Miss. Code Ann. § 37-121-19 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 121-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-121-19
Status: in_force

The lands and property of Alcorn State University shall not be subject to state, county or municipal taxation. The buildings and improvements that are or may be erected on any land belonging to the university that has been or may be leased to private entities for the purpose of affording affordable board to the students attending the institution shall not be subject to taxation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-144-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 144-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-144-7
Status: in_force

(1) The commission shall develop and implement policies and procedures designed to recruit, identify and enroll undergraduate students who demonstrate necessary interest, commitment, aptitude and academic achievement to pursue careers as family physicians, psychiatrist, child psychiatrists or other generalist physicians in rural or medically underserved areas of Mississippi, and to develop and implement the programs designed to foster successful entry of participants into medical school, completion of medical school, enrollment into and completion of family medicine or other generalist residency, and establishment and maintenance of a career in family medicine, psychiatrist, child psychiatry or other generalist specialty in a rural or underserved area of Mississippi.

(2) The commission shall have the authority through use of generally applicable definitions to designate an area of the state as underserved or rural.

(3) The commission, in conjunction with the University of Mississippi Medical Center, shall have the authority to provide students selected for scholarship funding with faculty mentors and other programs designed to enhance the students' likelihood of admission to the medical school. The commission and the University of Mississippi Medical Center will develop coursework that will provide scholarship students with the skills necessary for sustained and successful medical practice in rural Mississippi.

(4) Each applicant for admission to the program must submit an application to the commission that conforms to requirements established by the commission.

(5) In selecting participants for the program, the board may only accept an applicant if his or her academic record and other characteristics, if given consideration by the University of Mississippi School of Medicine Admissions Committee, would be considered credible and competitive.

(6) An applicant for the program may be admitted only upon a majority vote of the members of the commission.

(7) Not less than fifteen (15) students will be admitted to the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program each year, provided that there are fifteen (15) or more qualified applicants for the program.

(8) Upon the funding of sixty-one (61) or more rural physicians scholarships by the Legislature and recognizing the importance of balancing the needs of comprehensive primary care along with a critical shortage of psychiatrists in Mississippi, the commission may grant an exception for fourth-year medical or osteopathic school (M4) students who demonstrate a desire to practice psychiatry in rural Mississippi and who use a practice model and enter the practice of medicine in a rural or underserved area in Mississippi, as defined by the commission, beginning for the M4 Class of 2020.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-204 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 7-204
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-204
Status: in_force

In the event that a vacancy occurs in the office of any elected trustee of a countywide municipal separate school district, and the next regular school board election at which the vacancy may be filled is less than one (1) year from the date of the resignation, the school board of the district may, in its discretion, take action to appoint an interim board member to fill the vacancy until a duly qualified successor takes office. The interim board member shall serve until such time as the successor board member is duly elected to fill the unexpired term, pursuant to an election held at the next regularly scheduled school board election held in the county.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-121 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 65-121
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-121
Status: in_force

A signed duplicate original copy or a photostatic or other reproduced copy, not a hand or typewritten copy, of the petition or petitions provided for in Section 37-65-119 , shall be sent by registered or certified mail to the state superintendent of public education on the day when one such copy shall have been filed with or delivered to the president or secretary of the board of trustees to which such petitions be directed. Such copy or copies above mentioned may be transmitted to the state superintendent of public education by the person or persons filing or delivering same to said president or secretary of said board of trustees and shall be accompanied by the oath of such person or persons as to such facts and the date or dates on which such action was done. If such is not done the original petition shall have no validity.

All duplicate original signed copies or other copy or copies of said petitions, as hereinabove provided for, shall be preserved for not less than one calendar year from the date of said filing and same shall be public records.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-20-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 20-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-20-7
Status: in_force

(1) To be eligible to receive funds under this chapter a school district shall describe in writing its remedial education program. The description shall include all special remedial and compensatory instruction to be provided by the district from all fund sources. The district description shall include a description of the program to be conducted at each separate school or location in the district and shall include the estimated number of students to participate in the program; the estimated number of teachers, volunteers and others to be utilized in the program; and the estimated budget for each such program.

(2) The programs provided by funds received under this chapter shall meet the following criteria:

(a) Each participating student must be determined by the school district, on the basis of the district's assessment tests, to need special educational assistance in order that the student's level of educational attainment in basic skills may be raised to that appropriate for children of the student's age.

(b) The program must be based on performance objectives related to educational achievement in the basic skills and provide supplementary services designed to meet the special educational needs of each participating student.

(c) The program must be evaluated in a manner consistent with the performance objectives and include a pretest and a post-test for each participating student. The evaluation may use local measures designed to measure the local instructional management plan.

(d) The state and local funds expended in the program must be accounted for separately from all other funds expended by the district.

(e) The program must establish a teacher support team in each building wherein the program is implemented to play a key role in determining the instructional services required by a child.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-187-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 187-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-187-7
Status: in_force

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

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

(3) Mississippi public school districts, independent schools and Native American tribal schools that receive grant monies under this chapter shall provide periodic project status reports to the Mississippi Department of Education and any other documentation that the Mississippi Department of Education determines is necessary to ensure compliance with this chapter and the United States Department of the Treasury regarding the use of monies from the Coronavirus Relief Fund established in Section 5001 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-101 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 33-101
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-101
Status: in_force

In addition to the authority now vested in the State Department of Rehabilitation Services, it may establish and operate by any means, including incorporation under the nonprofit laws of this state, a system of community rehabilitation programs in the several counties of the state for the general purposes of training, rehabilitating, retraining and developing individuals with disabilities to become more productive citizens, including, but not limited to training and job coaching, in order to obtain the maximum degree of independent living.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 45-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-5
Status: in_force

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

One (1) member shall be appointed from each congressional district of the state as presently existing. In making the original appointments, two (2) members shall be appointed for a term expiring April 1st, 1956; two (2) members shall be appointed for a term expiring April 1st, 1958; and two (2) members shall be appointed for a term expiring April 1st, 1960. Thereafter all appointments shall be for terms of six (6) years commencing on April 1st of the year in which the appointments are made. New members of the commission shall be appointed from the same district as their predecessor. Any vacancy in the membership of the commission occurring before the expiration of a term shall be filled in the manner hereinabove provided for, but only for the unexpired term.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-231 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / 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. § 37-121-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 121-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-121-3
Status: in_force

