “ High-wage, high-demand industry ” means those industries paying above Mississippi's median annual income and prioritized by the office and the four (4) local workforce areas.

(d) “ Eligible expenses ” means a cost incurred by a recipient, pursuant to this article, to include:

(i) Necessary equipment or other supplies;

(ii) Curricula or other academic or training materials;

(iii) Remote learning or other classroom technology;

(iv) Stipends for teaching staff or faculty for workforce development programs;

(v) Trainee support, including tuition expenses and childcare or transportation assistance;

(vi) Coaching or mentoring services;

(vii) Job placement services;

(viii) Apprenticeship programs; and

(ix) Recruitment programs.

(3) The Department of Employment Security shall serve as fiscal agent in administering the funds.

(4) Subject to appropriation by the Legislature, allocations to recipients shall be awarded by the office through an application process, which shall require the applicant to provide:

(a) A detailed explanation of the program the applicant intends to use awarded funds to create or expand, including:

(i) A description of the high-wage, high-demand field or workforce shortage area the program is intended to address;

(ii) The number of trainees who will be served by the program; and

(iii) The average wage rate for trainees receiving employment after completing the program;

(b) A proposed budget on how awarded funds will be expended, including a plan to consistently report expenditures to the office throughout the funding commitment;

(c) A plan to provide data on participation and outcomes of the program, including a plan to report outcomes to the office throughout the funding commitment; and

(d) Other relevant information as determined appropriate by the office.

(5) Applicants agreeing to commit a portion of their federal COVID-19 relief funds, if they received federal COVID-19 relief funds directly, or other state, federal or private funds as supplemental matching funds to offset the total cost of the approved program will be prioritized for approval.

(6) The office shall:

(a) Inform each recipient of its portion of the funds appropriated to the grant program;

(b) Develop regulations and procedures to govern the administration of the grant program;

(c) Prioritize high-wage, high-skill industries, including, but not limited to, nursing jobs or other jobs within the healthcare field; and

(d) Coordinate with the Department of Employment Security to share information to identify individuals who were furloughed, unemployed, underemployed or otherwise displaced due to COVID-19.

(7) The office may use a maximum of two percent (2%) of funds allocated for this article for the administration of the grant program, to the extent permissible under federal law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-45 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 101-45
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-45
Status: in_force

Any holder of lease rights arising under the provisions of Section 37-101-41 , either at law or in equity, by suit, action, or other proceeding, may protect and enforce any and all rights granted thereunder, or under the resolution pursuant to which such lease was signed, or under said lease, and may enforce and compel performance of all duties required by said section to be performed, in order to provide for the payment of the lease obligations set out in said lease.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-25-13 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 25-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-25-13
Status: in_force

The state superintendent of public education shall allow to each school district an amount per pupil to be determined by the state board of education, but in no case to exceed the actual cost per pupil completing the course in the driver education and training programs in that school district during the preceding fiscal year in accordance with the regulations set forth by the state board of education to the school districts for instructing pupils in driver education and training. All such funds made available for the purposes of this section shall be appropriated by the legislature in the same manner as general funds. In the event that the funds herein authorized by the legislature for the support of driver education shall exceed the funds which actually become available, each participating school district shall have its funds reduced on a pro rata basis.

No allowance shall be made under this section for the instruction of pupils in driver education and training unless the respective school district has complied with the rules and regulations as set forth by the state board of education governing the establishment, conduct and scope of driver education and training.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-140-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / 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. § 37-11-29 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 11-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-29
Status: in_force

(1) Any principal, teacher or other school employee who has knowledge of any unlawful activity which occurred on educational property or during a school related activity or which may have occurred shall report such activity to the superintendent of the school district or his designee who shall notify the appropriate law enforcement officials as required by this section. In the event of an emergency or if the superintendent or his designee is unavailable, any principal may make a report required under this subsection.

(2) Whenever any person who shall be an enrolled student in any school or educational institution in this state supported in whole or in part by public funds, or who shall be an enrolled student in any private school or educational institution, is arrested for, and lawfully charged with, the commission of any crime and convicted upon the charge for which he was arrested, or convicted of any crime charged against him after his arrest and before trial, the office or law enforcement department of which the arresting officer is a member, and the justice court judge and any circuit judge or court before whom such student is tried upon said charge or charges, shall make or cause to be made a report thereof to the superintendent or the president or chancellor, as the case may be, of the school district or other educational institution in which such student is enrolled.

If the charge upon which such student was arrested, or any other charges preferred against him are dismissed or nol prossed, or if upon trial he is either convicted or acquitted of such charge or charges, same shall be reported to said respective superintendent or president, or chancellor, as the case may be. A copy of said report shall be sent to the Secretary of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning of the State of Mississippi, at Jackson, Mississippi.

Said report shall be made within one (1) week after the arrest of such student and within one (1) week after any charge placed against him is dismissed or nol prossed, and within one (1) week after he shall have pled guilty, been convicted, or have been acquitted by trial upon any charge placed against him. This section shall not apply to ordinary traffic violations involving a penalty of less than Fifty Dollars ($50.00) and costs.

The State Superintendent of Public Education shall gather annually all of the reports provided under this section and prepare a report on the number of students arrested as a result of any unlawful activity which occurred on educational property or during a school related activity. All data must be disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender, school, offense and law enforcement agency involved. However, the report prepared by the State Superintendent of Public Education shall not include the identity of any student who was arrested.

On or before January 1 of each year, the State Superintendent of Public Education shall report to the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Joint PEER Committee on this section. The report must include data regarding arrests as a result of any unlawful activity which occurred on educational property or during a school related activity.

(3) When the superintendent or his designee has a reasonable belief that an act has occurred on educational property or during a school related activity involving any of the offenses set forth in subsection (6) of this section, the superintendent or his designee shall immediately report the act to the appropriate local law enforcement agency. For purposes of this subsection, “ school property ” shall include any public school building, bus, public school campus, grounds, recreational area or athletic field in the charge of the superintendent. The State Board of Education shall prescribe a form for making reports required under this subsection. Any superintendent or his designee who fails to make a report required by this section shall be subject to the penalties provided in Section 37-11-35 .

(4) The law enforcement authority shall immediately dispatch an officer to the educational institution and with probable cause the officer is authorized to make an arrest if necessary as provided in Section 99-3-7 .

(5) Any superintendent, principal, teacher or other school personnel participating in the making of a required report pursuant to this section or participating in any judicial proceeding resulting therefrom shall be presumed to be acting in good faith. Any person reporting in good faith shall be immune from any civil liability that might otherwise be incurred or imposed.

(6) For purposes of this section, “ unlawful activity ” means any of the following:

(a) Possession or use of a deadly weapon, as defined in Section 97-37-1 ;

(b) Possession, sale or use of any controlled substance;

(c) Aggravated assault, as defined in Section 97-3-7 ;

(d) Simple assault, as defined in Section 97-3-7 , upon any school employee;

(e) Rape, as defined under Mississippi law;

(f) Sexual battery, as defined under Mississippi law;

(g) Murder, as defined under Mississippi law;

(h) Kidnapping, as defined under Mississippi law; or

(i) Fondling, touching, handling, etc., a child for lustful purposes, as defined in Section 97-5-23 .

For the purposes of this subsection (6), the term “controlled substance” does not include the possession or use of medical cannabis that is lawful under the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act and in compliance with rules and regulations adopted thereunder.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-471 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 29-471
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-471
Status: in_force

All of the property belonging to the board of trustees of Copiah-Lincoln Junior College and all of the property belonging to any or all of the counties, prior to and as of the effective date hereof, cooperating in the Copiah-Lincoln Junior College or the agricultural high school-junior college located at Wesson, Mississippi or the campus in Adams County, Mississippi, and utilized or held for the present or future use and benefit of said junior college and/or agricultural high school-junior college, shall be and the same is hereby transferred to and vested in the Copiah-Lincoln Junior College District as created by Sections 37-29-451 through 37-29-471 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-213 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 153-213
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-213
Status: in_force

The office shall certify to the Department of Finance and Administration that each expenditure of the funds appropriated to the office under this article is in compliance with the guidelines, guidance, rules, regulations and/or other criteria, as may be amended from time to time, of the United States Department of the Treasury regarding the use of monies from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund in Section 9901 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 ( Public Law No. 117-1 ).
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-67 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 13-67
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-67
Status: in_force

The number of hours of actual teaching which shall constitute a school day shall be determined and fixed by the board of trustees of the school district at not less than five and one-half (5 1 / 2 ) hours.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-146-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 146-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-146-5
Status: in_force

The Mississippi Rural Dentists Scholarship Commission shall have the following powers and duties:

(a) Developing the administrative policy for the commission and the Mississippi Rural Dentists Scholarship Program;

(b) Promulgating rules and regulations, with the advice and consent of the University of Mississippi Medical Center, pertaining to the implementation and operation of the Rural Dentists Scholarship Program;

(c) Developing and implementing strategies and activities for the identification and recruitment of students and for marketing the program and for the implementation of the program. In developing these strategies, the board shall seek the input of various organizations and entities;

(d) Establishing a budget, with the advice and consent of the University of Mississippi Medical Center, to support the activities of the program and periodically reviewing and if appropriate, revising, the scholarship and other stipends offered through the program;

(e) Advising the University of Mississippi Medical Center regarding hiring appropriate staff necessary to work in conjunction with the Executive Director of the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program;

(f) Reviewing participants' progress in the program and mentoring students and dentists participating in the program;

(g) The commission shall have the authority through use of generally applicable definitions, to designate an area of the state as underserved or rural. The method by which these designations shall be made shall be contained in rules and regulations promulgated by the commission;

(h) The commission shall produce an annual report to the Legislature showing certain information relating to the program for the previous fiscal year, including the following:

(i) Budget, including funds provided in addition to legislative appropriations;

(ii) The number of participants enrolled in dental school along with their matriculation status;

(iii) The status of, to include location or practice, participants who have entered a dental residency program;

(iv) The number and cause of participants who breached their obligation(s) to the program; and

(v) The status of, to include location of practice, participants who have entered into the practice of dentistry in a rural or medically underserved area in Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-211 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 7-211
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-211
Status: in_force

(1) The name of any qualified elector who is otherwise eligible under the provisions of subsection (1) of Section 37-7-203 who shall desire to be a candidate for the office of trustee must qualify in the following manner in order to be allowed to be considered for election. By 5:00 p.m. no more than ninety (90) days and not less than sixty (60) days before the election, he shall file with the county election commissioners a petition signed by not less than fifty (50) qualified electors of the area represented by the office which he seeks, either for a full term or an unexpired term, as the case may be, and an affidavit by the candidate offering for election stating his qualifications under the terms of the section. Where there are less than one hundred (100) qualified electors in said area represented by the trustee, it shall only be required that said petition of nomination be signed by at least twenty percent (20%) of the qualified electors in said area. The petition shall contain an affidavit certifying that all signatures are the personal signatures of each person whose name appears on the petition and that each person is a qualified elector.

(2) Unless the petition and affidavit required in subsection (1) of this section are filed by 5:00 p.m. not less than sixty (60) days prior to the election, the name of the candidate shall not be considered in the election, and votes cast for any person who has failed to qualify shall not be counted in the election.

(3) If after the time for candidates to file the petition and affidavit provided for in this section there should be only one (1) person to qualify for the office of trustee, then no election or notice of election shall be necessary and such person shall, if otherwise qualified, be declared elected without opposition.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-103-17 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 103-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-103-17
Status: in_force

Members of the United States Armed Forces on extended active duty and stationed within the State of Mississippi and members of the Mississippi National Guard may be classified as residents, for the purpose of attendance at state-supported institutions of higher learning and community and/or junior colleges of the State of Mississippi. Resident status of such military personnel who are not legal residents of Mississippi, as defined in Section 37-103-13 , shall terminate upon their reassignment for duty in the continental United States outside the State of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 141-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-7
Status: in_force

It is hereby declared to be the intent of the Legislature that the functions of the center shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(a) Undertaking selected applied research projects with a permanent research staff, augmented by specialists from universities and colleges, government agencies and private firms, assisted by graduate students.

(b) Relating, when applicable, public service-related research and technical assistance activities at all state universities to the overall statewide economic development plan.

(c) Coordinating economic development related activities among all state universities.

(d) Providing a computer facility for use by all educational institutions and government agencies.

(e) Maintaining current information on research projects in the state; on scientific and research personnel; on research expenditures and sources of funds; on research programs of agencies and institutions outside the state which bear upon Mississippi development; publishing annually a catalogue of this information; and otherwise functioning as a research clearinghouse for the State of Mississippi.

(f) Developing a list of priority research projects that would have significant contribution to advancement of economic development efforts in the state.

(g) Coordinating with universities and other entities in the state to promote completion of the priority economic development related research projects with economic development potential and advising and assisting in the securing of needed research funding.

(h) Contracting with universities and other entities to effect needed priority economic development related research projects.

(i) Providing printing and data processing support to the Department of Economic Development.

(j) Identifying all federal funds that flow into Mississippi for any and all purposes, making comparisons with other states and preparing appropriate analyses to identify sources of federal funds where potential exists for attracting and obtaining larger amounts of federal funds for the state.

(k) Develop a system whereby economic development related research results can be disseminated to public and private entities for the purpose of enhancing economic development efforts, particularly at the local level.

(l) Assisting institutions, organizations and firms in identifying and obtaining research funds and other grants from public and private sources.

(m) Developing an econometric model of Mississippi designed to forecast various sectors of the Mississippi economy.

(n) Supporting and utilizing the Mississippi Automated Resource Information System (MARIS) to accomplish its objectives of gathering, maintaining and disseminating information and providing research assistance.

(o) Performing other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Commissioner of Higher Education.

(p) Carrying out the provisions of Sections 37-141-51 through 37-141-57 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-117-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 117-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-117-7
Status: in_force

The apportionment of students to be admitted to the Mississippi State College for Women shall be made and announced by the president of the college annually, and communicated to the county superintendents of education by the first of August, or as soon thereafter as practicable. No applicant under sixteen years of age shall be admitted to the institution.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-19 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 104-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-19
Status: in_force

After the determination that the private institution of higher learning shall reasonably be expected to produce sufficient revenue over a period of twenty-five (25) years to pay the revenue bonds issued for the financing or refinancing of the educational facility project, as well as the interest on the revenue bonds and a reasonable sum for maintenance, renewal and replacement, has been made by the Authority, and before the issuance of the revenue bonds, the private institution of higher learning shall enter into a bond loan agreement with the Authority for the purposes of: (a) establishing the terms for the payment of the revenue bonds by the participating private institution of higher learning; (b) establishing the collateral of the participating private institution of higher learning which the parties determine to be necessary to secure the payment of the revenue bonds; (c) establishing the terms for the payment by the Authority to the participating private institution of higher learning of the proceeds from the sale of the revenue bonds for the payment of the costs of the educational facilities project by the participating private institution of higher learning; and (d) setting forth all other matters relating to the revenue bonds.

