Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-205 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 153-205
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-205
Status: reserved

(1) There is established the Accelerate Mississippi Nursing/Allied Health Grant Program, which shall be directed by the office for the purpose of increasing capacity in nursing and allied health training programs, including accredited paramedic programs, job sectors which were severely impacted by the disruption to the economy and workforce caused by COVID-19.

(2) For purposes of this section, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context requires otherwise:

(a) “ Grant program ” means the program established in this section, which provides funding, as determined by the office, from federal COVID-19 relief funds to sustain and increase capacity in nursing and allied health education and training programs, including accredited paramedic programs, or to help retain and graduate nursing and allied health students, at community and junior colleges or other entities facilitating healthcare-focused training programs as determined by the office.

(b) “ Recipient ” means a community or junior college or other entities facilitating healthcare-focused training programs as determined by the office.

(c) “ Trainee ” means an individual receiving training or other services through the grant program under this article with the goal of becoming employed in the nursing or allied health field, including as a licensed paramedic.

(d) “ COVID-19 ” means the Coronavirus Disease 2019.

(e) “ Federal COVID-19 relief funds ” means funds allocated to the State of Mississippi from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund in Section 9901 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 ( Public Law No. 117-2 ).

(f) “ High-wage, high-demand industry ” means those nursing or allied health jobs, including paramedics, paying above Mississippi's median annual income and prioritized by the office.

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

(i) Necessary equipment or other supplies to sustain or increase capacity in nursing or allied health training programs, including accredited paramedic programs;

(ii) Necessary infrastructure, including building renovation or construction, for increasing capacity in nursing or allied health training programs, including accredited paramedic programs;

(iii) Curricula or other academic or training materials to sustain or increase capacity in nursing or allied health training programs, including accredited paramedic programs;

(iv) Remote learning or other classroom technology to sustain or increase capacity in nursing or allied health training programs, including accredited paramedic programs;

(v) Job placement services for nursing or allied health students and graduates, including those in accredited paramedic programs;

(vi) Recruitment programs for nursing or allied health students and graduates, including those in accredited paramedic programs;

(vii) Other services aimed at helping retain and graduate current nursing and allied health students, including those in accredited paramedic programs.

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

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

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

(i) A description of the nursing or allied health workforce shortage the program is intended to address, including specific information from hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities or other health care providers in the region;

(ii) Any relevant waitlist or other information demonstrating high demand for graduates from the relevant nursing or allied health program;

(iii) The number of nursing or allied health students who will be served by the program; and

(iv) The average wage rate for nursing or allied health students receiving employment after completing the program;

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

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

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

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

(6) The office shall:

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

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

(c) Prioritize jobs within the nursing or allied health fields which are currently experiencing staffing shortages in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities and other health care providers across the state; and

(d) Prioritize jobs which are high-wage, high-demand jobs within the nursing and allied health fields, including the paramedic field.

(7) Seventy-five percent (75%) of the funds provided through the appropriations process for this program shall be reserved for community and junior colleges. A maximum of twenty-five percent (25%) of the funds provided through the appropriations process for this program may be awarded to recipients other than a community or junior college which facilitate healthcare-focused training programs as determined by the office.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-175-13 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / 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. § 37-29-231 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 29-231
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-231
Status: repealed

(1) The provisions of Sections 37-103-1 through 37-103-29 relating to the legal residence of and tuition to be charged any student applying for admission to state educational institutions shall be applicable to the boards of trustees of each junior college district in the state and to the administrative authorities of each such junior college governed by said board.

(2)(a) The board of trustees of each community or junior college is authorized, in its discretion and as deemed necessary, to enter into contract with a municipality as authorized under Section 21-25-23 , or into an interlocal agreement with the county governing authority of the county wherein the community or junior college is located if situated outside of the incorporated limits of any city or municipality therein, to provide fire protection and first responder services to the main campus of the community or junior college for which the contract or interlocal agreement was entered. In addition to fire protection services, first responder services shall also include law enforcement services and emergency medical transportation services.

(b) Upon entering such contract or interlocal agreement, the board of trustees of the community or junior college receiving services under the contract or interlocal agreement may assess each student a fee not to exceed Five Dollars ($5.00), each semester to offset the cost associated with the services provided, which shall be allocated by the board of trustees to the local governing authority providing first responder services. This paragraph (b) shall stand repealed on July 1, 2027.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-87 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 29-87
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-87
Status: in_force

The board of trustees of any public junior college district is hereby authorized, in its sole discretion, to convey real property and improvements thereon to any county within the junior college district without the necessity of advertising for and receiving bids and without receiving compensation therefor, provided the following requirements are met:

(a) Where the county received title to the property and conveyed said property to the board of trustees of the junior college district, or where the board of trustees of such district received title to the property from any source and the purchase price therefor was paid by the county, for the purpose of operating an attendance center; and

(b) Where the board of trustees of the junior college district has not received approvals from necessary state agencies or authorities to use said land for the operation of an attendance center; and

(c) Where said board of trustees has adopted a resolution that such land and improvements are not needed for junior college purposes and expressing the desire to convey such land and improvements back to the county.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-23 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 41-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-23
Status: in_force

The State Board of Education shall prescribe keeping and preservation of all records and the making of all reports and the description thereof as the board may deem necessary for the efficient operation of the school district transportation system of this state. It shall be unlawful for any pay certificate to be issued to any school district carrier or bus driver until all such reports required by the regulations of the State Board of Education shall have been filed in accordance with said regulations. Any person making a false list, report, or record required by the aforesaid rules and regulations of the State Board of Education shall be subject to the penalties provided by Section 37-41-25 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-55 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 153-55
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-55
Status: in_force

As used in this article, the following words have the meanings ascribed unless the context requires otherwise:

(a) “ ARPA ” means the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 ( Public Law No. 117-2 ).

(b) “ COVID-19 ” means the Coronavirus Disease 2019.

(c) “ Federal COVID-19 Relief Funds ” means funds allocated to the State of Mississippi from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund in Section 9901 of ARPA.

(d) “ Grant program ” means the workforce development and training programs administered under this article using federal COVID-19 relief funds.

(e) “ Office ” means the Office of Workforce Development established in Section 37-153-7 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-127 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 23-127
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-127
Status: in_force

(1) The state superintendent of education shall appoint a learning resources advisory committee for each center not to exceed ten (10) members as the superintendent, in his discretion, deems proper from each of the following groups:

(a) Professional educators actively engaged in the education of exceptional children or youth or in the administration of programs for exceptional youth and children.

(b) Professional educators in higher education dealing with the exceptional children and youth, and closely related areas.

(c) Parents of exceptional children or youth.

(2) The committee shall meet quarterly or upon call of the superintendent, and its functions shall be purely advisory in nature and effect. No compensation or per diem shall be provided committee members, but each member shall be entitled to receive all actual, necessary expenses incurred in discharging official responsibilities, including mileage as authorized by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-29 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 41-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-29
Status: in_force

(1) It shall be the duty of the school boards, as existing private contracts providing for transportation of school pupils expire, to replace such private transportation with publicly owned transportation unless publicly owned transportation is deemed impractical. The school boards may acquire, when so requested by holders of private transportation contracts, from such holders of private transportation contracts, all buses which, in the opinion of the school boards, can be practicably operated as units of the public transportation system. The actual market value shall be paid therefor, said value to be determined by an appraisal by three (3) experienced and impartial citizens, the selection of whom shall be mutually agreed upon by the parties thereto.

(2) It shall be the duty of the school boards to approve the continuation of present private contracts providing for transportation of school pupils, or to approve new contracts entered into whenever it is deemed that the needs of the pupils can best be served by such method of transportation. However, in no case shall the amount allotted per pupil from state funds for transportation in facilities provided by private contracts exceed the amount allowed per pupil from state funds for public transportation in the same county and district.

(3) Before any money is allocated or disbursed from the state transportation funds to any school board which is transporting children under private contracts, written contracts shall be entered into by and between the respective carriers and school boards. A copy of each contract shall be filed with the superintendent of schools. The aforesaid contract shall contain, at a minimum, the cost of services to be provided to include all necessary bus routes as well as the cost of school-approved activities such as field trips, the length of the contract, the terms of the utilization of existing pupil transportation facilities and existing fleet of buses, if applicable, the necessary types and amounts of limits of insurance that will protect the district, to include Workers' Compensation Insurance, and the stipulation for the placement of district-identifying signage on all buses under contract, as required under Section 37-41-43 . Certificates of insurance shall provide that a thirty-day prior notice of cancellation will be given to the district. The contractor shall comply with all state laws and the State Board of Education policies pertaining to pupil transportation services, including the requirement that (a) school buses used by such contractor shall comply with the Mississippi Minimum Standards for School Buses established by the State Board of Education, and (b) all school bus drivers employed by such contractor shall be trained and certified by the State Department of Education.

(4) Local school boards are not required to file a copy of any private contract for the transportation of exceptional children or the transportation of children under extraordinary circumstances with the State Board of Education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-3-61 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 3-61
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-3-61
Status: in_force

The State Board of Education may provide for the establishment of an Alliance for Families program for the purpose of mobilizing public and parental support for education and to strengthen communication between the school, student and parents. The program's goal shall be to increase student success in Mississippi public school districts, K-12, by generating focused, effective parent involvement. The objectives of the program shall be as follows:

(a) To engage parents in supporting the schools and their children's education.

(b) To implement effective home-school communication systems which allow parents to be kept well informed about the school and their children's progress.

(c) To train school administrators on successful strategies for involving parents both at home and at school and in developing community support for the schools.

(d) To train teachers on successful strategies for communicating with parents and teaching parents to reinforce skills being learned at school.

(e) To promote reading as the key curricular activity for parental focus.

(f) To involve the business, medical and religious communities in supporting the schools through direct assistance, and to develop positive public relations for the schools in the community.

(g) Publication of a resource manual to assist schools and school districts in implementation of Alliance for Families program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-15-29 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 15-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-15-29
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(iv) If the school district is unable to accommodate a request for enrollment for transfer due to a lack of capacity to accept the student in to the district or a specific school campus, the school board shall deny the request and spread the same upon its minutes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-22-25 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 22-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-22-25
Status: in_force

(1) This section shall be known and may be cited as the “Mississippi School District Emergency Bridge Loan Act.”

(2)(a) There is established a bridge loan program to be administered by the State Department of Education for the purpose of assisting local school districts that suffer revenue losses as a result of an economic downturn that substantially impacts the state and local revenues available to school districts. Loan proceeds distributed to school districts shall be specifically for school district operations identified as essential by the department.

(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that the department endeavor to ensure that the costs of the administration of this section are as low as possible.

(3)(a) There is created a special fund in the State Treasury to be designated as the “Mississippi School District Emergency Bridge Loan Fund,” referred to in this section as the “fund.” The fund shall consist of money designated for deposit in the fund from any source including, but not limited to, appropriations, bond proceeds, grants, gifts, donations or funds from any source, public or private. The fund shall be credited with all repayments of principal and interest derived from loans made from the fund. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the State General Fund. Monies in the fund may not be used or expended for any purpose except as authorized under this section.

(b) The department shall establish a loan program by which loans may be made available to school districts to assist those school districts. Any school district that demonstrates for the current fiscal year a projected revenue loss equal to or exceeding one-third ( 1 / 3 ) of its revenues in the preceding fiscal year may qualify for a loan. The interest rate on loans made under this section may vary from time to time and from loan to loan and shall be at or below market interest rates as determined by the department. The department shall act as quickly as is practicable and prudent in deciding on any loan request that it receives.

(c) The aggregate amount of any loans received under this section by a school district shall not exceed one hundred percent (100%) of the difference between the revenue received by the school district to fund essential operations in the preceding fiscal year and the estimated revenue from those sources in the current fiscal year plus sixteenth section principal funds that may be expended under law, cash reserves or fund balances at the fiscal year end, as determined by the department. The State Board of Education shall set the maximum amount of any loan made under this section at an amount that will ensure the equitable distribution of the amounts available for loans to the eligible school districts.

(d) A school district that receives a loan from the fund shall pledge for repayment of the loan any part of the homestead exemption annual tax loss reimbursement to which it may be entitled under Section 27-33-77 , as may be required by the department. Each recipient of a loan shall establish a dedicated source of revenue for repayment of the loan. Before any school district shall receive a loan, it must execute with the department a loan agreement evidencing the loan, a copy of which must be filed by the department with the State Tax Commission. The loan agreement may not be construed to prohibit any recipient from prepaying any part or all of the funds received. The repayment schedule in each loan agreement shall provide for: (i) monthly payments; (ii) semiannual payments; or (iii) other periodic payments. The loan agreement shall provide for the repayment of all funds received from the fund within not more than ten (10) years. At the request of the department, the State Tax Commission shall withhold semiannually from the amount to be remitted to a school district the sum necessary to pay all or a portion of the periodic payments for the loan.

