Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-50.2 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 115-50.2
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-50.2
Status: in_force

(1) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(a) The academic medical center and health care collaboratives organized under Section 37-115-50.1 , together with the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning under which the academic medical center operates, are each (acting individually and collectively) performing essential public functions on behalf of the state, and other governmental entities in the state.

(b) The needs of the residents of Mississippi can best be served by the academic medical center and health care collaboratives having the legal, financial and operational flexibility to take full advantage of opportunities and challenges presented by the evolving health care environment and to take whatever actions are necessary to enable the academic medical center and health care collaboratives' continuation as a health system that provides the finest possible quality of care consistent with reasonable costs and that serves the health care needs of uninsured, underinsured residents in addition to its scientific and educational missions.

(c) In this environment, the academic medical center and its health care collaboratives must have the ability to respond to changing conditions by having the power to develop efficient and cost-effective methods and structures to provide for health care needs, while maintaining a public mission and character. In addition, the academic medical center is an institution of the state. Accordingly, the Legislature finds that there is a compelling interest in establishing a structure and process for the academic medical center to adapt to this dynamic environment, to operate efficiently, to offer competitive health care services, to respond more effectively to new developments and regulatory changes in the health care area, and to continue to serve and promote the health, wellness and welfare of the citizens of Mississippi. The acquisition, operation and financing of hospitals and other health care facilities by the academic medical center are declared to be for a public and governmental purpose and a matter of public necessity.

(d) The geographic areas served by the academic medical center and its health care collaboratives include rural populations and other groups that experience significant health disparities. Health disparities are differences in health status when compared to the population overall, often characterized by indicators such as higher incidence of disease and/or disability, increased mortality rates, and lower life expectancies. Rural risk factors for health disparities include geographic isolation, lower socioeconomic status, higher rates of health risk behaviors, and limited access to health care specialists and subspecialists. As a result of these health disparities, the residents of areas served by the academic medical center and its health care collaboratives have high rates of mortality and morbidity, heart disease, cancer, and other illnesses. The areas also include a high percentage of uninsured individuals and Medicaid patients, which are medically underserved groups. The academic medical center and its health care collaboratives have demonstrated their ability to provide high quality health care and to improve health conditions and outcomes as well as access to care. This section and Section 37-115-50.3 will significantly strengthen the ability of the academic medical center and its health care collaboratives to serve the health care needs of the residents of their service areas.

(e) The investment of significant public assets by the academic medical center, the academic medical center's investment in health care collaboratives and their collective efforts to provide high quality health care services to medically underserved populations are jeopardized by potential limits on the ability of the academic medical center and its health care collaboratives to collaborate and consolidate with other public, private and nonprofit health care facilities and providers. The Legislature expressly finds that the benefits of collaboration and consolidation by the academic medical center and its health care collaboratives outweigh any adverse impact on competition. The benefits of the academic medical center and its health care collaboratives efforts to collaborate and consolidate include, but are not limited to, preserving and expanding needed health care services in its service areas; consolidating unneeded or duplicative health care services; enhancing the quality of, and expanding access to, health care delivered to medically underserved and rural populations; and lowering costs and improving the efficiency of the health care services it delivers. Based on the findings contained in this section, the Legislature affirmatively expresses a policy to allow the academic medical center and health care collaboratives to consolidate with hospitals, health care facilities and other health care providers and to engage in collaborative activities consistent with their health care purposes, notwithstanding that those consolidations and collaborations may have the effect of displacing competition in the provision of hospital or other health care related services. In engaging in such consolidations and collaborations with other hospitals, health care facilities and providers, the academic medical center and its health care collaboratives (acting individually or collectively) shall be considered to be acting pursuant to clearly articulated state policy as established in this section and shall not be subject to federal or state antitrust laws while so acting. With respect to the consolidations, collaborative activities and other activities contemplated in this section and Section 37-115-50.3 , the academic medical center and its health care collaboratives (acting individually or collectively) and the public, private or nonprofit entities with which it (or they) consolidate(s), collaborate(s), or enter(s) into any of the transactions set forth in this section and Section 37-115-50.3 , shall be immune from liability under the federal and state antitrust laws and those activities are provided with state action immunity from federal and state antitrust laws to the fullest extent possible.

(f) In furtherance of the findings and authorizations contained in paragraph (e) of this section, if a court of competent jurisdiction were to find that any of the activities of the academic medical center and its health care collaboratives (acting individually or collectively) authorized under this section or Section 37-115-50.3 would be immune from the application of state and federal antitrust laws under the state action antitrust immunity doctrine pursuant to applicable jurisprudence only if such activities were subject to what has come to be known in relevant antitrust jurisprudence as “active supervision” by the state, the Legislatures finds that the academic medical center and its health care collaboratives are subject to direct and indirect supervision of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, which supervision has been, is currently, and is required to continue to be actively exercised by such constitutional body of state government such that, even if such judicial requirement were applied to the academic medical center and its health care collaboratives with respect to application of the state action antitrust immunity doctrine, the academic medical center and each of its health care collaboratives (acting individually or collectively), when exercising its powers under this section and Section 37-115-50.3 , shall enjoy immunity from the application of state and federal antitrust laws.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-49 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 11-49
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-49
Status: in_force

(1) Each student and teacher in schools, colleges, universities, or other educational institutions, while participating in or observing any of the following courses of instruction:

(a) Vocational, technical, industrial arts, chemical, or chemical-physical, involving exposure to:

(i) Hot molten metals, or other molten materials;

(ii) Milling, sawing, turning, shaping, cutting, grinding, or stamping of any solid materials;

(iii) Heat treatment, tempering, or kiln firing of any metal or other materials;

(iv) Gas or electric arc welding, or other forms of welding processes;

(v) Caustic or explosive materials; or

(b) Chemical, physical, or combined chemical-physical laboratories involving caustic or explosive materials, hot liquids or solids, injurious radiations, or other hazards not enumerated; is required to wear an appropriate industrial quality eye protective device at all times.

(2) For purposes of this section unless the context indicates otherwise “Industrial quality eye protective device” shall mean a device meeting the standards of the American National Standard Practice for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection, Z 87.1-1968, and subsequent revisions thereof, approved by the American National Standards Institute, Inc.

(3) Such devices may, at the discretion of the individual school, be

(a) furnished for all students and teachers;

(b) purchased and sold at cost to students and teachers; or

(c) made available for a moderate rental fee.

Such devices shall be furnished to all visitors to such shops and laboratories.

(4) The state superintendent of education shall prepare and circulate to each public and private educational institution in this state instructions and recommendations for implementing the eye safety provisions of this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-111 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / 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. § 37-101-30 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 101-30
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-30
Status: in_force

(1) The Legislature finds and declares that a compelling state interest exists in providing a retirement incentive program or encouraging the retirement of those employees of institutions of higher learning who are current and active contributing members of the Public Employees' Retirement System.

(2) As used in this section:

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

(b) “ Program ” means the retirement incentive program established under this section.

(3)(a) The board is authorized to pay, in fiscal years selected by the board, a monetary incentive to employees who are eligible for retirement in exchange for a voluntary agreement of the employee:

(i) To retire on a specific date as set forth in subsection (6) of this section, and

(ii) To waive any and all claims, known or unknown, arising out of or related to employment or cessation of employment at institutions of higher learning.

(b) The granting of additional compensation shall be made in exchange for additional consideration given by the employee.

(c) The retirement incentive authorized by this section is a voluntary plan for institutions of higher learning faculty and staff offering an incentive for retirement. The plan shall be available to all full-time faculty and staff who meet the eligibility criteria set forth in subsection (4) of this section.

(4)(a) To be eligible to participate in the program, full-time faculty and staff of institutions of higher learning must, as of the effective date of their retirement, be eligible to retire under the laws governing the Public Employees' Retirement System by virtue of:

(i) Having twenty-five (25) years of creditable service, or

(ii) Being age sixty (60) and having at least four (4) years of creditable service.

(b) The institution of higher learning offering the program shall, in all cases, utilize the records of the Public Employees' Retirement System as the source for determining eligibility.

(c) The program is offered as an alternative to any other retirement incentive plan that may be offered by the state or the Public Employees' Retirement System in the future.

(5) In accordance with applicable law, the institution of higher learning shall provide a cash benefit to each participant in the program based upon a percentage of the participant's current salary that is subject to federal income tax, state income tax and Federal Insurance Contributions Act withholding. The participant shall be compensated for unused annual leave as otherwise provided by law. The cash benefit paid under this section shall not be subject to employer or employee contributions under the laws governing the Public Employees' Retirement System.

(6) Eligible employees shall make their election to participate in the program in the manner and at the time prescribed by the board. The date of retirement for all employees participating in this program shall be June 30 of any fiscal year in which the program is offered. Employees electing to participate in the program shall agree to waive any claims, known or unknown, arising out of or related to employment or cessation of employment at institutions of higher learning. An employee may revoke the election to participate in the program within seven (7) days after the execution of the election.

(7) The additional compensation authorized under the program is made in exchange for additional consideration given by the employee.

(8) The board shall prescribe such rules and regulations as it shall consider necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 141-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-5
Status: in_force

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

The Office of General Services shall provide proper signs to be placed on the building in accordance with this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-101 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 65-101
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-101
Status: in_force

In addition to all other power and authority which may now be vested in any board of trustees of any school district by the constitution or statutes, or both, of the State of Mississippi, any such board of trustees is hereby vested with the authority to close any one or more or all schools in any school district when, in its discretion, it determines such closure to be to the best interest of a majority of the educable children of the territory served, or to the best interest of a majority of the children enrolled in any such school or schools. Said board of trustees is also vested with the authority, in its discretion, to close any one or more or all schools in any school district when such board, in its discretion, determines such closure will promote or preserve the public peace, order or tranquility of the district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-20-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 20-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-20-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Mississippi Remedial Education Act of 1988.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-17-8 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / 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. § 37-9-18 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 9-18
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-18
Status: in_force

(1)(a) The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules and regulations concerning the type of financial reports required to be submitted by the superintendent of schools to the local school board, and the frequency with which the reports shall be submitted. The rules and regulations promulgated by the board shall include:

(i) A requirement that the reports be listed as an agenda item for discussion at a regularly scheduled meeting of the board;

(ii) A requirement that the minutes of the board meeting reflect that the reports were discussed;

(iii) A requirement that each board member present be provided a copy of all required reports; and

(iv) A requirement that a copy of all required reports be included in the official minutes of the board meeting at which the reports were discussed.

(b) The State Board of Education is authorized to require school districts to submit any of the required reports to the State Department of Education on a basis determined by the department.

(c) Failure to comply with any of the rules and regulations established by the State Board of Education with regard to reporting requirements shall constitute a violation of the Mississippi Public School Accountability Standards.

(2) The State Auditor shall audit the financial records of school districts in accordance with Section 7-7-211(e) . The State Auditor shall give reasonable notice to school districts regarding the times during which the State Auditor will perform such audits. In any fiscal year in which the State Auditor is not scheduled to perform an audit, the school board shall cause all the financial records of the superintendent of schools to be audited in accordance with Section 7-7-211(e) . If the school board so elects by resolution adopted each year, the audit shall be performed by the State Auditor. Contracts for the audit of public school districts shall be let by the school board in the manner prescribed by the State Auditor. The audit shall be conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and generally accepted accounting principles, and the report presented thereon shall be in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. If the Auditor's opinion on the general purpose financial statements is a disclaimer, as that term is defined by generally accepted auditing standards, or if the State Auditor determines the existence of serious financial conditions in the district, the State Auditor shall immediately notify the State Board of Education. Upon receiving the notice, the State Superintendent of Public Education shall direct the school district to immediately cease all expenditures until a financial advisor is appointed by the state superintendent. However, if the disclaimer is a result of conditions caused by Hurricane Katrina 2005 and applies to fiscal years 2005 and/or 2006, then the Superintendent of Education may appoint a financial advisor, and may direct the school district to immediately cease all expenditures until a financial advisor is appointed. The financial advisor shall be an agent of the State Board of Education and shall be a certified public accountant or a qualified business officer. Unless the financial advisor is an employee of the State of Mississippi, they shall be deemed an independent contractor. The financial advisor shall, with the approval of the State Board of Education:

(a) Approve or disapprove all expenditures and all financial obligations of the district;

(b) Ensure compliance with any statutes and State Board of Education rules or regulations concerning expenditures by school districts;

(c) Review salaries and the number of all district personnel and make recommendations to the local school board of any needed adjustments. Should such recommendations necessitate the reduction in local salary supplement, such recommended reductions shall be only to the extent which will result in the salaries being comparable to districts similarly situated, as determined by the State Board of Education. The local school board, in considering either a reduction in personnel or a reduction in local supplements, shall not be required to comply with the time limitations prescribed in Sections 37-9-15 and 37-9-105 and, further, shall not be required to comply with Sections 37-19-11 and 37-19-7(1) in regard to reducing local supplements and the number of personnel;

(d) Work with the school district's business office to correct all inappropriate accounting procedures and/or uses of school district funds and to prepare the school district's budget for the next fiscal year;

(e) Report frequently to the State Board of Education on the corrective actions being taken and the progress being made in the school district. The financial advisor shall serve until such time as corrective action and progress is being made in such school district as determined by the State Board of Education with the concurrence of the State Auditor, or until such time as an interim conservator is assigned to such district by the State Board of Education under Section 37-17-6 . The school district shall be responsible for all expenses associated with the use of the financial advisor. If the audit report reflects a failure by the school district to meet accreditation standards, the State Board of Education shall proceed under Section 37-17-6 ; and

(f) If a financial advisor is appointed to a school district in accordance with this subsection and it is determined by the financial advisor and/or any other official of the school district that an audit by a certified public accountant for that district was deficient in any manner, the financial advisor and/or any other official of the school district shall, within thirty (30) days, refer the matter to the State Board of Public Accountancy for follow-up and possible disciplinary action. Any disciplinary action by the State Board of Public Accountancy with regard to the certified public accountant shall, within thirty (30) days after notifying such certified public accountant, be reported to the Office of State Auditor.

(3)(a) When conducting an audit of a public school district, the State Auditor shall test to insure that the school district is complying with the requirements of Section 37-61-33(3)(a)(iii) relating to classroom supply funds. The audit must include a report of all classroom supply funds carried over from previous years. Based upon the audit report, the State Auditor shall compile a report on the compliance or noncompliance by all school districts with the requirements of Section 37-61-33(3)(a)(iii) , which report must be submitted to the Chairmen of the Education and Appropriations Committees of the House of Representatives and Senate.