The bond loan agreement shall also provide that, for as long as the participating private institution of higher learning, or any voluntary grantee of the participating private institution of higher learning, shall own the educational facility which is the subject of the educational facility project, or any part thereof, said educational facility, or any part thereof, shall not be used for sectarian instruction or as a place of religious worship, or used in connection with any part of the program of a school or department of divinity of any religious denomination or sect. This provision shall hereinafter be referred to as “the sectarian use provision” of the bond loan agreement. The bond loan agreement shall set forth the legal description of the real property of the educational facility and the bond loan agreement shall be recorded by the participating private institution of higher learning in the land records of the county (or the applicable judicial district of a county) in which the educational facility is located or is to be located. The bond loan agreement may be recorded in its full text or in a short form evidencing: (a) the names and addresses of the parties; (b) the date of the bond loan agreement; (c) the legal description of the educational facility; (d) a brief summary of the subject matter of the bond loan agreement; and (e) the full text of the sectarian use provision of the bond loan agreement.

The participating private institution of higher learning shall also execute to the Authority, for the benefit of the State of Mississippi, all instruments necessary to perfect in the State of Mississippi a lien or security interest or both, which are first in priority over all other liens and security interests, in the collateral property of the participating private institution of higher learning identified in the bond loan agreement. All such instruments shall contain the full text of the sectarian use provision of the bond loan agreement.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-51-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 51-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-51-7
Status: in_force

It shall be the duty of the commission to receive and pass upon, allow or disallow, all applications for loans made by students who desire to receive a secular education in any of the grades one through twelve in any school in this state constituting a bona fide school as defined in a general regulation of the commission, other than in the free public school system of this state, and who are acceptable for enrollment in any approved nonfree school system. The commission may make such investigation into the financial status of the parents of such students who apply for loans as it deems advisable, to determine the extent of the need for said loan. The commission may prescribe such rules and regulations as it may deem necessary and proper to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

The commission shall have the authority to grant loans from the “state educational loan fund” to such applicants as are qualified to receive them and on such terms as may be prescribed by regulation of the commission and by this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 45-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-9
Status: in_force

The members of the commission shall receive a per diem, mileage and expenses as is authorized by law per day for each day spent in attending meetings of the commission and in performing such other duties as may be required of them by law or the directives of the commission. However, except for regular or called meetings no member shall receive per diem, mileage or other expenses in performing duties unless such duties shall have been directed by an order duly entered on the minutes of a meeting of the commission prior to the performance thereof.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-29 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 28-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-29
Status: in_force

(1) The performance provisions within a charter contract must be based on a performance framework that clearly sets forth the academic and operational performance indicators, measures and metrics that will guide the authorizer's evaluations of the charter school. The performance framework must include indicators, measures and metrics, at a minimum, for the following:

(a) Student academic proficiency;

(b) Student academic growth;

(c) Achievement gaps in both proficiency and growth between major student subgroups;

(d) Attendance;

(e) Recurrent enrollment from year to year;

(f) In-school and out-of-school suspension rates and expulsion rates;

(g) For charter high schools, postsecondary readiness, including the percentage of graduates submitting applications to postsecondary institutions, high school completion, postsecondary admission and postsecondary enrollment or employment;

(h) Financial performance and sustainability; and

(i) Board performance and stewardship, including compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and terms of the charter contract.

(2) The charter contract of each charter school serving Grades 9-12 must include a provision ensuring that graduation requirements meet or exceed those set by the Mississippi Department of Education for a regular high school diploma. Nothing in this section shall preclude competency-based satisfaction of graduation requirements.

(3) Annual performance targets must be set by each charter school in conjunction with the authorizer and must be designed to help each school meet applicable federal, state and authorizer expectations.

(4) The performance framework must allow the inclusion of additional rigorous, valid and reliable indicators proposed by a charter school to augment external evaluations of its performance; however, the authorizer must approve the quality and rigor of any indicators proposed by a charter school, which indicators must be consistent with the purposes of this chapter.

(5) The performance framework must require the disaggregation of all student performance data by major student subgroups (gender, race, poverty status, special education status, English learner status and gifted status).

(6) The authorizer shall collect, analyze and report all data from state assessments in accordance with the performance framework for each charter school. Multiple schools overseen by a single governing board must report their performance as separate, individual schools, and each school must be held independently accountable for its performance.

(7) Information needed by the authorizer from the charter school governing board for the authorizer's reports must be required and included as a material part of the charter contract.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-97 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 41-97
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-97
Status: in_force

The proceeds of all notes or bonds issued under the authority of Section 37-41-89 shall be deposited in the proper county or municipal treasury to the credit of a special school transportation equipment fund and shall be used and expended by the school board for the purpose or purposes for which they were issued under such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the State Board of Education, and for no other purposes.

All such funds shall be paid out on warrants issued by the clerk of the board of supervisors or the municipal clerk, as the case may be, on pay certificates issued by the superintendent of schools upon order of the school board.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-119-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 119-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-119-3
Status: in_force

The principal object of the University of Southern Mississippi 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. § 37-7-411 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 7-411
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-411
Status: in_force

Subject to the prior consent and approval of the State Board of Education, the school boards of all school districts involved shall be authorized to agree as to which of the school boards shall have the power to operate, manage, govern and control any joint school or school building, constructed, erected and equipped or which is to be operated jointly under the provisions of Section 37-7-403 , or, in the alternative, such boards may agree that all of such boards, acting jointly, or a joint board established and constituted in such manner as shall be agreed upon, shall have the power to operate, manage, govern and control any such school or school building. The board so agreed upon and constituted shall have the full power and authority to govern, supervise, manage and control such joint school building in the same manner and to the same extent as though said school was a regular school of such school district. All pertinent provisions of the school laws of this state shall be fully applicable to joint schools established, constructed, erected and equipped or which are to be jointly operated under the provisions of Section 37-7-403 , except that the eligible children of all school districts joining and cooperating in the establishment and/or operation of such joint school who are assigned to such school by the school board of the district in which they reside shall be eligible to and shall attend such school.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-43 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 106-43
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-43
Status: in_force

(1) There is hereby established an intern educational program to be designated as the Mississippi Public Management Graduate Intern Program to be administered by the board through a program coordinator. The program shall consist of not more than thirty-six (36) positions in the general fields of public management, program analysis and public administration. These positions shall not be included in the number of employees allowed by law within a particular state agency. Graduate intern students shall be temporarily assigned by the program coordinator to specific state or local agencies and offices, including offices of the Legislature. Each participating agency or office shall not employ more than four (4) graduate intern students per year. To qualify for the program, a student must (a) be enrolled as a graduate student in a state university masters program in public administration, public policy and administration, or criminal justice administration; and (b) have committed himself to a field of graduate study directly related to a state or local government public managerial position.

(2) There is hereby created the Mississippi Intern Public Management Education Council to consist of the following members: The chairmen of the various departments of Mississippi institutions of higher learning that offer graduate programs in one of the following: public administration, public policy and administration, and criminal justice administration. The council shall elect from its membership a chairman, which shall be a rotating, one-year appointment. The council shall meet at the place and time designated by the chairman at least twice but no more than six (6) times per year.

(3) The council shall adopt, amend and repeal the rules and regulations as it deems necessary to establish standards and ensure the orderly execution of the objectives of the intern educational program, not inconsistent with the provisions of this section. The regulations shall be submitted to the board for implementation by the program coordinator. The council shall review and evaluate the program on a yearly basis and submit its findings to the program coordinator.

(4) There is hereby created the position of Program Coordinator who shall be the Chief Administrative Officer of the Mississippi Public Management Graduate Intern Program. The program coordinator shall be appointed by and be an employee of the agency.

(5) The program coordinator shall administer the policies of the council and supervise and direct all technical activities of the program. The coordinator shall select students to participate in the program based upon the nominees of the participating state institutions of higher learning. No participating university shall be allotted less than three (3) intern students per year unless the university nominates less than three (3) students. The coordinator shall place the intern students in state or local agencies which agree in writing to participate in the program.

(6) The program coordinator shall prepare and deliver to the Legislature and to the Governor an annual report describing the operation and progress of the Mississippi Public Management Graduate Intern Program, including a detailed statement of expenditures and any recommendations the board may have.

(7) It shall be the duty and responsibility of universities participating in the intern program to nominate qualified graduate students to the program and to keep the program coordinator fully apprised of the academic development of the intern student, including any change in the student's educational status.

(8) State or local agencies participating in the intern program shall employ intern students with the expectation that they shall contribute to agency policy decisions, participate in managerial activities, and deliver agency services. Intern graduate students shall receive compensation on the basis of their professional work experience, but shall receive no less than Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00) per month or Four Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($4,500.00) for a six-month work period. In addition to the salary, students shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses and mileage authorized by law for travel to seminars, workshops and training sessions, as well as other related professional travel expenses. When the student has received his graduate degree, the agency may offer him a permanent position with the state or local agency or office, assuming funding and position openings are available.

(9) Intern students shall submit an evaluation of the intern program and an assessment of its educational value to the program coordinator at the end of each work period.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-4 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 9-4
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-4
Status: in_force

The compensation of any attorney employed by a school board who is a member of the Legislature shall be paid only from funds available to the school district that are not appropriated by the Legislature.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-37 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 59-37
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-37
Status: in_force

The school board of any school district shall have the power and authority to borrow money for the anticipated current year's expenses of such school district in anticipation of the collection of ad valorem taxes and other revenues of such school district for the then current fiscal year. The money so borrowed shall bear interest at a rate not greater than that allowed in Section 75-17-105 and shall be repaid within fourteen (14) months from the date of such borrowing out of the taxes and revenues in anticipation of which such money is borrowed. Such money shall be used for no other purpose than the payment of the current year's expenses of such school district. Pending the expenditure of funds borrowed under the provisions of this section, such funds may be invested in any manner in which any school district, municipality, county, state agency or other public body may invest surplus funds.

The amount borrowed under the provisions of this section shall in no event exceed the estimated amount of taxes and revenues collected or to be collected during the last preceding fiscal year, unless the tax levy for the current fiscal year has been made, then the amount borrowed under the provisions of this section shall in no event exceed the estimated amount of taxes and revenues collected or to be collected during the current fiscal year. Revenue anticipation notes issued under the provisions of this section shall be issued within the same fiscal year during which the tax levy is or will be made and other revenues received which it is anticipated will produce the funds from which the said notes will be repaid.

In borrowing money under the provisions of this section, it shall not be necessary to publish notice of intention so to do or to secure the consent of the qualified electors of such school district, either by election or otherwise. Such borrowing shall be authorized by order or resolution of the school board and may be evidenced by negotiable note or notes, signed and executed in such form as may be prescribed in such order or resolution. Such note or notes may be sold at a negotiated sale. Money may be borrowed in anticipation of ad valorem taxes and other revenues under the provisions of this section, regardless of whether or not such borrowing shall create an indebtedness in excess of statutory limitations.

Money may likewise be borrowed by any such school district, as herein provided, for the purpose of paying current interest maturities on any bonded indebtedness of such school district in anticipation of the collection of taxes for the retirement of such bonded indebtedness and the payment of any interest thereon.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-213 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 153-213
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-213
Status: in_force

The office shall certify to the Department of Finance and Administration that each expenditure of the funds appropriated to the office under this article is in compliance with the guidelines, guidance, rules, regulations and/or other criteria, as may be amended from time to time, of the United States Department of the Treasury regarding the use of monies from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund in Section 9901 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 ( Public Law No. 117-1 ).
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-153 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 33-153
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-153
Status: in_force

In order to provide for rehabilitation, habilitation and other services to eligible individuals with disabilities, their families and the community, there is created the State Department of Rehabilitation Services. The department shall be composed of the following offices:

(a) The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation;

(b) The Office of Disability Determination Services;

(c) The Office of Special Disability Programs; and

(d) The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-135-13 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 135-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-135-13
Status: in_force

Pursuant to Article III(I) of the compact, the commission shall file a copy of its bylaws and any amendments thereto with the Secretary of State of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-15-33 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 15-33
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-15-33
Status: in_force

All students seeking to transfer from any school, public, private or homeschool within or outside of the boundaries of the State of Mississippi, to a public school within the state may be required to take a test to determine the grade and class to which the pupil shall be assigned at the time of pupil transfer.

The administrative head of each public school shall administer the test or tests to such pupil or pupils as shall apply for transfer to such public school. Such test or tests shall be administered within thirty (30) days after the filing of each such application for transfer. Notice of the giving of such test shall be given the applicant not less than five (5) days prior to the date of the administration of such test.

No transfer of a pupil shall be effected until the test has been given and the pupil is assigned according to the grade and class for which the test shows he is best suited. No pupil shall be assigned to a grade and class more than three (3) grades above or below the grade or class that the pupil would have been assigned to had the pupil remained in the school from which the transfer is being made. Pending the administration of the test herein provided for and its grading and an assignment based thereon the superintendent of the school district or the attendance center principal to which the pupil seeks admission may assign the pupil temporarily to a grade and class comparable to that in which the pupil would have been had the pupil continued in the school from which the transfer was being made.

If any student is transferred or reassigned within the school district by order of the board of trustees of that school district as designated by law of the State of Mississippi and not at his own request, the requirement of that pupil's taking the standardized test shall be waived. Likewise, if a pupil shall transfer from one school district to another school district in the manner provided and required by the laws of the State of Mississippi, the requirement of such pupil taking the standardized test shall be waived.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-268 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 29-268
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-268
Status: in_force

(1) There is hereby created in the State Treasury a special fund to be designated as the “Community College Repair and Renovation Fund” which shall consist of monies appropriated or otherwise made available therefor by the Legislature. Within the special fund, the State Treasury shall establish a subaccount for each community and junior college. Interest earned on monies in the special fund shall be deposited to the credit of such fund and money shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal year into the State General Fund. Money in the special fund shall be appropriated by the Legislature and allocated by the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management, Department of Finance and Administration, for the repair, renovation and improvement of existing facilities owned by the community and junior colleges, including utility infrastructure projects; heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems; and the replacement of furniture and equipment. However, the cost of such repair, renovation and improvement for any one (1) project shall not exceed One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00).