(e) A school district that receives a loan from the state which is not eligible to pledge for repayment of the loan under paragraph (d) of this subsection shall repay the loan by making payments each month to the State Treasurer through the Department of Finance and Administration for and on behalf of the department according to Section 7-7-15 , to be credited to the fund in lieu of pledging homestead exemption annual tax loss reimbursement.

Loan repayments shall be according to a repayment schedule contained in each loan agreement as required under paragraph (d) of this subsection.

(f) Evidences of indebtedness that are issued under this section may not be deemed indebtedness within the meaning specified in Section 37-59-5 .

(g) The State Auditor, upon the request of the department, shall audit the receipts and expenditures of a school district if loan repayments appear to be in arrears. If the Auditor finds that the school district is in arrears in the repayments, the Auditor immediately shall notify the State Superintendent of Public Education, who may take any action necessary to enforce the terms of the loan agreement. The superintendent, in his discretion, may notify the State Tax Commission to withhold all future payments to the school district of homestead exemption annual tax loss reimbursements under Section 27-33-77 until such time that the school district is again current in its loan repayments, as certified by the department.

(h) All monies deposited in the fund may be used only for providing the loans authorized under this section. In addition, any amounts in the fund may be used to defray the reasonable costs of administering the fund. The department is authorized to use amounts available to it from the fund to contract for those facilities and staff needed to administer and provide routine management for the funds and loan program.

(4) In administering this section, the State Department of Education shall have the following powers and duties:

(a) To supervise the use of all funds made available under this section;

(b) To promulgate rules and regulations and to establish procedures in accordance with this section for the implementation of the loan program;

(c) To requisition monies in the fund and distribute those monies in accordance with this section;

(d) To maintain, in accordance with generally accepted government accounting standards, an accurate record of all monies in the fund made available to school districts under this section; and

(e) To file annually with the Legislature a report detailing how monies in the fund were spent during the preceding fiscal year in each school district.

(5) The State Bond Commission, at one time or from time to time, may declare the necessity for general funds for the purposes provided in this section, including the costs incident to the administration of the loan program. Upon approval by the State Bond Commission, the Department of Finance and Administration may transfer the necessary amount from the General Fund to the fund in ample time to discharge such loans and incidental costs.

(6) The Department of Finance and Administration, without further process of law, may certify the necessity for warrants and issue those warrants in such amounts as may be necessary to make loans under the program authorized by this section.

(7) After any state funds in the fund are no longer needed for the particular purpose for which they were appropriated, deposited or transferred into the fund, the Department of Finance and Administration shall transfer those state funds back to the particular fund or funds in the State Treasury from which they were appropriated or transferred into the fund, upon certification of the State Superintendent of Public Education that the state funds currently are not needed.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-63-13 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 63-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-63-13
Status: reserved

The Authority for Educational Television is empowered and is hereby designated as the proper and official state agency to:

(1) Control and supervise the use of television broadcast and ITFS channels and radio frequencies reserved by the Federal Communications Commission for noncommercial, educational purposes in Mississippi. It is further empowered to authorize the sale or lease of any excess capacity of such ITFS channels for commercial use to provide the funds necessary to implement the purposes of Section 37-63-9(2) . No pornographic material or political advertisements shall be allowed on any ITFS channel or radio frequency;

(2) Initiate or receive for review and approval all applications for educational television and educational radio licenses submitted to the Federal Communications Commission for or on behalf of any public school system, junior college, institution of higher learning, private educational institution, or nonprofit community or municipal educational organization;

(3) Initiate or receive for review and approval all applications for federal, state or private funds which involve the construction of educational television or radio facilities or acquisition of educational television or radio equipment;

(4) Prescribe official state-approved standards for appropriate educational television equipment which may be purchased by any public school, junior college, institution of higher learning, private educational institution, or nonprofit community or municipal educational organization in order to insure a standard of quality and technical compatibility throughout the state;

(5) Provide consultative services in all aspects of educational television and radio to any agency, public or private, within the state;

(6) Serve as a clearinghouse for information on television and radio for educational purposes;

(7) Perform all other things necessary to insure the orderly and coordinated development of educational television and radio in Mississippi; and

(8) Determine and approve all policies governing the programming, administration, control and supervision of Mississippi Educational Television and educational radio. All programs prepared for use in the elementary and secondary schools of this state must be prepared in conjunction with the Office of the State Superintendent of Public Education prior to broadcast on Mississippi Educational Television.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-109 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 65-109
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-109
Status: in_force

Upon or during any period of closure in accordance with the provisions of this article, any teacher or other employee affected thereby may be, by the board of trustees of such school district, placed in any other school within the district, or in a school or schools of another convenient district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-25-21 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 25-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-25-21
Status: in_force

In any case where any person, convicted of any violation punishable by fine and the levy of the penalty assessment specified in this chapter, is imprisoned until the fine is satisfied, the judge may waive all or any part of the penalty assessment where, in his opinion, the payment of said penalty assessment would work a hardship on the person convicted or his immediate family.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-3-105 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 3-105
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-3-105
Status: in_force

Beginning with the 2009-2010 school year, the State Department of Education shall require that in-service training shall include an emphasis on intensive, comprehensive and researched-based reading methods for all licensed teachers teaching Grades K through 3 in a public school district. The education may be accomplished through self-review of suitable intensive, comprehensive and researched-based reading materials.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / 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. § 37-151-75 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 151-75
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-75
Status: in_force

The Mississippi Community College Board is designated as the primary support agency to the career centers and district councils. The state board may exercise the following powers:

(a) To provide the career centers the assistance necessary to accomplish the purposes of Sections 37-151-63 through 37-151-75 ;

(b) To provide the career centers consistent standards and benchmarks to guide development of the local workforce development system and to provide a means by which the outcomes of local services can be measured;

(c) To develop the staff capacity to provide, broker or contract for the provision of technical assistance to the career centers, including, but not limited to:

(i) Training local staff in methods of recruiting, assessment and career counseling;

(ii) Establishing rigorous and comprehensive local pre-employment training programs;

(iii) Developing local institutional capacity to deliver Total Quality Management training;

(iv) Developing local institutional capacity to transfer new technologists into the marketplace;

(v) Expanding the Skills Enhancement Program and improving the quality of adult literacy programs; and

(vi) Developing data for strategic planning;

(d) To collaborate with the Department of Economic and Community Development and other economic development organizations to increase the community college systems' economic development potential;

(e) To administer presented and approved certification programs by the community colleges for tax credits and partnership funding for corporate training;

(f) To create and maintain an evaluation team that examines which kinds of curricula and programs and what forms of quality control of training are most productive so that the knowledge developed at one (1) institution of education can be transferred to others;

(g) To develop internal capacity to provide services and to contract for services from universities and other providers directly to local institutions;

(h) To develop and administer an incentive certification program; and

(i) To develop and hire staff and purchase equipment necessary to accomplish the goals set forth in this section. 1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-18-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 18-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-18-5
Status: in_force

(1) Based on the findings of the evaluation report and the results of the public meeting, the State Department of Education and the evaluation team leader shall assist the school principal and other local school officials in the development of a school improvement plan to improve its deficiencies.

(2) The school improvement plan shall be developed and approved by the principal of the School At-Risk, the superintendent of the local school district, the local school board and a majority of the teachers of the school, within a time period to be determined by the evaluation team. If the plan is not approved, the State Board of Education may approve and implement the plan in the school.

(3) The State Department of Education shall provide technical assistance and shall assist in identifying funding to the School At-Risk in the implementation of the school improvement plan, including the implementation of any recommended professional development plan, and the department may contract with the institutions of higher learning to provide such technical assistance. The assistance team shall collaborate with school and school district employees in the implementation and monitoring of the school improvement plan and the State Department of Education shall ensure that a report is issued monthly to the local school board and the local community-based advisory council.

(4) A school district that has been designated as failing as defined by the State Board of Education or a district with a School At-Risk shall also establish a community-based prekindergarten through higher education council comprised of a broad spectrum of the community, including economic developers, elected officials, civic leaders, business leaders, faith-based leaders, social services, nonprofit organizations, school attendance officers, law enforcement officials, health department officials, day care providers, librarians, parents and others with the knowledge and resources that can be leveraged to build strong communities. The State Board of Education shall develop procedures for appointments to the council, which shall not be appointed solely by the school board. The council will serve as a community-led group that is inclusive, accountable and required to publicly report progress to the community as a whole.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-101 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 31-101
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-101
Status: in_force

Sections 37-31-101 through 37-31-111 shall be called the “Mississippi Manpower Development and Training Act of 1974.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-103-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 103-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-103-5
Status: in_force

A person who has entered the State of Mississippi from another state and enters an educational institution is considered a nonresident. Even though he may have been legally adopted by a resident of Mississippi, or may have been a qualified voter, or a landowner, or may otherwise have sought to establish legal residence, except as otherwise provided in Section 37-103-25(2) , such a person will still be considered as being a nonresident of Mississippi if he has entered this state for the purpose of enrolling in an educational institution.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-11 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 59-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-11
Status: in_force

(1) Before any money shall be borrowed under the provisions of this chapter, the school board of the school district shall adopt a resolution declaring the necessity for borrowing such money, declaring its intention to borrow such money and to issue the negotiable bonds of the school district as evidence of same, specifying the approximate amount to be so borrowed, and how such indebtedness is to be evidenced. Such resolution shall also set forth the nature and approximate cost of the alterations, additions and repairs to be made, and shall declare in said resolution that no funds are available in the school funds of the district or from any other source with which to make such repairs, alterations, additions, purchases, erections or improvements.

(2) Whenever a resolution is adopted by the school board as provided in subsection (1), or a petition signed by not less than ten percent (10%) of the qualified electors of a school district, fixing the maximum amount of such school bonds and the purpose or purposes for which they are to be issued, the school board shall adopt a resolution calling an election to be held within such school district for the purpose of submitting to the qualified electors thereof the question of the issuance of bonds in the amount and for the purpose or purposes as set forth in such resolution or petition. The resolution calling such election shall designate the date upon which the election shall be held and the place or places within such district at which such election shall be held, which place or places may or may not be the school house or school houses in such district.

(3) Provided, however, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, no election shall be required for approval of bonds issued after July 1, 1987, and prior to July 1, 1988, or within one (1) year after the final favorable termination of any litigation affecting the issuance of such bonds, and as to which the resolution of necessity and intent to issue by the school board of the school district is passed and publication thereof commenced on or before June 30, 1987, unless a petition calling for such election is filed meeting the requirements and within the time provided by this Section 37-59-11 as in effect between April 15, 1986, and June 30, 1987.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-63 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 31-63
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-63
Status: in_force

The State Board of Education, the trustees of the school districts as classified and defined by law, and the trustees of agricultural high schools or community/junior colleges, are hereby authorized and empowered to accept and use any land, building or buildings, being either the property of the State of Mississippi or of any of the school districts or agricultural high schools or community/junior colleges, or being the property of private sources, which may be designated, donated or leased for the purpose expressed in Section 37-31-61 , and to use such funds as may be made available, and to accept donations and contributions for supplies, equipment, and materials incident to the purpose for which any such schools, classes or courses are established.

The board, the trustees of the school districts, as classified and defined by law, and the trustees of agricultural high schools or community/junior colleges, are hereby authorized and empowered to accept and receive donations, contributions and endowments, to charge tuition and registration fees, to receive payment for services rendered or commodities produced incident to training in said schools, courses or classes, and to accept any funds which may be made available for the purpose sought to be accomplished in Section 37-31-61 from any sources.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-85 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 41-85
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-85
Status: in_force

No school board shall purchase any school bus or pupil transportation service vehicle as authorized by Section 37-41-81 except in the manner prescribed in Section 37-41-101 . No school bus shall be purchased or otherwise acquired which does not conform to the specifications provided by the State Board of Education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-31 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 27-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-31
Status: in_force

The board of trustees of any agricultural high school is hereby authorized to lease the buildings and equipment thereof to any responsible individual for the purpose of carrying on a private school when there are no funds available for running said institution, and to lease the lands of said institution to some responsible person for agricultural purposes. Said leases shall not extend for any greater length of time than a period of three years from date of granting said lease.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-203 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 153-203
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-203
Status: in_force

(1) The Mississippi Legislature finds that:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(d) To gauge the effectiveness of these programs by gathering data related to participation and wage and employment outcomes in order to replicate successful efforts in future workforce development programs.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-45 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 104-45
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-45
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be deemed to provide a complete, additional and alternative method for the doing of things authorized thereby and shall be regarded as supplemental and additional to powers conferred by other laws; provided, the issuance of revenue bonds and revenue-refunding bonds under the provisions of this chapter need not comply with the requirements of any other law applicable to the issuance of bonds. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, none of the powers granted to the Authority under the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to the supervision or regulation or require the approval or consent of any municipality or political subdivision or any department, division, commission, board, body, bureau, official or agency thereof, or of any other state agency, department, division, commission, board, body, bureau, or official.