All the provisions in Chapter 113 of this title, being sections applicable to the Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science, that can reasonably apply to Alcorn State University, shall apply to the college, except those sections on the subject of apportioning students among the several counties of the state and dormitory privileges for them and those sections on the subject of agricultural experimental stations.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-54 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 33-54
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-54
Status: in_force

The State Department of Rehabilitation Services, through the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind, shall administer the Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind Law as prescribed in Sections 37-33-53 through 37-33-75 , Sections 43-3-3 through 43-3-15 and Section 43-3-93 . The executive director of the department shall assign to the office such powers and duties deemed appropriate to carry out the lawful functions of this law and any federal law or regulation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-129-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 129-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-129-1
Status: in_force

In addition to all other powers and duties now vested by law in the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning of the State of Mississippi, said board is hereby empowered and required to:

(a) Establish by rules and regulations and promulgate uniform standards for accreditation of schools of nursing in the State of Mississippi (i) insofar as concerns the eligibility of graduates of such schools to take the examination prescribed by law to become registered nurses authorized to practice the profession of nursing as registered nurses in Mississippi, and (ii) insofar as concerns student nurses attending such schools being eligible to participate in any student nurse scholarship program or other program of assistance now existing or hereafter established by legislative enactment;

(b) Issue to such schools of nursing upon an annual basis certificates of accreditation as may be proper under such standards;

(c) Administer any scholarship program or other program of assistance heretofore or hereafter established by legislative enactment for the benefit of students attending accredited schools of nursing in this state;

(d) Administer any other funds available or which may be made available for the promotion of nursing education in the state, with the exception of nursing faculty supplement funds to the public junior colleges, which funds shall be appropriated to and administered by the Division of Junior Colleges of the State Department of Education;

(e) Adopt rules and regulations to provide that a nurse in training may, during the two-year period in an approved hospital, be allowed to transfer at any time with full credit after six (6) months in training, to any other hospital of her choice at which there is a vacancy; suitable provision shall be made to protect her against coercion or intimidation concerning such a contemplated transfer.

In addition to other powers now vested by law in the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, said board is hereby empowered to establish and maintain a nurse-midwifery education program that meets the accreditation standards of the American College of Nurse-Midwives at a state institution of higher learning under the jurisdiction of the board of trustees.

In order to implement paragraph (d) above, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning is hereby authorized and directed to arrange and contract with hospitals, senior colleges and hospital schools of nursing for the financial support of programs of nursing education. The said board is further authorized to adopt such terms for contracts, and such rules and regulations for reimbursing contracting agencies for costs of instruction in schools of nursing as may be feasible in accordance with appropriations made by the Legislature for this purpose. However, no reimbursement may be made to contracting agencies in excess of the actual cost of instruction in the schools of nursing.

In addition to the powers now vested by law in the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and subject to the availability of funds specifically appropriated therefor, said board is hereby empowered and directed to conduct a one-year feasibility study and comprehensive plan for nursing schools in Mississippi which addresses the concept of shared utilization of clinical simulation laboratories for all Mississippi schools of nursing in order to provide computerized interactive learning capabilities for all schools, utilizing the pooled resources or mobile capability models from other states. The completed plan shall be developed and a report made to the 2009 Regular Session on or before December 1, 2008.

No provision of this section shall be construed to authorize any department, agency, officer or employee of the State of Mississippi to exercise any controls over the admissions policy of any private educational institution offering a baccalaureate degree in nursing.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-73-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 73-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-73-5
Status: in_force

The Mississippi Department of Education shall work in conjunction with the Mississippi Community College Board to ensure alignment of career technical education courses across the public school system and community college system. If a community college chooses not to participate in the dual credit program or does not have certain courses available for participating students, eligible high school students may enroll in dual credit courses and attend such courses at the campus of another participating community college within the state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-57 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 145-57
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-57
Status: in_force

In the event that any of the members or officers of the board of directors of the company shall cease to be members or officers of the board prior to the delivery of any bonds signed by them, their signatures or facsimiles thereof shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes, the same as if such members or officers had remained in office until such delivery.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-53 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 106-53
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-53
Status: in_force

(1) Forgivable loans shall be made and based upon the following options for repayment or conversion to interest-free scholarships:

(a) Payment in full of principal plus a penalty of five percent (5%) of the principal and interest on the combined principal and penalty must be made in monthly installments, the maximum number of which will be determined by the board, unless set forth in this chapter. Interest will begin to accrue at the date of separation from the approved program of study at a rate equal to the unsubsidized Federal Stafford loan rate at the time of separation. Repayment will commence one (1) month after separation from the program of study, unless the recipient is granted a grace period or deferment by the board. The availability and length of a grace period will be determined by the board. The availability and length of any deferments will be determined by the board.

(b) In lieu of payment in full of both principal and interest, a loan recipient may elect to repay by entry into service employment. Service requirements for each forgivable loan program will be determined by the board, unless set forth in this chapter. Unless excepted by this chapter, repayment under this option shall convert loan to scholarship, and discharge the same, on the basis of one (1) year's full-time service for one (1) year's loan amount or its equivalent if the recipient attended part-time, or the appropriate proportion of the total outstanding balance of principal and interest, all as shall be established by rule and regulation of the board. The period of service shall in no event be less than one (1) year. If at any time prior to the repayment in full of the total obligation the recipient abandons or abrogates repayment by this option, the provisions of subsection (1)(c) of this section shall apply.

(c) In the event of abandonment or abrogation of the option for repayment as provided for in subsection (1)(b) of this section, the remaining balance of unpaid or undischarged principal plus a penalty of five percent (5%) of the unpaid or undischarged principal and interest on the combined principal and penalty shall become due and payable over the remaining period of time as if the option provided for in subsection (1)(a) of this section had been elected upon separation and the conclusion of any applicable grace and deferment periods.