(2) Monies in the special fund shall be allocated to each community college's subaccount as follows:

(a) One-half ( 1 / 2 ) divided equally among the fifteen (15) public community and junior colleges; and

(b) One-half ( 1 / 2 ) divided upon the basis of the number of full-time academic, technical and vocational public community and junior college students actually enrolled and in attendance on the last day of the sixth week of the fall semester of the preceding year counting only those students who reside within the State of Mississippi. On or before December 1 of each year, the Mississippi Community College Board shall furnish the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management, Department of Finance and Administration, the enrollment information required in this paragraph (b), including the percentage of statewide enrollment attributed to each community and junior college.

(3) For the purposes of this section, the term “ furniture and equipment ” shall be limited to the types of furniture and equipment items previously recorded in the community college's inventory.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-159-17 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 159-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-159-17
Status: in_force

There is established in the State Treasury a special fund to be designated the “Mississippi Critical Teacher Shortage Fund,” into which shall be deposited those funds appropriated by the Legislature, and any other funds that may be made available, for the purpose of implementing the programs established under Sections 37-159-5 , 37-9-77 , 37-3-91 and 37-159-9 through 37-159-13 . Money in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the General Fund, and interest earned on any amounts deposited into the fund shall be credited to the special fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-47-31 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 47-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-47-31
Status: in_force

The state bond commission now consisting of the governor, attorney general and treasurer of the State of Mississippi, each acting ex officio, is hereby continued in existence for the purpose of this chapter and with full power and authority to issue state school bonds to the extent, for the purposes, and in the manner and subject to the limitations set forth in this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-75 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 9-75
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-75
Status: in_force

(1) For purposes of this section:

(a) “Strike” means a concerted failure to report for duty, a willful absence from one's position, the stoppage of work, a deliberate slowing down of work, or the withholding, in whole or in part, of the full, faithful and proper performance of the duties of employment, for the purpose of inducing, influencing or coercing a change in the conditions, compensation, rights, privileges or obligations of public employment; provided, however, that nothing herein shall limit or impair the right of any certified teacher to express or communicate a complaint or opinion on any matter related to the conditions of public employment so long as the same is not designed and does not interfere with the full, faithful and proper performance of the duties of employment.

(b) “Certified teacher” shall mean the following employees of public school districts: classroom teachers, supervisors of programs, librarians, guidance personnel, audiovisual personnel and vocational directors.

(2) It is hereby declared that a strike, concerted work stoppage or concerted refusal to perform lawful duties in any manner by certified teachers against public school districts within the State of Mississippi shall be illegal, unprotected and contrary to the public policy of the State of Mississippi.

(3) No certified teacher, group of certified teachers or teacher organization shall promote, encourage or participate in any strike against a public school district, the State of Mississippi or any agency thereof.

(4) No person exercising any authority, supervision or direction over any certified teacher shall have the power to authorize, approve or consent to a strike by one or more certified teachers, and such person shall not authorize, approve or consent to such strike. No local school governing board or any person exercising authority, supervision or direction over any public school shall attempt to close or curtail the operations of the public school, or to change or alter in any manner the schedule of operations of said school in order to circumvent the full force and effect of this statute. In the event of a strike against the public school, the local school governing board shall continue school operations as long as practicable in order to ascertain which teachers are on strike, and certify the names of such teachers to the Attorney General. Any member of a local school governing board or public school administrator who violates this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) for each day such violation continues.

(5) Chancery courts having jurisdiction of the parties are vested with the authority to hear and determine all actions alleging violations of subsection (3) of this section. Suits to enjoin violations of subsection (3) of this section shall have priority over all matters on the court's docket except other emergency matters.

(6) If a certified teacher, a group of certified teachers, a teacher organization, or any officer, agent or representative of any teacher organization engages in a strike in violation of subsection (3) of this section, any public school district whose employees are involved or whose employees may be affected by the strike shall file suit to enjoin the strike in the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, or in the chancery court having proper jurisdiction and proper venue of such actions. The chancery court shall conduct a hearing with notice to all interested parties, at the earliest practicable time. If the complainant makes a prima facie showing that a violation of subsection (3) of this section is in progress or that there is a clear, real and present danger that such a strike is about to commence, the chancery court shall issue a temporary restraining order enjoining the strike. Upon final hearing, the chancery court shall either make the injunction permanent or dissolve it.

(7) If an injunction to enjoin a strike issued pursuant to this section is not promptly complied with, on the application of the complainant, the chancery court shall immediately initiate contempt proceedings against those who appear to be in violation. A teacher organization found to be in contempt of court for violating an injunction against a strike shall be fined up to Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00) for each such calendar day. The fines so collected shall immediately accrue to the school district and shall be used by it to replace those services denied the public as a result of the strike. Each officer, agent or representative of a teacher organization found to be in contempt of court for violating an injunction against a teacher organization shall be liable for any damages which might be suffered by a public employer as a result of a violation of the provisions of subsection (3) of this section by the teacher organization or its representatives, officers and agents. The chancery court having jurisdiction over such actions is empowered to enforce judgment against teacher organizations by the attachment or garnishment of organization initiation fees or dues.

(8) If the court, after a hearing on notice, determines that a certified teacher has violated subsection (3) of this section, it shall order the termination of his or her employment by the public school district. No person knowingly violating the provision of said subsection may, subsequent to such violation, be employed or reemployed as a teacher by any public school district in the state unless the court first finds a public necessity therefor.

The provisions of this subsection (8) shall be cumulative and supplemental to any other applicable provision of law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 106-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-5
Status: in_force

(1) For purposes of this chapter, the following words shall be defined as follows unless the context requires otherwise:

(a) “ Eligible applicant or eligible student ” means an individual who completes an application by the published application deadline for a given student financial assistance program, meets all initial or continuing eligibility requirements for the program and enrolls in an approved institution for the given program.

(b) “ Approved institution ” means an institution of higher learning, public or private, which is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, or its equivalent or a business, vocational, technical or other specialized school recognized and approved by the Postsecondary Education Financial Assistance Board.

(c) “ Board ” means the Postsecondary Education Financial Assistance Board created by Section 37-106-9 authorized and empowered to administer the provisions of this chapter.

(d) “ Financial need ” means anticipated expenses of an eligible student while attending an approved institution which cannot reasonably be met by said student or by the parents thereof as shall be determined according to the criteria established by the rules and regulations of the board. Financial need shall be reevaluated and redetermined at least annually.

(e) “ Agency ” means the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning.

(f) “ Renewal applicant or renewal student ” means a student who previously received funding for a given program.

(g) “Resident,” “resident status” or “residency” shall be defined and determined in the same manner as resident status for tuition purposes as set forth in Sections 37-103-1 through 37-103-29 , with the exception of Section 37-103-17 . Unless excepted by the rules of a given program, an applicant must be a Mississippi resident to qualify for financial assistance under this chapter.

(h) “ Dependent ” shall be defined and used in the same manner as the term “ minor ” in Sections 37-103-1 through 37-103-29 . The board will follow the federal guidelines for classifying a student as “dependent” or “independent.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-144-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 144-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-144-1
Status: in_force

There is established the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program for the purpose of identifying and recruiting qualified university and college students for medical or osteopathic school matriculation. The program shall consist of three (3) distinct phases through which participants will progress, including:

(a) Undergraduate premedical education;

(b) Medical or osteopathic school and residency; and

(c) Post-residency entry into medical practice in a rural or underserved area of the State of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-63-15 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / 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. § 37-27-81 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 27-81
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-81
Status: in_force

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

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

Alternatively, the board of supervisors may transfer any part or all of such property to any school district in said county.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-79 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 29-79
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-79
Status: in_force

Any junior college district is charged with the responsibility for providing preprofessional courses, liberal arts, technical, vocational, and adult education courses and shall undertake to provide the same as conveniently as is possible to the residents of the district, and to this end, the board of trustees is authorized and empowered to transport such enrollees as, in its discretion, should be transported in the best interest of the district. However, no additional allocation of any appropriation shall be made for such transportation. The board of trustees shall promulgate uniform rules to prevent discrimination in all matters of transportation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-59 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 9-59
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-59
Status: in_force

For incompetence, neglect of duty, immoral conduct, intemperance, brutal treatment of a pupil or other good cause the superintendent of schools may dismiss or suspend any licensed employee in any school district. Before being so dismissed or suspended any licensed employee shall be notified of the charges against him and he shall be advised that he is entitled to a public hearing upon said charges. Provided, however, that a school superintendent whose employment has been terminated under this section shall not have the right to request a hearing before the school board or a hearing officer. Provided, however, that a licensed employee in a conservator school district whose employment has been terminated under this section for good cause as determined by a conservator appointed by the State Board of Education shall not have a right to request a hearing before the school board, a hearing officer or the State Board of Education. The conservator has the right to immediately terminate a licensed employee under this section. In the event the continued presence of said employee on school premises poses a potential threat or danger to the health, safety or general welfare of the students, or, in the discretion of the superintendent, may interfere with or cause a disruption of normal school operations, the superintendent may immediately release said employee of all duties pending a hearing if one is requested by the employee. In the event a licensed employee is arrested, indicted or otherwise charged with a felony by a recognized law enforcement official, the continued presence of the licensed employee on school premises shall be deemed to constitute a disruption of normal school operations. The school board, upon a request for a hearing by the person so suspended or removed shall set a date, time and place for such hearing which shall be not sooner than five (5) days nor later than thirty (30) days from the date of the request. The procedure for such hearing shall be as prescribed for hearings before the board or hearing officer in Section 37-9-111 . From the decision made at said hearing, any licensed employee shall be allowed an appeal to the chancery court in the same manner as appeals are authorized in Section 37-9-113 . Any party aggrieved by action of the chancery court may appeal to the Mississippi Supreme Court as provided by law. In the event that a licensed employee is immediately relieved of duties pending a hearing, as provided in this section, said employee shall be entitled to compensation for a period up to and including the date that the initial hearing is set by the school board, in the event that there is a request for such a hearing by the employee. In the event that an employee does not request a hearing within five (5) calendar days of the date of the notice of discharge or suspension, it shall constitute a waiver of all rights by said employee and such discharge or suspension shall be effective on the date set out in the notice to the employee.

The school board of every school district in this state is hereby prohibited from denying employment or reemployment to any person as a superintendent, principal or licensed employee, as defined in Section 37-19-1 , or as a noninstructional personnel, as defined in Section 37-9-1 , for the single reason that any eligible child of such person does not attend the school system in which such superintendent, principal, licensed employee or noninstructional personnel is employed.

The provisions of this section shall be fully applicable to any administrator or employee of the Mississippi School of the Arts (MSA).
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-13 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 101-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-13
Status: in_force

It shall be the duty of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and the boards of trustees of the community colleges to begin immediately a comprehensive study of gaming and related programs, degrees and courses offered. Following the completion of such study, the board shall make such adjustments as may be found to be necessary in the programs of the various institutions, to the end that the broadest possible educational opportunities shall be offered to the citizens of this state without inefficient and needless duplication. Subject to the provisions of Section 75-76-34 , the board shall, through such officers of the board and through such procedures as it shall see fit to establish, exercise continuing jurisdiction and control over the establishment of new courses of study, new departments and new functions and activities in each institution so that the growth and development of the program of higher education in the state shall proceed in an orderly and rational manner, inefficient and needless duplication may be avoided, and new expanded programs will be undertaken only as the same may become justified, based upon objective criteria to be established by the board. In carrying out the purposes of this section, particular attention shall be given to the extension programs of the various institutions. The boards, in conjunction with the chancellor and presidents of the institutions, shall take such steps as may be necessary to improve and coordinate such programs and shall exercise such direct control over the establishment, organization, operation and granting of credit for such programs as may be necessary to accomplish such purposes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-152 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 33-152
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-152
Status: in_force

It is declared to be the policy of this state to provide rehabilitation services, to the extent needed and feasible within resources available, to eligible individuals with disabilities throughout the state, to the end that they may engage in useful and remunerative occupations and live independently to the extent of their capabilities, thereby increasing their social and economic well-being and that of their families, and the productive capacity of this state and nation, also thereby reducing the burden of dependency on families and taxpayers.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-107 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 59-107
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-107
Status: repealed

The levying authority for the school district shall annually levy a special tax on all of the taxable property of the school district on whose behalf the notes or certificates of indebtedness are issued, except as provided in Section 37-7-104.3(7) , in an amount which shall be sufficient to pay the principal of and interest upon such negotiable notes or certificates of indebtedness as the same shall respectively mature and accrue, including any notes issued under the direction of a conservator of a school district pursuant to the authority of Section 37-7-104.3(7) . Said tax shall be levied and collected at the same time and in the same manner as other taxes are collected and said tax shall be in addition to all other taxes authorized by law. It is expressly provided, however, that, except as provided in Section 37-7-104.3(7) , such annual tax levy shall not exceed three (3) mills on the dollar for the payment of all notes issued under the provisions of this article and all notes previously issued under the statutes hereby repealed. The special tax so levied shall be collected by the tax collector of the county at the same time and in the same manner as other taxes are collected, and the proceeds thereof shall be paid to the school district and shall be used exclusively for the payment of principal of and interest upon such negotiable notes or certificates of indebtedness.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-162 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 33-162
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-162
Status: in_force

(1) If medical or rehabilitation assistance is provided to a client under this article for injury, loss or damage caused under circumstances creating a cause of action in favor of the client against any person, firm or corporation, then the department shall be entitled to recover the proceeds that may result from the exercise of any rights of recovery which the client may have against any such person, firm or corporation to the extent of the actual amount of the medical or rehabilitation assistance made by the department on behalf of the client. The client shall execute and deliver instruments and papers to do whatever is necessary to secure such rights and shall do nothing after said medical and/or rehabilitation assistance is provided to prejudice the subrogation rights of the department.

Pursuant to Section 31-19-29, Mississippi Code of 1972 , the department may compromise or settle any such claim and execute a release of any claim it has by virtue of this section.

(2) The acceptance of medical and/or rehabilitation assistance under this article or the making of a claim thereunder shall not affect the right of client or his legal representative to recover the medical and/or rehabilitation payments made by the department as an element of damages in any action at law; provided, however, that a copy of the pleadings shall be certified to the department at the time of the institution of suit, and proof of such notice shall be filed of record in such action. The department may, at any time before the trial on the facts, join in such action or may intervene therein. Any amount recovered by a client or his legal representative shall be applied as follows:

(a) The reasonable costs of the collection, including attorney's fees, as approved and allowed by the court in which such action is pending, or in case of settlement without suit, by the legal representative of the department;

(b) The actual amount of the medical and/or rehabilitation payments made by the department on behalf of the client; or such pro rata amount as may be arrived at by compromise settlement pursuant to Section 37-33-162(1) , or as set by the court having jurisdiction; and

(c) Any excess shall be awarded to the client.