The powers and duties conferred upon the State Bond Commission, and its members, the Governor, the Attorney General and the State Treasurer, acting as the Authority, are supplemental to and not to conflict with the duties and powers conferred upon the State Bond Commission, the Governor, the Attorney General, and State Treasurer by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-73 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 27-73
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-73
Status: in_force

The board of trustees of any such agricultural high school borrowing money pursuant to the authority granted in Section 37-27-69 , is hereby authorized and empowered to fix, maintain and collect fees, rentals and other charges to be paid by students, faculty members and others using, housed in or being served by any building or other housing facility erected or established under the terms and provisions of said section. All such fees, rentals and other charges shall be paid into the debt retirement fund specified in Section 37-27-71 and shall be pledged for the prompt repayment of any and all indebtedness, whether of principal or interest, incurred under the provisions of said section. Nothing in Sections 37-27-69 through 37-27-75 shall be construed to authorize the levying or imposition of any taxes in excess of the limits and amounts which are now or may hereafter be provided by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-51-17 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 51-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-51-17
Status: in_force

Each applicant, if an adult, or his parent or legal guardian in his behalf, if a minor, before being granted a loan shall enter into a contract with the State of Mississippi agreeing to the terms and conditions upon which the loan shall be made. Said contract shall include such terms and conditions as are necessary to carry out the full purpose and intent of this chapter. The form of said contract shall be prepared and approved by the attorney general of this state, and said contract shall be signed by the executive secretary of the commission.

The commission is hereby vested with full and complete authority to sue in its own name any applicant for any balance due the state on any such contract. Such suit shall be filed and conducted by the attorney general of the State of Mississippi, or by private counsel, which the commission is hereby authorized to employ for such purpose.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-43 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 106-43
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-43
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(9) Intern students shall submit an evaluation of the intern program and an assessment of its educational value to the program coordinator at the end of each work period.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-75 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 31-75
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-75
Status: in_force

The various counties, municipalities, school districts and community and junior college districts which may become parties to any agreement authorized by Sections 37-31-71 through 37-31-79 are authorized to appropriate and expend any and all funds which may be required to carry out the terms of the agreement from any funds available to any party to the agreement not otherwise appropriated without limitation as to the source of the funds, including total funding formula funds, sixteenth section funds, funds received from the federal government or other sources by way of grant, donation or otherwise, and funds which may be available to any such party through the State Department of Education or any other agency of the state, regardless of the party to the agreement designated by the agreement to be primarily responsible for the construction or operation of the regional education center and regardless of the limitation on the expenditure of any funds imposed by any other statute. However, no funds whose use was originally limited to the construction of capital improvements shall be utilized for the purpose of defraying the administrative or operating costs of any regional education center. Any one or more of the parties to an agreement may be designated as the fiscal agent or contracting party in carrying out any of the purposes of the agreement, and any and all funds authorized to be spent by any of the parties may be paid over to the fiscal agent or contracting party for disbursement by the fiscal agent or contracting party. Disbursements shall be made and contracted for under the laws and regulations applicable to the fiscal or disbursing agent, except to the extent they may be extended or modified by the provisions of Sections 37-31-71 through 37-31-79 . All of the parties to the agreement may issue bonds, negotiable notes or other evidences of indebtedness for the purpose of providing funds for the acquisition of land and for the construction of buildings and permanent improvements under the terms of the agreement under any existing laws authorizing the issuance or sale of bonds, negotiable notes or other evidences of indebtedness to provide funds for any capital improvement.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-181 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 13-181
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-181
Status: in_force

The local school boards of the public school districts, in their discretion, may develop and implement, at the beginning of the 1999-2000 school year, a comprehensive program for character education in Grades K-12. The definition of the character traits chosen by the school district for implementation shall reflect and be in keeping with both the spirit and the letter of the following founding documents: the Mississippi Constitution of 1890; the Constitution of the United States of America; the Declaration of Independence; and state and federal law. A public school may not define or teach character or character traits in any manner that might promote or encourage students to participate in conduct that would violate any state or federal law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-160-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 160-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-160-3
Status: in_force

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

(a) “ Grantee ” means the Mississippi office of Teach For America, Inc., known as “Teach For America Delta.”

(b) “ High need school district ” means a school district experiencing a shortage of highly qualified teachers and includes, but is not necessarily limited to, those school districts in a geographical area of the state designated by the State Board of Education as having a critical shortage of teachers under the Mississippi Critical Teacher Shortage Act of 1998 ( Sections 37-159-1 through 37-159-17 ).
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-144-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 144-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-144-9
Status: in_force

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

(2) Students in the program may receive tuition or other financial support that may be provided by the commission. If a student in the program is admitted to and completes medical or osteopathic school, any tuition or other educational and living support provided to the student by the commission will be forgiven. However, if the student is not successful in being accepted into medical or osteopathic school within three (3) years of entry into the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program, or if the student otherwise breaches his or her agreement with the commission, all financial assistance provided to the student must be repaid according to policies adopted by the board.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 9-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-1
Status: in_force

(1) For the purposes of this chapter, the terms “superintendent” and “principal” shall have such meaning as are ascribed to them under the provisions of Section 37-19-1 . The term “ licensed employee ” shall mean any other employee of a public school district required to hold a valid license by the Commission on Teacher and Administrator Education, Certification and Licensure and Development. The term “ non-instructional employee ” shall include all employees of school districts other than superintendents, principals and licensed employees.

(2) Unless a statute in this chapter specifically is made applicable to charter schools, the provisions of this chapter only apply to public school districts, the employees of public school districts and the public schools that are within those school districts.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 23-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-9
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise provided in Laws, 1999, Chapter 582, 1 course of study, teacher-pupil ratio, adequacy of methods of instruction, in-service training qualifications of teachers and technicians, and necessary equipment for special education must comply with the requirements established by the state department of education. Boards of trustees of the districts wherein a special class or classes are established are to employ teachers as provided by law for the purpose of teaching the established special classes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / 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. § 37-153-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 153-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-7
Status: in_force

(1) There is created the Mississippi Office of Workforce Development and the Mississippi State Workforce Investment Board, which shall serve as the advisory board for the office. The Mississippi State Workforce Investment Board shall be composed of thirty-one (31) voting members, of which a majority shall be representatives of business and industry in accordance with the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, or any successive acts.

(2) The members of the State Workforce Investment Board shall include:

(a) The Governor, or his designee;

(b) Nineteen (19) members, appointed by the Governor, of whom:

(i) A majority shall be representatives of businesses in the state, who:

1. Are owners of businesses, chief executives or operating officers of businesses, or other business executives or employers with optimum policymaking or hiring authority, and who, in addition, may be members of a local board described in Section 3122(b)(2)(A)(i) of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. At least two (2) of the members appointed under this item 1. shall be small business owners, chief executives or operating officers of businesses with less than fifty (50) employees;

2. Represent businesses, including small businesses, or organizations representing businesses, which provide employment opportunities that, at a minimum, include high-quality, work-relevant training and development in high-demand industry sectors or occupations in the state; and

3. Are appointed from among individuals nominated by state business organizations and business trade associations;

(ii) Not less than twenty percent (20%) shall consist of representatives of the workforce within the state, which:

1. Includes labor organization representatives who have been nominated by state labor federations;

2. Includes a labor organization member or training director from an apprenticeship program in the state, which shall be a joint labor-management apprenticeship program if such a program exists in the state;

3. May include representatives of community-based organizations, including organizations serving veterans or providing or supporting competitive, integrated employment for individuals with disabilities, who have demonstrated experience and expertise in addressing employment, training or education needs of individuals with barriers to employment; and

4. May include representatives of organizations, including organizations serving out-of-school youth, who have demonstrated experience or expertise in addressing the employment, training or education needs of eligible youth;

(iii) The balance shall include government representatives, including the lead state officials with primary responsibility for core programs, and chief elected officials (collectively representing both cities and counties, where appropriate);

(c) Two (2) representatives of businesses in the state appointed by the Lieutenant Governor;

(d) Two (2) representatives of businesses in the state appointed by the Governor from a list of three (3) recommendations from the Speaker of the House; and

(e) The following state officials or their designees:

(i) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Employment Security;

(ii) The Executive Director of the Department of Rehabilitation Services;

(iii) The State Superintendent of Public Education;

(iv) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Development Authority;

(v) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Community College Board;

(vi) The President of the Community College Association; and

(vii) The Commissioner of Higher Education.

(f) One (1) senator, appointed by the Lieutenant Governor, and one (1) representative, appointed by the Speaker of the House, shall serve on the state board in a nonvoting capacity.

(g) The Governor may appoint additional members if required by the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, or any successive acts.

(h) Members of the board shall serve a term of four (4) years, and shall not serve more than three (3) consecutive terms.

(i) The membership of the board shall reflect the diversity of the State of Mississippi.

(j) The Governor shall designate the Chairman of the Mississippi State Workforce Investment Board from among the business and industry voting members of the board, and a quorum of the board shall consist of a majority of the voting members of the board.

(k) The voting members of the board who are not state employees shall be entitled to reimbursement of their reasonable expenses in the manner and amount specified in Section 25-3-41 and shall be entitled to receive per diem compensation as authorized in Section 25-3-69 .

(3) Members of the state board may be recalled by their appointing authority for cause, including a felony conviction, fraudulent or dishonest acts or gross abuse of discretion, failure to meet board member qualifications, or chronic failure to attend board meetings.

(4) The Mississippi Department of Employment Security shall establish limits on administrative costs for each portion of Mississippi's workforce development system consistent with the federal Workforce Investment Act or any future federal workforce legislation.

(5) The Mississippi State Workforce Investment Board shall have the following duties, which are intended to be consistent with the scope of duties provided in the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, amendments and successor legislation to this act, and other relevant federal law:

(a) Through the office, develop and submit to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the House a strategic plan for an integrated state workforce development system that aligns resources and structures the system to more effectively and efficiently meet the demands of Mississippi's employers and job seekers. This plan will comply with the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998, as amended, the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 and amendments and successor legislation to these acts;

(b) Assist the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the House in the development and continuous improvement of the statewide workforce investment system that shall include:

(i) Development of linkages in order to assure coordination and nonduplication among programs and activities; and

(ii) Review local workforce development plans that reflect the use of funds from the federal Workforce Investment Act, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, the Wagner-Peyser Act and the amendment or successor legislation to the acts, and the Mississippi Comprehensive Workforce Training and Education Consolidation Act;

(c) Recommend to the office the designation of local workforce investment areas as required in Section 116 of the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014. There shall be four (4) workforce investment areas that are generally aligned with the planning and development district structure in Mississippi. Planning and development districts will serve as the fiscal agents to manage Workforce Investment Act funds, oversee and support the local workforce investment boards aligned with the area and the local programs and activities as delivered by the one-stop employment and training system. The planning and development districts will perform this function through the provisions of the county cooperative service districts created under Sections 19-3-101 through 19-3-115 ; however, planning and development districts currently performing this function under the Interlocal Cooperation Act of 1974, Sections 17-13-1 through 17-13-17 , may continue to do so;

(d) Assist the Governor in the development of an allocation formula for the distribution of funds for adult employment and training activities and youth activities to local workforce investment areas;

(e) Recommend comprehensive, results-oriented measures that shall be applied to all of Mississippi's workforce development system programs;

(f) Assist the Governor in the establishment and management of a one-stop employment and training system conforming to the requirements of the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, as amended, recommending policy for implementing the Governor's approved plan for employment and training activities and services within the state. In developing this one-stop career operating system, the Mississippi State Workforce Investment Board, in conjunction with local workforce investment boards, shall:

(i) Design broad guidelines for the delivery of workforce development programs;

(ii) Identify all existing delivery agencies and other resources;

(iii) Define appropriate roles of the various agencies to include an analysis of service providers' strengths and weaknesses;

(iv) Determine the best way to utilize the various agencies to deliver services to recipients; and

(v) Develop a financial plan to support the delivery system that shall, at a minimum, include an accountability system;

(g) To provide authority, in accordance with any executive order of the Governor, for developing the necessary collaboration among state agencies at the highest level for accomplishing the purposes of this article;

(h) To monitor the effectiveness of the workforce development centers and WIN job centers;

(i) To advise the Governor, public schools, community and junior colleges and institutions of higher learning on effective school-to-work transition policies and programs that link students moving from high school to higher education and students moving between community colleges and four-year institutions in pursuit of academic and technical skills training;

(j) To work with industry to identify barriers that inhibit the delivery of quality workforce education and the responsiveness of educational institutions to the needs of industry;

(k) To provide periodic assessments on effectiveness and results of the overall Mississippi comprehensive workforce development system and district councils;

(l) Develop broad statewide development goals, including a goal to raise the state's labor force participation rate;

(m) Perform a comprehensive review of Mississippi's workforce development efforts, including the amount spent and effectiveness of programs supported by state or federal money; and

(n) To assist the Governor in carrying out any other responsibility required by the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998, as amended and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, successor legislation and amendments.