(2) Any person failing to complete a program of study which will enable that person to enter service employment, or failing to obtain any required licensure or additional credentials necessary for that person to enter service employment shall become liable to the board for the sum of all forgivable loan awards made to that person plus a penalty of five percent (5%) of the loan awards and interest on the combined amount accruing at the current unsubsidized Federal Stafford loan rate at the time the person abrogates his participation in the program.

(3) If a claim for payment under this subsection is placed in the hands of a collection agency or an attorney for collection, the obligor shall be liable for an additional amount equal to a reasonable collection commission or attorney's fee as well as any court costs.

(4) The obligations made by the recipient of a forgivable loan award shall not be voidable by reason of the age of the student at the time of receiving the scholarship.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-179 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 23-179
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-179
Status: in_force

(1) The board shall specifically promulgate rules, regulations and guidelines which establish model programs of gifted education and also establish minimum criteria for gifted education programs. In providing programs of gifted education, the local district may use the model programs prepared by the board or may itself develop programs of gifted education which, prior to being implemented, shall be approved by the board, provided, that no such plan or program shall be approved or continued unless it meets the minimum criteria established by the board.

(2) There is hereby created within the department an office for gifted education which shall be staffed by such professional, support and clerical personnel as may be necessary to implement the provisions of Sections 37-23-171 through 37-23-181 .

(3) All local school districts may have programs of gifted education for intellectually, creatively and/or artistically gifted students in Grades 2 through 12 and for academically gifted students in Grades 9 through 12 approved by the board. Beginning with the 1993-1994 school year, all local school districts shall have programs of gifted education for intellectually gifted students in Grade 2, subject to the approval of the State Board of Education and the availability of funds appropriated therefor by line-item. Beginning with the 1994-1995 school year, all local school districts shall have programs of gifted education for intellectually gifted students in Grades 2 and 3, subject to the approval of the State Board of Education. Beginning with the 1995-1996 school year, all local school districts shall have programs of gifted education for intellectually gifted students in Grades 2, 3 and 4 subject to the approval of the State Board of Education. Beginning with the 1996-1997 school year, all local school districts shall have programs of gifted education for intellectually gifted students in Grades 2, 3, 4 and 5, subject to the approval of the State Board of Education. Beginning with the 1997-1998 school year, all local school districts shall have programs of gifted education for intellectually gifted students in Grades 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, subject to the approval of the State Board of Education. Each local school district shall include as a part of its five-year plan a description of any proposed gifted education programs of the district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-559 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 29-559
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-559
Status: in_force

The President and the Board of Trustees of the Coahoma Community College District shall have the powers to do all things necessary for the successful operation of the district and the campuses located therein.

The college of the district shall be under the direction of the board of trustees and the president. The board of trustees shall, by resolution or order, provide for the government, maintenance and operation of the campus of the district.

The President and the Board of Trustees of the Coahoma Community College District shall have the same powers as the presidents and trustees of other community colleges in the State of Mississippi.

The delineation and enumeration of the powers and purposes set out in Sections 37-29-551 through 37-29-569 shall be deemed to be supplemental and additional and shall not be construed to restrict the powers of the governing authorities of the district or of any college or campus located therein so as to deny any of the rights, privileges and powers enjoyed by other community/junior colleges and community/junior college districts in the State of Mississippi.

The Coahoma Community College District shall remain subject to the jurisdiction of the Mississippi Community College Board as now established or as the same may be hereafter changed by law, and shall be subject to all rules and regulations and all statutory limitations which are now in effect or may hereafter be imposed, except as the same may be in direct conflict with the provisions of Sections 37-29-551 through 37-29-569 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-175-27 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 175-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-175-27
Status: in_force

No liability shall arise on the part of the state based on the award or use of a Mississippi Speech-Language Therapy Scholarship.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-233 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 153-233
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-233
Status: in_force

(1) The Legislature finds the following:

(a) The public health crisis related to COVID-19 resulted in a general disruption in the Mississippi economy and workforce, particularly in the healthcare industry.

(b) COVID-19 and the closing of or reduction in services at rural hospitals created an unprecedented demand on emergency medical response providers.

(c) Consequently, the number of paramedics decreased in the State of Mississippi by approximately nineteen percent (19%).

(d) The lack of paramedics directly impacts all Mississippians ability to rely on quality emergency care.

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

(a) To provide funding to the Office of Workforce Development to establish a scholarship program for the purposes outlined herein.

(b) To provide funding for grants to cover the full cost of tuition, fees, books and any required uniforms for qualified applicants to attend an accredited paramedic program.

(c) To provide funding for grants to reimburse the cost of a qualified applicant's fee for the successful completion of the National Registry Paramedic cognitive and psychomotor examinations.

(d) To gauge the effectiveness of this program by gathering data related to the participation and employment outcomes in order to replicate successful efforts in future workforce development programs.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-11 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 153-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-11
Status: in_force

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

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

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

(a) For individuals needing training and retraining:

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

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

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

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

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

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

(i) Job analysis, testing and curriculum development;

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

(iii) Industry or firm-related preemployment training;

(iv) Workplace basic skills and literacy training;

(v) Customized skills training;

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

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

(viii) Development of business plans;

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

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

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

(5) The Mississippi Community College Board is authorized to designate one or more workforce development centers at the request of affiliated community or junior colleges to provide skills training to individuals to enhance their ability to be employed in the motion picture industry in this state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-43-41 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 43-41
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-43-41
Status: in_force

The State Textbook Fund of Mississippi shall consist of the amounts appropriated by the Legislature for the same, all monies accruing from the sale of disused books from other than public schools, all monies derived from the purchase of books by both public and private schools trustees, and by private individuals, all monies collected in damage suits under the terms of this chapter, and all other monies collected in any way whatsoever under the terms of this chapter.

There is hereby created a special fund in the State Treasury to be designated as the “Local School District Textbook Carryover Fund.” Said fund shall be credited with any funds which were appropriated by the Legislature to the State Textbook Fund for any fiscal year in which said funds were allocated to local school districts but unexpended by said districts. Said unexpended funds shall be deposited by the board into the Local School District Textbook Carryover Fund to the credit of the local school districts which were originally allocated such funds. All carryover funds which exist on June 30, 1994, which belong to public school districts shall be disbursed to the respective school districts. Carryover funds for other than public schools shall be handled in the same manner as previously described in this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-175-13 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / 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. § 37-29-607 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 29-607
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-607
Status: in_force

(1) 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.