(3) No compromise of any claim by the client or his legal representative shall be binding upon or affect the rights of the department against the third party unless, pursuant to Section 37-33-162(1) , the department has entered into the compromise. Any compromise effected by the client or his legal representative with the third party in the absence of advance notification to and approved by the department shall constitute conclusive evidence of the liability of the third party, and the department, in litigating its claim against said third party, shall be required only to prove the amount and correctness of its claim relating to such injury, loss or damage. It is further provided that should the client or his legal representative fail to notify the department of the institution of legal proceedings against a third party for which the department has a cause of action, the facts relating to negligence and the liability of the third party, if judgment is rendered for the client, shall constitute conclusive evidence of liability in a subsequent action maintained by the department and only the amount and correctness of the department's claim relating to injury, loss or damage shall be tried before the court. The department shall be authorized in bringing such action against the third party and his insurer jointly or against the insurer alone.

(4) By accepting medical and/or rehabilitation payments from the department, the client shall, to the extent of the payment of medical expenses by the department, be deemed to have made an assignment to the department of any and all rights and interests in any third-party benefits, hospitalization or indemnity contract or any cause of action, past, present or future, against any person, firm or corporation for benefits provided to the client by the department for loss, injury or damage caused or suffered under circumstances creating a cause of action in favor of the client against such person, firm or corporation as set out in Section 37-33-162(1) .

(5) Nothing herein shall be construed to diminish or otherwise restrict the subrogation rights of the department against a third party for medical and/or rehabilitation payment paid by the department in behalf of the client as a result of injury, loss or damage caused under circumstances creating a cause of action in favor of the client against such a third party.

(6) Any person, firm or corporation who fails or refuses to honor the subrogation rights of the department and specifically, without limitation, hospital insurance and indemnity benefits accruing to a client, shall be subject, should suit become necessary and liability be established, to an assessment of double the amount of medical/rehabilitation payments paid by the department, or double the amount of the insurance policy limits, whichever is the lesser, inclusive of the assessment of a reasonable attorney's fee and all costs of court.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-57-115 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 57-115
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-57-115
Status: in_force

In addition to mobile home ad valorem taxes assessed and collected under authority of Chapter 53 of Title 27, Mississippi Code of 1972 , the boards of supervisors are hereby authorized and empowered to levy a ten dollar ($10.00) ad valorem tax upon each mobile home or house trailer used as a family dwelling not heretofore occupied or used for residential purposes within the county as defined in Section 27-53-1, Mississippi Code of 1972 , to be collected by the county tax assessor-collector annually and deposited into a county trust fund entitled “county school building and repair fund” and expended by the county board of education for capital improvements and equipment only in such compacted areas.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-141 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 23-141
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-141
Status: in_force

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

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

(a) Voluntary on the part of the parties;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(8) Discussions that occur during the mediation process shall be confidential and may not be used as evidence in any subsequent due process hearings or civil proceedings and the parties to the mediation process may be required to sign a confidentiality pledge prior to the commencement of such process.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-183-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 183-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-183-9
Status: in_force

There is created a special fund in the State Treasury, to be known as the “Postsecondary Education COVID-19 Mitigation Relief Grant Fund,” from which the grants authorized by this chapter shall be disbursed by the department. All monies shall be disbursed from the fund in compliance with the guidelines, guidance, rules, regulations and/or other criteria, as may be amended from time to time, of the United States Department of the Treasury regarding the use of monies from the Coronavirus Relief Fund established by the CARES Act.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-79 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 11-79
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-79
Status: in_force

(1) It shall be unlawful for any public school which has a limited open forum to deny equal access or a fair opportunity to, or discriminate against, any students who wish to conduct a meeting within that limited open forum on the basis of the political, philosophical, ideological or other content of the speech at such meetings.

(2) Nothing in Sections 37-11-77 and 37-11-79 shall be construed to limit the authority of the school, its agents or employees, to maintain order and discipline on school premises, to protect the well-being of students and faculty, and to assure that attendance of students at meetings is voluntary.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 29-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-5
Status: in_force

Title to lands may be acquired and buildings and other improvements may be erected thereon for the use and benefit of junior colleges. Title to all such property hereafter acquired shall be vested in the board of trustees and the trustees' successors in office.

Any board of supervisors or board of trustees of any municipal separate school district which presently holds title to the lands, buildings, and improvements of a junior college may convey title to same to the board of trustees and their successors in office of such junior college pursuant to a resolution of such board of supervisors or board of trustees of a municipal separate school district, duly adopted and spread on the minutes of said board of supervisors.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-15-6 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 15-6
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-15-6
Status: in_force

For the purpose of providing notice to public and private school officials, both within and outside the boundaries of the state, of the expulsion of any public school student, the State Department of Education may develop a central reporting system for maintaining information concerning each expulsion from a public school. In establishing and maintaining the reporting system, the department may require each school district and charter school to report, within a certain period of time after an expulsion, as established by the department, information such as the following:

(a) The name of the student expelled;

(b) The date the student was expelled;

(c) The age of the student at the time of the expulsion;

(d) The school from which the student was expelled;

(e) The reason for the expulsion, including a detailed description of the student's act or acts;

(f) The duration of the period of expulsion, if not indefinite; and

(g) Any other information that the department deems necessary for school officials in a public or private school, where a student is seeking enrollment, to determine whether or not a student should be denied enrollment based upon a previous expulsion.

Any information maintained by the department under the authority of this section shall be strictly confidential. The information shall be available to school officials at a public or private school only upon their request and only when a student seeks enrollment or admission to that school. In no case shall the information be available to the general public; however, aggregate reporting by the department which does not disclose any personally identifiable information is permitted.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-173-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 173-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-173-7
Status: in_force

(1) A student is not eligible for a Mississippi Dyslexia Therapy Scholarship while he or she is:

(a) Enrolled in a school operating for the purpose of providing educational services to youth in Department of Juvenile Justice commitment programs;

(b) Participating in a homeschool education program;

(c) Participating in a virtual school, correspondence school, or distance learning program that receives state funding under the student's participation unless the participation is limited to no more than two (2) courses per school year;

(d) Not having regular and direct contact with his or her private school teachers at the school's physical location.

(2)(a) For purposes of continuity of educational choice, a Mississippi Dyslexia Therapy Scholarship shall remain in force until the student returns to a public school or completes Grade 12, whichever occurs first.

(b) Upon reasonable notice to the department and the school district, the student's parent or legal guardian may remove the student from the nonpublic school and place the student in a public school in accordance with this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-101 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 31-101
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-101
Status: in_force

Sections 37-31-101 through 37-31-111 shall be called the “Mississippi Manpower Development and Training Act of 1974.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 104-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-9
Status: in_force

The purpose of the Authority shall be to assist private institutions of higher learning in the financing and refinancing of educational facility projects, and for this purpose the Authority is authorized and empowered:

(a) To adopt rules and regulations for the conduct of its affairs and business;

(b) To adopt an official seal and alter the same at its pleasure;

(c) To maintain an office at such place or places as it may designate;

(d) To sue and be sued in its own name;

(e) To borrow money for any of the purposes of this chapter, and to issue revenue bonds therefor, and to provide for the rights of the holders of such bonds, all as hereinafter more particularly provided;

(f) To enter into bond loan agreements with participating private institutions of higher learning;

(g) To receive and accept loans, grants, aid or contributions from any source of either money, property, labor or other things of value to be held, used and applied only for the purposes for which such loans, grants, aid and contributions are made, provided that the purposes of such loans, grants, aid and contributions are not in conflict with any of the provisions of this chapter;

(h) To charge to and apportion among participating private institutions of higher learning its administrative costs and expenses incurred in the exercise of the powers and duties conferred by this chapter;

(i) To do all things necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of this chapter; and

(j) To physically inspect the educational facilities which are financed or refinanced under the provisions of this chapter, in order to determine whether the participating private institutions of higher learning, or any of their voluntary grantees, are using the educational facilities, or any parts thereof, for sectarian instruction or as places of religious worship or in connection with any parts of the programs of schools or departments of divinity of any religious denominations or sects.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-24-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 24-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-24-9
Status: in_force

This chapter does not create any liability for, or create a cause of action against, a school or its officers or employees, a health care provider, an organization or association of which a school or school district is a member, a private or public school, a private club, a public recreation facility, or an athletic league when such person or entity has complied with the provisions of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-125-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 125-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-125-1
Status: in_force

A body politic and corporate is hereby created by the name of the “Jackson State College” to have perpetual succession, with power to contract and be contracted with, to receive by any legal method of transfer or conveyance, property of any description, to have, hold and employ the same, to make and use a corporate seal, with power to break or change the same, and to adopt bylaws, rules, and regulations for the government of its members, official agents, and employees. However, the name of said “Jackson State College” is hereafter changed to “Jackson State University,” without interference with the rights, powers and prerogatives of said college which continue in all respects. Whenever the name “Jackson State College” appears, the same is construed to denote “Jackson State University.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-127 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 65-127
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-127
Status: in_force

Any action or order of the board of trustees provided for in this article or deemed necessary may be taken at any regular or special meeting thereof, held at the place where such board holds its regular meetings, or otherwise as provided in this article and at which a majority of the board of trustees shall be present.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-33 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 31-33
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-33
Status: in_force

For the purpose of enabling the state board of education to comply with the provisions of the federal social security act and to continue to extend and improve as far as practicable the services now maintained by said state board for locating crippled children and for providing medical, surgical, corrective, and other services, care and treatment, and facilities for diagnosis, hospitalization, and after-care for children who are crippled or who are suffering from conditions which lead to crippling, any and all funds appropriated for physical restoration of crippled children for the above purposes may be used for the purposes set forth in this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-25-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 25-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-25-1
Status: in_force

The aims and purposes of driver's education and training shall be to develop a knowledge of those provisions of the Mississippi Code of 1972 and other laws of this state relating to the operation of motor vehicles, a proper acceptance of personal responsibility in traffic, a true appreciation of the causes, seriousness and consequences of traffic accidents, and the knowledge, attitudes, habits and skills necessary for the safe operation of motor vehicles.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-237 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 29-237
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-237
Status: in_force

Any public junior college fraternity, sorority, or secret society as defined in Section 37-29-235 is hereby declared to be inimical to public free schools and therefore unlawful.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-93 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 151-93
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-93
Status: in_force

(1) Legally transferred students going from one school district to another shall be counted for total funding formula allotments by the school district wherein the pupils attend school, but shall be counted for transportation allotment purposes in the school district which furnishes or provides the transportation. The school boards of the school districts which approve the transfer of a student under the provisions of Section 37-15-31 shall enter into an agreement and contract for the payment or nonpayment of any portion of their local maintenance funds which they deem fair and equitable in support of any transferred student. Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, local maintenance funds shall be transferred only to the extent specified in the agreement and contract entered into by the affected school districts. The terms of any local maintenance fund payment transfer contract shall be spread upon the minutes of both of the affected school district school boards. The school district accepting any transfer students shall be authorized to accept tuition from such students under the provisions of Section 37-15-31(1) and such agreement may remain in effect for any length of time designated in the contract. The terms of such student transfer contracts and the amounts of any tuition charged any transfer student shall be spread upon the minutes of both of the affected school boards. No school district accepting any transfer students under the provisions of Section 37-15-31(2) , which provides for the transfer of certain school district employee dependents, shall be authorized to charge such transfer students any tuition fees.

(2) Local maintenance funds shall be paid by the home school district to the transferee school district for students granted transfers under the provisions of Sections 37-15-29(3) and 37-15-31(3) , not to exceed the student base amount, as defined in Section 37-151-201 , multiplied by the number of such legally transferred students.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-107 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 59-107
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-107
Status: repealed

The levying authority for the school district shall annually levy a special tax on all of the taxable property of the school district on whose behalf the notes or certificates of indebtedness are issued, except as provided in Section 37-7-104.3(7) , in an amount which shall be sufficient to pay the principal of and interest upon such negotiable notes or certificates of indebtedness as the same shall respectively mature and accrue, including any notes issued under the direction of a conservator of a school district pursuant to the authority of Section 37-7-104.3(7) . Said tax shall be levied and collected at the same time and in the same manner as other taxes are collected and said tax shall be in addition to all other taxes authorized by law. It is expressly provided, however, that, except as provided in Section 37-7-104.3(7) , such annual tax levy shall not exceed three (3) mills on the dollar for the payment of all notes issued under the provisions of this article and all notes previously issued under the statutes hereby repealed. The special tax so levied shall be collected by the tax collector of the county at the same time and in the same manner as other taxes are collected, and the proceeds thereof shall be paid to the school district and shall be used exclusively for the payment of principal of and interest upon such negotiable notes or certificates of indebtedness.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-71 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 115-71
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-71
Status: in_force

Any such county as is provided for in Section 37-115-69 is hereby authorized and empowered to issue and sell its bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness for the purpose of providing funds with which to make the contribution or donation authorized under the provisions of said section. Such bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness shall not be issued in an amount which will exceed the limit of indebtedness of said county as such limit is prescribed by Sections 19-9-1 through 19-9-31, Mississippi Code of 1972 . Before issuing any such bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness, the board of supervisors acting for such county shall adopt a resolution declaring its intention to issue the same, stating the amount and purpose thereof and fixing the date upon which an election will be held on the proposition. Notice of such election shall be given by publication of such resolution once a week for at least three consecutive weeks in at least one newspaper published in said county. The first publication of such notice shall be made not less than twenty-one days prior to the date fixed in such resolution for the holding of said election as aforesaid and the last publication shall be made not more than seven days prior to such date. At such election all qualified electors of said county may vote and the ballots used shall have printed thereon a brief statement of the amount and purpose of the bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness proposed to be issued and the voter shall vote by placing a cross (x) or check (✓) opposite his choice on the proposition. The bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness authorized herein shall not be issued unless authorized by the affirmative vote of a majority of the qualified voters of said county who vote on the proposition at such election.

Such election shall be conducted and the returns thereof made, canvassed, and declared as nearly as may be in like manner as is now or may hereafter be provided by law in the case of general elections in counties. In the event that the question of the issuance of such bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness be not authorized at such election, such question shall not again be submitted to a vote until the expiration of a period of six months, from and after the date of such election.

Such bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness shall bear such date or dates, shall be of such denomination or denominations, shall be payable at such place or places, shall bear such rate or rates of interest and shall mature in such amounts and at such times as may be provided and directed by the board of supervisors of said county. Such bonds shall bear interest at a rate or rates not exceeding six per cent per annum and shall mature in not more than twenty-five years from the date thereof and shall be sold for not less than par and accrued interest.