(6) The Mississippi State Workforce Investment Board shall coordinate all training programs and funds within its purview, consistent with the federal Workforce Investment Act, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, amendments and successor legislation to these acts, and other relevant federal law.

Each state agency director responsible for workforce training activities shall advise the Mississippi Office of Workforce Development and the State Workforce Investment Board of appropriate federal and state requirements. Each state agency, department and institution shall report any monies received for workforce training activities or career and technical education and a detailed itemization of how those monies were spent to the state board. The board shall compile the data and provide a report of the monies and expenditures to the Chairs of the House and Senate Appropriations Committee, the Chair of the House Workforce Development Committee and the Chair of the Senate Economic and Workforce Development Committee by October 1 of each year. Each such state agency director shall remain responsible for the actions of his agency; however, each state agency and director shall work cooperatively to fulfill the state's goals.

(7) The State Workforce Investment Board shall establish an executive committee, which shall consist of the following State Workforce Investment Board members:

(a) The Chair of the State Workforce Investment Board;

(b) Two (2) business representatives currently serving on the state board selected by the Governor;

(c) The two (2) business representatives currently serving on the state board appointed by the Lieutenant Governor;

(d) The two (2) business representatives currently serving on the state board appointed by the Governor from a list of three (3) recommendations from the Speaker of the House;

(e) The two (2) legislators, who shall serve in a nonvoting capacity, one (1) of whom shall be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor from the membership of the Mississippi Senate and one (1) of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives from the membership of the Mississippi House of Representatives.

(8) The executive committee shall select an executive director of the Office of Workforce Development, with the advice and consent of a majority of the State Workforce Investment Board. The executive committee shall seek input from economic development organizations across the state when selecting the executive director. The executive director shall:

(a) Be a person with extensive experience in development of economic, human and physical resources, and promotion of industrial and commercial development. The executive director shall have a bachelor's degree from a state-accredited institution and no less than eight (8) years of professional experience related to workforce or economic development;

(b) Perform the functions necessary for the daily operation and administration of the office, with oversight from the executive committee and the State Workforce Investment Board, to fulfill the duties of the state board as described in Chapter 476, Laws of 2020;

(c) Hire staff needed for the performance of his or her duties under Chapter 476, Laws of 2020. The executive director, with approval from the executive committee, shall set the compensation of any hired employees from any funds made available for that purpose;

(d) Enter any part of the Mississippi Community College Board, individual community and junior colleges, or other workforce training facilities operated by the state or its subdivisions;

(e) Serve at the will and pleasure of the executive committee;

(f) Promulgate rules and regulations, subject to oversight by the executive committee, not inconsistent with this article, as may be necessary to enforce the provisions in Chapter 476, Laws of 2020; and

(g) Perform any other actions he or she, in consultation with the executive committee, deems necessary to fulfill the duties under Chapter 476, Laws of 2020.

(9) The Office of Workforce Development and Mississippi Community College Board shall collaborate in the administration and oversight of the Mississippi Workforce Enhancement Training Fund and Mississippi Works Fund, as described in Section 71-5-353 . The executive director shall maintain complete and exclusive operational control of the office's functions.

(10) The office shall file an annual and a quarterly report with the Governor, Secretary of State, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House, Chairman of the House Workforce Development Committee and Chairman of the Senate Economic and Workforce Development Committee. The annual report shall be filed not later than October 1 of each year regarding all funds approved by the office to be expended on workforce training during the prior calendar year. The quarterly and annual reports shall include:

(a) Information on the performance of the Mississippi Workforce Enhancement Training Fund and the Mississippi Works Fund, in terms of adding value to the local and state economy, the contribution to future growth of the state economy, and movement toward state goals, including increasing the labor force participation rate;

(b) With respect to specific workforce training projects:

(i) The location of the training;

(ii) The amount allocated to the project;

(iii) The purpose of the project;

(iv) The specific business entity that is the beneficiary of the project;

(v) The number of employees intended to be trained and actually trained, if applicable, in the course of the project; and

(vi) The types of funds used for the project;

(c) With respect to the grants that have been awarded under the Mississippi K-12 Workforce Development Grant Program created in Section 37-153-221 :

(i) The entity that was awarded the grant;

(ii) The amount allocated to the grant;

(iii) The purpose of the grant;

(iv) How the grant has been used since it was awarded; and

(d) With respect to the office's authority to select tools and resources, including necessary online platforms and similar systems in furtherance of the mission of the office:

(i) The policies that the office has adopted or amended on the process for the selection of tools and resources, including necessary online platforms and similar systems in furtherance of the mission of the office;

(ii) The eligible entities that the office determined may provide services, such as companies, nonprofit organizations, or other similar groups;

(iii) Any tools and resources, including necessary online platforms and similar systems in furtherance of the mission of the office, that have been selected by the office; and

(iv) What entity received the benefit of the tools and resources that were selected.

(e) All information concerning a proposed project which is provided to the executive director shall be kept confidential. Except as provided in subsections (13) and (14), such confidentiality shall not limit disclosure under the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983 of records describing the nature, quantity, cost or other pertinent information related to the activities of, or services performed using, the Mississippi Workforce Enhancement Training Fund or the Mississippi Works Fund.

(11) In addition to other powers and duties provided in this section, the Office of Workforce Development shall also have the following powers and duties:

(a) Direct access to accounting and banking statements for all funds under its direction to ensure accurate and efficient management of funds and to improve internal control;

(b) The ability to enter into nondisclosure agreements to effectively support economic development activities and the proprietary nature of customized training for existing and new industry;

(c) To adopt and promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary or desirable for the purpose of implementing the Mississippi K-12 Workforce Development Grant Program created in Section 37-153-221 ;

(d) To receive contributions, donations, gifts, bequests of money, other forms of financial assistance and property, equipment, materials or manpower from persons, foundations, trust funds, corporations, organizations and other sources, public or private, made to the office, and may expend or use the same in accordance with the conditions prescribed by the donor, provided that no such condition is contrary to any provision of law;

(e) To contract with state agencies, governing authorities or economic and workforce development entities for shared programmatic efforts and support service or joint employment of personnel in order to further the office's purposes;

(f) To determine, subject to appropriation, the need for and, if desired, the selection of tools and resources, including necessary online platforms and similar systems in furtherance of the mission of the office, through processes established in policies adopted by the office that are deemed to be practical, feasible and in the public interest. These processes shall outline eligible entities that may provide such services, such as companies, nonprofit organizations, or other similar groups and shall ensure the office determines metrics for success, including deliverables as required by the office;

(g) To implement the career coaching program provided for in Section 37-73-3 ;

(h) To provide career coaches with access to technology to develop customized career pathways and connect students with post-secondary and employment opportunities matching their skills and interests; and

(i) To implement and oversee programs providing support to community and junior colleges for training needs that may arise when new businesses locate in Mississippi, to include providing support to existing industries that may lose employees as a result of the new business.

Through December 31, 2026, the provisions of Section 27-104-7 related to rental agreements or leasing of real property for the purpose of conducting agency business shall not apply to the office.

(12) Nothing in Chapter 476, Laws of 2020 [Senate Bill No. 2564] shall void or otherwise interrupt any contract, lease, grant or other agreement previously entered into by the State Workforce Investment Board, Mississippi Community College Board, individual community or junior colleges, or other entities.

(13) Any records of the office which contain client information from the Mississippi Development Authority or local economic development entities concerning development projects shall be exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983 for a period of two (2) years after receipt of the information by the office. Confidential client information as described in this section shall not include the information which must be disclosed by the certified applicant related to a qualified economic development project in the annual report described in Section 57-1-759 .

(14) Confidential client information in public records held by the office shall be exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983 during any period of review and negotiation on a project proposal facilitated by the Mississippi Development Authority or local economic development entities and for a period of thirty (30) days after approval, disapproval or abandonment of the proposal not to exceed one (1) year.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-63-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 63-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-63-5
Status: in_force

The Authority for Educational Television shall elect a chairman, vice chairman and such other officers it deems necessary. The authority shall adopt rules and regulations governing times and places for meetings, and governing the manner of conducting its business. Any member who does not attend three (3) consecutive regular meetings of the authority shall be subject to removal by a majority vote of the board members.

The authority shall meet at least bimonthly. Special meetings may be called by the chairman, vice chairman or the executive director. Four (4) members of the authority shall constitute a quorum.

Authority members who are not employed by the state shall receive per diem and actual and necessary expenses for attending meetings as provided by general law for public officers and employees. Elementary and secondary school teachers and/or elementary and secondary principals shall not be considered to be state employees for the purposes of this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-509 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 29-509
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-509
Status: in_force

(1) The Meridian Junior College District shall be under the executive direction of a president elected by the board of trustees of such district.

(2) The president of the community college shall be general manager of all fiscal and administrative affairs of the district with full authority to select, employ, direct and discharge any and all employees other than faculty. He shall have the power to recommend to the board of trustees all faculty to be employed, and he may remove or suspend any member of the faculty subject to the approval of the board of trustees. The president shall have the authority, subject to the approval of the board of trustees, to arrange and survey courses of study, fix schedules and establish and enforce rules and discipline for the governing of faculty and students. He shall be the general custodian of the property of the district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-148 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 23-148
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-148
Status: in_force

(1) Children with disabilities shall be included in general statewide and district-wide assessments programs, with appropriate accommodations, where necessary. As appropriate, the State Department of Education and the local educational agency shall:

(a) Develop policies and procedures for the participation of children with disabilities in alternate assessments for those children who cannot participate in statewide and district-wide assessment programs; and

(b) Develop and, beginning not later than July 1, 2000, conduct those alternate assessments.

(2) The State Department of Education shall make available to the public, and report to the public with the same frequency and in the same detail as it reports on the assessment of nondisabled children, the following:

(a) The number of children with disabilities participating in regular assessments;

(b) The number of children participating in alternate assessments;

(c) The performance of those children on regular assessments, beginning not later than July 1, 1998, and on alternate assessments, not later than July 1, 2000, if doing so would be statistically sound and would not result in the disclosure of performance results identifiable to individual children; and

(d) Data relating to the performance of children with disabilities shall be disaggregated for assessments conducted after July 1, 1998.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-29 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 27-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-29
Status: in_force

The trustees of agricultural high schools by and with the consent of the board of supervisors of the county or counties affected are hereby authorized to lease all or any part of the lands belonging to them for the purpose of investigating, exploring, prospecting, drilling and mining for and producing oil, gas and all other minerals, laying pipe lines, building roads, tanks, power stations, telephone lines and other structures thereon to produce, save, take care of, treat, transport and dispose of and own said products, and housing its employees, and to collect royalties from such leases. Any lease of such land shall contain a provision to retain at least a one-eighth interest in the royalties and proceeds and receipts of any oil, gas and/or minerals produced thereon for the benefit of such school.

Any funds arising from or collected under this section shall be deposited in the county depository of the county in which said school is located to the credit of said agricultural high school. Such funds may be disbursed as other funds belonging to said institution.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-67 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 101-67
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-67
Status: in_force

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

All such bonds shall not constitute a debt of the college or university for which the facilities are to be constructed.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-113 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 65-113
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-113
Status: in_force

Upon or during any closure of any school in accordance with the terms of this article, the retirement benefits under existing law of any teacher, superintendent, principal or other employee shall in no way be affected by the same or because of the period of time elapsing while such school or junior college or institution of high learning may be closed.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-65 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 11-65
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-65
Status: in_force

A student who is enrolled in any grade higher than Grade 6 in a school district in this state must be suspended from participation in any extracurricular or athletic activity sponsored or sanctioned by the school district after a semester in which the student's cumulative grade point average is below a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. The suspension from participation in extracurricular or athletic activities may not be removed until the student's cumulative grade point average in a succeeding semester is 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. A student with a cumulative grade point average below a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale at the semester of an academic school year shall be suspended from participation in extracurricular or athletic activities in the succeeding academic school year until the student's cumulative grade point average is 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-111 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 115-111
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-111
Status: in_force

The state building commission is authorized and directed to provide suitable land presently state owned or received as a gift, and buildings to house the school of dentistry; and payment for the construction costs of such buildings shall be made from any money made available to carry out the provisions of Sections 37-115-101 through 37-115-111 . Any funds appropriated or granted from any source shall be put into a fund in the office of the state treasurer to be designated as the “School of Dentistry Fund.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-205 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 33-205
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-205
Status: in_force

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

(b) “ Director ” means the Director of the Office of Special Disability Programs;

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

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

(e) “ Special disability services ” includes, but not be limited to those services otherwise provided as independent living services;

(f) “ Office ” means the Office of Special Disability Programs;

(g) “ Regulations ” means regulations made by the executive director with the approval of the state board, including regulations pertaining to special disability services;

(h) “ Rehabilitation engineering ” means the systematic application of technologies, engineering methodologies, or scientific principles to meet the needs of and address the barriers confronted by individuals with disabilities in areas that include education, rehabilitation, employment, transportation, independent living and recreation;

(i) “ Rehabilitation engineering services ” means applying engineering principles to the design, modification, customization and/or fabrication of assistive technology for individuals with disabilities. An assistive technology device is any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified or customized, that is used to increase or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. The areas of practice for rehabilitation engineering typically encompasses job accommodations, computer access, vehicle modifications, architectural modifications and home modifications, augmentative/alternative communications, environmental controls, positioning devices, seating and mobility, sensory aids and learning accommodations;

(j) “ State Board ” means the State Board of Rehabilitation Services.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-23 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 101-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-23
Status: in_force

(1) The Mississippi Small Farm Development Center, which shall be referred to in this section as the SFDC, is established under the management and control of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning. The principal offices of the SFDC shall be located at Alcorn State University and shall be under the direction of the president of the university subject to the governance of the board of trustees. The president shall appoint a director of the SFDC who shall recommend to the president necessary professional and administrative staff of the center, all subject to the approval of the board of trustees.