(2) All such bonds shall not constitute a debt of the community or junior college for which the facilities are to be constructed.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-45 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 113-45
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-45
Status: in_force

Any such county as is provided for in Section 37-113-43 is hereby authorized and empowered to issue and sell its bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness for the purpose of providing funds with which to make the contribution or donation authorized under the provisions of said section. Such bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness shall not be issued in an amount which will exceed the limit of indebtedness of said county as such limit is prescribed by Sections 19-9-1 through 19-9-31, Mississippi Code of 1972 . Before issuing any such bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness, the board of supervisors acting for such county shall adopt a resolution declaring its intention to issue the same, stating the amount and purpose thereof and fixing the date upon which an election will be held on the proposition. Notice of such election shall be given by publication of such resolution once a week for at least three consecutive weeks in at least one newspaper published in said county. The first publication of such notice shall be made not less than twenty-one days prior to the date fixed in such resolution for the holding of said election as aforesaid and the last publication shall be made not more than seven days prior to such date. At such election all qualified electors of said county may vote and the ballots used shall have printed thereon a brief statement of the amount and purpose of the bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness proposed to be issued and the voter shall vote by placing a cross (x) or check (✓) opposite his choice on the proposition. The bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness authorized herein shall not be issued unless authorized by the affirmative vote of a majority of the qualified voters of said county who vote on the proposition at such election. Such election shall be conducted and the returns thereof made, canvassed, and declared as nearly as may be in like manner as is now or may hereafter be provided by law in the case of general elections in counties. In the event that the question of the issuance of such bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness be not authorized at such election, such question shall not again be submitted to a vote until the expiration of a period of six months, from and after the date of such election.

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

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

All bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued hereunder shall be secured by a pledge of the full faith, credit and resources of such county. There shall annually be levied upon all taxable property within said county an ad valorem tax in addition to all other taxes, sufficient to provide for the payment of the principal of and the interest on said bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness as the same respectively mature and accrue.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-75 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 27-75
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-75
Status: in_force

Sections 37-27-69 through 37-27-73 shall be construed as cumulative and no restriction, limitation or prohibition of the general laws shall operate to curtail the authority or prescribe the procedure by which the purposes of said sections shall be effected.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-43-17 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 43-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-43-17
Status: in_force

If any person related within the third degree by blood or marriage, as computed by civil law, to any member of the board, or if any person that is associated in any business or partnership with any member of said board, shall be employed in good faith by any school book company, firm, corporation or agent in connection with the adoption of textbooks within this state, the said member of the board so related by blood or marriage, or so associated in business or partnership with such person, shall not vote in the rating and adoption of any school book or books offered by such school book company, firm, corporation or agent for adoption.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-135-31 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 135-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-135-31
Status: in_force

Interstate Compact on Educational

Opportunity for Military Children

ARTICLE I

PURPOSE

Section 1. It is the purpose of this compact to remove barriers to educational success imposed on children of military families because of frequent moves and deployment of their parents by:

A. Facilitating the timely enrollment of children of military families and ensuring that they are not placed at a disadvantage due to difficulty in the transfer of education records from the previous school district(s) or variations in entrance/age requirements.

B. Facilitating the student placement process through which children of military families are not disadvantaged by variations in attendance requirements, scheduling, sequencing, grading, course content or assessment.

C. Facilitating the qualification and eligibility for enrollment, educational programs, and participation in extracurricular academic, athletic, and social activities.

D. Facilitating the on-time graduation of children of military families.

E. Providing for the promulgation and enforcement of administrative rules implementing the provisions of this compact.

F. Providing for the uniform collection and sharing of information between and among member states, schools, and military families under this compact.

G. Promoting coordination between this compact and other compacts affecting military children.

H. Promoting flexibility and cooperation between the educational system, parents, and the student in order to achieve educational success for the student.

ARTICLE II

DEFINITIONS

Section 2. As used in this compact, unless the context clearly requires a different construction:

A. “ Active duty ” means full-time duty status in the active uniformed service of the United States, including members of the National Guard and Reserve on active duty orders pursuant to 10 USC, Sections 1209 and 1211 .

B. “ Children of military families ” means school-aged children, enrolled in Kindergarten through 12th Grade, in the household of an active duty member.

C. “ Compact commissioner ” means the voting representative of each compacting state appointed pursuant to Article VIII of this compact.

D. “ Deployment ” means the period one (1) month prior to the service members' departure from their home station on military orders through six (6) months after return to their home station.

E. “ Educational records ” means those official records, files, and data directly related to a student and maintained by the school or local education agency, including, but not limited to, records encompassing all the material kept in the student's cumulative folder such as general identifying data, records of attendance and of academic work completed, records of achievement and results of evaluative tests, health data, disciplinary status, test protocols, and individualized education programs.

F. “ Extracurricular activities ” means a voluntary activity sponsored by the school or local education agency or an organization sanctioned by the local education agency. Extracurricular activities include, but are not limited to, preparation for and involvement in public performances, contests, athletic competitions, demonstrations, displays and club activities.

G. “ Interstate Commission on Educational Opportunity for Military Children ” means the commission that is created under Article IX of this compact, which is generally referred to as the Interstate Commission.

H. “ Local education agency ” means a public authority legally constituted by the state as an administrative agency to provide control of and direction for Kindergarten through 12th Grade public educational institutions.

I. “ Member state ” means a state that has enacted this compact.

J. “ Military installation ” means a base, camp, post, station, yard, center, homeport facility for any ship, or other activity under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense, including any leased facility, which is located within any of the several states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Marianas Islands, and any other U.S. Territory. Such term does not include any facility used primarily for civil works, river and harbor projects, or flood control projects.

K. “ Nonmember state ” means a state that has not enacted this compact.

L. “ Receiving state ” means the state to which a child of a military family is sent, brought, or caused to be sent or brought.

M. “ Rule ” means a written statement by the Interstate Commission promulgated pursuant to Article XII of this compact that is of general applicability; implements, interprets, or prescribes a policy or provision of the compact, or an organizational, procedural, or practice requirement of the Interstate Commission and has the force and effect of statutory law in a member state; and includes the amendment, repeal, or suspension of an existing rule.