(b) When conducting an audit of a public school district, the State Auditor shall test to insure correct and appropriate coding at the function level. The audit must include a report showing correct and appropriate functional level expenditure codes in expenditures by the school district. Compliance standards for this audit provision shall be established by the Office of the State Auditor. Based upon the audit report, the State Auditor shall compile a report on the compliance or noncompliance by all public school districts with correct and appropriate coding at the function level, which report must be submitted to the Chairmen of the Education and Appropriations Committees of the House of Representatives and Senate.

(4) In the event the State Auditor does not perform the audit examination, then the audit report of the school district shall be reviewed by the State Auditor for compliance with applicable state laws before final payment is made on the audit by the school board. All financial records, books, vouchers, cancelled checks and other financial records required by law to be kept and maintained in the case of municipalities shall be faithfully kept and maintained in the office of the superintendent of schools under the same provisions and penalties provided by law in the case of municipal officials.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-181 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 101-181
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-181
Status: in_force

Any member of the faculties of Alcorn State University, Jackson State University, and Mississippi Valley State University shall be eligible for leave of absence to pursue advanced academic training so as to elevate the scholastic qualifications of the faculties of these above-mentioned colleges, in line with the requirements of the several accrediting agencies.

In order to provide for the above leaves, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning shall have power to adopt rules and regulations regarding such leave. In no instance shall leave be granted unless there is a contract providing for continued service, after expiration of the leave, in the college where the faculty member is employed.

The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning is hereby authorized to make payment of salary, or such part of salary as may be decided, of such faculty members who are under contract for academic leaves.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-35 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 104-35
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-35
Status: in_force

The Authority is authorized to provide by resolution for the issuance of revenue-refunding bonds for the purpose of refunding any revenue bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter and then outstanding, together with interest thereon to the date of such refunding bonds, and redemption premium thereon, if any. The issuance of such revenue-refunding bonds, the maturity, and all other details thereof, the rights of the holders thereof, and the duties of the Authority in respect thereto shall be governed by the provisions of this chapter insofar as the same may be applicable.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-47-51 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 47-51
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-47-51
Status: in_force

All bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter and all interim certificates issued under the provisions of this chapter, except those fully registered, shall be fully negotiable within the meaning and for all the purposes of the Uniform Commercial Code.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-301 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 7-301
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-301
Status: in_force

The school boards of all school districts shall have the following powers, authority and duties in addition to all others imposed or granted by law, to wit:

(a) To organize and operate the schools of the district and to make such division between the high school grades and elementary grades as, in their judgment, will serve the best interests of the school;

(b) To introduce public school music, art, manual training and other special subjects into either the elementary or high school grades, as the board shall deem proper;

(c) To be the custodians of real and personal school property and to manage, control and care for same, both during the school term and during vacation;

(d) To have responsibility for the erection, repairing and equipping of school facilities and the making of necessary school improvements;

(e) To suspend or to expel a pupil or to change the placement of a pupil to the school district's alternative school or homebound program for misconduct in the school or on school property, as defined in Section 37-11-29 , on the road to and from school, or at any school-related activity or event, or for conduct occurring on property other than school property or other than at a school-related activity or event when such conduct by a pupil, in the determination of the school superintendent or principal, renders that pupil's presence in the classroom a disruption to the educational environment of the school or a detriment to the best interest and welfare of the pupils and teacher of such class as a whole, and to delegate such authority to the appropriate officials of the school district;

(f) To visit schools in the district, in their discretion, in a body for the purpose of determining what can be done for the improvement of the school in a general way;

(g) To support, within reasonable limits, the superintendent, principal and teachers where necessary for the proper discipline of the school;

(h) To exclude from the schools students with what appears to be infectious or contagious diseases; provided, however, such student may be allowed to return to school upon presenting a certificate from a public health officer, duly licensed physician or nurse practitioner that the student is free from such disease;

(i) To require those vaccinations specified by the State Health Officer as provided in Section 41-23-37 ;

(j) To see that all necessary utilities and services are provided in the schools at all times when same are needed;

(k) To authorize the use of the school buildings and grounds for the holding of public meetings and gatherings of the people under such regulations as may be prescribed by said board;

(l) To prescribe and enforce rules and regulations not inconsistent with law or with the regulations of the State Board of Education for their own government and for the government of the schools, and to transact their business at regular and special meetings called and held in the manner provided by law;

(m) To maintain and operate all of the schools under their control for such length of time during the year as may be required;

(n) To enforce in the schools the courses of study and the use of the textbooks prescribed by the proper authorities;

(o) To make orders directed to the superintendent of schools for the issuance of pay certificates for lawful purposes on any available funds of the district and to have full control of the receipt, distribution, allotment and disbursement of all funds provided for the support and operation of the schools of such school district whether such funds be derived from state appropriations, local ad valorem tax collections, or otherwise. The local school board shall be authorized and empowered to promulgate rules and regulations that specify the types of claims and set limits of the dollar amount for payment of claims by the superintendent of schools to be ratified by the board at the next regularly scheduled meeting after payment has been made;

(p) To select all school district personnel in the manner provided by law, and to provide for such employee fringe benefit programs, including accident reimbursement plans, as may be deemed necessary and appropriate by the board;

(q) To provide athletic programs and other school activities and to regulate the establishment and operation of such programs and activities;

(r) To join, in their discretion, any association of school boards and other public school-related organizations, and to pay from local funds other than total funding formula funds, any membership dues;

(s) To expend local school activity funds, or other available school district funds, other than total funding formula funds, for the purposes prescribed under this paragraph. “ Activity funds ” shall mean all funds received by school officials in all school districts paid or collected to participate in any school activity, such activity being part of the school program and partially financed with public funds or supplemented by public funds. The term “activity funds” shall not include any funds raised and/or expended by any organization unless commingled in a bank account with existing activity funds, regardless of whether the funds were raised by school employees or received by school employees during school hours or using school facilities, and regardless of whether a school employee exercises influence over the expenditure or disposition of such funds. Organizations shall not be required to make any payment to any school for the use of any school facility if, in the discretion of the local school governing board, the organization's function shall be deemed to be beneficial to the official or extracurricular programs of the school. For the purposes of this provision, the term “organization” shall not include any organization subject to the control of the local school governing board. Activity funds may only be expended for any necessary expenses or travel costs, including advances, incurred by students and their chaperons in attending any in-state or out-of-state school-related programs, conventions or seminars and/or any commodities, equipment, travel expenses, purchased services or school supplies which the local school governing board, in its discretion, shall deem beneficial to the official or extracurricular programs of the district, including items which may subsequently become the personal property of individuals, including yearbooks, athletic apparel, book covers and trophies. Activity funds may be used to pay travel expenses of school district personnel. The local school governing board shall be authorized and empowered to promulgate rules and regulations specifically designating for what purposes school activity funds may be expended. The local school governing board shall provide (i) that such school activity funds shall be maintained and expended by the principal of the school generating the funds in individual bank accounts, or (ii) that such school activity funds shall be maintained and expended by the superintendent of schools in a central depository approved by the board. The local school governing board shall provide that such school activity funds be audited as part of the annual audit required in Section 37-9-18 . The State Department of Education shall prescribe a uniform system of accounting and financial reporting for all school activity fund transactions;

(t) To enter into an energy performance contract, energy services contract, on a shared-savings, lease or lease-purchase basis, for energy efficiency services and/or equipment as provided for in Section 31-7-14 ;

(u) To maintain accounts and issue pay certificates on school food service bank accounts;

(v)(i) To lease a school building from an individual, partnership, nonprofit corporation or a private for-profit corporation for the use of such school district, and to expend funds therefor as may be available from any sources other than total funding formula funds as set by Sections 37-151-200 through 37-151-215 . The school board of the school district desiring to lease a school building shall declare by resolution that a need exists for a school building and that the school district cannot provide the necessary funds to pay the cost or its proportionate share of the cost of a school building required to meet the present needs. The resolution so adopted by the school board shall be published once each week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper having a general circulation in the school district involved, with the first publication thereof to be made not less than thirty (30) days prior to the date upon which the school board is to act on the question of leasing a school building. If no petition requesting an election is filed prior to such meeting as hereinafter provided, then the school board may, by resolution spread upon its minutes, proceed to lease a school building. If at any time prior to said meeting a petition signed by not less than twenty percent (20%) or fifteen hundred (1500), whichever is less, of the qualified electors of the school district involved shall be filed with the school board requesting that an election be called on the question, then the school board shall, not later than the next regular meeting, adopt a resolution calling an election to be held within such school district upon the question of authorizing the school board to lease a school building. Such election shall be called and held, and notice thereof shall be given, in the same manner for elections upon the questions of the issuance of the bonds of school districts, and the results thereof shall be certified to the school board. If at least three-fifths ( 3 / 5 ) of the qualified electors of the school district who voted in such election shall vote in favor of the leasing of a school building, then the school board shall proceed to lease a school building. The term of the lease contract shall not exceed twenty (20) years, and the total cost of such lease shall be either the amount of the lowest and best bid accepted by the school board after advertisement for bids or an amount not to exceed the current fair market value of the lease as determined by the averaging of at least two (2) appraisals by certified general appraisers licensed by the State of Mississippi. The term “ school building ” as used in this paragraph (v)(i) shall be construed to mean any building or buildings used for classroom purposes in connection with the operation of schools and shall include the site therefor, necessary support facilities, and the equipment thereof and appurtenances thereto such as heating facilities, water supply, sewage disposal, landscaping, walks, drives and playgrounds. The term “ lease ” as used in this paragraph (v)(i) may include a lease-purchase contract;

(ii) If two (2) or more school districts propose to enter into a lease contract jointly, then joint meetings of the school boards having control may be held but no action taken shall be binding on any such school district unless the question of leasing a school building is approved in each participating school district under the procedure hereinabove set forth in paragraph (v)(i). All of the provisions of paragraph (v)(i) regarding the term and amount of the lease contract shall apply to the school boards of school districts acting jointly. Any lease contract executed by two (2) or more school districts as joint lessees shall set out the amount of the aggregate lease rental to be paid by each, which may be agreed upon, but there shall be no right of occupancy by any lessee unless the aggregate rental is paid as stipulated in the lease contract. All rights of joint lessees under the lease contract shall be in proportion to the amount of lease rental paid by each;

(w) To employ all noninstructional and noncertificated employees and fix the duties and compensation of such personnel deemed necessary pursuant to the recommendation of the superintendent of schools;

(x) To employ and fix the duties and compensation of such legal counsel as deemed necessary;

(y) Subject to rules and regulations of the State Board of Education, to purchase, own and operate trucks, vans and other motor vehicles, which shall bear the proper identification required by law;

(z) To expend funds for the payment of substitute teachers and to adopt reasonable regulations for the employment and compensation of such substitute teachers;

(aa) To acquire in its own name by purchase all real property which shall be necessary and desirable in connection with the construction, renovation or improvement of any public school building or structure. Whenever the purchase price for such real property is greater than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), the school board shall not purchase the property for an amount exceeding the fair market value of such property as determined by the average of at least two (2) independent appraisals by certified general appraisers licensed by the State of Mississippi. If the board shall be unable to agree with the owner of any such real property in connection with any such project, the board shall have the power and authority to acquire any such real property by condemnation proceedings pursuant to Section 11-27-1 et seq., Mississippi Code of 1972 , and for such purpose, the right of eminent domain is hereby conferred upon and vested in said board. Provided further, that the local school board is authorized to grant an easement for ingress and egress over sixteenth section land or lieu land in exchange for a similar easement upon adjoining land where the exchange of easements affords substantial benefit to the sixteenth section land; provided, however, the exchange must be based upon values as determined by a competent appraiser, with any differential in value to be adjusted by cash payment. Any easement rights granted over sixteenth section land under such authority shall terminate when the easement ceases to be used for its stated purpose. No sixteenth section or lieu land which is subject to an existing lease shall be burdened by any such easement except by consent of the lessee or unless the school district shall acquire the unexpired leasehold interest affected by the easement;

(bb) To charge reasonable fees related to the educational programs of the district, in the manner prescribed in Section 37-7-335 ;

(cc) Subject to rules and regulations of the State Board of Education, to purchase relocatable classrooms for the use of such school district, in the manner prescribed in Section 37-1-13 ;

(dd) Enter into contracts or agreements with other school districts, political subdivisions or governmental entities to carry out one or more of the powers or duties of the school board, or to allow more efficient utilization of limited resources for providing services to the public;

(ee) To provide for in-service training for employees of the district;

(ff) As part of their duties to prescribe the use of textbooks, to provide that parents and legal guardians shall be responsible for the textbooks and for the compensation to the school district for any books which are not returned to the proper schools upon the withdrawal of their dependent child. If a textbook is lost or not returned by any student who drops out of the public school district, the parent or legal guardian shall also compensate the school district for the fair market value of the textbooks;

(gg) To conduct fund-raising activities on behalf of the school district that the local school board, in its discretion, deems appropriate or beneficial to the official or extracurricular programs of the district; provided that:

(i) Any proceeds of the fund-raising activities shall be treated as “activity funds” and shall be accounted for as are other activity funds under this section; and

(ii) Fund-raising activities conducted or authorized by the board for the sale of school pictures, the rental of caps and gowns or the sale of graduation invitations for which the school board receives a commission, rebate or fee shall contain a disclosure statement advising that a portion of the proceeds of the sales or rentals shall be contributed to the student activity fund;

(hh) To allow individual lessons for music, art and other curriculum-related activities for academic credit or nonacademic credit during school hours and using school equipment and facilities, subject to uniform rules and regulations adopted by the school board;

(ii) To charge reasonable fees for participating in an extracurricular activity for academic or nonacademic credit for necessary and required equipment such as safety equipment, band instruments and uniforms;

(jj) To conduct or participate in any fund-raising activities on behalf of or in connection with a tax-exempt charitable organization;

(kk) To exercise such powers as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions of this section;

(ll) To expend funds for the services of nonprofit arts organizations or other such nonprofit organizations who provide performances or other services for the students of the school district;

(mm) To expend federal No Child Left Behind Act funds, or any other available funds that are expressly designated and authorized for that use, to pay training, educational expenses, salary incentives and salary supplements to employees of local school districts; except that incentives shall not be considered part of the local supplement, nor shall incentives be considered part of the local supplement paid to an individual teacher for the purposes of Section 37-19-7(1) ;

(nn) To use any available funds, not appropriated or designated for any other purpose, for reimbursement to the state-licensed employees from both in state and out of state, who enter into a contract for employment in a school district, for the expense of moving when the employment necessitates the relocation of the licensed employee to a different geographical area than that in which the licensed employee resides before entering into the contract. The reimbursement shall not 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 county and municipal employees under Section 25-3-41 if the licensed employee used his personal vehicle or vehicles for the move, meals and such other expenses associated with the relocation. No licensed employee may be reimbursed for moving expenses under this section on more than one (1) occasion by the same school district. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the actual residence to which the licensed employee relocates to be within the boundaries of the school district that has executed a contract for employment in order for the licensed employee to be eligible for reimbursement for the moving expenses. However, the licensed employee must relocate within the boundaries of the State of Mississippi. Any individual receiving relocation assistance through the Critical Teacher Shortage Act as provided in Section 37-159-5 shall not be eligible to receive additional relocation funds as authorized in this paragraph;