(2) It shall be the function and duty of the SFDC to:

(a) Develop a system to deliver management and technical assistance to small farms utilizing the resources of local, state and federal government programs, various segments of the private sector, and universities and colleges throughout the state;

(b) Make management and technical assistance available to small farms by linking together with the above resources;

(c) Research and develop small farm opportunities for new or alternative crops;

(d) Develop a clearinghouse for the collection and dissemination of agricultural and economic data; and

(e) Assist small farms in developing more efficient marketing and distribution channels, including foreign trade marketing.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-25-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 25-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-25-1
Status: in_force

The aims and purposes of driver's education and training shall be to develop a knowledge of those provisions of the Mississippi Code of 1972 and other laws of this state relating to the operation of motor vehicles, a proper acceptance of personal responsibility in traffic, a true appreciation of the causes, seriousness and consequences of traffic accidents, and the knowledge, attitudes, habits and skills necessary for the safe operation of motor vehicles.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-11 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 145-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-11
Status: in_force

The board of trustees shall serve as the direct lender of the non-subsidized student loans authorized under this chapter and in such capacity shall:

(a) Accept and review each loan application;

(b) Determine the applicant's eligibility and continued eligibility;

(c) Collect any balance which may become due as a result of default on any loan, for which purpose the board of trustees shall have all the same authority as they have for the guaranteed student loan program; and

(d) Provide by rule for:

(i) A mechanism for informing students of the availability of the loans;

(ii) The creation of all applications, forms, promissory notes and other instruments necessary for the administration of the program; and

(iii) Any other items necessary for the administration of the program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-71 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 106-71
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-71
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(c) Have school leadership trained in dyslexia; and

(d) Have a current School Program Verification and Assurances form on file with the State Department of Education, Office of Curriculum and Instruction. Procedures and standards for the application for such funds shall be established by regulations developed and issued by the State Board of Education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-19 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 141-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-19
Status: in_force

The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning shall require that the president of each university under its jurisdiction designate, at the level of vice-president, a person responsible for economic development activities at the university. The person so designated shall be the primary contact at each university for the center in carrying out its responsibilities related to coordinating, assisting, monitoring and reporting on economic development activities at the universities.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-57-131 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 57-131
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-57-131
Status: in_force

All taxable real property which has been or shall be incorporated in, annexed to or otherwise made a part of any school district, and any taxable personal property which is located or situated in any school district prior to June 1 of any fiscal year, shall be liable for all ad valorem taxes levied or imposed for such school district during such year to the same extent and in like manner as though such real property had been incorporated in, annexed to or otherwise made a part of such school district prior to January 1 of such year, and in like manner as though such personal property had been located or situated within such school district prior to January 1 of such year; such property shall be relieved from liability for taxes levied during such year for the support and maintenance of the school district of which it was formerly a part, and such personal property shall be relieved from liability for taxes levied during such year for the support and maintenance of the school district within which it was formerly located or situated. Nothing herein shall be construed to relieve such real or personal property from assessment and liability for the payment of the outstanding bonds or other indebtedness of the district of which such property was formerly a part, or of the district in which such personal property was situated or located as the case may be, and such question shall be governed and controlled by other statutes applicable thereto, including, but not being limited to, Section 37-7-109 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-57-133 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 57-133
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-57-133
Status: in_force

In the event taxable real property has been or is incorporated in, annexed to, or otherwise made a part of a school district, or in the event taxable personal property is or becomes situated or located within a school district, as the case may be, prior to October 1 of any year but after the approval of the assessment roll of the county or school district for such year, then the board of supervisors of the county or the governing authority of the municipality, as the case may be, shall have the power and authority to make such changes in the assessment roll as shall be necessary to cause such real or personal property to be assessed properly for the ad valorem taxes levied during said year for which such property shall be liable under the terms of Section 37-57-131 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-83 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 101-83
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-83
Status: in_force

(a)(i) A special fund, to be designated as the “2022 IHL Capital Improvements Fund,” is created within the State Treasury. The fund shall be maintained by the State Treasurer as a separate and special fund, separate and apart from the General Fund of the state. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited into such fund.

(ii) Monies deposited into the fund shall be disbursed, in the discretion of the Department of Finance and Administration, with the approval of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning on those projects related to the universities under its management and control to pay the costs of capital improvements, renovation and/or repair of existing facilities, furnishings and/or equipping facilities for public facilities as hereinafter described:

AMOUNT

NAME

PROJECT

ALLOCATED

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

․․․․$ 5,040,000.00

Preplanning for repair, renovation, and expansion of and upgrades and improvements to the David L. Whitney Complex and Wellness Center; campus safety and security project, including open space development, sprinkler systems for dormitories, security camera installation, card access systems, street lighting, and emergency kiosks; and repair, renovation and upgrading of campus infrastructure

․․․․$ 1,040,000.00

Repair and renovation of and upgrades and improvements to the Math and Science Building

․․․․$ 4,000,000.00

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

․․․․$ 5,640,000.00

Repair, renovation and replacement of and upgrades and improvements to HVAC systems and related equipment and infrastructure

․․․․$ 3,937,500.00

Repair and renovation for ADA compliance for the Bologna Performing Arts Center

․․․․$ 1,702,500.00

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

․․․$ 12,000,000.00

Construction, furnishing and equipping of a new dining facility and related facilities

․․․$ 12,000,000.00

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

․․․$ 14,680,000.00

Repair, renovation, construction, acquisition of property, furnishing and equipping of related facilities to house the College of Architecture, Art and Design

․․․$ 14,680,000.00

Mississippi State University/Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine

․․․․$ 9,610,000.00

Repair and renovation of and upgrades and improvements to Dorman Hall and related facilities

․․․․$ 9,610,000.00

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

․․․․$ 2,500,000.00

Repair, renovation, and upgrading of campus buildings and facilities

․․․․$ 2,500,000.00

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

․․․$ 10,200,000.00

Repair, renovation, expansion of and improvements to existing buildings and facilities on the main campus

․․․$ 10,200,000.00

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

․․․․$ 5,500,000.00

Construction, furnishing and equipping of a new mechanical and power plant building and related facilities

․․․․$ 4,500,000.00

Preplanning for construction, furnishing and equipping of a new building and related facilities to house the School of Accountancy

․․․․$ 1,000,000.00

University of Mississippi Medical Center․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․$ 8,000,000.00

Repair, renovation, and upgrading of campus buildings and facilities

․․․․$ 8,000,000.00

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

․․․$ 11,000,000.00

Construction, furnishing and equipping of a new science research facility

․․․$ 11,000,000.00

IHL Education and Research Center․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․$ 1,400,000.00

Repair and replacement of chillers and related equipment for the campus air conditioning and heating system

․․․․$ 1,400,000.00

TOTAL ․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․ $ 85,570,000.00

(b)(i) Amounts deposited into such special fund shall be disbursed to pay the costs of projects described in paragraph (a) of this section. If any monies in such special fund are not used within four (4) years after the date funds are transferred under Section 1 of Chapter 510, Laws of 2022 from the Capital Expense Fund created in Section 27-103-303, Mississippi Code of 1972 , into the special fund, then the institution of higher learning for which any unused monies are allocated under paragraph (a) of this section shall provide an accounting of such unused monies to the Department of Finance and Administration.

(ii) Monies in the special fund may be used to reimburse reasonable actual and necessary costs incurred by the Department of Finance and Administration, acting through the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management, in administering or providing assistance directly related to a project described in paragraph (a) of this section. An accounting of actual costs incurred for which reimbursement is sought shall be maintained for each project by the Department of Finance and Administration, Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management. Reimbursement of reasonable actual and necessary costs for a project shall not exceed two percent (2%) of the monies in the special fund used for such project. Monies authorized for a particular project may not be used to reimburse administrative costs for unrelated projects.

(c) The Department of Finance and Administration, acting through the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management, is expressly authorized and empowered to receive and expend any local or other source funds in connection with the expenditure of funds provided for in this section. The expenditure of monies deposited into the special fund shall be under the direction of the Department of Finance and Administration, and such funds shall be paid by the State Treasurer upon warrants issued by such department, which warrants shall be issued upon requisitions signed by the Executive Director of the Department of Finance and Administration, or his designee.

(d) Any amounts allocated to an institution of higher learning that are in excess of that needed to complete the projects at such institution of higher learning that are described in paragraph (a) of this section may be used for general repairs and renovations at the institution of higher learning.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-49 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 41-49
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-49
Status: in_force

In case of any violation by a school district bus driver or carrier of the safety regulations established by the State Board of Education, such violation shall be deemed a misdemeanor and such offender may be punished as provided in Section 37-41-47 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-113 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 29-113
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-113
Status: in_force

For the purpose of refunding any bonds issued under the provisions of Section 37-29-109 , including refunding bonds, any board of trustees may make and issue refunding bonds in such amount as may be necessary to pay off and redeem the bonds to be refunded together with unpaid and past due interest thereon and any premium which may be due under the terms of such outstanding bonds, together also with the cost of issuing such refunding bonds. Said board may sell the same in like manner as provided for the initial issuance of bonds. With the proceeds of any such refunding bonds such board shall pay off, redeem and cancel such old bonds and interest coupons as may have matured, or such bonds as may have been called for payment and redemption together with the past due interest and premium, if any, due thereon; such bonds may be issued and delivered in exchange for a like par value amount of bonds to refund which the refunding bonds were issued. No refunding bonds issued hereunder shall be payable in more than twenty-five (25) years from the date thereof, nor shall any such refunding bonds bear interest at a rate in excess of that allowed in Section 75-17-101, Mississippi Code of 1972 , payable semiannually. All such refunding bonds shall be payable from the same source or sources as were pledged to the payment of the bonds refunded thereby and, in the discretion of such board of trustees, may be payable from any other source or sources which may be pledged to the payment of revenue bonds issued hereunder. Bonds of two (2) or more outstanding issues of the same board may be refunded in a single issue of refunding bonds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-35-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / 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. § 37-145-37 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 145-37
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-37
Status: in_force

All bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 37-145-23 through 37-145-41 shall be legal investments for trustees and other fiduciaries, and for savings banks, trust companies and insurance companies organized under the laws of the State of Mississippi, and such bonds shall be legal securities which may be deposited with and shall be received by all public officers and bodies of this state and all municipalities and political subdivisions for the purpose of securing the deposit of public funds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-104.2 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 7-104.2
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-104.2
Status: in_force

(1) In Clay County, Mississippi, in which are located, as of January 1, 2013, two (2) school districts, there shall be an administrative consolidation of all of those school districts in the county into one (1) new consolidated school district to be designated as West Point Consolidated School District which shall consist of the territory of the former Clay County School District and the West Point School District. The central administrative office of the West Point Consolidated School District shall be located in West Point, Mississippi.

(2) On or before September 1, 2013, the State Board of Education shall serve the local school boards in Clay County with notice and instructions regarding the timetable for action to be taken to comply with the administrative consolidation required in this section. The State Board of Education shall provide for the administrative consolidation of the school districts in the county on or before July 1, 2015. In the new West Point Consolidated School District, there shall be a new board of trustees comprised of five (5) members selected as follows: (a) the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of West Point shall appoint three (3) of the five (5) members, each to be selected for a term of four (4) years; and (b) two (2) members to be elected for a term of four (4) years by the electors of Clay County residing outside of the West Point corporate limits who shall be residents of that territory and who shall be elected in a November 2014 special election which shall be called by the Governor for that purpose. All subsequent members of the board elected from the territory outside of the West Point corporate limits shall be elected for a term of four (4) years at the regular general election held on the first Monday in November next preceding the expiration of the term of office of the respective member or members. All elected and appointed members shall take office on the first Monday of January following the date of their election or appointment. The State Board of Education, with the assistance of the Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review (PEER), shall apportion the territory of the new consolidated school district located outside the West Point corporate limits into two (2) new single member board of trustee election districts. The State Board of Education shall thereafter publish the same in some newspaper of general circulation in the county for at least three (3) consecutive weeks and after having given notice of publication and recording the same upon the minutes of the school boards of each school district in the county, the new district lines will thereafter be effective for the November 2014 special election. Any school board member of the former school districts residing in the proper territory shall be eligible for appointment or election to the new Board of Trustees for West Point Consolidated School District.