N. “ Sending state ” means the state from which a child of a military family is sent, brought, or caused to be sent or brought.

O. “ State ” means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Marianas Islands, and any other U.S. Territory.

P. “ Student ” means the child of a military family for whom the local education agency receives public funding and who is formally enrolled in Kindergarten through 12th Grade.

Q. “ Transition ” means: (i) the formal and physical process of transferring from school to school or (ii) the period of time in which a student moves from one school in the sending state to another school in the receiving state.

R. “ Uniformed services ” means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, as well as the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Public Health Services.

S. “ Veteran ” means a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.

ARTICLE III

APPLICABILITY

Section 3. A. Except as otherwise provided in subsection B, this compact shall apply to the children of:

1. Active duty members of the uniformed services as defined in this compact, including members of the National Guard and Reserve on active duty orders pursuant to 10 USC, Sections 1209 and 1211 ;

2. Members or veterans of the uniformed services who are severely injured and medically discharged or retired for a period of one (1) year after medical discharge or retirement; and

3. Members of the uniformed services who die on active duty or as a result of injuries sustained on active duty for a period of one (1) year after death.

B. The provisions of this interstate compact shall only apply to local education agencies as defined in this compact.

C. The provisions of this interstate compact shall not apply to the children of:

1. Inactive members of the National Guard and Military Reserves;

2. Members of the uniformed services now retired, except as provided in subsection A;

3. Veterans of the uniformed services, except as provided in subsection A; and

4. Other U.S. Department of Defense personnel and other federal agency civilian and contract employees not defined as active duty members of the uniformed services.

ARTICLE IV

EDUCATIONAL RECORDS AND ENROLLMENT

Section 4. A. Unofficial or “hand-carried” education records. In the event that official education records cannot be released to the parents for the purpose of transfer, the custodian of the records in the sending state shall prepare and furnish to the parent a complete set of unofficial educational records containing uniform information as determined by the Interstate Commission. Upon receipt of the unofficial education records by a school in the receiving state, the school shall enroll and appropriately place the student based on the information provided in the unofficial records pending validation by the official records, as quickly as possible.

B. Official education records/transcripts. Simultaneous with the enrollment and conditional placement of the student, the school in the receiving state shall request the student's official education records from the school in the sending state. Upon receipt of this request, the school in the sending state will process and furnish the official education records to the school in the receiving state within ten (10) days or within such time as is reasonably determined under the rules promulgated by the Interstate Commission.

C. Immunizations. Compacting states shall give thirty (30) days from the date of enrollment or within such time as is reasonably determined under the rules promulgated by the Interstate Commission for students to obtain any immunization(s) required by the receiving state. For a series of immunizations, initial vaccinations must be obtained within thirty (30) days or within such time as is reasonably determined under the rules promulgated by the Interstate Commission.

D. Kindergarten and First Grade entrance age. Students shall be allowed to continue their enrollment at the grade level in the receiving state commensurate with their grade level (including kindergarten) from a local education agency in the sending state at the time of transition, regardless of age. A student who has satisfactorily completed the prerequisite grade level in the local education agency in the sending state shall be eligible for enrollment in the next highest grade level in the receiving state, regardless of age. A student transferring after the start of the school year in the receiving state shall enter the school in the receiving state on their validated level from an accredited school in the sending state.

ARTICLE V

PLACEMENT AND ATTENDANCE

Section 5. A. Course placement. When the student transfers before or during the school year, the receiving state school shall initially honor placement of the student in educational courses based on the student's enrollment in the sending state school and/or educational assessments conducted at the school in the sending state if the courses are offered. Course placement includes, but is not limited to, honors, International Baccalaureate, advanced placement, vocational, technical, and career pathway courses. Continuing the student's academic program from the previous school and promoting placement in academically and career challenging courses should be paramount when considering placement. This does not preclude the school in the receiving state from performing subsequent evaluations to ensure appropriate placement and continued enrollment of the student in the course(s).

B. Educational program placement. The receiving state school shall initially honor placement of the student in educational programs based on current educational assessments conducted at the school in the sending state or participation/placement in like programs in the sending state. Such programs include, but are not limited to, (i) gifted and talented programs, and (ii) English as a second language (ESL). This does not preclude the school in the receiving state from performing subsequent evaluations to ensure appropriate placement of the student.

C. Special education services. In compliance with the federal requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 20 USC, Section 1400 et seq., the receiving state shall initially provide comparable services to a student with disabilities based on his/her current Individualized Education Program (IEP) and in compliance with the requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, 29 USC, Section 794 , and with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 USC, Sections 12131 - 12165 , and the receiving state shall make reasonable accommodations and modifications to address the needs of incoming students with disabilities, subject to an existing 504 or Title II Plan, to provide the student with equal access to education. This does not preclude the school in the receiving state from performing subsequent evaluations to ensure appropriate placement of the student.

D. Placement flexibility. Local education agency administrative officials shall have flexibility in waiving course/program prerequisites or other preconditions for placement in courses/programs offered under the jurisdiction of the local education agency.

E. Absence as related to deployment activities. A student whose parent or legal guardian is an active duty member of the uniformed services, as defined by the compact, and has been called to duty for, is on leave from, or has immediately returned from deployment to a combat zone or combat support posting, shall be granted additional excused absences at the discretion of the local education agency superintendent to visit with his or her parent or legal guardian relative to such leave or deployment of the parent or guardian.

ARTICLE VI

ELIGIBILITY

Section 6. A. Eligibility for enrollment.

1. Special power of attorney, relative to the guardianship of a child of a military family, and executed under applicable law, shall be sufficient for the purposes of enrollment and all other actions requiring parental participation and consent;

2. A local education agency shall be prohibited from charging local tuition to a transitioning military child placed in the care of a noncustodial parent or other person standing in loco parentis who lives in a jurisdiction other than that of the custodial parent; and

3. A transitioning military child, placed in the care of a noncustodial parent or other person standing in loco parentis who lives in a jurisdiction other than that of the custodial parent, may continue to attend the school in which he/she was enrolled while residing with the custodial parent.