(oo) To use any available funds, not appropriated or designated for any other purpose, to reimburse persons who interview for employment as a licensed employee with the district for the mileage and other actual expenses incurred in the course of travel to and from the interview at the rate authorized for county and municipal employees under Section 25-3-41 ;

(pp) Consistent with the report of the Task Force to Conduct a Best Financial Management Practices Review, to improve school district management and use of resources and identify cost savings as established in Section 8 of Chapter 610, Laws of 2002, local school boards are encouraged to conduct independent reviews of the management and efficiency of schools and school districts. Such management and efficiency reviews shall provide state and local officials and the public with the following:

(i) An assessment of a school district's governance and organizational structure;

(ii) An assessment of the school district's financial and personnel management;

(iii) An assessment of revenue levels and sources;

(iv) An assessment of facilities utilization, planning and maintenance;

(v) An assessment of food services, transportation and safety/security systems;

(vi) An assessment of instructional and administrative technology;

(vii) A review of the instructional management and the efficiency and effectiveness of existing instructional programs; and

(viii) Recommended methods for increasing efficiency and effectiveness in providing educational services to the public;

(qq) To enter into agreements with other local school boards for the establishment of an educational service agency (ESA) to provide for the cooperative needs of the region in which the school district is located, as provided in Section 37-7-345 ;

(rr) To implement a financial literacy program for students in Grades 10 and 11. The board may review the national programs and obtain free literature from various nationally recognized programs. After review of the different programs, the board may certify a program that is most appropriate for the school districts' needs. If a district implements a financial literacy program, then any student in Grade 10 or 11 may participate in the program. The financial literacy program shall include, but is not limited to, instruction in the same areas of personal business and finance as required under Section 37-1-3(2)(b) . The school board may coordinate with volunteer teachers from local community organizations, including, but not limited to, the following: United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development, United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Junior Achievement, bankers and other nonprofit organizations. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as to require school boards to implement a financial literacy program;

(ss) To collaborate with the State Board of Education, Community Action Agencies or the Department of Human Services to develop and implement a voluntary program to provide services for a prekindergarten program that addresses the cognitive, social, and emotional needs of four-year-old and three-year-old children. The school board may utilize any source of available revenue to fund the voluntary program. Effective with the 2013-2014 school year, to implement voluntary prekindergarten programs under the Early Learning Collaborative Act of 2013 pursuant to state funds awarded by the State Department of Education on a matching basis;

(tt) With respect to any lawful, written obligation of a school district, including, but not limited to, leases (excluding leases of sixteenth section public school trust land), bonds, notes, or other agreement, to agree in writing with the obligee that the Department of Revenue or any state agency, department or commission created under state law may:

(i) Withhold all or any part (as agreed by the school board) of any monies which such local school board is entitled to receive from time to time under any law and which is in the possession of the Department of Revenue, or any state agency, department or commission created under state law; and

(ii) Pay the same over to any financial institution, trustee or other obligee, as directed in writing by the school board, to satisfy all or part of such obligation of the school district.

The school board may make such written agreement to withhold and transfer funds irrevocable for the term of the written obligation and may include in the written agreement any other terms and provisions acceptable to the school board. If the school board files a copy of such written agreement with the Department of Revenue, or any state agency, department or commission created under state law then the Department of Revenue or any state agency, department or commission created under state law shall immediately make the withholdings provided in such agreement from the amounts due the local school board and shall continue to pay the same over to such financial institution, trustee or obligee for the term of the agreement.

This paragraph (tt) shall not grant any extra authority to a school board to issue debt in any amount exceeding statutory limitations on assessed value of taxable property within such school district or the statutory limitations on debt maturities, and shall not grant any extra authority to impose, levy or collect a tax which is not otherwise expressly provided for, and shall not be construed to apply to sixteenth section public school trust land;

(uu) With respect to any matter or transaction that is competitively bid by a school district, to accept from any bidder as a good-faith deposit or bid bond or bid surety, the same type of good-faith deposit or bid bond or bid surety that may be accepted by the state or any other political subdivision on similar competitively bid matters or transactions. This paragraph (uu) shall not be construed to apply to sixteenth section public school trust land. The school board may authorize the investment of any school district funds in the same kind and manner of investments, including pooled investments, as any other political subdivision, including community hospitals;

(vv) To utilize the alternate method for the conveyance or exchange of unused school buildings and/or land, reserving a partial or other undivided interest in the property, as specifically authorized and provided in Section 37-7-485 ;

(ww) To delegate, privatize or otherwise enter into a contract with private entities for the operation of any and all functions of nonacademic school process, procedures and operations including, but not limited to, cafeteria workers, janitorial services, transportation, professional development, achievement and instructional consulting services materials and products, purchasing cooperatives, insurance, business manager services, auditing and accounting services, school safety/risk prevention, data processing and student records, and other staff services; however, the authority under this paragraph does not apply to the leasing, management or operation of sixteenth section lands. Local school districts, working through their regional education service agency, are encouraged to enter into buying consortia with other member districts for the purposes of more efficient use of state resources as described in Section 37-7-345 ;

(xx) To partner with entities, organizations and corporations for the purpose of benefiting the school district;

(yy) To borrow funds from the Rural Economic Development Authority for the maintenance of school buildings;

(zz) To fund and operate voluntary early childhood education programs, defined as programs for children less than five (5) years of age on or before September 1, and to use any source of revenue for such early childhood education programs. Such programs shall not conflict with the Early Learning Collaborative Act of 2013;

(aaa) To issue and provide for the use of procurement cards by school board members, superintendents and licensed school personnel consistent with the rules and regulations of the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration under Section 31-7-9 ; and

(bbb) To conduct an annual comprehensive evaluation of the superintendent of schools consistent with the assessment components of paragraph (pp) of this section and the assessment benchmarks established by the Mississippi School Board Association to evaluate the success the superintendent has attained in meeting district goals and objectives, the superintendent's leadership skill and whether or not the superintendent has established appropriate standards for performance, is monitoring success and is using data for improvement.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-47-53 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 47-53
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-47-53
Status: in_force

All bonds and interim certificates issued under the provisions of this chapter and all interest thereon and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation, except gift, transfer, and inheritance taxes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-63 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 151-63
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-63
Status: in_force

Sections 37-151-63 through 37-151-75 shall be known and may be cited as the “Work Force Education Act of 1994.” 1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-47-67 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 47-67
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-47-67
Status: in_force

Any county board of education or board of trustees of any school district, including a municipal separate school district, which may be aggrieved by any final rule, regulation, or order of the state educational finance commission adopted under the provisions of this chapter shall have the right to appeal therefrom to the chancery court of the county in which the school district involved or any part thereof is located in like manner, within the same time, with like effect, and subject in all other respects to appeals from orders, rules, and regulations of the state educational finance commission as provided in Chapter 45 of this Title, the provisions of which are hereby made applicable in all respects to appeals from orders, rules, and regulations of the commission under the provisions of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-41 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 113-41
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-41
Status: in_force

The board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning is hereby authorized to establish a fund to be known as the J. C. Hardy Memorial Fund.

The fund herein authorized shall be raised and supplemented by donations, gifts, legacies, and otherwise. Under the supervision of said board of trustees, said fund or the proceeds therefrom shall be used to assist sons of low-income Mississippi citizens to meet their educational expenses at the Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-25 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 45-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-25
Status: in_force

Subject to the provisions of any applicable statute, the commission shall supervise and approve or disapprove all surveys of educational needs made by any school board or board of education. The commission may assist such boards in making such surveys, and it may make supplemental surveys of such needs.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-155-125 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 155-125
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-155-125
Status: in_force

The provisions of this article are severable. If any part of this article is declared invalid or unconstitutional, such declaration shall not affect the parts of this article which remain.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-173-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 173-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-173-1
Status: in_force

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

(a) “ Board ” means the State Board of Education.

(b) “ Department ” means the State Department of Education.

(c) “ Dyslexia ” means a specific learning disability that is neurological in origin, characterized by difficulties with accurate and fluent word recognition and poor spelling and decoding abilities, which typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction, and secondary consequences which may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.

(d) “ Dyslexia therapy ” means an appropriate specialized dyslexia instructional program that is delivered by a Mississippi Department of Education licensed dyslexia therapist which is scientific, research-based, Orton-Gillingham based, and is offered in a small group setting to teach students the components of reading instruction which include:

(i) Phonemic awareness to enable students to detect, segment, blend and manipulate sounds in spoken language;

(ii) Graphophonemic knowledge (phonics) for teaching the letter-sound plan of English;

(iii) The entire structure of the English language that encompasses morphology, semantics, syntax and pragmatics;

(iv) Linguistic instruction directed toward proficiency and fluency with the patterns of language so that words and sentences are carriers of meaning; and

(v) Strategies that students use for decoding, encoding, word recognition, fluency and comprehension.

These components shall be taught using instructional approaches that include explicit, direct instruction which is systematic, sequential and cumulative, following a logical plan of presenting the alphabetic principle commensurate with the students' needs, with no assumption of prior skills or language knowledge; individualized to meet the specific learning needs of each individual student in a small group setting; intensive, highly concentrated instruction that maximizes student engagement and uses specialized methods and materials; meaning-based instruction directed toward purposeful reading and writing, with an emphasis on comprehension and composition; and multisensory instruction that incorporates the simultaneous use of two (2) or more sensory pathways during teacher presentations and student practice.

(e) “ AA license ” means a certification issued by the department to educators who hold a master's degree, indicating their eligibility to teach in specific academic settings within the State of Mississippi.

(f) “ Qualified Instructor of Certified Academic Language Therapists ” means a professional who is certified in instructor competency through a nationally recognized Orton-Gillingham based dyslexia therapy organization or Orton-Gillingham based academic language therapy organization and has:

(i) Experience in Orton-Gillingham based dyslexia therapy situations that include remediating students of various severity levels, ages and group sizes not exceeding six (6) students;

(ii) Completed a minimum of fourteen hundred (1400) clinical therapy hours;

(iii) Completed a minimum of two (2) curriculum therapy cycles remediating students;

(iv) Trained in a minimum of two (2) Orton-Gillingham based dyslexia therapy curriculum programs;

(v) Assisted in training educators through an Orton-Gillingham based dyslexia therapy program under a Qualified Instructor of Certified Academic Language Therapists; and

(vi) A master's degree or higher level of education.

(g) “ Department of Education licensed dyslexia therapist ” means a professional:

(i) Who has completed training in a department approved Orton-Gillingham based dyslexia therapy training program attaining a AA license in dyslexia therapy; or

(ii) Holding or currently participating in a master's degree that leads to an AA license and a department-approved Orton-Gillingham based dyslexia therapy training program; or

(iii) Holding a standard five-year license or administrator license and a master's degree having completed a department-approved Orton-Gillingham based dyslexia training program; or

(iv) Holding:

1. A national certification for Orton-Gillingham based dyslexia therapy or Orton-Gillingham based academic language therapy from a nationally recognized professional organization;

2. College transcripts as proof of a master's degree or greater level of graduate education; and

3. Current membership in a national certifying organization for Orton-Gillingham based dyslexia therapy or Orton-Gillingham based academic language therapy as proof of maintenance of professional continuing education standards.

(h) “ Approved dyslexia therapy training program ” means a program accredited by the International Multisensory Structured Language Education Council (IMSLEC) and includes:

(i) A minimum of two hundred (200) hours of coursework and seven hundred (700) hours of clinical work, observed and monitored by a Qualified Instructor of Certified Academic Language Therapists; and

(ii) A reading-science competency examination, including multisensory structured language, administered by a nationally recognized organization with authority to issue national certification.

(i) “ Mississippi Dyslexia Therapy Scholarship for Students with Dyslexia Program ” means a scholarship to provide the option to attend a public school other than the one to which assigned, or to provide a scholarship to a nonpublic school of choice, for students in Grade 1 through Grade 12 diagnosed with dyslexia in order to receive comprehensive multisensory dyslexia therapy delivered by holders of an appropriate license in dyslexia therapy issued by the department.

(j) “ School ” means any public or state-accredited nonpublic special purpose school that provides a specific learning environment that provides comprehensive dyslexia therapy instruction delivered by dyslexia therapists licensed by the department providing highly qualified education and intervention services to children diagnosed with the primary learning disability of dyslexia.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-325 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 7-325
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-325
Status: in_force

Any school district in the State of Mississippi is hereby authorized and empowered to contract with and to be contracted with by the Tennessee Valley Authority for the purpose of obtaining funds from the Tennessee Valley Authority's Commercial and Industrial Energy Conservation Financing Plan. The loan plan is designed to assist certain school districts to modify such school buildings as are determined to be energy-inefficient.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 65-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-5
Status: in_force

Upon the closure of any such school, college, or institution of higher learning, no person shall go or enter upon the premises thereof except with the permission or approval of said governor, and any other person going or entering upon said premises shall be a trespasser and guilty of a misdemeanor under the laws of the State of Mississippi. Upon conviction thereof, such person shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00), or be imprisoned in the county jail for not more than thirty days, or be both so fined and imprisoned.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-39-23 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 39-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-39-23
Status: in_force

The school boards of all public school districts may, in their discretion, enter into an agreement, not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter, to act jointly in the purchase of maintenance, operational and scholastic services, supplies and materials and equipment.

It is the purpose of this section to enable the school systems to achieve economies of scale through increased purchasing power to the end that the education tax revenues be utilized efficiently.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / 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. § 37-33-217 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 33-217
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-217
Status: in_force

Any individual applying for or receiving services provided by the Office of Special Disability Programs who is aggrieved by any action or inaction of the office shall be entitled, in accordance with regulations promulgated by the department, to a fair hearing.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 104-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-5
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, the following words and terms shall have the following meanings:

(a) “ Authority ” means the members of the State Bond Commission, which is composed of the Governor, the Attorney General, and the State Treasurer, under Section 31-17-1, Mississippi Code of 1972 , acting as the Educational Facilities Authority for Private, Nonprofit Institutions of Higher Learning.

(b) “ Private institution of higher learning ” means a nonprofit university, college or junior college within the State of Mississippi, authorized by law to provide a program of education beyond the high school level, which is not under the jurisdiction of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning or the Mississippi Community College Board, and which is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

(c) “ Educational facility ” means any facility or structure, including, but not limited to, a housing or dormitory facility, academic building, library, laboratory, research facility, classroom, athletic facility, health care facility, maintenance, storage or utility facility, student union building, administration building, and parking facility, and any other facility or structure related thereto, which is essential, useful or convenient for the instruction of students, the conducting of research or the operation and conduct of a private institution of higher learning, and the land underlying said facility or structure, but shall not include any facility or structure used or to be used for sectarian instruction or as a place of religious worship nor any facility which is used or to be used primarily in connection with any part of the program of a school or department of divinity for any religious denomination or sect.