Any school district affected by the required administrative consolidation in Clay County that does not voluntarily consolidate as ordered by the State Board of Education shall be administratively consolidated by the State Board of Education, to be effective on July 1 following the election of the new local school board. The State Board of Education shall promptly move on its own motion to administratively consolidate a school district which does not voluntarily consolidate in order to enable the affected school districts to reasonably accomplish the resulting administrative consolidation into one (1) consolidated school district by July 1 following the selection of the new board of trustees. The affected school districts shall comply with any consolidation order issued by the State Board of Education on or before July 1 following the selection of the new school boards.

(3) On July 1 following the selection of the new Board of Trustees of the West Point Consolidated School District, the former county board of education and the former Board of Trustees of the West Point School District shall be abolished. All real and personal property which is owned or titled in the name of a school district located in such former school district shall be transferred to the new reorganized school district of West Point Consolidated School District in which such former school district is located. Each former school board shall be responsible for establishing the contracts for teachers and principals for the next school year following the required administrative consolidation with the consultation of the newly elected successor school board. The new Board of Trustees for the West Point Consolidated School District shall appoint the Superintendent of Schools for the school district. The Superintendent of Schools for the West Point Consolidated School District may appoint assistant superintendent(s) of schools for the district, but in no instance shall the administrative leadership of the West Point Consolidated School District exceed the number of assistant superintendents employed in the former West Point School District. The subsequent superintendent of schools of the reorganized school district shall not be elected, but shall thereafter be appointed by the successor board of trustees in the manner provided in Section 37-9-25 . It shall be the responsibility of the successor board of trustees to prepare and approve the budget of the new reorganized district, and the successor board of trustees may use staff from the former school districts to prepare the budget. Any proposed order of the State Board of Education directing the transfer of the assets, real or personal property of an affected school district in the county, shall be final and conclusive for the purposes of the transfer of property required by such administrative consolidation. Any person or school district aggrieved by an order of the successor newly selected Board of Trustees of the West Point Consolidated School District pursuant to the required administrative consolidation may appeal therefrom within ten (10) days from the date of the adjournment of the meeting at which such order is entered. Said appeal shall be taken in the same manner as appeals are taken from judgments or decisions of the board of supervisors as provided in Section 11-51-75, Mississippi Code of 1972 , the provisions of which shall be fully applicable to appeals taken hereunder. The Board of Trustees of the West Point Consolidated School District shall not pass upon or approve or disapprove any such order until the time for an appeal therefrom shall have expired, nor shall said board pass upon or approve or disapprove any such order from which an appeal is taken until said appeal shall have been finally determined.

(4) When any school district in the county is abolished under the provisions of this section, the abolition thereof shall not impair or release the property of that former school district from liability for the payment of the bonds or other indebtedness of such district.

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

(6) The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules and regulations to facilitate the administrative consolidation of the school districts in Clay County pursuant to this section. The consolidated districts shall make an election within one (1) year of consolidation concerning the group term life insurance described in subsection (7) of Section 25-15-9 . When the orders of the State Board of Education adopting the boundaries of the successor board of trustees election districts have been entered and are final, as directed by the State Board of Education, the new district lines shall be submitted by the State Board of Education with the assistance of the Attorney General to the Attorney General of the United States for preclearance or to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia for a declaratory judgment in accordance with the provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended and extended. In the event the change in the school district lines and election districts are precleared or approved, the State Board of Education shall formally declare the new lines as the new boundaries of the successor school district.

(7) For the initial two (2) years following the administrative consolidation required by this section, the State Department of Education may grant a waiver of accountability and state assessment requirements to the West Point Consolidated School District for the student population enrolled therein from the former Clay County School District when determining the new consolidated school district accreditation level on the performance and accountability rating model.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-605 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 29-605
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-605
Status: in_force

All bonds issued by an educational building corporation may be executed and delivered at any time and from time to time, may be in such form and denominations, may be of such tenor, may be payable in such installments and at such time or times not exceeding thirty (30) years from their date, may be payable at such place or places, may bear interest at such rate or rates payable at such place or places and evidenced in such manner, and may contain such provisions not inconsistent with Sections 37-29-601 through 37-29-613 , all as may be provided by resolution of its board of directors. The bonds issued by any such corporation shall be signed by the chairman of its board of directors or other chief executive officer and attested by its secretary, and the seal of such corporation shall be affixed thereto. Any such bonds may be sold at public or private sale in such manner and from time to time as may be determined by the board of directors to be most advantageous, and the corporation may pay all expenses, premiums and commissions which its board of directors may deem necessary or advantageous in connection with the authorization, sale and issuance of the bonds. All such bonds shall be construed to be negotiable instruments, despite the fact that they are payable solely from a specified source.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-19 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 59-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-19
Status: in_force

When a petition signed by a majority of the qualified electors residing within the school district on behalf of which bonds are to be issued, fixing the maximum amount of such bonds, such maximum amount not to exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), and the purpose or purposes for which they are to be issued, shall be filed with the school board of the school district, praying for the issuance of bonds for any of the purposes enumerated in Section 37-59-3 , the school board shall issue the bonds of such school district in the manner provided in this article, in the amount and for the purpose or purposes set forth in such petition, without the necessity of calling an election upon the question of whether or not such bonds shall be issued. The finding of the school board as to the sufficiency of any such petition shall be final and conclusive, unless such finding be appealed from in the manner provided by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-154-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 154-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-154-3
Status: in_force

(1) The SLDS will be governed by a SLDS Governing Board (the board), which shall be composed of a representative from each agency or entity providing data to the system. Each agency or entity will appoint their representative to sit on the Governing Board. For the two (2) years following July 1, 2013, the State Workforce Investment Board Chair will also serve as Chair of the SLDS Governing Board. In subsequent years, the SLDS Governing Board will elect a chair from among its members. The Chair of the SLDS Governing Board will serve a two-year term.

(2) The SLDS Governing Board shall develop and promulgate all rules and regulations governing the activities of the SLDS in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. The board is authorized to contract with a third party to manage and maintain the system and to insure the policies and procedures developed by the board are enforced.

(3) The SLDS Governing Board shall be responsible for, but not limited to, the following objectives:

(a) Identifying critical research and policy questions that need to be addressed by education (P-20) and workforce programs;

(b) Identifying reports and other information that should be available to education and workforce entities and other public stakeholders;

(c) Developing a funding mechanism for sustaining the system after it is developed;

(d) Defining and maintaining standards for privacy, confidentiality and security of data; and

(e) Performing other advisory functions that are necessary for the successful continuation and management of the longitudinal data system.

(4) Nothing in this chapter shall prevent an individual agency or entity from maintaining control of their agency's individual data.

(5) All data provided to the SLDS shall be provided in accordance with all local, state and federal laws governing the protection and sharing of such data.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-133 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 33-133
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-133
Status: in_force

Any funds obtained by the State Department of Rehabilitation Services as a result of the manufacture of goods shall be used and accounted for separately from any funds received by the department through appropriations from the Legislature. All nonappropriated funds generated by community rehabilitation program facilities shall not be subject to appropriation by the Legislature, but must be used in accordance with the federal regulations set forth by The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-37 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 104-37
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-37
Status: in_force

All revenue bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter shall be legal investments for trustees, other fiduciaries, savings banks, trust companies, and insurance companies organized under the laws of the State of Mississippi; and such revenue bonds shall be legal securities which may be deposited with and shall be received by all public officers and bodies of this state and all municipalities and public subdivisions for the purpose of securing the deposit of public funds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-51-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 51-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-51-9
Status: in_force

The “secular education of children” as used in this chapter shall mean the education of children in those subjects, and only those subjects, which are required to be taught by state law to the same extent as those subjects are taught in the public schools of the state or which are provided in public schools throughout the state; it shall not include the education of children in any course in religion or any course expressing religious teaching or the morals or forms of worship of any sect.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-43 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 59-43
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-43
Status: in_force

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

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

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

(4) Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to prevent the payment of a portion of the earnings derived from the investment of bond proceeds or any other amounts in the bond fund or related reserve or sinking funds to the federal government to the extent required by the federal laws applicable to such bonds or the interest income thereon in order to maintain their tax exempt status.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / 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. § 37-43-29 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 43-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-43-29
Status: in_force

Any person, firm or corporation with whom a contract has been entered into, under the provisions of this chapter, shall designate the Secretary of State of Mississippi as its agent, upon whom citation and all other writs and processes may be served, in case any suit shall be brought against such person, firm or corporation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-55 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 33-55
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-55
Status: in_force

The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind established by Section 37-33-153 shall be administered by the director under supervision of the executive director and the state board, in conformity with federal policies adopted by the department. The director shall be selected by the executive director in accordance with established personnel standards and on the basis of his or her education, training, experience and administrative ability. The director shall devote his or her full time to the administration of vocational rehabilitation. In carrying out his or her duties under the Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind Law, the director:

(a) Shall, with the approval of the executive director, make regulations in conformity with the most recent amendment of the federal Rehabilitation Act and its associated regulations governing the protection of records and confidential information, the manner and form of filing applications, eligibility and investigations and determinations thereof for vocational rehabilitation services, procedures for fair hearings, and such other regulations as are found necessary to carry out the purposes of that law;

(b) Shall, with the approval of the executive director, establish appropriate subordinate administrative units within the office for providing vocational rehabilitation, independent living, supported employment, rehabilitation engineering and other services to children, adolescents and adults under federal and state regulatory guidelines;

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

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

(e) Shall, if the executive director so authorizes, make certifications on behalf of the executive director for the disbursement of funds available for vocational rehabilitation for individuals who are blind;

(f) Shall, with the approval of the executive director and the state board, take such other action as he or she deems necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of the Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind Law;

(g) May, with the approval of the executive director and the state board, delegate to any officer or employee of the office such of his or her powers and duties, except the making of regulations and the making of recommendations for appointment of personnel, as he or she finds necessary to carry out the purposes of the Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind Law;

(h) Shall, with the approval of the executive director and the state board, appoint committees to serve as the governing authority for independent living centers or other entities as required by federal law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-23 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 145-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-23
Status: in_force

The State Bond Commission shall have the power and is hereby authorized, at one (1) time or from time to time, to issue negotiable general obligation bonds of the State of Mississippi to initially fund the Mississippi Opportunity Loan Fund. The total amount of bonds which may be issued pursuant to Sections 37-145-23 through 37-145-43 shall not exceed Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000.00).
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-107 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 115-107
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-107
Status: in_force

It shall be the duty of the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning to elect or appoint a dean of this school; to determine and provide for an adequate faculty, staff and other employees; to fix and provide for the compensation of said faculty, staff and employees; to provide an adequate physical plant for this school; to prescribe the courses of study and research compatible with the objects and purposes hereinabove set forth; and to do and accomplish all other related functions consistent with the implementation of Sections 37-115-101 through 37-115-111 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-131-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 131-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-131-9
Status: in_force

In addition to the amounts paid to the demonstration or practice school from total funding formula funds, as provided in Section 37-131-7 , the board of trustees of the school district involved may contract with the demonstration or practice school for the payment of additional amounts thereto to defray expenses over and above those defrayed by the total funding formula funds, which additional amounts shall be paid from any funds available to the school district other than total funding formula funds, whether produced by a supplemental district tax levy or otherwise.

If the total funds paid to the demonstration or practice school by the school district are inadequate to defray the cost and expense of maintaining and operating such demonstration or practice school then the president or executive head of the institution may, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, require the payment of additional fees or tuition in an amount to be fixed by the president or executive head of the institution, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, which amount shall be paid by and collected from the student or his parents.

Boards of trustees of school districts involved may designate an area within the jurisdiction of the board as an attendance center as provided by law, and may require students in such area to attend demonstration or practice schools, subject to a satisfactory contract between the school board and the president or executive head of the institution operating the demonstration or practice school. In such event, all fees and tuition must be borne by the school district and in no case shall the child or the parents of the child assigned to such demonstration or practice school be required to pay any fees or tuition.

The president or executive head of the institution, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, may also fix the amount of fees and tuition to be paid by students desiring to attend such demonstration or practice school in cases where there is no contract with the board of trustees of the school district in which the students reside therefor.