Any bonds authorized to be issued at an election as provided for in this section shall be issued by such county, acting by and through its board of supervisors, at such times and in such amounts as shall be provided for by resolution of the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning.

All bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued hereunder shall be secured by a pledge of the full faith, credit and resources of such county. There shall annually be levied upon all taxable property within said county an ad valorem tax in addition to all other taxes, sufficient to provide for the payment of the principal of and the interest on said bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness as the same respectively mature and accrue.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-181-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 181-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-181-5
Status: in_force

(1) An eligible student shall qualify to participate in the ESA program if the parent or guardian signs an agreement promising:

(a) To provide an organized, appropriate educational program with measurable annual goals to their participating student and to provide an education for the participating student in at least the subjects of reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies and science;

(b) To document their participating student's disability at intervals and in a manner required under subsection (8) of this section;

(c) Not to enroll their participating student in a public school and to acknowledge as part of the agreement that the eligible school has provided clear notice to the parent or guardian that the participating student has no individual entitlement to a free appropriate public education (FAPE) from their home school district, including special education and related services, for as long as the student is participating in the ESA program;

(d) Not to file for their participating student a certificate of enrollment indicating participation in a home instruction program under Section 37-13-91, Mississippi Code of 1972; and

(e) Not to participate in the Mississippi Dyslexia Therapy Scholarship for Students with Dyslexia Program or the Mississippi Speech-Language Therapy Scholarship for Students with Speech-Language Impairments Program while participating in the ESA program.

(2) Parents or guardians shall use the funds deposited in a participating student's ESA for any of the following qualifying expenses, which shall be incurred within the awarded ESA school year, to educate the student using any of the below methods or combination of methods that meet the requirement in subsection (1)(a) of this section:

(a) Tuition and/or academic fees at an eligible school;

(b) Textbooks related to academic coursework;

(c) Payment to a tutor, as defined in Section 37-181-3(h) ;

(d) Payment for purchase of curriculum, including any supplemental materials required by the curriculum;

(e) Fees for nationally standardized norm-referenced achievement tests, including alternate assessments; and fees for Advanced Placement examinations or similar courses and any examinations related to college or university admission;

(f) Educational services or therapies from a licensed or certified practitioner or provider, including licensed or certified paraprofessionals or educational aides;

(g) Tuition and fees related to dual enrollment at a postsecondary institution;

(h) Textbooks related to academic coursework at a postsecondary institution;

(i) Surety bond payments if required by the department;

(j) No more than Fifty Dollars ($50.00) in annual consumable school supplies necessary for educational services and therapies, daily classroom activities, and tutoring;

(k) Computer hardware and software and other technological devices if an eligible school, licensed or certified tutor, licensed or certified educational service practitioner or provider, or licensed medical professional verifies in writing that these items are essential for the student to meet annual, measurable educational and academic goals or goals within the scope of the eligible student's IEP. Once a student is no longer participating in the ESA program, computer hardware and software and other technological devices purchased with ESA funds shall be donated to a public school or public library. Qualifying expenses for computer hardware and software include only those expenses incurred within the awarded ESA school year.

(3) To qualify to participate in the program, the parent or guardian of an eligible student shall also certify to the department that they have been accepted into an eligible school qualified to provide services for the participating student's disability or special education needs, or provide services addressing a participating student's IEP, as required under this chapter.

(4) Neither a participating student, nor anyone on the student's behalf, may receive cash or cash-equivalent items, such as gift cards or store credit, from any refunds or rebates from any provider of services or products in the ESA program. Any refunds or rebates shall be credited directly to the participating student's ESA. The funds in an ESA may only be used for education-related purposes as defined in this chapter.

(5)(a) Eligible schools, postsecondary institutions and educational service providers that serve participating students shall provide the parent or guardian who submitted the ESA program application with an original itemized receipt, including the service provider's name and address, for all qualifying expenses. The parent or guardian who submitted the ESA application shall provide the original itemized receipt to the department.

(b) In lieu of providing the parent or guardian who submitted the ESA program application with an original itemized receipt, the eligible schools, postsecondary institutions and educational service providers may provide to the department an original itemized receipt approved and signed off on by the parent or guardian who submitted the ESA application, including the service provider's name and address, for all qualifying expenses.

(6) Payment for educational services through an ESA shall not preclude parents or guardians from paying for educational services using non-ESA funds.

(7) For purposes of continuity of educational attainment, students who enroll in the ESA program shall remain eligible to receive quarterly ESA payments until the participating student returns to a public school, completes high school, completes the school year in which the student reaches the age of twenty-one (21), or does not have eligibility verified by a parent or guardian as required under subsection (8) of this section, whichever occurs first.

(8) Any funds remaining in a student's Education Scholarship Account upon completion of high school shall be returned to the state's General Fund.

(9) Every three (3) years after initial enrollment in the ESA program, a parent or guardian of a participating student, except a student diagnosed as being a person with a permanent disability, shall document that the student continues to be identified by the school district, a federal or state government agency, or a licensed physician or psychometrist as a child with a disability, as defined by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( 20 USCS Section 1401(3) ).

(10) An eligible student shall be allowed to return to his home school district at any time after enrolling in the ESA program, in compliance with regulations adopted by the department providing for the least disruptive process for doing so. Upon the participating student's return to his or her home school district, the student's Education Scholarship Account shall be closed and any remaining funds shall be distributed to the student's home school district at the end of the awarded ESA school year.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-16-17 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / 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. § 37-104-29 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 104-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-29
Status: in_force

Revenue bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter shall not be deemed to constitute a debt of the State of Mississippi or a pledge of the faith and credit of the state, but such bonds shall be payable solely from the sinking fund provided therefor, as hereinafter established in Section 37-104-31 . The issuance of such revenue bonds shall not directly, indirectly or contingently obligate the state to levy or pledge any form of taxation whatever therefor, and all such revenue bonds shall contain recitals on their face substantially covering the foregoing provisions of this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-73-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 73-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-73-3
Status: in_force

(1) Subject to appropriation by the Legislature, the Office of Workforce Development shall implement a career coaching program to support middle schools and high schools as students are exposed, prepared and connected to career avenues within and beyond the classroom setting. Through strong partnerships with economic and business leaders, paired with viable relationships with school districts, the career coaches shall target the alignment of students' strengths with intentional academic and work-based learning in pursuit of meaningful professional employment.

(2) Subject to appropriation by the Legislature, the Office of Workforce Development, working through the Department of Employment Security as fiscal agent, shall establish rules and regulations to operate the career coaching program, which may include granting funds to eligible recipients such as state agencies, regional workforce entities and other nonprofits, to hire coaches. The Office of Workforce Development shall establish criteria for coaches and shall work with partner organizations to identify candidates and measure outcomes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-17 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 65-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-17
Status: in_force

Should any school, junior college or institution of higher learning be closed in accordance with the terms of this article, such period of closure shall not be subtracted from the period of time which would otherwise be earned by any superintendent, principal, teacher or other employee employed to render services in and about the conduct and operation of any such school, junior college or institution of higher learning, as to any certification to which such person might otherwise be entitled.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-31 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 33-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-31
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. The State Treasurer is authorized to receive and provide for the proper custody of such funds and to establish such special funds and accounts as may be necessary. He shall make disbursements therefrom for vocational rehabilitation purposes upon requisition by the executive director or when so authorized by the director on behalf of the executive director and upon the issuance of warrants thereunder by the State Fiscal Officer.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-16-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 16-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-16-3
Status: in_force

(1) The State Department of Education is directed to implement a program of statewide assessment testing which shall provide for the improvement of the operation and management of the public schools. The statewide program shall be timed, as far as possible, so as not to conflict with ongoing district assessment programs. As part of the program, the department shall:

(a) Establish, with the approval of the State Board of Education, minimum performance standards related to the goals for education contained in the state's plan including, but not limited to, basic skills in reading, writing and mathematics. The minimum performance standards shall be approved by April 1 in each year they are established.

(b) Conduct a uniform statewide testing program in grades deemed appropriate in the public schools, including charter schools, which shall include the administration of a career-readiness assessment, such as, but not limited to, the ACT WorkKeys Assessment, deemed appropriate by the Mississippi Department of Education working in coordination with the Office of Workforce Development, to any students electing to take the assessment. Each individual school district shall determine whether the assessment is administered in the tenth, eleventh or twelfth grade. The program may test skill areas, basic skills and high school course content.

(c) Monitor the results of the assessment program and, at any time the composite student performance of a school or basic program is found to be below the established minimum standards, notify the district superintendent or the governing board of the charter school, as the case may be, the school principal and the school advisory committee or other existing parent group of the situation within thirty (30) days of its determination. The department shall further provide technical assistance to a school district in the identification of the causes of this deficiency and shall recommend courses of action for its correction.

(d) Provide technical assistance to the school districts, when requested, in the development of student performance standards in addition to the established minimum statewide standards.

(e) Issue security procedure regulations providing for the security and integrity of the tests that are administered under the basic skills assessment program.

(f) In case of an allegation of a testing irregularity that prompts a need for an investigation by the Department of Education, the department may, in its discretion, take complete control of the statewide test administration in a school district or any part thereof, including, but not limited to, obtaining control of the test booklets and answer documents. In the case of any verified testing irregularity that jeopardized the security and integrity of the test(s), validity or the accuracy of the test results, the cost of the investigation and any other actual and necessary costs related to the investigation paid by the Department of Education shall be reimbursed by the local school district from funds other than federal funds, total funding formula funds provided in Sections 37-151-200 through 37-151-215 , or any other state funds within six (6) months from the date of notice by the department to the school district to make reimbursement to the department.

(2) Uniform basic skills tests shall be completed by each student in the appropriate grade. These tests shall be administered in such a manner as to preserve the integrity and validity of the assessment. In the event of excused or unexcused student absences, make-up tests shall be given. The school superintendent of every school district in the state and the principal of each charter school shall annually certify to the State Department of Education that each student enrolled in the appropriate grade has completed the required basic skills assessment test for his or her grade in a valid test administration.

(3) Within five (5) days of completing the administration of a statewide test, the principal of the school where the test was administered shall certify under oath to the State Department of Education that the statewide test was administered in strict accordance with the Requirements of the Mississippi Statewide Assessment System as adopted by the State Board of Education. The principal's sworn certification shall be set forth on a form developed and approved by the Department of Education. If, following the administration of a statewide test, the principal has reason to believe that the test was not administered in strict accordance with the Requirements of the Mississippi Statewide Assessment System as adopted by the State Board of Education, the principal shall submit a sworn certification to the Department of Education setting forth all information known or believed by the principal about all potential violations of the Requirements of the Mississippi Statewide Assessment System as adopted by the State Board of Education. The submission of false information or false certification to the Department of Education by any licensed educator may result in licensure disciplinary action pursuant to Section 37-3-2 and criminal prosecution pursuant to Section 37-16-4 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-14-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 14-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-14-7
Status: in_force

(1) There is established in the State Treasury a special fund to be known as the Mary Kirkpatrick Haskell-Mary Sprayberry Public School Nurse Program Fund, which shall be comprised of the funds specified in subsection (2) of this section and any other funds that are authorized or required to be deposited into the special fund.

(2) The Legislature shall annually appropriate the funds in the special fund to the Office of Healthy Schools of the State Department of Education, which shall expend the funds solely for the purposes specified in Section 37-14-3 . None of the funds in the special fund may be transferred to any other fund or appropriated or expended for any other purpose.

(3) All income from the investment of the funds in the special fund shall be credited to the account of the special fund. Any funds in the special fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-25 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 101-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-25
Status: in_force

The Mississippi Small Farm Development Center shall develop a plan to foster and encourage the development in this state of small enterprises which process “cash crops,” timber, or food and fiber products produced in Mississippi. The plan shall include, but not be limited to:

(a) Means to identify small entrepreneurs who are in the business of processing, or are interested in starting a business to process, “cash crops,” timber, or food and fiber products;

(b) Means to encourage participation by such small entrepreneurs in available business management and technical assistance programs; and

(c) Any appropriate financial assistance to assist such small entrepreneurs in financing their business, such as interest-free state loans similar to existing Department of Economic and Community Development programs administered out of the Emerging Crops Fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-123 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / 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. § 37-61-29 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 61-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-61-29
Status: in_force

The State Department of Audit is hereby authorized and empowered to post-audit and investigate the financial affairs and all transactions involving the school funds of the school district including the total funding formula funds and supplementary district school funds, and to make separate and special audits thereof, as now provided by Sections 7-7-201 through 7-7-215 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-37-21 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 37-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-37-21
Status: in_force

When, as a result of any audits performed under the terms of this chapter, the State Auditor has reason to believe that any false or erroneous report or violation of law presents ample evidence therefor, he shall report the same to the Attorney General. The Attorney General shall thereupon institute suit in the name of the State of Mississippi and prosecute to a conclusion such actions as may be necessary to make recovery from any and all persons civilly liable. The Attorney General shall also refer the matter to the proper district attorney for the institution of any appropriate criminal proceedings. Any funds recovered by such suits shall be paid into the appropriate school district fund in accordance with the loss such fund or funds may have sustained.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-133-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 133-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-133-3
Status: in_force

It is hereby declared that the state public welfare demands and the state public policy requires:

(a) That some program be immediately initiated to rectify the presently existing critical condition of lack of a resident labor force within the State of Mississippi capable of holding positions requiring particular skills in the technical, scientific and engineering fields demanded by heavy and aero-space industry and installations;

(b) That the present and prospective health, safety, morals, pursuit of happiness, right of gainful employment, and general welfare of the citizens of the State of Mississippi demand, as a public purpose, the immediate correction of the deficient and incomplete training programs and facilities by the state institutions of higher learning to quickly increase and thereafter maintain an adequate source of skilled engineering technicians demanded by heavy and aero-space industry and installations;

(c) That the means and measures authorized in the Mississippi Technical Institute Law of 1964 to promote engineering, commercial, industrial, agricultural, manufacturing and aero-space enterprises and installations, are, as a matter of public policy, for the public purposes of increasing the gainful employment, business activity, and for the proper development of the State of Mississippi; and

(d) That the accomplishment of the things herein authorized will stimulate and provide ready and attractive employment for skilled engineering technician residents of the State of Mississippi through the proper increase of the skilled engineering technician labor force available, which will further develop the engineering, agricultural, commercial, industrial and other resources of the State of Mississippi for the general welfare.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-105 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 23-105
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-105
Status: in_force

There shall be held an election, conforming in all respects to applicable statutes governing special elections, in which the proposition authorized in Sections 37-23-91 through 37-23-103 shall be submitted for approval or rejection by the electorate of said county. The power and authority to levy taxes or to issue bonds as provided in Sections 37-23-101 and 37-23-103 , shall be contingent upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the qualified electors of said county participating in said election.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-507 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 29-507
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-507
Status: in_force

(1) The Board of Trustees of the Meridian Junior College District shall have the power to do all things necessary for the successful operation of the district; and, the duties of such board shall be the general government of the district and the direction of the administration thereof.