(d) “ Educational facility project ” means the construction, enlargement, repair, improvement, alteration, remodeling, reconstruction, equipping or acquisition of an educational facility.

(e) “ Cost of the educational facility project ” means the cost of construction, enlargement, repair, improvement, alteration, remodeling, reconstruction, equipping or acquisition of an educational facility; the cost of all lands, properties, rights-of-way, easements, franchises and interests acquired, used for or in connection with the educational facility; the cost of demolishing or removing buildings or structures on land so acquired, including the cost of acquiring any lands to which such buildings or structures may be moved; the cost of all machinery and equipment; financing charges, interest prior to and during construction, enlargement, repair, improvement, alteration, remodeling, reconstruction, or equipping of the said educational facility and for one (1) year after completion of said construction, enlargement, repair, improvement, alteration, remodeling, reconstruction, equipping or acquisition; the cost of engineering, architectural, financial and legal services; the cost of all plans, surveys and specifications; studies, estimates of cost and of revenues, and other expenses necessary or incident to determining the feasibility or practicability of the project; administrative expenses; the cost of such other expenses as may be necessary or incident to the financing herein authorized of the construction, enlargement, repair, improvement, alteration, remodeling, reconstruction, equipping or acquisition of any educational facility and the placing of said project in operation. Any obligations or expenses incurred for any of the foregoing purposes shall be regarded as a cost of the educational facility project and may be paid or reimbursed as such out of the proceeds of revenue bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter for such educational facility project.

(f) “ Participating private institution of higher learning ” means a private institution of higher learning which, pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, undertakes an educational facility project, and the financing thereof, or undertakes the refinancing of an educational facility project.

(g) “ Revenue bonds ” means revenue bonds issued by the Authority, under the provisions of this chapter, to finance or refinance an educational facility project at a participating private institution of higher learning and payable from monies received by the Authority from the participating private institution of higher learning pursuant to the bond loan agreement as defined herein.

(h) “ Bond loan agreement ” means an agreement between the participating private institution of higher learning and the Authority for the purposes of: (i) establishing the terms for the payment of the revenue bonds by the participating private institution of higher learning; (ii) 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; (iii) 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 (iv) setting forth all other matters relating to the revenue bonds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-12-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 12-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-12-7
Status: in_force

Students in public schools may pray or engage in religious activities or religious expression before, during and after the school day in the same manner and to the same extent that students may engage in nonreligious activities or expression. Students may organize prayer groups, religious clubs, “see you at the pole” gatherings, or other religious gatherings before, during and after school to the same extent that students are permitted to organize other noncurricular student activities and groups. Religious groups must be given the same access to school facilities for assembling as is given to other noncurricular groups without discrimination based on the religious content of the students' expression. If student groups that meet for nonreligious activities are permitted to advertise or announce meetings of the groups, the school district may not discriminate against groups that meet for prayer or other religious speech. A school district may disclaim school sponsorship of noncurricular groups and events in a manner that neither favors nor disfavors groups that meet to engage in prayer or religious speech.

Students in public schools may wear clothing, accessories and jewelry that display religious messages or religious symbols in the same manner and to the same extent that other types of clothing, accessories and jewelry that display messages or symbols are permitted.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 13-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-5
Status: in_force

(1) The flag of the State of Mississippi and the flag of the United States shall be displayed in close proximity to the school building at all times during the hours of daylight when the school is in session when the weather will permit without damage to the flag. It shall be the duty of the board of trustees of the school district to provide for the flags and their display.

(2) Whenever the flag of the United States is to be flown at half-staff by order or instructions of the President or pursuant to federal law, all public schools shall lower the United States flag in accordance with the executive order or instructions or federal law. The school shall announce the reason that the flag is being flown at half-staff to all students in assembly or by teachers in the various classrooms or by prominently displaying written notice throughout the school stating the reason that the flag has been lowered.

(3) In all public schools there shall be given a course of study concerning the flag of the United States and the flag of the State of Mississippi. The course of study shall include the history of each flag and what they represent and the proper respect therefor. There also shall be taught in the public schools the duties and obligations of citizenship, patriotism, Americanism and respect for and obedience to law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-77 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / 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. § 37-59-115 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 59-115
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-115
Status: in_force

The indebtedness incurred under the authority of this article shall not be included in computing the statutory limitation upon the indebtedness which may be incurred by school districts as provided in Article 1 of this chapter, or any other statute, but shall be in addition thereto. The only limitation upon the amount of indebtedness which may be incurred under the provisions of this article shall be that provided in Section 37-59-107 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-117 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 65-117
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-117
Status: in_force

The period of time which may elapse during any closure of any school in accordance with the terms of this article, shall not be deducted or counted as a deduction from any period of time which by any other law of this state such school is required to be operated in any scholastic year. The provisions of any other law of this state setting a minimum time or number of days which any such school is required to be operated in any scholastic year shall not prevent the closure provided for in this article, and, in the event of any conflict between the terms of this article and any such other law, the provisions of this article shall control.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-435 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 7-435
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-435
Status: in_force

The lands shall be conveyed by warranty deed to the school board members or their successors in office of the school district. Said lands shall be conveyed by fee simple absolute.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-135 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 13-135
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-135
Status: in_force

(1) In addition to all other authority, duties and powers the school boards of the school districts of this state may now have, each is authorized and empowered to adopt plans for the implementation of the Comprehensive School Health Education Program into the local school curriculum.

(2) School boards shall appoint a local health education council to make recommendations regarding a comprehensive health education curriculum.

(3) There shall be cooperation between the State Department of Education, Office of Comprehensive School Health Education and the school boards of the several school districts in implementing this program as it best suits the needs of the individual districts.

(4) The Commission on School Accreditation shall encourage the development of plans of comprehensive school health education and the implementation thereof.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-41 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 101-41
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-41
Status: in_force

(1)(a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of this section, and subject to the provisions of Section 37-101-42 , the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning (the “board”) is authorized and empowered to lease to private individuals or corporations for a term not exceeding thirty-five (35) years any land or land with existing auxiliary facilities at any of the following state-supported institutions: Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science, Jackson State University, Mississippi Valley State University, University of Mississippi, Alcorn State University, University of Southern Mississippi, Mississippi University for Women and Delta State University, for the purpose of erecting or renovating, furnishing, maintaining and equipping auxiliary facilities thereon for active faculty, staff and/or students. The auxiliary facilities shall be constructed or renovated, and may be furnished, maintained and equipped thereon by private financing, and may be leased back to the board for use by the concerned state-supported institution of higher learning. The lease shall contain a provision permitting the board to purchase the building located thereon, including any furnishings and equipment therein, for the sum of One Dollar ($1.00) after payment by the board of all sums of money due under said lease.

(b) The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning may grant authority to universities to lease to private individuals or corporations for a period not exceeding thirty-five (35) years, any land or land with existing auxiliary facilities at the university, for the purpose of erecting or renovating, furnishing, maintaining and equipping auxiliary facilities thereon for active faculty, staff and/or students. The auxiliary facilities shall be constructed or renovated, and may be furnished, maintained and equipped thereon by private financing, and may be leased back to the board for use by the university. The lease shall contain a provision permitting the board to purchase the auxiliary facilities located thereon, including any furnishings and equipment therein, for the sum of One Dollar ($1.00) after payment by the board of all sums of money due under the lease.

(2) Upon there being an agreement reached between the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and a university upon whose land the auxiliary facility will be constructed or renovated and a private individual(s) or corporation(s) to enter into such lease agreement as described in subsection (1), it shall be stipulated in the agreement that all newly constructed or renovated auxiliary facilities shall be in compliance with the minimum building code standards employed by the state as required under Section 31-11-33 .

(3) The board, in conjunction with the university, shall have sole discretion to decide the placement of new auxiliary facilities upon the university's campus. However, the scope of any such construction or renovation by private entities shall be limited to two (2) leases entered into pursuant to this Section 37-101-41 per year for each university, and shall not exceed in the aggregate twenty-five percent (25%) of the university's total main campus or satellite campus property under the original lease period. In addition, the scope of any such renovation by private entities shall be limited to one (1) project per fiscal year for each university.

(4) No contractual lease agreement for the construction or renovation, furnishing, maintaining and equipping of privately financed auxiliary facilities shall be entered into by a university without prior approval of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning. An auxiliary facility is a facility that is described by the current Postsecondary Education Facilities Inventory and Classification Manual (FICM) as within categories 500/600/700/800/900.

Before entering into contractual lease agreements for the construction or renovation, furnishing, maintaining and equipping of privately financed auxiliary facilities, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning shall establish rules and procedures to ensure adequate public advertisement of any requirement for the construction or renovation, furnishing, maintaining and equipping of privately financed auxiliary facilities at a university in order to promote full and open competition and which set forth the requirements for evaluation of offers and award of the contract lease agreement to the private entity.

(5) In addition to the above stated authority, the university, with the permission of the board, is authorized to enter into such marketing, support, management, operating, cooperating or other similar agreements as the university and board may deem advisable or prudent in connection with the ongoing operations of such auxiliary facilities for a period not to exceed the term of the lease relating to such auxiliary facilities.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 45-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-5
Status: in_force

The commission shall be composed of six (6) members who shall be appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate. However, no such confirmation shall be made by the Senate until said appointment or appointments have been referred to the proper Senate standing committee and an individual report has been made on each appointee by said Senate standing committee reporting that in its judgment such appointee has the proper qualifications and is a proper person to perform the duties of this office.

One (1) member shall be appointed from each congressional district of the state as presently existing. In making the original appointments, two (2) members shall be appointed for a term expiring April 1st, 1956; two (2) members shall be appointed for a term expiring April 1st, 1958; and two (2) members shall be appointed for a term expiring April 1st, 1960. Thereafter all appointments shall be for terms of six (6) years commencing on April 1st of the year in which the appointments are made. New members of the commission shall be appointed from the same district as their predecessor. Any vacancy in the membership of the commission occurring before the expiration of a term shall be filled in the manner hereinabove provided for, but only for the unexpired term.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-601 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 29-601
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-601
Status: in_force

Whenever the Mississippi Community College Board shall, by a proper resolution, declare the necessity of the formation of nonprofit corporations for the purpose of acquiring or constructing facilities for community and junior colleges under its jurisdiction, any number of natural persons, not less than three (3), who are residents of the State of Mississippi may file with the Secretary of State an application in writing for authority to incorporate a public nonprofit corporation, known as an “educational building corporation.” If it shall be made to appear that each of the persons is a duly qualified resident of this state, then the persons filing such application shall be authorized, subject to the prior approval by the board of the form of the articles of incorporation and bylaws thereof, to proceed to form the corporation as provided by the general law of this state with respect to corporations organized not-for-profit except as provided in Sections 37-29-601 through 37-29-613 . The Secretary of State, upon receipt of the application, shall forthwith issue a certificate of incorporation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-215 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 33-215
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-215
Status: in_force

The Office of Special Disability Programs shall provide services to any individual who is determined to meet the eligibility criteria for receiving services through one or more special disability programs. The services provided through the Office of Special Disability Programs shall be those defined as special disability services and independent living services.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-125-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 125-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-125-3
Status: in_force

The object of the Jackson State College shall be to qualify teachers for the public schools of this state by giving instruction in the art and practice of teaching in all branches of study which pertain to industrial training, health, and rural and elementary education, and such other studies as the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning, in cooperation with the state department of education, may, from time to time, prescribe.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-453 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 29-453
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-453
Status: in_force

The Copiah-Lincoln Junior College District shall be under the executive direction of a president elected by the board of trustees of said district for a term not to exceed four (4) years.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-61-21 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 61-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-61-21
Status: in_force

(1) If it should appear to the superintendent of schools or the school board of any school district that the amounts to be received from state appropriations, taxation or any other source will be more than the amount estimated in the budget filed and approved, or if it should appear that such amounts shall be less than the amount estimated, the school board of the school district, with assistance from the superintendent, may revise the budget at any time during the fiscal year by increasing or decreasing the fund budget, in proportion to the increase or decrease in the estimated amounts. If it should appear to the superintendent of schools or the school board of a school district that some function of the budget as filed is in excess of the requirement of that function and that the entire amount budgeted for such function will not be needed for expenditures therefor during the fiscal year, the school board of the school district, with assistance from the superintendent, may transfer resources to and from functions and funds within the budget when and where needed; however, no such transfer shall be made from fund to fund or from function to function which will result in the expenditure of any money for any purpose different from that for which the money was appropriated, allotted, collected or otherwise made available or for a purpose which is not authorized by law. No revision of any budget under the provisions hereof shall be made which will permit a fund expenditure in excess of the resources available for such purpose. The revised portions of the budgets shall be incorporated in the minutes of the school board by spreading them on the minutes or by attaching them as an addendum. Final budget revisions, pertinent to a fiscal year, shall be approved on or before the date set by the State Board of Education for the school district to submit its financial information for that fiscal year.

(2) On or before the fifteenth day of October of each year, the local school board of each school district, with the assistance of the school district superintendent, shall prepare and file with the State Department of Education year-end financial statements and any other budgetary information that the State Board of Education may require. The State Board of Education shall prescribe and provide forms to each school district for this purpose. No additional changes may be made to the financial statements after October 15 of each year.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-25 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 104-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-25
Status: in_force

The proceeds of the sale of revenue bonds shall be paid into the State Treasury to the credit of a special fund known as the Educational Facilities Authority Fund; shall be used solely for financing or refinancing of the cost of the educational facility project, except as hereinafter provided, and shall be disbursed to the participating institution of higher learning upon order of the State Treasurer, pursuant to such restrictions, if any, as the bond loan agreement and the resolution authorizing the issuance of the revenue bonds may provide. If the proceeds of the revenue bonds, by error of calculation or otherwise, shall be less than the cost of the educational facility project, unless otherwise provided in the bond loan agreement and the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds, additional revenue bonds may in like manner be issued to provide the amount of such deficit which, unless otherwise provided in the bond loan agreement and the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds, shall be deemed to be of the same issue and shall be entitled to payment from the same fund without preference or priority of the revenue bonds first issued for the same purpose. If the proceeds of the revenue bonds of any issue shall exceed the amount required for the purpose for which the revenue bonds were issued, the surplus shall be paid into a sinking fund, hereinafter established in Section 37-104-31 , for the payment of the principal of and the interest on such revenue bonds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-43-19 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 43-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-43-19
Status: in_force

The board shall have the power and is hereby authorized:

(a) To promulgate rules and regulations for the purchase, care, use, disposal, distribution and accounting for all books to be furnished under the terms of this chapter, and to promulgate such other rules and regulations as may be necessary for the proper administration of this chapter.