B. Eligibility for extracurricular participation. State and local education agencies shall facilitate the opportunity for transitioning military children's inclusion in extracurricular activities, regardless of application deadlines, to the extent they are otherwise qualified.

ARTICLE VII

GRADUATION

Section 7. In order to facilitate the on-time graduation of children of military families, state and local education agencies shall incorporate the following procedures:

A. Waiver requirements. Local education agency administrative officials shall waive specific courses required for graduation if similar coursework has been satisfactorily completed in another local education agency or shall provide reasonable justification for denial. Should a waiver not be granted to a student who would qualify to graduate from the sending school, the local education agency shall provide an alternative means of acquiring required coursework so that graduation may occur on time.

B. Exit exams. States shall accept: (i) exit or end-of-course exams required for graduation from the sending state, (ii) national norm-referenced achievement tests, or (iii) alternative testing, in lieu of testing requirements for graduation in the receiving state. In the event the above alternatives cannot be accommodated by the receiving state for a student transferring in his or her senior year, then the provisions of Article VII, subsection C shall apply.

C. Transfers during senior year. Should a military student transferring at the beginning or during his or her senior year be ineligible to graduate from the receiving local education agency after all alternatives have been considered, the sending and receiving local education agencies shall ensure the receipt of a diploma from the sending local education agency, if the student meets the graduation requirements of the sending local education agency. In the event that one (1) of the states in question is not a member of this compact, the member state shall use best efforts to facilitate the on-time graduation of the student in accordance with subsections A and B of this Article.

ARTICLE VIII

STATE COORDINATION

Section 8. A. Each member state shall, through the creation of a State Council or use of an existing body or board, provide for the coordination among its agencies of government, local education agencies, and military installations concerning the state's participation in, and compliance with, this compact and Interstate Commission activities. While each member state may determine the membership of its own State Council, its membership must include at least: (i) the State Superintendent of Education, (ii) the superintendent of a school district with a high concentration of military children, (iii) one (1) representative from a military installation, (iv) one (1) representative each from the legislative and executive branches of government, and other offices and stakeholder groups the State Council deems appropriate. A member state that does not have a school district deemed to contain a high concentration of military children may appoint a superintendent from another school district to represent local education agencies on the State Council.

B. The State Council of each member state shall appoint or designate a military family education liaison to assist military families and the state in facilitating the implementation of this compact.

C. The Governor of each member state shall appoint or designate a compact commissioner responsible for the administration and management of the state's participation in the compact and who is empowered to establish statewide policy related to matters governed by this compact.

D. The compact commissioner and the military family education liaison designated herein shall be ex officio members of the State Council, unless either is already a full voting member of the State Council.

ARTICLE IX

INTERSTATE COMMISSION ON EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY

FOR MILITARY CHILDREN

Section 9. The member states hereby create the Interstate Commission on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. The activities of the Interstate Commission are the formation of public policy and are a discretionary state function. The Interstate Commission shall:

A. Be a body corporate and joint agency of the member states and shall have all the responsibilities, powers, and duties set forth herein and such additional powers as may be conferred upon it by a subsequent concurrent action of the respective Legislatures of the member states in accordance with the terms of this compact.

B. Consist of one (1) Interstate Commission voting representative from each member state who shall be that state's compact commissioner and who is empowered to establish statewide policy related to matters governed by this compact.

1. Each member state represented at a meeting of the Interstate Commission is entitled to one (1) vote;

2. A majority of the total member states shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, unless a larger quorum is required by the bylaws of the Interstate Commission;

3. A representative shall not delegate a vote to another member state. In the event the compact commissioner is unable to attend a meeting of the Interstate Commission, the Governor or State Council may delegate voting authority to another person from the state for a specified meeting; and

4. The bylaws may provide for meetings of the Interstate Commission to be conducted by telecommunication or electronic communication.

C. Consist of ex officio, nonvoting representatives who are members of interested organizations. Such ex officio members, as defined in the bylaws, may include, but not be limited to, members of the representative organizations of military family advocates, local education agency officials, parent and teacher groups, the U.S. Department of Defense, the Education Commission of the States, the Interstate Agreement on the Qualification of Educational Personnel, and other interstate compacts affecting the education of children of military members.

D. Meet at least once each calendar year. The chairperson may call additional meetings and, upon the request of a simple majority of the member states, shall call additional meetings.

E. Establish an executive committee, whose members shall include the officers of the Interstate Commission and such other members of the Interstate Commission as determined by the bylaws. Members of the executive committee shall serve a one-year term. Members of the executive committee shall be entitled to one (1) vote each. The executive committee shall have the power to act on behalf of the Interstate Commission, with the exception of rule-making, during periods when the Interstate Commission is not in session. The executive committee shall oversee the day-to-day activities of the administration of the compact, including enforcement and compliance with the provisions of the compact, its bylaws and rules, and other such duties as deemed necessary. The U.S. Department of Defense shall serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member of the executive committee.

F. Establish bylaws and rules that provide for conditions and procedures under which the Interstate Commission shall make its information and official records available to the public for inspection or copying. The Interstate Commission may exempt from disclosure information or official records to the extent they would adversely affect personal privacy rights or proprietary interests.

G. Public notice shall be given by the Interstate Commission of all meetings, and all meetings shall be open to the public, except as set forth in the rules or as otherwise provided in the compact. The Interstate Commission and its committees may close a meeting, or portion thereof, when it determines by two-thirds ( 2 / 3 ) vote that an open meeting would be likely to:

1. Relate solely to the Interstate Commission's internal personnel practices and procedures;

2. Disclose matters specifically exempted from disclosure by federal and state statute;

3. Disclose trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is privileged or confidential;

4. Involve accusing a person of a crime or formally censuring a person;

5. Disclose information of a personal nature where disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy;

6. Disclose investigative records compiled for law enforcement purposes; or

7. Specifically relate to the Interstate Commission's participation in a civil action or other legal proceeding.

H. For a meeting, or portion of a meeting, closed pursuant to the provisions of subsection G, the Interstate Commission's legal counsel or designee shall certify that the meeting may be closed and shall reference each relevant exemptible provision. The Interstate Commission shall keep minutes, which shall fully and clearly describe all matters discussed in a meeting and shall provide a full and accurate summary of actions taken, and the reasons therefor, including a description of the views expressed and the record of a roll call vote. All documents considered in connection with an action shall be identified in such minutes. All minutes and documents of a closed meeting shall remain under seal, subject to release by a majority vote of the Interstate Commission.