(2) The Meridian Junior College District shall have all the powers of other junior colleges and junior college districts in the State of Mississippi; and, the delineation and enumeration of the powers and purposes set out in Sections 37-29-501 through 37-29-515 shall not be construed to restrict the powers of the governing authorities of the district so as to deny to the district any of the rights, privileges and powers enjoyed by other junior colleges and junior college districts in the State of Mississippi.

(3) The Meridian Junior College District shall remain subject to the jurisdiction and control of the Mississippi Community College Board as now established or as the same may be hereafter changed by law and shall be subject to all rules and regulations and all statutory limitations which are now in effect or may hereafter be imposed, except as the same may be in direct conflict with the provisions of Sections 37-29-501 through 37-29-515 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-20-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 20-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-20-3
Status: in_force

The purpose of this chapter is to provide supplemental funds to each school district to be used for the sole purpose of providing direct remedial instruction to those students enrolled in the K-12 program who have need of special educational assistance in order that their level of educational attainment may be raised to that appropriate for their age. It is the intent of the Legislature that each school district utilize the instructional programs which, in the professional opinion of the local school officials, will be most effective and that the effectiveness of this program be evaluated in terms of the increase in student achievement in the basic skills of reading, mathematics and writing as measured by pretest and post-test of each student receiving special educational assistance from the funds provided by this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-81 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 41-81
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-81
Status: in_force

The local school boards of this state are hereby authorized and empowered to purchase, own and operate, under such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the State Board of Education, motor vehicles, electric vehicles and other equipment for the transportation of children to and from the public schools of the respective counties and school districts, and to provide for the servicing, repair, care and maintenance of such county or district-owned motor vehicles and to employ drivers for the operation thereof, and to establish, erect and equip school bus shops or garages, and purchase land therefor, all under such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the State Board of Education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-77 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 23-77
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-77
Status: in_force

If a child, as defined in Sections 37-23-61 and 37-23-63 , is under the legal guardianship of the State Department of Human Services, or any other state agency, and for whom no foster parents are available and no state-funded institution placement is available, funds available under Section 37-23-1 et seq. may be used to provide for the education of the child in an institution approved by the Department of Human Services and the State Department of Education. However, if the educational services needed by the child are available in a state funded institution, these funds shall not be used to pay for educational services at that institution. At any such time a child is taken out of a school setting and placed under the custody of the Department of Human Services, the department shall immediately notify the State Department of Education and apply for funds for the child's educational services under Section 37-23-1 et seq. and the State Department of Education shall respond to the application within ten (10) working days. The special education and related services provided for this child shall be provided in compliance with State Department of Education regulations. The State Department of Education shall promulgate such regulations as are necessary to implement this section.

The State Department of Education shall require that the special education and related services provided for the children under this section be designed to provide individualized appropriate special education and related services that enable a child to reach his or her appropriate and uniquely designed goals for success.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-451 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 7-451
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-451
Status: in_force

When any school district shall own any land, buildings or other property that is not used for school or related school purposes and not needed in the operation of the schools of the district, the school board of such school district may sell and convey such land, buildings or other property in the manner provided in Sections 37-7-453 through 37-7-457 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-18-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 18-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-18-7
Status: in_force

(1) As part of the school improvement plan for a School At-Risk, a professional development plan shall be prepared for those school administrators, teachers or other employees who are identified by the evaluation team as needing improvement. The State Department of Education shall assist the School At-Risk in identifying funds necessary to fully implement the school improvement plan.

(2) In the event a school continues to be designated a School At-Risk after three (3) years of implementing a school improvement plan, or in the event that more than fifty percent (50%) of the schools within the school district are designated as Schools At-Risk in any one (1) year, the State Board of Education may request that the Governor declare a state of emergency in that school district. Upon the declaration of the state of emergency by the Governor, the State Board of Education may take all such action for dealing with school districts as is authorized under subsection (12) or (15) of Section 37-17-6 , including the appointment of an interim superintendent.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-346 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 7-346
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-346
Status: in_force

The State Department of Education and the Regional Education Service Agencies (RESAs) shall prepare jointly a report, to be submitted before December 15, 2006, for consideration of the Legislature and Governor, detailing the plans that shall be enacted by State Board of Education policy of how RESAs will work in partnership with the State Department of Education to increase their function as a local provider of educational services and purchasing consortia as provided in Section 37-7-345(6) . These services must be prescribed by policies and standards of the State Department of Education and must include, but not necessarily be limited to, professional development, instructional materials, educational technology, curriculum development, alternative educational programs, purchasing cooperatives, insurance cooperatives, business manager services, auditing and accounting services, school safety/risk prevention, data processing and student records, communications/public information, employee background checks, grants management, printing/publications and internships.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-43 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 115-43
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-43
Status: in_force

(1) The University of Mississippi Medical Center, in collaboration with the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services and the Office of the Attorney General, is authorized and empowered to establish a Center of Excellence (Center) to provide care for abused and neglected children at the Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children located in Jackson, Mississippi, where suspected victims of child maltreatment referred by the Department of Child Protection Services or law enforcement will receive comprehensive physical examinations conducted by medical professionals who specialize in child maltreatment. The University of Mississippi Medical Center shall promulgate such policies as may be necessary and desirable to carry out the programs of the Center. The Center shall serve as a resource for the assessment, investigation and prosecution of child maltreatment. The Center shall work in collaboration with the Office of the Attorney General, the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services, and other such state agencies and entities that provide services to children to ensure that CARE Clinic services are provided in a uniform fashion throughout the state.

(2) The Department of Pediatrics may use the Center for educational and outreach programs, telemedicine consultations, to develop satellite clinics in other locations in the state in cooperation with the local community or private hospital when applicable, and to conduct major research initiatives in child maltreatment.

(3) The Center of Excellence shall provide services to maltreated children and comply with national certification standards as necessary to provide services to the Department of Child Protection Services, the youth courts, state child advocacy centers, district attorney's offices and law enforcement agencies.

(4) There is created in the State Treasury a special fund to be known as the Children's Safe Center Fund. The University of Mississippi Medical Center shall expend funds pursuant to appropriation therefor by the Legislature for the support and maintenance of the Children's Safe Center. The University of Mississippi Medical Center is authorized to accept any and all grants, donations or matching funds from private, public or federal sources in order to add to, improve and enlarge the physical facilities of the Center and to expend any such funds for the support and maintenance of the Center. Assessments from Section 99-19-73 designated for the Children's Safe Center Fund shall be deposited into the fund. Monies remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned from the investment of monies in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-59 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 41-59
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-59
Status: in_force

Every school district is authorized to mount a camera on any retractable, hand-operated stop sign that is a part of the equipment of a school bus.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-171 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 23-171
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-171
Status: in_force

Sections 37-23-171 through 37-23-181 shall be known and may be cited as the “Mississippi Gifted Education Act of 1989.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-97 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 41-97
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-97
Status: in_force

The proceeds of all notes or bonds issued under the authority of Section 37-41-89 shall be deposited in the proper county or municipal treasury to the credit of a special school transportation equipment fund and shall be used and expended by the school board for the purpose or purposes for which they were issued under such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the State Board of Education, and for no other purposes.

All such funds shall be paid out on warrants issued by the clerk of the board of supervisors or the municipal clerk, as the case may be, on pay certificates issued by the superintendent of schools upon order of the school board.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-17 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 141-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-17
Status: in_force

The center, on behalf of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, shall prepare an annual report of economic development activities of those agencies and institutions subject to the Board of Trustees. The report shall describe:

(a) Economic development efforts and accomplishments of the University Research Center, each university, and each institute.

(b) Efforts and accomplishments of the center in coordinating economic development activities among the universities.

(c) Recommendations of the center for coordination and utilization of university resources in economic development, for university-based initiatives in economic development, and for funding related to economic development and plans of the universities.

(d) Assistance rendered to the Department of Economic Development by the center and each university.

(e) Activities and accomplishments of staff assigned to planning and development districts pursuant to Section 37-141-19 .

(f) Any other information which the center wishes to present.

The annual report shall be submitted to the Governor and the Joint Legislative Budget Committee not later than July 1 of each year.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-69 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 106-69
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-69
Status: in_force

(1) There is established a forgivable loan program to encourage family protection workers employed by the Department of Child Protection Services to obtain the college education necessary to become licensed as a social worker, master social worker or certified social worker and become a family protection specialist for the department.

(2) Any person who is employed as a family protection worker for the Department of Child Protection Services shall be eligible for a forgivable loan from the board which shall be used to pay the costs of the person's education at a state institution of higher learning in Mississippi to obtain a college degree that is necessary to become licensed as a social worker, master social worker or certified social worker and become a family protection specialist for the department. The annual amount of a forgivable loan award under the program shall be equal to the total cost of tuition and fees at the college or university in which the student is enrolled, not to exceed an amount equal to the highest total cost of tuition and fees assessed by a state institution of higher learning during that school year.

(3) Forgivable loans made under the program shall be available to both full-time and part-time students. Students enrolling on a full-time basis may receive a maximum of two (2) annual awards. The maximum number of forgivable loans that may be made to students attending school on a part-time basis, and the maximum time period for part-time students to complete the number of academic hours necessary to obtain the necessary degree, shall be established by rules and regulations of the board. Forgivable loans made under the program shall not be based upon an applicant's financial need. A student must maintain a “C” average or higher in his or her college coursework in order to continue receiving the forgivable loan.

(4) Repayment and conversion terms shall be the same as those outlined in Section 37-106-53 , except for the following:

(a) After a person who received a forgivable loan under the program has obtained a college degree that is necessary to become licensed as a social worker, master social worker or certified social worker and has received such a license from the Board of Examiners for Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists, the person shall render service as a family protection specialist for the Department of Child Protection Services for a period of not less than three (3) years from the date that the person became a family protection specialist;

(b) Any person who fails to complete his or her service obligation as a family protection specialist for the Department of Child Protection Services for not less than three (3) years, as required under subsection (4)(a) of this section, shall become liable immediately to the board for the sum of all forgivable loan awards made to that person, plus interest accruing at the current Stafford Loan rate at the time the person discontinues his or her service.

(5) It is the intent of the Legislature that the pursuit of necessary college education by family protection workers through the forgivable loan program shall not interfere with the duties of the family protection workers with the Department of Child Protection Services. The department shall promulgate regulations regarding family protection workers who participate in the forgivable loan program to ensure that such participation does not interfere with their duties with the department.

(6) The board shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the proper administration of the forgivable loan program established under this section. The board shall be the administering agency of the program.

(7) The total amount of state funds that may be expended for this program shall not exceed Three Hundred Twenty Thousand Dollars ($320,000.00) in any fiscal year.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-31 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 145-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-31
Status: in_force

Upon the issuance and sale of such bonds, the State Bond Commission shall transfer the proceeds of any such sale to the State Treasurer. Immediately upon receipt of a resolution from the board of directors of the company requesting same, the State Fiscal Officer shall issue a warrant to the State Treasurer to cause to be paid into the Mississippi Opportunity Loan Fund of the company the proceeds of said bonds, less cost of issuance thereafter and accrued interest on the bonds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-555 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 29-555
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-555
Status: in_force

The president of the community college shall have the power to recommend to the trustees all teachers to be employed; and he may remove or suspend any member of the faculty subject to the approval of the trustees. He shall be the general manager of all fiscal and administrative affairs of the district with full authority to select, direct, employ and discharge any and all employees other than teachers; however, the board may make provisions and establish policies for leave for faculty members and other key personnel.

The president shall have the authority, subject to the provisions of Sections 37-29-551 through 37-29-569 and the approval of the trustees, to arrange and survey courses of study, fix schedules, and establish and enforce rules and discipline for the governing of teachers and students. He shall be the general custodian of the property of the district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-14 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 106-14
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-14
Status: in_force

(1) The Legislature may appropriate funds annually to implement, administer and make awards under the programs provided for in this chapter. The board may seek, accept and expend funds from any source, including private business, industry, foundations and other groups as well as any federal or other governmental funding available for this purpose.

(2) Subject to the availability of funds, it is the intent of the Legislature to first fund grant awards to eligible students. If funds are insufficient to fully fund grant awards to eligible students, grant awards shall be prorated among all eligible students. No student shall receive any combination of student financial aid in excess of the cost of attendance. After grant awards are made, it is the intent of the Legislature to fund forgivable loan awards to eligible renewal students and then to eligible new students on a first-come, first-served basis.

(3) At the end of the fiscal year, any unexpended balances appropriated by the Legislature for the implementation or administration of programs provided for in this chapter shall not lapse into the State General Fund, but shall carry over and be available for expenditure in the succeeding fiscal year, subject to appropriation therefor by the Legislature.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-451 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 29-451
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-451
Status: in_force

There is hereby created the Copiah-Lincoln Junior College District comprised of the territory lying within Adams, Copiah, Franklin, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lincoln and Simpson Counties and having boundaries coinciding with the external boundaries thereof. The said district shall be and is hereby constituted a legal political governmental subdivision and a body corporate. The board of trustees of said district, with the consent of the Mississippi Community College Board, is hereby empowered to change the name of the district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-41 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 28-41
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-41
Status: in_force

A charter school may exercise those powers necessary for carrying out the terms of its charter contract, including the following powers:

(a) To receive and disburse funds authorized by law for school purposes;

(b) To secure appropriate insurance and to enter into contracts and leases;

(c) To contract with an education service provider for the management and operation of the charter school so long as the school's governing board retains oversight authority over the school;

(d) To solicit and accept any gifts or grants for school purposes subject to applicable laws and the terms of its charter contract;

(e) To acquire real property for use as its facility or facilities, from public or private sources; and

(f) To sue and be sued in its own name.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-111 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 31-111
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-111
Status: in_force

An annual report on program activities and results shall be prepared by the state department of education, vocational division, and submitted to the legislature with the overall annual vocational education report.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 45-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-1
Status: in_force

The legislature hereby recognizes that in order to exercise the constitutional power, set forth in Section 201 of Article 8, that the legislature may, in its discretion, “provide for the maintenance and establishment of free public schools for all children between the ages of six and twenty-one years, by taxation or otherwise,” equality of educational opportunity with respect to instructional personnel, school buildings and facilities, transportation facilities, curriculum and all other school facilities should be provided for all such children, that the burden of providing such equality of educational opportunity can no longer be borne entirely by the local taxing units, and, therefore, that a program of state aid therefor should be instituted. The legislature, therefore, declares and determines that the maintenance of the uniform system of free public schools to insure and provide substantial equality of educational opportunity is the joint responsibility of the State of Mississippi and the local taxing units thereof.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-119-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 119-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-119-9
Status: in_force

The University of Southern Mississippi, with the approval of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, is hereby granted the legal authority to borrow funds for the purpose of establishing and operating a certified registered nurse anesthetist educational and training program within the university's existing School of Nursing on its Hattiesburg campus. The purposes for which the funds from the loan may be utilized shall include, but not be limited to, any and all start-up costs, operation costs, personnel costs, equipment and educational materials.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-207 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 31-207
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-207
Status: in_force

The State Board of Education shall have the following duties:

(a) To seek the best available projections of employment and occupations for Mississippians;

(b) To utilize these projections and other considerations to set vocational and technical education priorities;

(c) To utilize the services of all state agencies having information regarding the purposes of this chapter;

(d) To cooperate with the governor's office of job development and training and the board of economic development to prevent duplication and provide continuity of employment and training services;

(e) To conduct evaluations of the success or failure of vocational-technical programs, including the extent to which training actually leads to jobs in the field in which the student was trained;

(f) Obtain and publish data and information on program performance from those vocational-technical programs receiving state funds; and

(g) To notify local school districts and public community/junior colleges prior to March 1 annually of any discontinuation of ongoing vocational programs which would affect the renewing of contracts with vocational personnel.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-61-31 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / 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. § 37-59-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 59-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-7
Status: in_force

(1)(a) Any school district in which the total number of pupils enrolled at any one time during the school year shall have increased by at least twenty percent (20%) or an average of three hundred fifty (350) or more annually within the preceding five (5) years, shall not issue bonds for the purposes authorized by law in an amount which when added to all of its then outstanding bonded indebtedness, shall result in the imposition on any of the property in such district of an indebtedness for school purposes of more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the assessed value of the taxable property within such district according to the then last completed assessment for taxation.