(b) To adopt, contract for, and make available for purchase, cash or credit, basal, supplementary or alternative textbooks through twelve (12) grades as provided in the school curriculum, or for any other course that it may add thereto.

(c) To determine the period of contract for rated and adopted textbooks which shall not be for less than four (4) years nor more than five (5) years, with the right of the board, in its discretion, to renew or extend such contract from year to year for a period not exceeding two (2) additional years and to determine the conditions of the approval or forfeiture of a contract and such other terms and conditions as may be necessary and not contrary to law.

(d) To have complete power and authority over additions and amendments to textbooks, advertising for bids and the contents thereof, including auxiliary materials and workbooks, advertising on the protective covers of textbooks, bids and proposals, prices of textbooks, specimen copies, cash deposits, selection and adoption, distribution, fumigation, emergencies, selling to others, return of deposits, forfeiture of deposits, regulations governing deposits, renovation and repair of books, requisition, transportation or shipment of books, and any other acts or regulations, not contrary to law, that may be deemed necessary for furnishing and loaning free textbooks to the school children, as provided in this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 106-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-7
Status: in_force

Any student desiring to study for the ministry or priesthood may attend a college, university or seminary outside the state provided there is no college, university or seminary serving his faith or doctrine in which he can study for the ministry in the State of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-105-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 105-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-105-9
Status: in_force

Any act which, if committed within the limits of a city, town or village, or in any public place, would be a violation of the general laws of this state, shall be criminal and punishable if done on the campus, grounds or roads of any of the state institutions of higher learning. The peace officers duly appointed by the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning are vested with the powers and subjected to the duties of a constable for the purpose of preventing and punishing all violations of law on university or college grounds, and for preserving order and decorum thereon.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-551 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 29-551
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-551
Status: in_force

There is hereby created the Coahoma Community College District comprised of the territory lying within Coahoma County, Tunica County, Quitman County, Bolivar County and Tallahatchie County, and having boundaries coinciding with the external boundaries thereof. The district shall be, and is hereby constituted, a legal political governmental subdivision and a body corporate.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-357 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 101-357
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-357
Status: in_force

The board shall submit to the Legislature and report no later than December 1, 1990, and December 1 of the next two (2) years thereafter outlining the status, structure and programs of the institute.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-144-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 144-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-144-5
Status: in_force

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

(a) Developing the administrative policy for the commission and the Mississippi Rural Physicians 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 Physicians 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, including the Mississippi State Medical Association, the Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians, the Mississippi Chapters of the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of OB-GYN, Mississippi Psychiatric Association, the Mississippi Medical and Surgical Association, the Mississippi Osteopathic Medicine Association and the American Psychiatric Association;

(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 an executive director and support staff necessary for the commission's work. The commission shall nominate at least two (2) individuals to serve as executive director;

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

(g) Developing and participating in programs that provide initial practice support in collaboration with other interested professional organizations;

(h) 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.

(i) 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) Number of participants enrolled in medical or osteopathic school along with their matriculation status;

(iii) The status of, to include location of practice, participants who have entered a medicine or other generalist 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 medicine in a rural or medically underserved area in Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-111-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 111-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-111-9
Status: in_force

The board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning is hereby authorized and empowered, in its discretion, to lease to social fraternities, sororities, or other social organizations, upon such conditions as it may prescribe, for a term not exceeding ninety-nine years, any land at any state-supported institution of higher learning for the purpose of erecting fraternity houses, sorority houses, or other facilities for recreation thereon.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-27 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 101-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-27
Status: repealed

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

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

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

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

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

(6) If the Ayers Settlement Fund is created under subsection (5) of this section, subsection (1) through (4) of this section shall be repealed when the Ayers Endowment Trust reaches Zero Dollars ($0.00) in accordance with Section 27-103-203(3) .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-201 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 23-201
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-201
Status: in_force

(1) Before December 1, 2008, the State Board of Education shall appoint an ongoing Advisory Committee to expedite the implementation of Sections 37-23-191 through 37-23-203 . The Advisory Committee shall be composed of at least twelve (12) persons nominated by the State Superintendent of Public Education from within or outside of the state, including, but not limited to, representatives of the following groups:

(a) The National Federation of the Blind;

(b) The Mississippi Council of the Blind;

(c) A parent or guardian of a blind student;

(d) The Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities;

(e) Special education directors having one or more blind or visually impaired students in their respective school districts;

(f) Specialists in Braille education or deaf-blindness or certified teachers of the blind and visually impaired students, or both. Specialists in Braille shall be deemed competent in reading and writing Literary Braille and Nemeth Code as certified by successful passage of the Mississippi Praxis II Braille Competency Exam and/or certified under National Certification in Literary Braille;

(g) Employees of the State Department of Education;

(h) Consumers, or an advocate of consumers, of Braille materials;

(i) The Mississippi School for the Blind;

(j) The Mississippi Instructional Resource Center; and

(k) Individuals from higher education programs that address issues specific to visual impairment.

(2) The State Superintendent of Public Education shall appoint a chairperson from among the members of the Advisory Committee. The committee shall meet at least semiannually upon the call of the superintendent, and its functions shall be to perform the duties prescribed in subsection (3) of this section. Members of the committee shall receive no compensation or per diem, but each member shall be entitled to reimbursement for all actual and necessary expenses incurred by his participation in the committee's activities.

(3) The committee shall perform the following duties:

(a) Provide expertise to maximize collaboration with the National Instructional Materials Access Center (NIMAC) at the American Printing House for the Blind and, when necessary, textbook publishers on the development of NIMAS and associated graphics files to be converted into accessible textbooks with translation software;

(b) Recommend potential authorized users for the NIMAS program to the State Director of Special Education to ensure that all accessible textbook needs are met within the state on a timely basis, being no later than such time that all other students receive their corresponding textbooks;

(c) Study any other issues that the committee determines are relevant and necessary to the implementation of this article and to the improvement of the education of students who are blind or visually impaired in Mississippi; and

(d) Assist the State Department of Education in promulgating regulations, policies and procedures in implementing Sections 37-23-191 through 37-23-203 .

(4) The State Superintendent of Public Education shall respond to the recommendations of the Advisory Committee within sixty (60) days of the annually published report.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-23 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 9-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-23
Status: in_force

The superintendent shall enter into a contract with each assistant superintendent, principal, licensed employee and person anticipating graduation from an approved teacher education program or the issuance of a proper license before October 15 or February 15, as the case may be, who is elected and approved for employment by the school board. Such contracts shall be in such form as shall be prescribed by the State Board of Education and shall be executed in duplicate with one (1) copy to be retained by the appropriate superintendent and one (1) copy to be retained by the principal, licensed employee or person recommended for a licensed position contracted with. The contract shall show the name of the district, the length of the school term, the position held (whether an assistant superintendent, principal or licensed employee), the scholastic years which it covers, the total amount of the annual salary and how same is payable. The amount of salary to be shown in such contract shall be the amount which shall have been fixed and determined by the school board, but, as to the licensed employees paid, in whole or in part, with total funding formula funds as provided for in Sections 37-151-200 through 37-151-215 , such salary shall not be less than that required under the provisions of Chapter 19 of this title. Beginning with the 2010-2011 school year, the contract shall include a provision allowing the school district to reduce the state minimum salary by a pro rata daily amount in order to comply with the school district employee furlough provisions of Section 37-7-308 , and shall include a provision which conditions the payment of such salary upon the availability of uniform total funding formula funds. The contract entered into with any person recommended for a licensed position who is anticipating either graduation from an approved teacher education program before September 1 or December 31, as the case may be, or the issuance of a proper license before October 15 or February 15, as the case may be, shall be a conditional contract and shall include a provision stating that the contract will be null and void if, as specified in the contract, the contingency upon which the contract is conditioned has not occurred. If any superintendent, other than those elected, principal, licensed employee or person recommended for a licensed position who has been elected and approved shall not execute and return the contract within ten (10) days after same has been tendered to him for execution, then, at the option of the school board, the election of the licensed employee and the contract tendered to him shall be void and of no effect.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-27 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 45-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-27
Status: in_force

In conducting any hearing, the commission shall not be required to follow common law or statutory rules of evidence or the technical or formal rules of procedure. Any such hearing may be conducted in such manner as the commission may deem best to ascertain and determine the physical, mental, moral, social and educational welfare of the educable children involved, the efficiency of the operation of the schools, and the economic and social welfare of the various school areas involved.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-39-25 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 39-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-39-25
Status: in_force

(1) The school boards which choose to act jointly as authorized by Section 37-39-23 shall adopt resolutions to that effect which shall be recorded on the minutes of the school boards and copies of which shall be filed with the clerk of the chancery court of the county in which such school districts are located.

(2) The school board may appoint a purchasing agent who shall be responsible, subject to the approval of the board, for all purchases of competitively priced services, materials and supplies. The purchasing agent shall be bonded in accordance with section 37-39-21 . The purchasing agent shall serve all of the school districts acting jointly. There shall not be a separate purchasing agent for the separate districts which are acting jointly.

(3) The purchasing agent for the county school boards shall arrange for purchase, storage and distribution of supplies and materials purchased jointly. The costs involved in purchase, transportation, storage, administration and any other activity regarding joint purchases by the school boards shall be shared among the participating districts on a pro rata basis.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 28-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-7
Status: in_force

(1) There is created the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board as a state agency with exclusive chartering jurisdiction in the State of Mississippi. Unless otherwise authorized by law, no other governmental agency or entity may assume any charter authorizing function or duty in any form.

(2)(a) The mission of the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board is to authorize high-quality charter schools, particularly schools designed to expand opportunities for underserved students, consistent with the purposes of this chapter. Subject to the restrictions and conditions prescribed in this subsection, the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board may authorize charter schools within the geographical boundaries of any school district.

(b) The Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board may approve a maximum of fifteen (15) qualified charter applications during a fiscal year.

(c) In any school district designated as an “A,” “B” or “C” school district by the State Board of Education under the accreditation rating system at the time of application, the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board may authorize charter schools only if a majority of the members of the local school board votes at a public meeting to endorse the application or to initiate the application on its own initiative.

(3) The Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board shall consist of seven (7) members, to be appointed as follows:

(a) Three (3) members appointed by the Governor, with one (1) member being from each of the Mississippi Supreme Court Districts.

(b) Three (3) members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor, with one (1) member being from each of the Mississippi Supreme Court Districts.

(c) One (1) member appointed by the State Superintendent of Public Education.

All appointments must be made with the advice and consent of the Senate. In making the appointments, the appointing authority shall ensure diversity among members of the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board.

(4) Members appointed to the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board collectively must possess strong experience and expertise in public and nonprofit governance, management and finance, public school leadership, assessment, curriculum and instruction, and public education law. Each member of the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board must have demonstrated an understanding of and commitment to charter schooling as a strategy for strengthening public education.

(5) To establish staggered terms of office, the initial term of office for the three (3) Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board members appointed by the Governor shall be four (4) years and thereafter shall be three (3) years; the initial term of office for the three (3) members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor shall be three (3) years and thereafter shall be three (3) years; and the initial term of office for the member appointed by the State Superintendent of Public Education shall be two (2) years and thereafter shall be three (3) years. No member may serve more than two (2) consecutive terms. The initial appointments must be made before September 1, 2013.

(6) The Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board shall meet as soon as practical after September 1, 2013, upon the call of the Governor, and shall organize for business by selecting a chairman and adopting bylaws. Subsequent meetings shall be called by the chairman.

(7) An individual member of the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board may be removed by the board if the member's personal incapacity renders the member incapable or unfit to discharge the duties of the office or if the member is absent from a number of meetings of the board, as determined and specified by the board in its bylaws. Whenever a vacancy on the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board exists, the original appointing authority shall appoint a member for the remaining portion of the term.

(8) No member of the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board or employee, agent or representative of the board may serve simultaneously as an employee, trustee, agent, representative, vendor or contractor of a charter school authorized by the board.

(9) The Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board shall appoint an individual to serve as the Executive Director of the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board. The executive director shall possess the qualifications established by the board which are based on national best practices, and shall possess an understanding of state and federal education law. The executive director, who shall serve at the will and pleasure of the board, shall devote his full time to the proper administration of the board and the duties assigned to him by the board and shall be paid a salary established by the board, subject to the approval of the State Personnel Board. Subject to the availability of funding, the executive director may employ such administrative staff as may be necessary to assist the director and board in carrying out the duties and directives of the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board.

(10) The Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board is authorized to obtain suitable office space for administrative purposes. In acquiring a facility or office space the authorizer board shall adhere to all policies and procedures required by the Department of Finance and Administration and the Public Procurement Review Board.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-11 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 153-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-11
Status: in_force

(1) There are created workforce development centers to provide assessment, training and placement services to individuals needing retraining, training and upgrading for small business and local industry. Each workforce development center shall be affiliated with a separate public community or junior college district and shall coordinate with the Office of Workforce Development.

(2) Each workforce development center shall be staffed and organized locally by the affiliated community college. The workforce development center shall serve as staff to the affiliated district council.

(3) Each workforce development center, working in concert with its affiliated district council, shall offer and arrange services to accomplish the purposes of this article, including, but not limited to, the following:

(a) For individuals needing training and retraining:

(i) Recruiting, assessing, counseling and referring to training or jobs;

(ii) Preemployment training for those with no experience in the private enterprise system;

(iii) Basic literacy skills training and high school equivalency education;

(iv) Vocational and technical training, full-time or part-time; and

(v) Short-term skills training for educationally and economically disadvantaged adults in cooperation with federally established employment and training programs;

(b) For specific small businesses, industries or firms within the district:

(i) Job analysis, testing and curriculum development;

(ii) Development of specific long-range training plans;

(iii) Industry or firm-related preemployment training;

(iv) Workplace basic skills and literacy training;

(v) Customized skills training;

(vi) Assistance in developing the capacity for total quality management training;

(vii) Technology transfer information and referral services to business of local applications of new research in cooperation with the University Research Center, the state's universities and other laboratories; and

(viii) Development of business plans;

(c) For public schools within the district technical assistance to secondary schools in curriculum coordination, development of tech prep programs, instructional development and resource coordination; and

(d) For economic development, a local forum and resource center for all local industrial development groups to meet and promote regional economic development.

(4) Each workforce development center shall compile and make accessible to the Office of Workforce Development and Mississippi State Workforce Investment Board necessary information for use in evaluating outcomes of its efforts and in improving the quality of programs at each community college, and shall include information on literacy initiatives. Each workforce development center shall, through an interagency management information system, maintain records on new small businesses, placement, length of time on the job after placement and wage rates of those placed in a form containing such information as established by the state council.