I. The Interstate Commission shall collect standardized data concerning the educational transition of the children of military families under this compact as directed through its rules, which shall specify the data to be collected, the means of collection and data exchange, and reporting requirements. Such methods of data collection, exchange, and reporting shall, insofar as is reasonably possible, conform to current technology and coordinate its information functions with the appropriate custodian of records as identified in the bylaws and rules.

J. The Interstate Commission shall create a process that permits military officials, education officials, and parents to inform the Interstate Commission if and when there are alleged violations of the compact or its rules or when issues subject to the jurisdiction of the compact or its rules are not addressed by the state or local education agency. This subsection shall not be construed to create a private right of action against the Interstate Commission or any member state.

ARTICLE X

POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION

Section 10. The Interstate Commission shall have the following powers:

A. To provide for dispute resolution among member states.

B. To promulgate rules and take all necessary actions to effect the goals, purposes, and obligations as enumerated in this compact. The rules shall have the force and effect of statutory law and shall be binding in the compact states to the extent and in the manner provided in this compact.

C. To issue, upon request of a member state, advisory opinions concerning the meaning or interpretation of the interstate compact, its bylaws, rules, and actions.

D. To enforce compliance with the compact provisions, the rules promulgated by the Interstate Commission, and the bylaws, using all necessary and proper means, including, but not limited to, the use of judicial process.

E. To establish and maintain offices, which shall be located within one or more of the member states.

F. To purchase and maintain insurance and bonds.

G. To borrow, accept, hire, or contract for services of personnel.

H. To establish and appoint committees, including, but not limited to, an executive committee as required by Article IX, subsection E, which shall have the power to act on behalf of the Interstate Commission in carrying out its powers and duties hereunder.

I. To elect or appoint such officers, attorneys, employees, agents, or consultants, and to fix their compensation, define their duties, and determine their qualifications and to establish the Interstate Commission's personnel policies and programs relating to conflicts of interest, rates of compensation, and qualifications of personnel.

J. To accept any and all donations and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials, and services and to receive, utilize, and dispose of them.

K. To lease, purchase, accept contributions or donations of, or otherwise to own, hold, improve, or use any property, real, personal, or mixed.

L. To sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, abandon, or otherwise dispose of any property, real, personal, or mixed.

M. To establish a budget and make expenditures.

N. To adopt a seal and bylaws governing the management and operation of the Interstate Commission.

O. To report annually to the Legislatures, Governors, judiciary, and state councils of the member states concerning the activities of the Interstate Commission during the preceding year. Such reports shall also include any recommendations that may have been adopted by the Interstate Commission.

P. To coordinate education, training, and public awareness regarding the compact, its implementation, and operation for officials and parents involved in such activity.

Q. To establish uniform standards for the reporting, collecting, and exchanging of data.

R. To maintain corporate books and records in accordance with the bylaws.

S. To perform such functions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this compact.

T. To provide for the uniform collection and sharing of information between and among member states, schools, and military families under this compact.

ARTICLE XI

ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION

Section 11. A. The Interstate Commission shall, by a majority of the members present and voting, within twelve (12) months after the first Interstate Commission meeting, adopt bylaws to govern its conduct as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of the compact, including, but not limited to:

1. Establishing the fiscal year of the Interstate Commission;

2. Establishing an executive committee and such other committees as may be necessary;

3. Providing for the establishment of committees and for governing any general or specific delegation of authority or function of the Interstate Commission;

4. Providing reasonable procedures for calling and conducting meetings of the Interstate Commission and ensuring reasonable notice of each such meetings;

5. Establishing the titles and responsibilities of the officers and staff of the Interstate Commission;

6. Providing a mechanism for concluding the operations of the Interstate Commission and the return of surplus funds that may exist upon the termination of the compact after the payment and reserving all of its debts and obligations; and

7. Providing “start-up” rules for initial administration of the compact.

B. The Interstate Commission shall, by a majority of the members, elect annually from among its members a chairperson, a vice chairperson and a treasurer, each of whom shall have the authority and duties as may be specified in the bylaws. The chairperson or, in the chairperson's absence or disability, the vice chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the Interstate Commission. The officers so elected shall serve without compensation or remuneration from the Interstate Commission provided that, subject to the availability of budgeted funds, the officers shall be reimbursed for ordinary and necessary costs and expenses incurred by them in the performance of their responsibilities as officers of the Interstate Commission.

C. Executive Committee, officers, and personnel.

1. The executive committee shall have such authority and duties as may be set forth in the bylaws, including, but not limited to: (a) managing the affairs of the Interstate Commission in a manner consistent with the bylaws and purposes of the Interstate Commission; (b) overseeing an organizational structure within and appropriate procedures for the Interstate Commission to provide for the creation of rules, operating procedures, and administrative and technical support functions; and (c) planning, implementing, and coordinating communications and activities with other state, federal, and local government organizations in order to advance the goals of the Interstate Commission.

2. The executive committee may, subject to the approval of the Interstate Commission, appoint or retain an executive director for such period, upon such terms and conditions, and for such compensation as the Interstate Commission may deem appropriate. The executive director shall serve as secretary to the Interstate Commission, but shall not be a member of the Interstate Commission. The executive director shall hire and supervise such other persons as may be authorized by the Interstate Commission.

D. The Interstate Commission's executive director and its employees shall be immune from suit and liability, either personally or in their official capacity, for a claim for damage to or loss of property or personal injury or other civil liability caused or arising out of or relating to an actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred, or that such person had a reasonable basis for believing occurred, within the scope of Interstate Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, provided that such person shall not be protected from suit or liability for damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by the intentional or willful and wanton misconduct of such person.