(b) Any school district in which the total number of pupils enrolled at any one time during the school year shall have increased by at least ten percent (10%) within the preceding five (5) years shall not issue bonds for the purposes authorized by law in an amount which, when added to all of its then outstanding bonded indebtedness, shall result in the imposition on any of the property in such district of an indebtedness for school purposes of more than twenty percent (20%) of the assessed value of the taxable property within such district according to the then last completed assessment for taxation.

(c) The pupil increase mentioned in this subsection shall apply only to growth in pupil enrollment and shall not apply to pupil increases brought about by consolidation of school districts.

(2) Any school district may hereafter issue bonds in an amount exceeding the limit of Section 37-59-5 for the purpose of constructing, reconstructing, repairing, equipping, remodeling or enlarging school buildings and related facilities, as described in subsection (a) of Section 37-59-3 , but no such district shall issue bonds in an amount which when added to all of its then outstanding bonded indebtedness, shall result in the imposition on any of the property in such district of an indebtedness for such school purposes of more than twenty percent (20%) of the assessed value of the taxable property in such district, according to the then last completed assessment for taxation, regardless of whether any of such indebtedness shall have been incurred by such district or by another school district or districts:

(a) In the event of the damage to or destruction of any school building or school buildings, or related facilities of any such district by fire, windstorm, flood or other providential and unforeseeable cause; or

(b) In the event such school district has lost its accreditation and the constructing, reconstructing, repairing, equipping, remodeling or enlarging of such school buildings and related facilities is necessary for the restoration of such accreditation; or

(c) In the event of the establishment of the Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District as authorized in Section 37-7-104.3(8) and (9) .

(3) In any school district wherein more than nine percent (9%) of the total land area of the school district is owned by the federal government and situated in a flood control reservoir or maintained as a part of the national forest system, the said school district may issue bonds in an amount, which when added to all of its then outstanding bonded indebtedness for school purposes, shall result in the imposition on any of the property in such school district of an indebtedness for school purposes of not more than twenty percent (20%) of the assessed value of the taxable property within such district, according to the then last completed assessment for taxation, regardless of whether any of such indebtedness shall have been incurred by such district or by another school district or districts. If bonds in an amount in excess of fifteen percent (15%) of the total assessed value of the property of a school district are issued under the provisions of this subsection, not less than twenty-five percent (25%) of the total funds received by the school district under the provisions of Section 49-19-23, Mississippi Code of 1972 , shall be paid into the bond and interest sinking fund of such district and used for the retirement of the bonds so issued.

(4) In any district where the assessed valuation per pupil is less than seventy-five percent (75%) of the average of all school districts, such school district may issue bonds for the purposes authorized by Section 37-59-3 in an amount exceeding the fifteen percent (15%) debt limitation set forth in Section 37-59-5 , but not exceeding an amount which, when added to all of the school district's then outstanding bonded indebtedness, shall result in the imposition on any of the property in such district of an indebtedness for such school purposes of more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the assessed value of the taxable property in such district, according to the then last completed assessment for taxation if:

(a) The board of trustees or board of education of the school district adopts a resolution finding that issuing bonds in an amount exceeding the limitation stated in Section 37-59-5 is necessary to provide or maintain adequate educational facilities within the school district; and

(b) The notice of the bond election required by Section 37-59-13 contains a provision notifying the qualified electors in the school district:

(i) Of the fact that the proposed bonds, if issued, will exceed the fifteen percent (15%) debt limit contained in Section 37-59-5 ; and

(ii) Of the reasons why the school district is proposing to exceed said limitation;

(c) The election is held and the proposed bond issue receives the requisite voter approval as set forth in Section 37-59-17 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-85 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 29-85
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-85
Status: in_force

The board of trustees of any public junior college district is hereby authorized to purchase liability insurance to cover the official actions of its board members and the official actions of employees of such public junior college district. Such coverage shall be in an amount judged by the board to be adequate. The costs of such insurance shall be paid out of the public junior college district's general maintenance fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-81 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 33-81
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-81
Status: in_force

(1) The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation of the State Department of Rehabilitation Services may enter into contracts with appropriate post-secondary educational institutions in the state for the purpose of implementing and maintaining programs of services for hearing-impaired students.

(2) Those programs shall be funded from funds appropriated to the office by the Legislature or from any other resource identified and accessed by the office. The office shall continue to administer those programs for each year deemed suitable by the office.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-15 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 9-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-15
Status: in_force

No later than February 15 of each year, the superintendent of each school district, or such other person designated or authorized by the school board, shall recommend to the school board thereof the assistant superintendents and principals to be employed for each of the schools of the districts except in the case of those assistant superintendents and principals who have been previously employed and who have a contract valid for the ensuing scholastic year. Unless good reason to the contrary exists, the school board shall approve and authorize the employment of the assistant superintendents and principals so recommended. If, for any reason, the school board shall decline to approve an assistant superintendent or principal so recommended, the superintendent or the board's designee shall make additional recommendations for the place or places to be filled.

When the assistant superintendents and principals of the schools have been recommended and approved as provided in the preceding paragraph, the superintendent of such district shall enter into proper contracts with them. At a subsequent meeting he shall report same to the school board and such shall be entered in the minutes.

An interim conservator appointed pursuant to the provisions of Section 37-17-6(15)(a) shall not be required to comply with the time limitations prescribed in this section for recommending and employing assistant superintendents and principals.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-69 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 27-69
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-69
Status: in_force

Any agricultural high school, supported in whole or in part by tax levies of one or more counties, may borrow not exceeding Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), for the purpose of receiving, transporting, erecting on the ground of said institution, and equipping and furnishing any prefabricated houses, or other materials, or appliances, fixtures, machines, furnishings or equipment, obtained by grant or otherwise from the United States of America or any department or agency thereof, or from any other source, where the same may be acquired for the use of the institution, any student personnel, or faculty members.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-139-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 139-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-139-7
Status: in_force

The board shall be authorized to solicit and utilize the staff of the State Department of Education, staff of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and other state agencies as required for the implementation of this chapter. In addition, the board shall be authorized to contract or enter into agreements with other agencies and/or private research centers that it may deem necessary to carry out its duties and functions.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-159-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 159-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-159-5
Status: in_force

The State Board of Education shall prescribe rules and regulations which, subject to available appropriations, allow for reimbursement to the state licensed teachers, from both in state and out of state, who enter into a contract for employment in a school district situated within a geographical area of the state where there exists a critical shortage of teachers, as designated by the State Board of Education, for the expense of moving when the employment necessitates the relocation of the teacher to a different geographical area than that in which the teacher resides before entering into such contract. In order to be eligible for the reimbursement, the teacher must apply to the local district and the district must obtain the prior approval from the department for reimbursement before the relocation occurs. If the reimbursement is approved, the department shall provide funds to the school district to reimburse the teacher an amount not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for the documented actual expenses incurred in the course of relocating, including the expense of any professional moving company or persons employed to assist with the move, rented moving vehicles or equipment, mileage in the amount authorized for state employees under Section 25-3-41 if the teacher used his personal vehicle or vehicles for the move, meals and such other expenses associated with the relocation in accordance with the department's established rules and regulations. No teacher may be reimbursed for moving expenses under this section on more than one (1) occasion.

Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the actual residence to which the teacher relocates to be within the boundaries of the school district which has executed a contract for employment with the teacher or within the boundaries of the area designated by the State Board of Education as the critical teacher shortage area in order for the teacher to be eligible for reimbursement for his moving expenses. However, teachers must relocate within the boundaries of the State of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-69-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 69-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-69-5
Status: in_force

For purposes of this chapter:

(a) “ The Board of Trustees ” means the Board of Trustees of the Vicksburg-Warren School District.

(b) “ The Board of Education ” means the Claiborne County Board of Education.

(c) “ Nuclear Facility ” means any nuclear generating plant in the State of Mississippi.

(d) “ Energy Academy ” means an energy high school created under this chapter.

(e) “ Partnership Council ” means the Energy High School Academy Partnership Council.

(f) “ MDA ” means the Mississippi Development Authority.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-19 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 13-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-19
Status: in_force

In addition to the curriculum otherwise required by law or the State Board of Education to be taught in the public schools of this state, the school board of a local school district may allow course credit to any high school student, who is a member of the National Guard and attends basic training camp during the summer between the end of the student's junior year and the start of the student's senior year of academic instruction. At the conclusion of the student's basic training, the commanding officer of the National Guard unit of which the student is a reserve member shall provide evidence of the student's completion of training to the local school district where the student is in attendance. Upon receipt of the evidence provided by the National Guard, the school district may award one (1) Carnegie unit of elective credit to the student. This elective credit may be applied along with the total number of Carnegie units required for the student to graduate.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-183-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 183-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-183-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Postsecondary Education COVID-19 Mitigation Relief Program Act.” 1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-17-8 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 17-8
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-17-8
Status: in_force

(1) The State Board of Education, through the Commission on School Accreditation, shall establish criteria for comprehensive in-service staff development plans. These criteria shall: (a) include, but not be limited to, formula and guidelines for allocating available state funds for in-service training to local school districts; (b) require that a portion of the plans be devoted exclusively for the purpose of providing staff development training for beginning teachers within that local school district and for no other purpose; and (c) require that a portion of the school district's in-service training for administrators and teachers be dedicated to the application and utilization of various disciplinary techniques. The board shall each year make recommendations to the Legislature concerning the amount of funds which shall be appropriated for this purpose.

(2) School districts shall not be required to submit staff development plans to the Commission on School Accreditation for approval. However, any school district accredited at the lowest performance levels, as defined by the State Board of Education, shall include, as a part of any required corrective action plan, provisions to address staff development in accordance with State Board of Education requirements. All school districts, unless specifically exempt from this section, must maintain on file staff development plans as required under this section. The plan shall have been prepared by a district committee appointed by the district superintendent and consisting of teachers, administrators, school board members, and lay people, and it shall have been approved by the district superintendent.

(3) In order to insure that teachers are not overburdened with paperwork and written reports, local school districts and the State Board of Education shall take such steps as may be necessary to further the reduction of paperwork requirements on teachers.

(4) Districts meeting the highest levels of accreditation standards, as defined by the State Board of Education, shall be exempted from the mandatory provisions of this section relating to staff development plans.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-61 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 45-61
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-61
Status: in_force

From an adverse decision of the chancery court, either party may appeal to the supreme court of the State of Mississippi. Said appeal shall be taken and perfected within thirty days and in the same manner provided by law for other appeals to the supreme court from the judgments of chancery courts, and upon appeal to the supreme court, the same shall be heard and disposed of as a preference cause as promptly and as expeditiously as the circumstances will permit.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-173-23 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 173-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-173-23
Status: in_force

Teachers and other school personnel shall be subject to criminal history record checks and fingerprinting requirements applicable to other public schools under Section 37-9-17(2) and (3) .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-21 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / 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. § 37-155-123 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 155-123
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-155-123
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any state law to the contrary, no monies on deposit in either the MACS or MPACT Programs shall be considered an asset of the parent, guardian or student for purposes of determining an individual's eligibility for a need-based grant, need-based scholarship or need-based work opportunity offered or administered by any state agency except as may be required by the funding source of such financial aid.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-89 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 151-89
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-89
Status: in_force

The minimum base pay for all classroom teachers may be increased by the district from any funds available to it.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-103 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 151-103
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-103
Status: in_force

(1) Funds due each school district and charter school under the total funding formula provided in Sections 37-151-200 through 37-151-215 shall be paid in the following manner: Two (2) business days prior to the last working day of each month there shall be paid to each school district and charter school, by electronic funds transfer, one-twelfth ( 1 / 12 ) of the funds to which the district or charter school is entitled from funds appropriated for total funding formula. However, in December those payments shall be made on December 15th or the next business day after that date. All school districts shall process a single monthly or a bimonthly payroll for employees, in the discretion of the local school board, with electronic settlement of payroll checks secured through direct deposit of net pay for all school district employees. In addition, the State Department of Education may pay school districts and charter schools under the total funding formula on a date earlier than provided for by this section if it is determined that it is in the best interest of school districts and charter schools to do so.

However, if the cash balance in the State General Fund is not adequate on the due date to pay the amounts due to all school districts and charter schools in the state as determined by the State Superintendent of Public Education, the State Fiscal Officer shall not transfer the funds payable to any school district or districts or charter schools until money is available to pay the amount due to all districts and charter schools.