(5) The Mississippi Community College Board is authorized to designate one or more workforce development centers at the request of affiliated community or junior colleges to provide skills training to individuals to enhance their ability to be employed in the motion picture industry in this state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-61-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 61-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-61-9
Status: in_force

(1) On or before the fifteenth day of August of each year, the local school board of each school district, with the assistance of the superintendent of schools, shall prepare and file with the levying authority for the school district, as defined in Section 37-57-1 , at least two (2) copies of a budget of estimated expenditures for the support, maintenance and operation of the public schools of the school district for the fiscal year commencing on July 1 of such year. Such budget shall be prepared on forms prescribed and provided by the State Auditor and shall contain such information as the State Auditor may require.

(2) In addition, on or before the fifteenth day of August of each year, the local school board of each school district, with the assistance of the superintendent of schools, shall prepare and file with the State Department of Education such budgetary information as the State Board of Education may require. The State Board of Education shall prescribe and provide forms to each school district for this purpose.

(3) Prior to the adoption of a budget pursuant to this section, the school board of each school district shall hold at least one (1) public hearing to provide the general public with an opportunity to comment on the taxing and spending plan incorporated in the proposed budget. The public hearing shall be held at least one (1) week prior to the adoption of the budget with advance notice. After final adoption of the budget, a synopsis of such budget in a form prescribed by the State Department of Audit shall be published in a newspaper having general circulation in the school district on a date different from the date on which the county or any municipality therein may publish its budget.

(4) There shall be imposed limitations on budgeted expenditures for certain administration costs, as defined hereinafter, in an amount not greater than One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00) plus four percent (4%) of the expenditures of all school districts each year. For purposes of this subsection, “ administration costs ” shall be defined as expenditures for salaries and fringe benefits paid for central administration costs from all sources of revenue in the following expenditure functions as defined in the MISSISSIPPI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING MANUAL:

2300

=

Support Services--General Administration

2310

=

Board of Education Services

2320

=

Executive Administration Services

2330

=

Special Area Administration Services

2500

=

Business Services

2510

=

Fiscal Services

2520

=

Purchasing Services

2530

=

Warehousing and Distributing Services

2540

=

Printing, Publishing and Duplicating Services

2590

=

Other Support Services--Business

Any costs classified as “ administration costs ” for purposes of this subsection which can be demonstrated by the local school district to be an expenditure that results in a net cost savings to the district that may otherwise require budget expenditures for functions not covered under the definition of administration costs herein may be excluded from the limitations imposed herein. The local school board shall make a specific finding of such costs and spread such finding upon its minutes, which shall be subject to the approval of the Office of Educational Accountability of the State Department of Education. Any school district required to make expenditure cuts, as a result of application of this subsection, shall not be required to reduce such expenditures more than twenty-five percent (25%) in any year in order to comply with this mandate.

The State Auditor shall ensure that functions in all expenditure categories to which this administrative limitation applies shall be properly classified.

This section shall not apply to central administration with five (5) or less full-time employees, or to those school districts which can substantiate that comparable reductions have occurred in administrative costs for the five-year period immediately prior to school year 1993-1994. In the event the application of this section may jeopardize the fiscal integrity or operations of the school district, have an adverse impact on the ability of the district to deliver educational services, or otherwise restrict the district from achieving or maintaining a quality education program, the State Board of Education shall be authorized to exempt the application of this section to such school district pursuant to rules and regulations of the State Board of Education consistent with the intent of this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-237 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / 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. § 37-102-11 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 102-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-102-11
Status: in_force

Extracurricular items such as dormitories, gymnasiums, stadiums, and such related items shall not be constructed for use by off-campus sites of universities.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-43 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / 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. § 37-151-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 151-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-9
Status: in_force

(1) The State Board of Education and State Superintendent of Education shall establish within the State Department of Education a special unit at the division level called the Office of Educational Accountability. The Director of the Office of Educational Accountability shall hold a position comparable to a deputy superintendent and shall be appointed by the State Board of Education with the advice and consent of the Senate. He shall serve at the will and pleasure of the State Board of Education and may employ necessary professional, administrative and clerical staff. The Director of the Office of Educational Accountability shall provide all reports to the Legislature, Governor, Mississippi Commission on School Accreditation and State Board of Education and respond to any inquiries for information.

(2) The Office of Educational Accountability is responsible for monitoring and reviewing programs developed under the Education Reform Act, the Mississippi Adequate Education Program Act of 1994, the Education Enhancement Fund, the Mississippi Student Funding Formula, and subsequent education initiatives, and shall provide information, recommendations and an annual assessment to the Legislature, Governor, Mississippi Commission on School Accreditation and the State Board of Education. The annual assessment of education reform programs shall be performed by the Office of Educational Accountability by December 1 of each year.

(3) In addition, the Office of Educational Accountability shall have the following specific duties and responsibilities:

(a) Developing and maintaining a system of communication with school district personnel;

(b) Provide opportunities for public comment on the current functions of the State Department of Education's programs, needed public education services and innovative suggestions; and

(c) Assess both positive and negative impact on school districts of new education programs, including but not limited to The Mississippi Report Card and alternative school programs.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-175-13 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 175-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-175-13
Status: in_force

(1) The maximum scholarship granted per eligible student with speech-language impairment shall be an amount equivalent to the state share of per student funding under the total funding formula provided in Sections 37-151-200 through 37-151-215 in the school district in which a student resides.

(2)(a) Any nonpublic school under this program shall report to the State Department of Education the number of students with speech-language impairment who are enrolled in nonpublic schools on the Mississippi Speech-Language Therapy Scholarships as of September 30 of each year in order to determine funding for the subsequent year. Funds may not be transferred from any funding provided to the Mississippi School for the Deaf and the Blind for program participants who are eligible under Section 37-175-5 .

(b) The State Department of Education shall make payments to nonpublic schools for each student at the nonpublic school equal to the state share of the total funding formula payments for each student in net enrollment at the school district from which the student transferred. In calculating the local contribution for purposes of determining the state share of the total funding formula payments, the department shall deduct the pro rata local contribution of the school district in which the student resides, to be determined as provided in Section 37-151-211(2) .

(c) Payments made pursuant to this subsection by the State Department of Education must be made at the same time and in the same manner as the total funding formula payments are made to school districts under Sections 37-151-101 and 37-151-103 . Amounts payable to a nonpublic school must be determined by the State Department of Education.

(3) If the parent opts to remove a child from a public school to a nonpublic special purpose school and to receive a scholarship under this chapter, then transportation shall be provided at the parent's or guardian's expense.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-45 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 41-45
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-45
Status: in_force

It shall be a misdemeanor for any person to use a publicly owned school district bus for any purpose other than one in connection with the school, and, upon conviction thereof, such person shall be fined not less than Fifty Dollars ($50.00). When any publicly owned school district bus is being operated on the public roads or highways at a time other than the usual and customary time for the transportation of children to and from the public schools, members of the Highway Safety Patrol, sheriffs, constables and other peace officers shall have the power and authority to stop such bus for the purpose of ascertaining whether the trip then being made is authorized by law. If it be found that such trip is unauthorized, such highway patrolman, sheriff, constable or other peace or police officer shall forthwith report the same to the school board owning such bus and to the State Department of Education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-35-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 35-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-35-3
Status: in_force

(1) The board of trustees of any school district, including any community or junior college, may establish and maintain classes for adults, including general educational development classes, under the regulations authorized in this chapter and pursuant to the standards prescribed in subsection (3). The property and facilities of the public school districts may be used for this purpose where such use does not conflict with uses already established.

(2) The trustees of any school district desiring to establish such program may request the taxing authority of the district to levy additional ad valorem taxes for the support of this program. The board of supervisors, in the case of a county school district, a special municipal separate school district, or a community or junior college district, and the governing authority of any municipality, in the case of a municipal separate school district, is authorized, in its discretion, to levy a tax not exceeding one (1) mill upon all the taxable property of the district for the support of this program. The tax shall be in addition to all other taxes authorized by law to be levied. In addition to the funds realized from any such levy, the board of trustees of any school district is authorized to use any surplus funds that it may have or that may be made available to it from local sources to supplement this program.

(3)(a) Any student participating in an approved High School Equivalency Diploma Option program administered by a local school district or a local school district with an approved contractual agreement with a community or junior college or other local entity shall not be considered a dropout. Students in such a program administered by a local school district shall be considered as enrolled within the school district of origin for the purpose of enrollment for total funding formula funds only. Such students shall not be considered as enrolled in the regular school program for academic or programmatic purposes.

(b) Students participating in an approved High School Equivalency Diploma Option program shall have an individual career plan developed at the time of placement to ensure that the student's academic and job skill needs will be met. The Individual Career Plan will address, but is not limited to, the following:

(i) Academic and instructional needs of the student;

(ii) Job readiness needs of the student; and

(iii) Work experience program options available for the student.

(c) Students participating in an approved High School Equivalency Diploma Option program may participate in existing job and skills development programs or in similar programs developed in conjunction with the High School Equivalency Diploma Option program and the vocational director.

(d) High School Equivalency Diploma Option programs may be operated by local school districts or may be operated by two (2) or more adjacent school districts, pursuant to a contract approved by the State Board of Education. When two (2) or more school districts contract to operate a High School Equivalency Diploma Option program, the school board of a district designated to be the lead district shall serve as the governing board of the High School Equivalency Diploma Option program. Transportation for students placed in the High School Equivalency Diploma Option program shall be the responsibility of the school district of origin. The expense of establishing, maintaining and operating such High School Equivalency Diploma Option programs may be paid from funds made available to the school district through contributions, total funding formula funds or from local district maintenance funds.

(e) The State Department of Education will develop procedures and criteria for placement of a student in the High School Equivalency Diploma Option programs. Students placed in High School Equivalency Diploma Option programs shall have parental approval for such placement and must meet the following criteria:

(i) The student must be at least sixteen (16) years of age;

(ii) The student must be at least one (1) full grade level behind his or her ninth grade cohort or must have acquired less than four (4) Carnegie units;

(iii) The student must have taken every opportunity to continue to participate in coursework leading to a diploma; and

(iv) The student must be certified to be eligible to participate in the GED course by the school district superintendent, based on the developed criteria.

(f) Students participating in an approved High School Equivalency Diploma Option program, who are enrolled in subject area courses through January 31 in a school with a traditional class schedule or who are enrolled in subject area courses through October 31 or through March 31 in a school on a block schedule, shall be required to take the end-of-course subject area tests for those courses in which they are enrolled.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-21 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 65-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-21
Status: in_force

The fact that the power and authority to close any one or more or all of the schools of any school district, or any agricultural high school, or any agricultural high school and junior college, or any institution of higher learning may be by some other law of the State of Mississippi vested in some other person or officer or board shall not cause this article and any other such law to be in conflict nor shall same be construed to be in conflict with each other, and the power and authority vested in each such board or boards of trustees or person or officer may be exercised by each or either, independent of the other such board or boards or person or persons or officer or officers.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-63 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 13-63
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-63
Status: in_force

(1) Except as otherwise provided, all public schools in the state shall be kept in session for at least one hundred eighty (180) days in each scholastic year.

(2) If the school board of any school district shall determine that it is not economically feasible or practicable to operate any school within the district for the full one hundred eighty (180) days required for a scholastic year as contemplated due to an enemy attack, a man-made, technological or natural disaster or extreme weather emergency in which the Governor has declared a disaster or state of emergency under the laws of this state or the President of the United States has declared an emergency or major disaster to exist in this state, the school board may notify the State Department of Education of the disaster or weather emergency and submit a plan for altering the school term. If the State Board of Education finds the disaster or extreme weather emergency to be the cause of the school not operating for the contemplated school term and that such school was in a school district covered by the Governor's or President's disaster or state of emergency declaration, it may permit that school board to operate the schools in its district for less than one hundred eighty (180) days; however, in no instance of a declared disaster or state of emergency under the provisions of this subsection shall a school board receive payment from the State Department of Education for per pupil expenditure for pupils in net enrollment in excess of ten (10) days.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-83 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 41-83
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-83
Status: in_force

The school boards are authorized and empowered to expend the necessary amounts from the available transportation funds of the school district for the purchase of such transportation equipment, the servicing, repair and maintenance thereof and for the payment of the salaries of persons employed to drive or operate such transportation equipment, and to establish, erect and equip school bus shops or garages, and purchase land therefor.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-183 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 101-183
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-183
Status: in_force

Any members of the faculty of the state institutions of higher learning of the State of Mississippi shall be eligible for sabbatical leaves, for the purpose of professional improvement, for not more than two semesters immediately following any twelve or more consecutive semesters of active service in the institutions of higher learning of this state where such faculty member is employed or for not more than one semester immediately following any six or more consecutive semesters of such service. Absence on sick leave shall not be deemed to interrupt the active service herein provided for.

Applications for sabbatical leave shall be made to the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning, with the approval of the chancellor or the president of the institutions of higher learning. Approval or disapproval of the applications for sabbatical leave shall be made on the basis of regulations prescribed by the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning.

Any person who is granted a sabbatical leave and who fails to comply with the provisions of such leave as approved by the state institution of higher learning may have his or her leave terminated by the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning.

No person on sabbatical leave can be denied any regular increment of increase in salary because of absence on sabbatical leave.

Service on sabbatical leave shall count as active service for the purpose of retirement and contributions to the retirement fund shall be continued.

In order to provide for the above leaves the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning shall have power to adopt rules and regulations regarding such leave. In no instance shall leave be granted unless there is a contract providing for continued service, after expiration of the leave, in the college where the faculty member is employed.

Every person on sabbatical leave shall enjoy all the rights and privileges pertaining to his or her employment in the institution of higher learning in which such person is employed, which such person would have enjoyed if in active service during such leave in the position from which such leave was taken.

Each person granted sabbatical leave may receive and be paid compensation up to the rate of fifty per cent of such person's annual salary.

Compensation payable to persons on sabbatical leave shall be paid at the same time and in the same manner salaries of the other members of the faculty are paid.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-36 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 106-36
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-36
Status: repealed

(1) There is established the “William F. Winter and Jack Reed, Sr., Teacher Loan Repayment Program.”

(2) Subject to the availability of funds, an eligible applicant for an initial award must have:

(a) Graduated from a baccalaureate degree-granting institution of higher learning which is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) or a comparable accreditation body;

(b) Signed a contract as a full-time teacher in a public school district in Mississippi;

(c) Obtained a standard five-year license or a nontraditional five-year alternate route license. Persons with provisional emergency licenses shall not be eligible applicants; and

(d) Outstanding qualifying undergraduate or graduate educational loans, which may include the principal, interest and related expenses such as the required interest premium on the unpaid balances of government and commercial loans obtained by the recipient for undergraduate educational expense.