All funds received by an institution, under the provisions of this section, shall be deposited in a special fund and shall be used and expended solely for the purpose of defraying and paying the cost and expense of operating, maintaining and conducting such teachers demonstration and practice school. Such funds may be supplemented by and used in connection with any other funds available to the institutions for such purpose whether made available by legislative appropriation or otherwise.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-70 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 9-70
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-70
Status: in_force

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

(2) In all school districts in which the superintendent or the administrative superintendent was, prior to July 1, 1986, known and referred to as county superintendent of education under the statutes of the State of Mississippi or as district superintendent of a special municipal separate school district which embraces all of the territory of a county, the board of supervisors shall be responsible for providing an office together with all necessary furniture and water, gas, electricity, and other utilities necessary and required for the operation of his said office, which shall be paid for out of the general fund of the county upon allowance of the board of supervisors.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-10 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 13-10
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-10
Status: in_force

The State Board of Education is authorized and directed to require all public school districts to meet the following elementary education curriculum standard: The standard course of study shall include the requirement that the public schools provide instruction in cursive reading and writing, implemented across the curriculum, so that students create readable documents through legible cursive handwriting by the end of the fifth grade, and that students pass with proficiency a teacher-constructed test demonstrating the students competency in both reading and writing cursive. This requirement shall be applicable beginning with the 2018-2019 school year. The provisions of this section shall not be applicable to the Mississippi School for the Blind and the Mississippi School for the Deaf.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-200 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 151-200
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-200
Status: in_force

(1) Sections 37-151-200 through 37-151-215 shall be known, and may be cited as the “Mississippi Student Funding Formula.”

(2) Wherever the phrase “ total funding formula ,” “ funding formula ” or “ total funding formula program ” shall appear in the laws of this state, it shall be construed to mean the “ Mississippi Student Funding Formula ” created under Chapter 151, Title 37, Mississippi Code of 1972 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-131-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 131-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-131-7
Status: in_force

When any pupils shall attend any demonstration or practice school under the provisions of Section 37-131-3 , such children shall be reported and accounted for the allocation of total funding formula funds and state public school building funds just as though such children were attending the regular schools of the district in which they reside. For this purpose, reports shall be made to the school district involved by the demonstration or practice school of the number of pupils in net enrollment, and the net enrollment of such children shall thereupon be included in reports made to the State Board of Education by the school district.

Allocation of the total funding formula funds shall be made by the State Board of Education for such children just as though such children were attending the regular schools of the district. All total funding formula funds which accrue to any district as a result of such children who are in attendance at a demonstration or practice school shall be paid by the board of trustees of the municipal separate school district or by the county board of education to the demonstration or practice school, and shall be used to defray the cost and expense of maintaining, operating and conducting such demonstration or practice school.

All state public school building funds which accrue as a result of such children in attendance at a demonstration or practice school shall be credited directly to such demonstration or practice school, and all of the provisions of Chapter 47 of this title shall be fully applicable thereto.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-37 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 27-37
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-37
Status: in_force

Any county now or hereafter maintaining and operating an agricultural high school outside of said county, pursuant to the authority of Section 37-27-35 , is hereby authorized to establish, maintain, and operate a junior college in connection with such agricultural high school. All laws of the state governing the establishment, maintenance, and operation of junior colleges shall apply to the establishment, operation, eligibility for support funds, management, and control of such junior college as if it were situated within the county operating it. Such junior college may be established outside of, but adjoining, the territorial boundaries of the junior college district for which it is established.

This section is additional and cumulative to all existing laws relating to the establishment, maintenance, and operation of junior colleges and shall be entitled to a liberal construction for the accomplishment of its remedial purposes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-15 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 141-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-15
Status: in_force

With the approval of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, the center may establish and staff branch operations at various universities within the state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-43 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 113-43
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-43
Status: in_force

Any county of this state now or hereafter having a population of more than one hundred thousand according to the latest available census, and in which there is located a municipality of one hundred thousand or more, acting by and through its board of supervisors, is hereby authorized and empowered to contribute the sum of one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) toward the construction, erection and equipping of educational facilities to be utilized by Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science within such county, by the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-25 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 101-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-25
Status: in_force

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

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

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

(c) Any appropriate financial assistance to assist such small entrepreneurs in financing their business, such as interest-free state loans similar to existing Department of Economic and Community Development programs administered out of the Emerging Crops Fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-133 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 23-133
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-133
Status: in_force

Words and terms, unless otherwise defined below, when used in Sections 37-23-1 through 37-23-159 shall be defined in the same manner as those words and terms used in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 1997 Amendments (IDEA), Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, applicable federal regulations and relevant court cases:

(a) “ Assistive technology device ” means any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified or customized, that is used to increase, maintain or improve the functional capabilities of children with disabilities.

(b) “ Assistive technology service ” means any service that directly assists a student with a disability in the selection, acquisition or use of an assistive technology device. The term includes:

(i) The evaluation of the needs of a student with a disability, including a functional evaluation of the student in his or her customary environment;

(ii) Purchasing, leasing or otherwise providing for the acquisition of assistive technology devices by students with disabilities;

(iii) Selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, maintaining, repairing or replacing assistive devices;

(iv) Coordinating and using other therapies, interventions or services with assistive technology devices, such as those associated with existing education and rehabilitation plans and programs;

(v) Training or technical assistance for a student with a disability or, if appropriate, that student's family; and

(vi) Training or technical assistance for professionals (including individuals providing education or rehabilitation services), employers or other individuals who may provide services to, employ, or are otherwise substantially involved in the major life functions of students with disabilities.

(c) “ Consent ” means agreement in writing from the parent of a child with a disability pertaining to the activities as required under IDEA and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Local educational agencies shall ensure that the parent:

(i) Has been fully informed of all information relevant to the activity for which consent is required;

(ii) Understands the activity for which consent is requested; and

(iii) Understands that the granting of consent is voluntary and may be revoked at any time prior to the time the activity is conducted.

(d) “ Free appropriate public education ” means special education and related services provided by local educational agencies that:

(i) Have been provided at public expense, under public supervision and direction, and without charge;

(ii) Meet the standards of the State Department of Education;

(iii) Include an appropriate preschool, elementary, or secondary school education; and

(iv) Are provided in conformity with the individualized education program required under IDEA, applicable federal and state regulations and relevant court cases.

(e) “ Individualized education program ” or “ IEP ” means a written statement for each child with a disability that is developed, reviewed, and revised in accordance with the requirements under IDEA, applicable federal and state regulations and relevant court cases.

(f) “ Least restrictive environment ” means to the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities, are educated with children who are not disabled, and special classes, separate schooling, or other removal of children with disabilities from the regular educational environment occurs only when the nature or severity of the disability of a child is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.

(g) “ Parent ” means a person who is legally responsible for a child's welfare or acting for the child in the absence of the legally responsible person. Parent may also mean a natural parent, a guardian, or a surrogate parent.

(h) “ Related services ” means transportation, and such developmental, corrective, and other supportive services (including speech-language pathology and audiology services, psychological services, physical and occupational therapy, recreation, including therapeutic recreation, social work services, counseling services, including rehabilitation counseling, orientation and mobility services, and medical services, except that such medical services shall be for diagnostic and evaluation purposes only) as may be required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education, and includes the early identification and assessment of disabling conditions in children.

(i) “ Special education ” means specially designed instruction provided by local educational agencies, at no cost to parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability, including instruction conducted in the classroom, in the home, in hospitals and institutions, and in other settings. This term also includes instruction in physical education.

(j) “ Supplementary aids and services ” means aids, services, and other supports that are provided in regular education classes or other education-related settings to enable children with disabilities to be educated with nondisabled children to the maximum extent appropriate in accordance with the least restrictive environment requirements under IDEA, applicable federal regulations and relevant court cases.

(k) “ Transition services ” means a coordinated set of activities for a student with a disability that:

(i) Is designed within an outcome-oriented process, which promotes movement from school to post-school activities, including post-secondary education, vocational training, integrated employment (including supported employment), continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation;

(ii) Is based upon the individual student's needs, taking into account the student's preferences and interests;

(iii) Includes instruction, related services, community experiences, the development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives, and, when appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and functional vocational evaluation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-47 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 28-47
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-47
Status: in_force

(1)(a) Charter schools must comply with applicable federal laws, rules and regulations regarding the qualification of teachers and other instructional staff. No more than twenty-five percent (25%) of teachers in a charter school may be exempt from state teacher licensure requirements. Administrators of charter schools are exempt from state administrator licensure requirements. However, teachers and administrators must have a bachelor's degree as a minimum requirement, and teachers must have demonstrated subject-matter competency. Within three (3) years of a teacher's employment by a charter school, the teacher must have, at a minimum, alternative licensure approved by the Commission on Teacher and Administrator Education, Certification and Licensure and Development.

(b) A charter school may not staff positions for teachers, administrators, ancillary support personnel or other employees by utilizing or otherwise relying on nonimmigrant foreign worker visa programs. However, a charter school may submit a request to the authorizer for an exception allowing the employment of a nonimmigrant foreign worker before the worker is employed. The authorizer may grant permission for the employment of the nonimmigrant foreign worker only if the charter school makes a satisfactory showing of efforts to recruit lawful permanent residents of the United States to fill the position and a lack of qualified applicants to fill the position.

(2) Employees in charter schools must have the same general rights and privileges as other public school employees, except such employees are not:

(a) Covered under the Education Employment Procedures Law ( Section 37-9-103 ); and

(b) Subject to the state salary requirements prescribed in Section 37-19-7 .

(3) For the purpose of eligibility for participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, a public charter school is considered to be a political subdivision of the state. Employees in public charter schools are eligible for participation in other benefits programs if the public charter school governing board chooses to participate.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-39-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 39-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-39-1
Status: in_force

The following words and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall, for the purpose of this chapter, have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section:

(a) “ Perishables ” shall mean items which have a variable market price on which vendors are unable to submit a long-range price such as fruits and vegetables;

(b) “ Purchasing agent ” shall mean the superintendent, or other individual or individuals designated by the school board or by the school boards acting jointly as its agent or agents to negotiate and make private contract or to purchase;

(c) “ School boards ” shall mean the local governing boards of all school districts in the state, whether they act jointly or separately. The term also means the State Board of Education when acting in its role as prescribed in Section 43-5-1 et seq. ;

(d) “ Services ” shall mean maintenance, operational and scholastic services utilized within and for the school district or school districts.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-253 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 33-253
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-253
Status: in_force

As used in Sections 37-33-251 through 37-33-263 :

(a) “Department” means the State Department of Rehabilitation Services.

(b) “Rehabilitation center” means a facility which provides intermediate care and stresses rehabilitation for persons with spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries.

(c) “Transitional living facility” means a facility which provides a temporary, structured residential environment for those individuals with spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries in a training or educational program, in order to prepare such individuals to live independently.

(d) “Traumatic brain injury” means an insult to the skull, brain, or its covering, resulting from external trauma which produces an altered state of consciousness or anatomic, motor, sensory or cognitive/behavioral deficits.

(e) “Spinal cord injury” means an acute traumatic insult to the spinal cord, not of a degenerative or congenital nature, but caused by an external trauma resulting in any degree of motor or sensory deficit.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-85 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 41-85
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-85
Status: in_force

No school board shall purchase any school bus or pupil transportation service vehicle as authorized by Section 37-41-81 except in the manner prescribed in Section 37-41-101 . No school bus shall be purchased or otherwise acquired which does not conform to the specifications provided by the State Board of Education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-201 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 9-201
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-201
Status: in_force

As used in Sections 37-9-201 through 37-9-213 :

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

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

(ii) Is employed at least half time, primarily as a classroom teacher, by a school district; and

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

(b) “ District ” means any local school district.

(c) “ Formal assistance ” means a program provided by a mentor teacher to a beginning teacher that includes, but is not limited to, direct classroom observation and consultation; assistance in instructional planning and preparation; support in implementation and delivery of classroom instruction; and other assistance intended to enhance the professional performance and development of the beginning teacher.

(d) “ Mentor teacher ” means a teacher who:

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

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

(iii) Has successfully taught for three (3) or more years as a licensed teacher in any public school;

(iv) Has been selected and trained as described in Section 37-9-211 ; and

(v) Has demonstrated mastery of teaching skills and subject matter knowledge.

(e) “ Teacher ” means a licensed employee of a local school district who has direct responsibility for instruction, coordination of educational programs or supervision of teachers and who is compensated for services from public funds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-69-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 69-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-69-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known as “The Energy Academy Act.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-97-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 97-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-97-3
Status: in_force

A government entity, any licensing or accrediting organization, or any athletic association or organization shall not entertain a complaint, open an investigation, or take any other adverse action against a primary or secondary school or institution of higher education for maintaining separate interscholastic or intramural athletic teams or sports for students of the female sex.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-177-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 177-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-177-1
Status: in_force

(1) There is established an act prohibiting social promotion to be known as the “Literacy-Based Promotion Act,” the purpose of which is to improve the reading skills of Kindergarten and First- through Third-Grade students enrolled in the public schools so that every student completing the Third Grade is able to read at or above grade level. It is the intent of the Legislature, in establishing this act, to ensure that: each Kindergarten and First- through Third-Grade student's progression is determined, in part, upon the student's proficiency in reading; the policies of local school boards facilitate this proficiency; and each student and the student's parent or legal guardian is informed of the student's academic progress.