(2) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter or any other law requiring the number of children in net enrollment or the net enrollment of transported children to be determined on the basis of the preceding year, the State Board of Education is hereby authorized and empowered to make proper adjustments in allotments in cases where major changes in the number of children in net enrollment or the net enrollment of transported children occurs from one (1) year to another as a result of changes or alterations in the boundaries of school districts, the sending of children from one (1) county or district to another upon a contract basis, the termination or discontinuance of a contract for the sending of children from one (1) county or district to another, a change in or relocation of attendance centers, or for any other reason which would result in a major decrease or increase in the number of children in net enrollment or the net enrollment of transported children during the current school year as compared with the preceding year.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 65-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-3
Status: in_force

The decision or determination to close any one or more of the schools, colleges or institutions of higher learning as provided in Section 37-65-1 , shall be effectuated and evidenced by a proclamation of the governor of the State of Mississippi, which shall be effective upon his execution or issuance thereof, and such schools, colleges, or institutions of higher learning closed according to the provisions of this article shall remain so closed until said governor shall execute or issue a further proclamation opening same. The use by said governor of the power vested in him by the terms of this article may be exercised from time to time as, in his discretion, he may deem necessary for any or all of the purposes specified in Section 37-65-1 and any proclamation of closure need not specify the period of time during which such closure shall be effective.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-51 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 153-51
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-51
Status: in_force

The provisions of this article shall be known and may be cited as the “American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Workforce Development and Retention Act.” Under this article, the Legislature creates the Accelerate Mississippi Workforce Development Program and the Mississippi Health Sciences Training Infrastructure Grant Program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-31 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 28-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-31
Status: in_force

(1) The authorizer shall monitor annually the performance and legal compliance of each charter school it oversees, including collecting and analyzing data to support the school's evaluation according to the charter contract. The authorizer may conduct or require oversight activities that enable the authorizer to fulfill its responsibilities under this chapter, including conducting appropriate inquiries and investigations, so long as those activities are consistent with the intent of this chapter, adhere to the terms of the charter contract and do not unduly inhibit the autonomy granted to charter schools.

(2) As part of its annual report to the Legislature, the authorizer shall publish and provide a performance report for each charter school it oversees in accordance with the performance framework set forth in the charter contract. The report must be made available to the public at the same time as it is submitted to the Legislature. The authorizer may require each charter school it oversees to submit an annual report to assist the authorizer in gathering complete information about each school, consistent with the performance framework.

(3) If a charter school's performance or legal compliance is unsatisfactory, the authorizer shall notify promptly the charter school of the problem and provide reasonable opportunity for the school to remedy the problem unless the problem warrants revocation, in which case the revocation timeframes will apply.

(4) The authorizer may take appropriate corrective actions or exercise sanctions in response to apparent deficiencies in a charter school's performance or legal compliance. If warranted, the actions or sanctions may include requiring a charter school to develop and execute a corrective action plan within a specified timeframe.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-87 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 11-87
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-87
Status: in_force

(1) Beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, each public school shall develop a cardiac emergency response plan (CERP) that addresses the appropriate use of school personnel to respond to incidents involving an individual experiencing sudden cardiac arrest or a similar life-threatening emergency while on school grounds.

(2) Beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, each public school with an athletic department or organized athletic program shall develop a cardiac emergency response plan that addresses the appropriate use of school personnel to respond to incidents involving an individual experiencing sudden cardiac arrest or a similar life-threatening emergency while attending or participating in an athletic practice or event while on school grounds.

(3) School officials shall work directly with local emergency service providers to integrate the CERP into the community's EMS responder protocols. Each plan shall integrate evidence-based core elements, such as those recommended by the American Heart Association guidelines or another nationally recognized, evidence-based standard.

(4) The CERP shall integrate, at a minimum, the following guidelines:

(a) Establishing a cardiac emergency response team;

(b) Activating the team in response to a SCA;

(c) A plan for implementing AED placement and routine maintenance within the school;

(d) Disseminating the plan throughout the school campus;

(e) Maintaining ongoing staff training in CPR/AED use;

(f) Practicing using drills annually;

(g) Integrating local EMS with the plan; and

(h) Ongoing and annual review and evaluation of the plan.

(5) Appropriate AED placement shall be dictated by the CERP and in accordance with guidelines set by the American Heart Association or another nationally recognized, evidence-based standard. A school or local and regional board of education may accept gifts, grants and donations, including in-kind donations designated for the purchase of an AED that meets the standards established by the United States Food and Drug Administration and for the costs incurred to inspect and maintain such device and train staff in the use of such device.

(6) Appropriate school staff shall be trained in first-aid, CPR, and AED use that follow evidence-based guidelines set forth by the American Heart Association or another nationally recognized, evidence-based standard. Staff trained shall be determined by the CERP, including, but not limited to, licensed coaches, school nurses and athletic trainers.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-131-15 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 131-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-131-15
Status: in_force

Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, the Starkville municipal separate school district, and any one or more of the consolidated or separate school districts in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, are hereby authorized to cooperate with the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning by establishing, constructing, maintaining and operating a teachers demonstration or practice school.

The board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning is hereby authorized to act as sponsor with respect to any funds that may be secured for the construction, maintenance, and operation of such teachers demonstration or practice school from any agency or subdivision of the federal, state, Oktibbeha County, City of Starkville, or school district, or from private individuals, benevolent institutions or organizations, or any other available and legal source or sources.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-17-6.1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 17-6.1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-17-6.1
Status: in_force

(1) In the Mississippi Achievement School District, in which as of January 1, 2024, two (2) local school districts have been placed into by the State Board of Education, specifically, the Yazoo City Municipal School District and the Humphreys County School District, there shall be an administrative transition of those school districts into two (2) separate Districts of Transformation with such transition completed by July 1, 2025. Until June 30, 2025, preceding the effective date of the required transition of school districts in the Mississippi Achievement School District into Districts of Transformation, the districts shall remain under the authority and control of the Mississippi Achievement School District and the State Board of Education.

(2) From and after July 1, 2024, no local school district shall be placed into the Mississippi Achievement School District and effective July 1, 2025, the Mississippi Achievement School District shall be dissolved.

(3) On or before September 1, 2024, the State Board of Education shall provide the Mississippi Achievement School District with notice and instructions regarding the timetable for actions to be taken to comply with the transition of those local schools into Districts of Transformation.

(4) A declaration of a state of emergency shall not be required by the Governor for the two (2) districts to transition from the Mississippi Achievement School District placement into a District of Transformation; however, the two (2) districts shall be required to comply with any and all obligations and laws as required by other Districts of Transformation and the State Board of Education shall have all the authorities granted to it in Sections 37-17-6 and 37-17-13 , including the assignment of an interim superintendent to the Districts of Transformation, or in its discretion, contracting with an appropriate private entity with experience in the academic, finance and other operational functions of schools and school districts, who will be responsible for the administration, management and operation of the school district in accordance with Section 37-17-6(15) , and the determination of when a District of Transformation is ready to be reconstituted, reorganized, and returned to local control.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-319 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 101-319
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-319
Status: in_force

Such general obligation bonds may be issued without any other proceedings or the happening of any other conditions or things other than those proceedings, conditions and things which are specified or required by Sections 37-101-301 through 37-101-331 . Any resolution providing for the issuance of general obligation bonds under the provisions of Sections 37-101-301 through 37-101-331 shall become effective immediately upon its adoption by the State Bond Commission, and any such resolution may be adopted at any regular or special meeting of the State Bond Commission by a majority of its members.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-69 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 106-69
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-69
Status: in_force

(1) There is established a forgivable loan program to encourage family protection workers employed by the Department of Child Protection Services to obtain the college education necessary to become licensed as a social worker, master social worker or certified social worker and become a family protection specialist for the department.

(2) Any person who is employed as a family protection worker for the Department of Child Protection Services shall be eligible for a forgivable loan from the board which shall be used to pay the costs of the person's education at a state institution of higher learning in Mississippi to obtain a college degree that is necessary to become licensed as a social worker, master social worker or certified social worker and become a family protection specialist for the department. The annual amount of a forgivable loan award under the program shall be equal to the total cost of tuition and fees at the college or university in which the student is enrolled, not to exceed an amount equal to the highest total cost of tuition and fees assessed by a state institution of higher learning during that school year.

(3) Forgivable loans made under the program shall be available to both full-time and part-time students. Students enrolling on a full-time basis may receive a maximum of two (2) annual awards. The maximum number of forgivable loans that may be made to students attending school on a part-time basis, and the maximum time period for part-time students to complete the number of academic hours necessary to obtain the necessary degree, shall be established by rules and regulations of the board. Forgivable loans made under the program shall not be based upon an applicant's financial need. A student must maintain a “C” average or higher in his or her college coursework in order to continue receiving the forgivable loan.

(4) Repayment and conversion terms shall be the same as those outlined in Section 37-106-53 , except for the following:

(a) After a person who received a forgivable loan under the program has obtained a college degree that is necessary to become licensed as a social worker, master social worker or certified social worker and has received such a license from the Board of Examiners for Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists, the person shall render service as a family protection specialist for the Department of Child Protection Services for a period of not less than three (3) years from the date that the person became a family protection specialist;

(b) Any person who fails to complete his or her service obligation as a family protection specialist for the Department of Child Protection Services for not less than three (3) years, as required under subsection (4)(a) of this section, shall become liable immediately to the board for the sum of all forgivable loan awards made to that person, plus interest accruing at the current Stafford Loan rate at the time the person discontinues his or her service.

(5) It is the intent of the Legislature that the pursuit of necessary college education by family protection workers through the forgivable loan program shall not interfere with the duties of the family protection workers with the Department of Child Protection Services. The department shall promulgate regulations regarding family protection workers who participate in the forgivable loan program to ensure that such participation does not interfere with their duties with the department.

(6) The board shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the proper administration of the forgivable loan program established under this section. The board shall be the administering agency of the program.

(7) The total amount of state funds that may be expended for this program shall not exceed Three Hundred Twenty Thousand Dollars ($320,000.00) in any fiscal year.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-139-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 139-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-139-5
Status: in_force

The board may hire a director when it so deems one necessary and when sufficient funds have been appropriated. The director shall serve at the board's will and pleasure. He shall be the chief administrative officer of the school and shall administer the school in accordance with policies established by the board. The director shall be responsible for such administrative duties and functions as the board shall so prescribe. The board shall be authorized, in its discretion, to delegate to the director such of its powers and duties as it deems appropriate.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-505 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 29-505
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-505
Status: in_force

The control and operation of the Meridian Junior College District shall be vested in a board of trustees appointed by the city council of the City of Meridian. The board of trustees of the Meridian Junior College District shall consist of five (5) members. When the initial appointments are made, the first appointee shall serve for a term of one (1) year, the second appointee for a term of two (2) years, the third appointee for a term of three (3) years, the fourth appointee for a term of four (4) years and the fifth appointee for a term of five (5) years; thereafter all appointments shall be for a term of five (5) years. Trustees of the Meridian Junior College District shall be appointed by a majority vote of the full membership of the city council of the City of Meridian at the first meeting of the council held in the month of February of each year, and the term of office of each trustee so appointed shall commence on the first Saturday of March following, except that the existing trustees of the Meridian Municipal Separate School District as of April 30, 1980, shall constitute the initial board of trustees of the Meridian Junior College District. As the terms of these individual trustees expire, trustees for the Meridian Junior College District shall be appointed as provided herein. All vacancies shall be filled for unexpired terms by appointment by majority vote of the full membership of the city council.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-187-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 187-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-187-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Mississippi Pandemic Response Broadband Availability Act.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-321 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 101-321
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-321
Status: in_force

The bonds authorized under the authority of Sections 37-101-301 through 37-101-331 may be validated in the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, in the manner and with the force and effect provided now or hereafter by Chapter 13, Title 31, Mississippi Code of 1972 , for the validation of county, municipal, school district and other bonds. The notice to taxpayers required by the aforesaid statute shall be published in a newspaper published in the City of Jackson, Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-223 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 7-223
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-223
Status: in_force

All elections of consolidated or consolidated line school district trustees shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each year in the same manner as general state and county elections are held and conducted.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-89 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 151-89
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-89
Status: in_force

The minimum base pay for all classroom teachers may be increased by the district from any funds available to it.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-104 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 9-104
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-104
Status: in_force

If the board of trustees makes a preliminary determination not to offer the school district superintendent a renewal contract for a successive year, written notice of the preliminary nonreemployment determination must be given to the superintendent before February 1. However, an interim conservator appointed pursuant to Section 37-17-6(15)(a) or a school board acting on the recommendation of a school district financial advisor appointed pursuant to Section 37-9-18 is not required to comply with the time limitations prescribed in this section for recommending the reemployment of superintendents.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-43-29 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 43-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-43-29
Status: in_force

Any person, firm or corporation with whom a contract has been entered into, under the provisions of this chapter, shall designate the Secretary of State of Mississippi as its agent, upon whom citation and all other writs and processes may be served, in case any suit shall be brought against such person, firm or corporation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-69 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 11-69
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-69
Status: in_force

(1) Each local school district shall include in its personnel policies, discipline policies and code of student conduct a prohibition against bullying or harassing behavior and adopt procedures for reporting, investigating and addressing such behavior, that:

(a) Prohibit the bullying of a student;

(b) Prohibit retaliation against any person, including a victim, a witness, or another person, who in good faith provides information concerning an incident of bullying;

(c) Establish a procedure for providing notice of an incident of bullying to a parent or guardian of the victim and a parent or guardian of the bully within a reasonable amount of time after the incident;

(d) Establish the actions a student should take to obtain assistance and intervention in response to bullying;

(e) Set out the available counseling options for a student who is a victim of or a witness to bullying or who engages in bullying;

(f) Establish procedures for reporting an incident of bullying, investigating a reported incident of bullying and determining whether the reported incident of bullying occurred;

(g) Prohibit the imposition of a disciplinary measure on a student who, after an investigation, is found to be a victim of bullying, on the basis of that student's use of reasonable self-defense in response to the bullying; and

(h) Require that discipline for bullying of a student with disabilities comply with applicable requirements under federal law, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( 20 USCS Section 1400 et seq. ).

(2) The policies must recognize the fundamental right of every student to take reasonable actions as may be necessary to defend himself or herself from an attack by another student who has evidenced menacing or threatening behavior through bullying or harassing.

(3) The procedure for reporting bullying established under subsection (1) of this section must be posted on the district's Internet website.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-146-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 146-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-146-9
Status: in_force

(1) Participants must adhere to the policies and practices as stipulated by the commission to continue in the program.

(2) Students in the program may receive tuition or other financial support that may be provided by the commission. If a student in the program is admitted to and completes dental school, any tuition or other educational and living support provided to the student by the commission will be forgiven. However, if the student is not successful in being accepted into dental school within three (3) years of entry into the Mississippi Rural Dentists Scholarship Program, or if the student otherwise breaches his or her agreement with the commission, all financial assistance provided to the student must be repaid according to policies adopted by the board.