(3) Persons who have received funds from other forgivable loan programs established for teachers under Mississippi law, or who are presently in default or delinquent on any federal, state, local or commercial qualifying educational loan, shall not be eligible for this program.

(4) Provided that initial recipients remain eligible under the provisions of subsection (2) of this section, they may retain eligibility for two (2) additional awards, subject to the availability of funds.

(5) Initial recipients shall be selected on a first-come, first-served basis of all eligible applicants, subject to the availability of funds. In the second and third years of an applicant's continued eligibility, priority consideration shall first be given to renewal applicants. The State Financial Aid Board shall develop rules for ensuring that expenses of the program in a fiscal year do not exceed funding for the program in that fiscal year. For that purpose, and any other provision of this section to the contrary notwithstanding, the State Financial Aid Board may limit the acceptance of applications and may limit the number of awards.

(6) Among teacher recipients, priority consideration shall be given to persons who are teaching in a public school district designated as a geographical critical teacher shortage area by the State Board of Education.

(7) Awards for recipients who have signed a contract to teach in a public school district that is not designated as a geographical critical teacher shortage area shall be as follows:

(a) One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00) for the initial award;

(b) Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00) for the second award; and

(c) Three Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($3,500.00) for the third award.

(8) Awards for recipients who have signed a contract to teach in a public school district that is designated as a geographical critical teacher shortage area shall be as follows:

(a) Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000.00) for the initial award;

(b) Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) for the second award, provided the recipient continues to teach in the same public school district or another public school district designated a geographical shortage area by the State Board of Education; and

(c) Six Thousand Dollars ($6,000.00) for the third award, provided the recipient continues to teach in the same public school district or another public school district designated a geographical shortage area by the State Board of Education.

(9) An initial recipient who moves to another public school district shall be eligible to receive an award based on the amount allowed under the program in the new district where the teacher is employed.

(10) Awards shall be granted on a year-to-year basis, and recipients shall have no obligation to seek a future award.

(11) Awards shall be paid annually, after the expiration of the one-year teaching contract for which the award was granted, to the recipient's lender or loan service provider, and shall be applied to the outstanding balance. Monies paid on the recipient's behalf toward qualifying undergraduate or graduate educational loans prior to receiving payment of the award shall not be eligible for repayment through the program.

(12) During the teaching year for which the award is granted, a recipient must at all times keep the State Financial Aid Board informed of any changes to the recipient's current contact information and employment status.

(13) Recipients who fail to maintain a standard or nontraditional license or fail to fulfill the one-year teaching contract on which the award was based shall forfeit any right to the award.

(14) The State Financial Aid Board, in collaboration with the State Board of Education, shall track recipients of an award under this program through the fourth year after receiving their initial award, unless the recipient shall leave teaching in a public school district at an earlier date. Data collected shall include recipients' undergraduate or graduate institution, school district, subject area/grade level in teaching and any other pertinent information necessary to determine the efficacy of the program in retaining teachers.

(15) The State Financial Aid Board shall promulgate regulations necessary for the proper administration of this section, including rules for ensuring that expenses of the program in a fiscal year do not exceed funding for the program in that fiscal year.

(16) There is established in the State Treasury a special fund to be designated the “William F. Winter and Jack Reed, Sr., Loan Repayment Program 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 loan repayment program established herein. Money in the fund at the end of the 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.

(17) This section shall stand repealed on July 1, 2028.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-109-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 109-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-109-7
Status: in_force

(1)(a) For institutions to be eligible for participation in the program, the institution shall adhere to the guidelines prescribed in the procedures manual for the State of Mississippi Dual Enrollment and Accelerated Programs, hereinafter the “manual,” and the requirements established by the Mississippi Postsecondary Education Financial Assistance Board for participating institutions set forth in this subsection.

(b) Eligibility for funding shall be incorporated into the manual, which shall outline the specific criteria for initial and continued eligibility for participation for institutions, dual enrollment students and dual credit students, respectively. The academic officers of both the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning shall evaluate and approve the contents of the manual each year.

(c) The board shall administer the Dual Enrollment/Dual Credit Scholarship Program as outlined in the manual. Funds for the program shall be distributed by the board to the providing institution of higher education on behalf of each eligible student after the enrollment verification period. Funds shall not be distributed by the board directly to the student.

(d) Participation in the Mississippi Dual Enrollment/Dual Credit Scholarship Program is optional for all institutions defined in Section 37-109-5(a) . However, in order to qualify for funding, all guidelines in the manual must be followed by each institution.

(e) All participating institutions shall be reimbursed at the rate of forty percent (40%) of the average community college credit hour tuition for the current academic year.

(f) Participating institutions may elect to exclude specific centers, branch campuses, collegiate academies and middle college's within their governance or purview from participating in the Mississippi Dual Enrollment/Dual Credit Scholarship Program.

(2) For students to be eligible for participation in the program, the scholarship applicant shall satisfy the student eligibility requirements prescribed in Procedures Manual for the State of Mississippi Dual Enrollment and Accelerated Programs and the requirements established for student eligibility set forth in this subsection:

(a) Students in Grades 11 and 12 who are residents of the State of Mississippi shall be eligible to participate in the program, provided they meet minimum eligibility criteria in the manual. Resident status for the purpose of receiving assistance under this chapter shall be determined in the same manner as resident status for tuition purposes in Sections 37-103-1 through 37-103-29 , with the exception of Section 37-103-17 ;

(b) Each eligible student shall be qualified for funding under this chapter for up to six (6) dual enrollment/dual credit semester credit hours prior to high school graduation;

(c) All students who meet the eligibility requirements as outlined in the manual, regardless of participation method, whether online, at a participating institution's campus, at a high school campus, academic or career and technical education (CTE), shall meet the requirements for funding allocation to the participating institution;

(d) All Dual Enrollment/Dual Credit Scholarship Program student recipients shall be required to participate in an advising component related to the Mississippi Articulation and Transfer Tool (MATT) to ensure their understanding of course transferability. Credits earned with a final grade of C or above on the eligible student's college transcript in courses offered through the program, whether academic or career and technical, shall transfer to any postsecondary institution in Mississippi;

(e) Books, course materials, tools, supplies, lab fees, transportation costs and other applicable course fees shall be the responsibility of the student or high school district; and

(f) Middle college students shall be qualified for the Mississippi Dual Enrollment/Dual Credit Scholarship Program funding only if the institution complies with the requirements of the manual.

(3) To ensure appropriate articulation of college credits to other institutions, only the courses on the “Approved Academic Dual Credit Listing” shall be eligible for funding.

(4) Early college students are not eligible for the Mississippi Dual Enrollment/Dual Credit Scholarship Program funding.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-39-17 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 39-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-39-17
Status: in_force

Purchases of items regularly used in connection with school operation shall not be made in small quantities for the purpose of circumventing the law requiring competitive bids or quotations, but shall be purchased by contract whenever feasible. School boards shall have the authority, however, to award such contracts for supplies or equipment to be delivered to different points in the school district or county, to different bidders, when the best interests of the district or county warrant such action. Reasons for awarding such contracts to different bidders for different areas in the district shall be recorded on the minutes of the school board. In no event shall the price paid exceed the lowest and best bid received.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 29-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-1
Status: in_force

(1) The creation, establishment, maintenance and operation of community colleges is authorized. Community colleges may admit students if they have earned one (1) unit less than the number of units required for high school graduation established by State Board of Education policy or have earned a High School Equivalency Diploma in courses correlated to those of senior colleges or professional schools. Subject to the provisions of Section 75-76-34 , they shall offer, without limitation, education and training preparatory for occupations such as agriculture, industry of all kinds, business, homemaking and for other occupations on the semiprofessional and vocational-technical level. They may offer courses and services to students regardless of their previous educational attainment or further academic plans.

(2) The boards of trustees of the community college districts are authorized to establish an early admission program under which applicants having a minimum ACT composite score of twenty-six (26) or the equivalent SAT score may be admitted as full-time college students if the principal or guidance counselor of the student recommends in writing that it is in the best educational interest of the student. Such recommendation shall also state that the student's age will not keep him from being a successful full-time college student. Students admitted in the early admission program shall not be counted for total funding formula purposes in the net enrollment of the school district in which they reside, and transportation required by a student to participate in the early admission program shall be the responsibility of the parents or legal guardians of the student. Grades and college credits earned by students admitted to the early admission program shall be recorded on the college transcript at the community college where the student attends classes, and may be released to another institution or used for college graduation requirements only after the student has successfully completed one (1) full semester of course work.

(3) The community colleges shall provide, through courses or other acceptable educational measures, the general education necessary to individuals and groups which will tend to make them capable of living satisfactory lives consistent with the ideals of a democratic society.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-89 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 41-89
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-89
Status: in_force

The school board of any school district may borrow money for the purchase of school transportation equipment or to establish, erect and equip school bus shops or garages, and purchase land therefor, and issue the negotiable notes or bonds of the school district as evidence of the indebtedness so incurred.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-159-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 159-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-159-9
Status: in_force

(1) There is established the University Assisted Teacher Recruitment and Retention Grant Program within the State Department of Education. The purposes of the program shall be to attract additional qualified teachers to those geographical areas of the state where there exists a critical shortage of teachers and to retain the qualified teachers already serving as licensed teachers in geographical critical teacher shortage areas by making available scholarships to persons working towards a Master of Education degree or an Educational Specialist degree at an institution of higher learning whose teacher education program is approved by the State Board of Education.

(2) Any institution of higher learning in the State of Mississippi which offers a Master of Education degree or an Educational Specialist degree may apply to the department for participation in the program. As part of the program, participating institutions shall collaborate with the Mississippi Teacher Center to identify, recruit and place teacher education graduates, from both within the state and out of state, in school districts situated within those areas of the state where there exists a critical shortage of teachers, as designated by the State Board of Education.

(3) The State Department of Education shall provide funds to participating institutions of higher learning for the purpose of awarding scholarships to qualified persons pursuing a Master of Education degree or an Educational Specialist degree at such institutions while rendering service to the state as a licensed teacher in a school district in a geographical area of the state where there exists a critical shortage of teachers, as approved by the State Board of Education. The financial scholarship shall be applied to the total cost for tuition, books, materials and fees at the institution in which the student is enrolled, not to exceed an amount equal to the highest total cost of tuition, books, materials and fees assessed by a state institution of higher learning during that school year. Teachers who relocate within Mississippi from out of state in order to participate in the program shall be classified as residents of the state for tuition purposes.

(4) Students awarded financial scholarships under the University Assisted Teacher Recruitment and Retention Grant Program may receive such awards for a maximum of four (4) school years; however, the maximum number of awards which may be made shall not exceed the length of time required to complete the number of academic hours necessary to obtain a Master of Education degree or an Educational Specialist degree. Financial scholarships under the program shall not be based upon an applicant's eligibility for financial aid.

(5) Persons relocating to a geographical area of the state where there exists a critical shortage of teachers, as approved by the State Board of Education, to participate in the University Assisted Teacher Recruitment and Retention Grant Program shall be eligible for reimbursement for their moving expenses to the critical teacher shortage area from the State Board of Education. The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the administration of the relocation expense reimbursement component of the University Assisted Teacher Recruitment and Retention Grant Program.

(6) Subject to the availability of funds, the State Board of Education may provide for professional development and support services as may be necessary for the retention of teachers participating in the program in those geographical areas of the state where there exists a critical shortage of teachers.

(7) Any person participating in the program who fails to complete a program of study that will enable that person to obtain a Master of Education degree or Educational Specialist degree shall become liable immediately to the State Board of Education for the sum of all awards made to that person under the program, plus interest accruing at the current Stafford Loan rate at the time the person abrogates his participation in the program.

(8) As a condition for participation in the program, a teacher shall agree to employment as a licensed teacher in a school district located in a geographical area of the state where there exists a critical shortage of teachers, as designated by the State Board of Education, for a period of not less than three (3) years, which shall include those years of service rendered while obtaining the Master of Education degree or Educational Specialist degree. However, for any person who obtained a Baccalaureate degree in education with a financial scholarship under the Critical Needs Teacher Scholarship Program and who entered the University Assisted Teacher Recruitment and Retention Grant Program before rendering service as a teacher, the period of employment for the purposes of this subsection shall be two (2) years, in addition to the employment commitment required under the Critical Needs Teacher Scholarship Program. Service rendered by a participant as a licensed teacher in a school district in a geographical critical teacher shortage area before that teacher becomes a participant in the program may not be considered to fulfill the employment commitment required under this subsection. Any person failing to comply with this employment commitment in any required school year shall immediately be in breach of contract and become liable immediately to the State Department of Education for the sum of all scholarships awarded and relocation expenses granted to that person, less one-third ( 1 / 3 ) of the amount of that sum for each year that service was rendered, or for those persons whose required period of employment is two (2) years, less one-half ( 1 / 2 ) of the amount of that sum for each year that service was rendered, plus interest accruing at the current Stafford Loan rate at the time the breach occurs, except in the case of a deferral for cause by the State Board of Education when there is no employment position immediately available upon the teacher's obtaining of the Master of Education degree or Educational Specialist degree. After the period of such deferral, the person shall begin or resume the required teaching duties or shall become liable to the board under this subsection. If a claim for repayment under this subsection is placed in the hands of an attorney for collection after default, then the obligor shall be liable for an additional amount equal to a reasonable attorney's fee.

(9) All funds received by the State Department of Education from the repayment of scholarship awards and relocation expenses by program participants shall be deposited in the Mississippi Critical Teacher Shortage Fund.

(10) The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the proper administration of the University Assisted Teacher Recruitment and Retention Grant Program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-475 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 7-475
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-475
Status: in_force

Upon being authorized by a resolution of the school board as is provided by Section 37-7-471 , the president and secretary shall be authorized and empowered to execute, for and on behalf of the school district, a conveyance or lease of the property for the purposes, upon the terms and conditions, and for the consideration provided and specified by the school board, including retention of a partial interest, or undivided interest or other ownership interest in the property, in the discretion of the school board. It shall not be necessary or requisite that competitive bids be advertised for or received in connection with such sale, conveyance, leasing or other disposition of property.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-59 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / 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. § 37-147-13 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 147-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-147-13
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

(d) To do anything else which the authority deems appropriate to further the purposes of the Mississippi University Research Authority Act.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-161-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 161-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-161-3
Status: in_force

(1) The Legislature finds and declares the following:

(a) Meeting the educational needs of children in our state's schools is of the greatest importance to the future welfare of the State of Mississippi;

(b) Closing the achievement gap between high-performing students, including the achievement gap among at-risk students, is a significant and present challenge;

(c) Providing a broader range of educational options to parents and utilizing existing resources, along with technology, may help students in the state improve their academic achievement; and

(d) Many of the state's school districts currently lack the capacity to provide other public school choices for students whose schools are low performing.