(2) Each public school student who exhibits a substantial deficiency in reading at any time, as demonstrated through performance on a reading screener approved or developed by the State Department of Education or through locally determined assessments and teacher observations conducted in Kindergarten and Grades 1 through 3 or through statewide end-of-year assessments or approved alternate yearly assessments in Grade 3, must be given intensive reading instruction and intervention immediately following the identification of the reading deficiency. The intensive reading instruction and intervention must be documented for each student in an individual reading plan, which includes, at a minimum, the following:

(a) The student's specific, diagnosed reading skill deficiencies as determined (or identified) by diagnostic assessment data;

(b) The goals and benchmarks for growth;

(c) How progress will be monitored and evaluated;

(d) The type of additional instructional services and interventions the student will receive;

(e) The research-based reading instructional programming the teacher will use to provide reading instruction, addressing the areas of phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension;

(f) The strategies the student's parent is encouraged to use in assisting the student to achieve reading competency; and

(g) Any additional services the teacher deems available and appropriate to accelerate the student's reading skill development.

(3) The universal reading screener or locally determined reading assessment may be given in the first thirty (30) days of the school year and repeated if indicated at midyear and at the end of the school year to determine student progression in reading in Kindergarten through Third Grade. If it is determined that the student continues to have a reading deficiency, the student must be provided with continued intensive reading instruction and intervention by the school district until the reading deficiency is remedied. A student exhibiting continued reading deficiency with continued intensive interventions should be considered for exceptional criteria evaluation.

(4) A Kindergarten or First-, Second- or Third-Grade student identified with a deficiency in reading must be provided intensive interventions in reading to ameliorate the student's specific reading deficiency, as identified by a valid and reliable diagnostic assessment. The intensive intervention must include effective instructional strategies, and appropriate teaching methodologies necessary to assist the student in becoming a successful reader, able to read at or above grade level, and ready for promotion to the next grade. A Kindergarten, First-, Second- or Third-Grade student identified with a reading deficiency or not promoted may be placed in a transition class.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-47-25 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 47-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-47-25
Status: in_force

Whenever the State Department of Education shall determine that any school district is in need of capital improvements to an extent in excess of that which may be financed by the credit then due such school district by the department, the department shall be empowered to advance or lend the school district such sums as in the opinion of the department are necessary to be expended for capital improvements by that school district. Such loans or advances shall be evidenced by appropriate agreements, and shall be repayable in principal by the school district from the annual grants to which the school district shall become entitled and from such other funds as may be available. Such loans or advances shall not constitute a debt of the school district within the meaning of any provision or limitation of the Constitution or statutes of the State of Mississippi. The department shall not advance or lend to any school district any sum in excess of seventy-five percent (75%) of the estimated sum which will accrue to the school district on account of grants to be made to the school district within the twenty (20) years next following the date of the loan or advance. In determining the maximum allowable advance or loan, the department shall assume that the net enrollment in the schools of the school district for the past preceding scholastic year, as confirmed by the audit of net enrollment made by the State Department of Audit, will continue for the period during which the loan is to be repaid.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-105 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 23-105
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-105
Status: in_force

There shall be held an election, conforming in all respects to applicable statutes governing special elections, in which the proposition authorized in Sections 37-23-91 through 37-23-103 shall be submitted for approval or rejection by the electorate of said county. The power and authority to levy taxes or to issue bonds as provided in Sections 37-23-101 and 37-23-103 , shall be contingent upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the qualified electors of said county participating in said election.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-185-31 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 185-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-185-31
Status: repealed

(1) This section shall be known and may be cited as the “Mississippi Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (MAICU) Infrastructure Grant Program Act of 2022.”

(2) There is hereby established within the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration, the Mississippi Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (MAICU) Infrastructure Grant Program under which independent colleges and universities may apply for reimbursable grants to make necessary investments in water, wastewater, stormwater, broadband and other eligible infrastructure projects to be funded by the Legislature utilizing Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds made available under the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Such grants shall be made available to the following institutions: Belhaven University, Blue Mountain College, Millsaps College, Mississippi College, Rust College, Tougaloo College and William Carey University. Grant program funds shall be distributed to each listed institution based on the pro rata share of full-time equivalent students enrolled in the respective college or university. For purposes of this distribution, a full-time equivalent student shall be calculated as follows:

(a) One (1) full-time student shall be considered one (1) full-time equivalent student;

(b) One (1) part-time student shall be considered one-half ( 1 / 2 ) of a full-time equivalent student; and

(c) One (1) online student shall be considered one-fourth ( 1 / 4 ) of a full-time equivalent student.

(3) For purposes of this section, unless the context requires otherwise, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed herein:

(a) “ MAICU Grant Program ” shall mean the Mississippi Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (MAICU) Infrastructure Grant Program.

(b) “ ARPA ” shall mean the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Public Law 117-2 , which amends Title VI of the Social Security Act.

(c) “ State Recovery Funds ” shall mean Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds awarded through Section 602 of Title VI of the Social Security Act amended by Section 9901 of the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Public Law 117-2.

(d) “ Department ” shall mean the Department of Finance and Administration.

(4) On or before July 1, 2022, the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to administer the MAICU Grant Program prescribed under this section, including application procedures and deadlines.

(5) Funds under the MAICU Grant Program shall be awarded for ARPA eligible projects in the following order:

(a) Eligible water, wastewater and stormwater projects under the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) or Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) and other eligible water projects allowable by ARPA;

(b) Broadband infrastructure projects;

(c) Capital investments for prevention, mitigation and ventilation in congregate living facilities and other key settings; and

(d) Any eligible project through ARPA guidelines, guidance, rules, regulations and/or other criteria, as may be amended from time to time, of the United States Department of the Treasury, excluding premium pay.

(6) The boards of trustees of the respective members of the Mississippi Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (MAICU) may submit an application for grant funds under this section. Applicants shall certify to the Department of Finance and Administration that each expenditure of the funds awarded to them by the department under this section is in compliance with the ARPA guidelines, guidance, rules, regulations and/or other criteria, as may be amended from time to time, by the United States Department of the Treasury regarding the use of monies from the State Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds. Subsequent submissions will be due by the dates established by the department.

(7) An application for a grant under this section shall be submitted at such time, be in such form, and contain such information as the department prescribes. Each application shall include the following at a minimum: applicant contact information; project description and type of project; project map; estimate of the population served by the projects; estimated project cost; estimated project schedule; and readiness to proceed. The Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration is authorized to accept additional rounds of grant proposals for application consideration as needed.

(8) Applications shall be reviewed, and the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration shall certify that each project submitted is eligible under the American Rescue Plan Act and all applicable guidance issued by the United States Department of the Treasury. For water, wastewater and stormwater projects, the department must also certify that it is a “necessary investment” in water, wastewater or stormwater infrastructure as defined in the American Rescue Plan Act and all applicable guidance issued by the United States Department of the Treasury. Grant agreements shall be executed between the recipient and the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration. All final awards will be determined at the discretion of the executive director of the department. Funds shall be made available to a grantee upon the execution of a grant agreement between the department and the approved applicant, and the department obtains the necessary support for reimbursement.

(9) Grant requirements shall be used prospectively and grants are not available to cover the costs of debt incurred prior to the enactment of this program.

(10)(a) There is hereby created in the State Treasury a special fund to be known as the “Mississippi Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (MAICU) Grant Program Fund,” which shall consist of funds appropriated by the Legislature from federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) monies or other available federal grant funds for the purposes of awarding grants under this section. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of the fiscal year shall not lapse into the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund or the State General Fund, and any interest earned on amounts in the fund shall remain in the fund. The expenditure of monies in the Mississippi Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (MAICU) Grant Program Fund shall be under the direction of the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration;

(b) All monies shall be disbursed from the fund created in this subsection shall be in compliance with the guidelines, guidance, rules, regulations or other criteria, as may be amended from time to time, of the United States Department of the Treasury regarding the use of monies received by or on behalf of the State of Mississippi through the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund established by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 ( Public Law No. 117-2 ). Unexpended amounts remaining in the funds at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund or the State General Fund, and any investment earnings or interest earned on amounts in the program fund shall be deposited to the credit of COVID-19 Hospital Expanded Capacity Program Fund;

(c) If there are unobligated Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund monies remaining in the fund created in this section, on the later of December 17, 2024, or fourteen (14) days prior to the fund obligation deadline provided by the federal government, the Department of Finance and Administration shall transfer these unobligated balances to the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund. The Department of Finance and Administration shall then transfer the unobligated balance of Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund to the State and School Employees' Life and Health Insurance Fund for an amount not to exceed the lesser of Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00) or the amount of allowable ARPA expenditures, by no later than December 31, 2024, or on the date of the fund obligation deadline provided by the federal government. The Department of Finance and Administration shall then transfer all remaining unobligated balances of Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund to the Unemployment Compensation Fund up to the ARPA allowable amount, by no later than December 31, 2024, or on the date of the fund obligation deadline provided by the federal government; and

(d) The use of funds allocated under this program shall be subject to audit by the United States Department of the Treasury's Office of Inspector General and the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor. Each person receiving funds under these programs found to be fully or partially noncompliant with the requirements in this section shall return to the state all or a portion of the funds received.

(11) The department shall submit to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee by October 1 of each year an annual report. The reports shall contain the applications received, the amount of grant funds awarded to each applicant, the amount of grant funds expended by each applicant, and the status of each applicant's project.

(12) Grant funds shall be available under this section through December 31, 2026. Each grant recipient shall certify for any project that a grant is awarded that in the event the project is not completed by December 31, 2026, and the United States Congress does not enact an extension of the deadline on the availability of ARPA Funds, then the grant recipient will complete the project through any other funds available.

(13) The Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration may retain an amount not to exceed Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00) of the total funds allocated to the program to defray administrative costs.

(14) This section shall stand repealed on July 1, 2026.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-119-11 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 119-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-119-11
Status: in_force

There is created in the State Treasury a special fund to be known as the DuBard School for Language Disorders Fund, which shall be administered by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning. The purpose of the fund shall be to support the DuBard School for Language Disorders at the University of Southern Mississippi. Monies in the fund shall be expended by the board of trustees, upon appropriation by the Legislature. The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal-year limitations, and shall consist of:

(a) Monies appropriated by the Legislature for the purposes of funding the DuBard School for Language Disorders;

(b) The interest accruing to the fund;

(c) Monies received under the provisions of Section 99-19-73 ;

(d) Monies received from the federal government;

(e) Donations; and

(f) Monies received from such other sources as may be provided by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-27 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / 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. § 37-144-17 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 144-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-144-17
Status: in_force

(1) Upon completion of residency, a participant in the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program must proceed to enter the practice of medicine in a rural or underserved area in Mississippi, as defined by the commission and consistent with generally acceptable designations. If an area experiences significant changes in its medical or general community which are not reflected by health professional shortage area (HPSA) or medically underserved area (MUA) rural designation, the commission may receive testimony and, in its discretion, may qualify the area as an underserved or rural area to allow the program participant to fulfill his or her practice obligation.

(2) Upon entering the practice of medicine, a participant in the program must serve in a health professional shortage area (HPSA), medically underserved area (MUA), or rural area otherwise approved for practice under subsection (1) of this section for a number of years which corresponds to the number of years, not to exceed five (5), for which the participant received funding through the program. A participant who completes residency who fails to enter the practice of medicine as required under this section shall be deemed in breach of contract and shall be liable for the immediate repayment of all financial assistance provided to the participant through the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program, including assistance provided during undergraduate school, as well as in medical or osteopathic school, along with other penalties that may be prescribed in policy by the board. Any participant who fails to complete the period of practice for which he or she is obligated to provide services in a health professional shortage area (HPSA) or a medically underserved area (MUA) in exchange for financial assistance received through the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program shall be liable for the repayment of all financial assistance provided to the participant through the program, along with other penalties that may be prescribed by the commission, an amount which shall be reduced on a pro rata basis for actual years of practice by the physician in the area designated by the commission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-113 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 7-113
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-113
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions, it is hereby expressly provided that no order of the school board reorganizing, abolishing or altering any school district, whether same be taken with or without a petition therefor, shall be final unless and until said proposed reorganization, alteration or abolition shall be submitted to and approved by the State Board of Education. In the event the proposed action shall be disapproved by the State Board of Education, the same shall be void and of no effect. In the event of the filing of any petitions with the school board under the provisions of said sections, the school board shall verify same and make a determination of whether same are signed by the requisite number of qualified electors. The finding of the school board upon such question shall be final and conclusive for the purpose of the submission of said matter to the State Board of Education and the approval or disapproval of the action by said board.