(2) There is created the Mississippi Virtual Public School Program, which is the responsibility of the State Department of Education. It is the intent of the Legislature that the Mississippi Virtual Public School established under this section provides Mississippi families with an alternative choice to access additional educational resources in an effort to improve academic achievement. The Mississippi Virtual Public School must be recognized as a public school and provide equitable treatment and resources as are other public schools in the state. Private providers, overseen by the State Department of Education, may be selected by the State Board of Education to administer, manage or operate virtual school programs in this state, including the total operation of the Mississippi Virtual Public School Program. Any private provider chosen to provide services under the provisions of this subsection shall be chosen through the Mississippi Online Course Application Process.

(3) Nothing in this section may be interpreted as precluding the use of computer- and Internet-based instruction for students in a virtual or remote setting utilizing the Mississippi Virtual Public School.

(4) As used in this section, the following words and phrases have the meanings respectively ascribed unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(a) “ Mississippi Virtual Public School ” means a public school in which the state uses technology in order to deliver instruction to students via the Internet in a virtual or remote setting.

(b) “ Sponsor ” means the public school district is responsible for the academic process for each student, including, but not limited to, enrollment, awarding of credit and monitoring progress.

(5)(a) The State Board of Education shall establish the Mississippi Virtual Public School beginning in school year 2006-2007.

(b) Students who enroll in the Mississippi Virtual Public School may reside anywhere in the State of Mississippi.

(6) Subject to appropriation, the Mississippi Virtual Public School shall provide to each student enrolled in the school all necessary instructional materials. Subject to appropriation, the sponsored school must ensure that each student is provided access to the necessary technology, such as a computer and printer, and to an Internet connection for schoolwork purposes.

(7) The Mississippi Department of Education shall have approval authority for all coursework and policy of the Mississippi Virtual Public School.

(8) Each teacher employed by or participating in the delivery of instruction through the Mississippi Virtual Public School must meet all qualifications for licensure in the State of Mississippi.

(9) Any student who meets state residency requirements may enroll in the Mississippi Virtual Public School.

(10) Enrollment in the Mississippi Virtual Public School shall be free of charge to students. The costs associated with the operations of the virtual school must be shared by the State Department of Education, subject to appropriation, and/or the local school districts. Once the State Department of Education appropriation and the local school district budgeted funds for Mississippi Virtual Public School have been expended and students choose to enroll in online courses, the costs of the online courses may be the responsibility of the students' parents or guardians.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-146-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 146-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-146-1
Status: in_force

There is established the Mississippi Rural Dentists Scholarship Program for the purpose of identifying and recruiting qualified university and college students for dental school matriculation. Such program shall be known and may be cited as the Dr. G. Norris Howell Rural Dentists Scholarship Program. The program shall consist of three (3) distinct phases through which participants will progress, including:

(a) Undergraduate pre-dental education;

(b) Dental school and residency; and

(c) Initial entry into dental practice in a rural or underserved area of the State of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-323 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 7-323
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-323
Status: in_force

Any act which, if committed within the limits of a city, town or village, or in any public place, would be a violation of the general laws of this state, shall be criminal and punishable if done on the campus, grounds or roads of any of the public schools of this state. The peace officers duly appointed by the school board of any school district are vested with the powers and subjected to the duties of a constable for the purpose of preventing all violations of law on school property within the district, and for preserving order and decorum thereon. The peace officers duly appointed by the school board of any school district are also vested with the powers and subjected to the duties of a constable for the purpose of preventing all violations of law that occur within five hundred (500) feet of any property owned by the school district, if reasonably determined to have a possible impact on the safety of students, faculty or staff of the school district while on said property. Provided, however, that nothing in this section shall be interpreted to require action by any such peace officer appointed by a school district to events occurring outside the boundaries of school property, nor shall any such school district or its employees be liable for any failure to act to any event occurring outside the boundaries of property owned by the school district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 106-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-9
Status: in_force

(1) There is hereby created the Postsecondary Education Financial Assistance Board which shall consist of the following nine (9) members and two (2) nonvoting advisory members: two (2) people to be appointed by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, one (1) from its membership to serve for an initial period of four (4) years and one (1) institutional representative to serve for an initial period of three (3) years; two (2) people to be appointed by the Mississippi Community College Board, one (1) from its membership to serve for an initial period of three (3) years and one (1) institutional representative to serve for an initial period of two (2) years; two (2) people to be appointed by the Governor, one (1) to serve for an initial period of two (2) years and one (1) to serve for an initial period of one (1) year; two (2) people to be appointed by the Executive Director of the Mississippi Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, one (1) association representative to serve for an initial period of two (2) years and one (1) institutional representative to serve for an initial period of one (1) year; and one (1) person to be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor for an initial period of (4) years. All subsequent appointments shall be for a period of four (4) years. Vacancies shall be filled for the length of the unexpired term only. The board shall elect from its membership a chairman. Additionally, the Chairmen of the House and Senate Universities and Colleges Committees shall serve as nonvoting advisory members.

(2) The agency shall designate one (1) member of its staff to serve as director, to administer the provisions of this financial assistance program. The director shall be assigned by the agency sufficient staff, professional and clerical, funds and quarters to administer this program.

(3) The director:

(a) Subject to the review of the board, shall have the power of final approval of any application submitted;

(b) Subject to the approval of the board, shall have authority to promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for effective administration of this chapter, including the method of making application for assistance authorized by this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-21-53 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 21-53
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-21-53
Status: in_force

(1) The State Early Childhood Advisory Council (SECAC), located in the Office of the Governor, is (a) to assist the State Department of Education with the implementation of the Early Learning Collaborative Act of 2013, (b) to ensure coordination among the various agencies and programs serving preschool children in order to support school district's efforts to achieve the goal of readiness to start school, (c) to facilitate communication, cooperation and maximum use of resources and to promote high standards for all programs serving preschool children and their families in Mississippi, (d) to serve as the designated council for early childhood education and care pursuant to federal Public Law 110-134 , and (e) to carry out any responsibilities assigned to SECAC by the Governor and/or by applicable federal law.

(2) The membership of the State Early Childhood Advisory Council (SECAC) in accordance with Public Law 110-134 , shall include the following members to be appointed by the Governor:

(a) A representative of the Mississippi Department of Human Services;

(b) A representative of the Mississippi Department of Education;

(c) A representative of local educational agencies;

(d) A representative of Mississippi Institutions of Higher Education;

(e) A representative of local providers of early childhood education and care services from each congressional district;

(f) A representative from Head Start agencies located in the state, including Indian Head Start programs and migrant and seasonal Head Start programs as available;

(g) The State Director of Head Start Collaboration;

(h) The Part C Coordinator and/or the Section 619 Coordinator of programs under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( 20 USC 1419 , 1431 et seq. );

(i) A representative of the Mississippi Department of Health;

(j) A representative of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health; and

(k) Representatives of other entities deemed relevant by the Governor.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-207 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / 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. § 37-41-27 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 41-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-27
Status: in_force

(1) The local school boards, subject to rules and regulations promulgated by the State Board of Education, may permit the use of publicly owned school buses for the transportation of participating students, teachers, coaches and sponsors in connection with athletic events, events of boys' and girls' clubs, events of Future Farmers of America or 4-H Clubs and special events in connection with the schools which the boards may consider a part of the educational program. The local school boards, subject to rules and regulations promulgated by the State Board of Education, may permit the use of publicly owned school buses for the transportation of citizens for grand jury and other jury functions upon order of the court or as considered necessary by the school board during natural or man-made emergencies, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and other acts of God. The local school boards, subject to rules and regulations promulgated by the State Board of Education, may permit the use of publicly owned school buses for the transportation of citizens attending an air show or historic commemorative event held on a military base or military park located in the school district; provided that such determination shall be made upon the minutes of the school board and shall include an agreement with the military base or military park that it will indemnify and hold the school district harmless in any action regarding such transportation.

(2)(a) Local school boards may regularly permit the use of motor vehicles other than school buses when the transportation is for trips to and from school sites or for school-related functions and activities; however, motor vehicles other than school buses may not be used for customary transportation between a student's residence and such sites.

(b) When the transportation of students is provided, as authorized in this subsection, in a vehicle other than a school bus that is owned, operated, rented, contracted, or leased by a school district or charter school, the following provisions shall apply:

(i) The vehicle must be a passenger car or multipurpose passenger vehicle or truck, as defined in 49 CFR Part 571 , designed to transport fewer than sixteen (16) students and which does not require a commercial driver's license with passenger endorsement. Students must be transported in designated seating positions and must use the occupant crash protection system provided by the manufacturer unless the student's physical condition prohibits such use.

(ii) An authorized vehicle may not be driven by a student on a public right-of-way. An authorized vehicle may be driven by a student on school or private property as part of the student's educational curriculum if no other student is in the vehicle.

(iii) The driver of an authorized vehicle transporting students must maintain a valid driver's license and must comply with the requirements of the school district's locally adopted safe driver plan, which includes review of driving records for disqualifying violations.

(iv) The local school board must adopt a policy that addresses procedures and liability for trips under this paragraph, including a provision that school buses are to be used whenever practical and specifying consequences for violation of the policy.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-21 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 33-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-21
Status: in_force

The state board, through the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, shall cooperate under agreements with the federal government in carrying out the purposes of any federal statutes pertaining to vocational rehabilitation, and may adopt such methods of administration as are found by the federal government to be necessary for the proper and efficient operation of such agreements or plans for vocational rehabilitation and comply with such conditions as may be necessary to secure the full benefits of those federal statutes and appropriations, administer any legislation pursuant thereto enacted by the State of Mississippi, direct the disbursement and administer the use of all funds provided by the federal government or this state for the vocational rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities of this state and do all things necessary to insure the vocational rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-43-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 43-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-43-1
Status: in_force

(1) This chapter is intended to furnish a plan for the adoption, purchase, distribution, care and use of free textbooks to be loaned to the pupils in all elementary and high schools, other than charter schools, of Mississippi.

(2) The books herein provided by the State Board of Education, which shall be the State Textbook Procurement Commission, shall be distributed and loaned free of cost to the children of the free public school districts of the state and of all other schools located in the state, which maintain educational standards equivalent to the standards established by the State Department of Education for the state schools as outlined in the Approval Requirements of the State Board of Education for Nonpublic Schools.

(3) Teachers shall permit all pupils in all grades of any public school in any school district to carry to their homes for home study, the free textbooks loaned to them, and any other regular textbooks whether they be free textbooks or not.

(4) For the purposes of this chapter, the term “ board ” shall mean the State Board of Education.

(5) “ Textbook ” shall be defined as any medium or manual of instruction which contains a systematic presentation of the principles of a subject and which constitutes a major instructional vehicle for that subject.

(6) In addition to the authority granted in this chapter, local school boards shall make available to the parents or legal guardians of any children of school age who reside in the school district administered by the school board, upon request, any textbooks on the state surplus inventory list. The parent or legal guardian is responsible for the return of the textbook(s) to the local school district upon completion of the textbook(s) use. Failure to return the textbook(s) to the school district will result in the parents or legal guardians being responsible for compensating the school district for the fair market value of the textbook(s).
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-19 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / 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. § 37-27-77 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 27-77
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-77
Status: in_force

The board of supervisors of any county wherein there is located an agricultural high school not located upon the campus of a junior college may, in its discretion, purchase a bus for the use and benefit of said agricultural high school to be used in connection with various school activities and to be paid for from the general fund of the county.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 41-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-5
Status: in_force

In addition to public school students or pupils authorized to be transported to the public schools by virtue of Section 37-41-3 , the local school board, with the concurrence of the board of supervisors, in their discretion and with local tax funds or other local contributions or support exclusively and without state appropriations, may provide transportation for students or pupils to the public schools whenever the within described boards or officers find that extraordinary circumstances and conditions are prevalent in said school district in regard to such matters as the public health and safety, school facilities, location of the school site, unusual economic growth and population expansion, newly expanded municipal corporation limits, the general welfare, and any other emergency facts and conditions which may be deemed by said authorities to be in the best interest of the political subdivision.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-65 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 23-65
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-65
Status: in_force

The State Department of Education is authorized and directed to promulgate rules and regulations for the payment of such financial assistance and the administration of Sections 37-23-61 through 37-23-75 generally.

The State Department of Education shall have the authority to promulgate and enforce reasonable rules and regulations establishing standards for administration of the program contemplated by Sections 37-23-61 through 37-23-75 , consistent with the maintenance of high quality programs for the benefit of the exceptional children served.

The State Department of Education shall require that the programs for which children are eligible for financial assistance under Sections 37-23-61 through 37-23-75 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. § 37-41-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 41-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-7
Status: in_force

The local school board is hereby authorized, empowered and directed to lay out all transportation routes and provide transportation for all school children who are entitled to transportation within their respective counties and school districts.

Any school district may, in the discretion of the school board, expend funds from any funds available to the school district, including the amounts derived from district tax levies, sixteenth section funds, and all other available funds, for the purpose of supplementing funds available to the school board for paying transportation costs not covered by total funding formula funds as provided in Sections 37-151-200 through 37-151-215 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-79 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 113-79
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-79
Status: in_force

(1) The Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine is authorized to accept gifts, donations, bequests, trusts, grants, endowments, transfers of money or securities, repayments and any other monies from any source whatsoever to be used for the purposes of administering the Dr. Elton Mac Huddleston Rural Veterinarians Scholarship Program.

(2) The dean shall prepare and submit an annual report to the Legislature not later than December 1 of each year, which shall include, but not be limited to, information about who received scholarships under the program and how much each person received, and the amount of any funds received under subsection (1) of this section and how those funds were used for the purpose of the program.

(3) The appropriation request of the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine and the program shall be reduced if a saturation point is achieved and the shortage of veterinary services in rural Mississippi is adequately addressed.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-107 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 13-107
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-107
Status: in_force

(1) Every school attendance officer shall be required annually to attend and complete a comprehensive course of training and education which is provided or approved by the Office of Compulsory School Attendance Enforcement of the State Department of Education. Attendance shall be required beginning with the first training seminar conducted after the school attendance officer is employed as a school attendance officer.

(2) The Office of Compulsory School Attendance Enforcement shall provide or approve a course of training and education for school attendance officers of the state. The course shall consist of at least twelve (12) hours of training per year. The content of the course of training and when and where it is to be conducted shall be approved by the office. A certificate of completion shall be furnished by the State Department of Education to those school attendance officers who complete the course. Each certificate shall be made a permanent record of the school attendance officer supervisor's office where the school attendance officer is employed.

(3) Upon the failure of any person employed as a school attendance officer to receive the certificate of completion from the State Department of Education within the first year of his employment, the person shall not be allowed to carry out any of the duties of a school attendance officer and shall not be entitled to compensation for the period of time during which the certificate has not been obtained.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-53 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 27-53
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-53
Status: in_force

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