1. The liability of the Interstate Commission's executive director and employees or the Interstate Commission representatives, acting within the scope of their employment or duties for acts, errors, or omissions occurring within such person's state, may not exceed the limits of liability set forth under the constitution and laws of that state for state officials, employees, and agents. The Interstate Commission is considered to be an instrumentality of the states for the purposes of any such action. Nothing in this subsection D shall be construed to protect such person from suit or liability for damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by the intentional or willful and wanton misconduct of such person.

2. The Interstate Commission shall defend the executive director and its employees and, subject to the approval of the Attorney General or other appropriate legal counsel of the member state represented by an Interstate Commission representative, shall defend such Interstate Commission representative in any civil action seeking to impose liability arising out of an actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of Interstate Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that the defendant had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of Interstate Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities provided that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from intentional or willful and wanton misconduct on the part of such person.

3. To the extent not covered by the state involved, member state, or the Interstate Commission, the representatives or employees of the Interstate Commission shall be held harmless in the amount of a settlement or judgment, including attorney's fees and costs, obtained against such persons arising out of an actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of Interstate Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that such persons had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of Interstate Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, provided that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from intentional or willful and wanton misconduct on the part of such persons.

ARTICLE XII

RULE-MAKING FUNCTIONS OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION

Section 12. A. Rule-making authority. The Interstate Commission shall promulgate reasonable rules in order to effectively and efficiently achieve the purposes of this compact. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the Interstate Commission exercises its rule-making authority in a manner that is beyond the scope of the purposes of this compact, or the powers granted hereunder, then such an action by the Interstate Commission shall be invalid and have no force or effect.

B. Rule-making procedure. Rules shall be made pursuant to a rule-making process that substantially conforms to the “Model State Administrative Procedure Act,” of 1981 Act, Uniform Laws Annotated, Vol. 15, p. 1 (2000) as amended, as may be appropriate to the operations of the Interstate Commission.

C. Not later than thirty (30) days after a rule is promulgated, any person may file a petition for judicial review of the rule provided that the filing of such a petition shall not stay or otherwise prevent the rule from becoming effective unless the court finds that the petitioner has a substantial likelihood of success. The court shall give deference to the actions of the Interstate Commission consistent with applicable law and shall not find the rule to be unlawful if the rule represents a reasonable exercise of the Interstate Commission's authority.

D. If a majority of the Legislatures of the compacting states rejects a rule by enactment of a statute or resolution in the same manner used to adopt the compact, then such rule shall have no further force and effect in any compacting state.

ARTICLE XIII

OVERSIGHT, ENFORCEMENT, AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Section 13. A. Oversight.

1. The executive, legislative, and judicial branches of state government in each member state shall enforce this compact and shall take all actions necessary and appropriate to effectuate the compact's purposes and intent. The provisions of this compact and the rules promulgated hereunder shall have standing as statutory law;

2. All courts shall take judicial notice of the compact and the rules in any judicial or administrative proceeding in a member state pertaining to the subject matter of this compact which may affect the powers, responsibilities, or actions of the Interstate Commission; and

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

B. Default, technical assistance, suspension, and termination.

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

1. Provide written notice to the defaulting state and other member states of the nature of the default, the means of curing the default, and any action taken by the Interstate Commission. The Interstate Commission shall specify the conditions by which the defaulting state must cure its default;

2. Provide remedial training and specific technical assistance regarding the default;

3. If the defaulting state fails to cure the default, the defaulting state shall be terminated from the compact upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the member states, and all rights, privileges, and benefits conferred by this compact shall be terminated from the effective date of termination. A cure of the default does not relieve the offending state of obligations or liabilities incurred during the period of the default;

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

5. The state which has been suspended or terminated is responsible for all assessments, obligations, and liabilities incurred through the effective date of suspension or termination, including obligations the performance of which extends beyond the effective date of suspension or termination;

6. The Interstate Commission shall not bear any costs relating to any state that has been found to be in default or which has been suspended or terminated from the compact, unless otherwise mutually agreed upon in writing between the Interstate Commission and the defaulting state; and

7. The defaulting state may appeal the action of the Interstate Commission by petitioning the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the Interstate Commission has its principal offices. The prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of such litigation including reasonable attorney's fees.

C. Dispute resolution.

1. The Interstate Commission shall attempt, upon the request of a member state, to resolve disputes that are subject to the compact and that may arise among member states and between member and nonmember states.

2. The Interstate Commission shall promulgate a rule providing for both mediation and binding dispute resolution for disputes as appropriate.

D. Enforcement.

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

2. The Interstate Commission may by majority vote of the members initiate legal action in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or, at the discretion of the Interstate Commission, in the federal district where the Interstate Commission has its principal offices to enforce compliance with the provisions of the compact, its promulgated rules and bylaws against a member state in default. The relief sought may include both injunctive relief and damages. In the event judicial enforcement is necessary, the prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of such litigation including reasonable attorney's fees.

3. The remedies herein shall not be the exclusive remedies of the Interstate Commission. The Interstate Commission may avail itself of any other remedies available under state law or the regulation of a profession.

ARTICLE XIV

FINANCING OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION

Section 14. A. The Interstate Commission shall pay or provide for the payment of the reasonable expenses of its establishment, organization, and ongoing activities.

B. The Interstate Commission may levy on and collect an annual assessment from each member state to cover the cost of the operations and activities of the Interstate Commission and its staff, which must be in a total amount sufficient to cover the Interstate Commission's annual budget as approved each year. The aggregate annual assessment amount shall be allocated based upon a formula to be determined by the Interstate Commission, which shall promulgate a rule binding upon all member states.

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

D. The Interstate Commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of the Interstate Commission shall be subject to the audit and accounting procedures established under its bylaws. However, all receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the Interstate Commission shall be audited yearly by a certified or licensed public accountant and the report of the audit shall be included in and become part of the annual report of the Interstate Commission.

ARTICLE XV

MEMBER STATES, EFFECTIVE DATE, AND AMENDMENT

Section 15. A. Any state is eligible to become a member state.

B. The compact shall become effective and binding upon legislative enactment of the compact into law by no less than ten (10) of the states. The effective date shall be no earlier than December 1, 2008. Thereafter it shall become effective and binding as to any other member state upon enactment of the compact into law by that state. The Governors of nonmember states or their designees shall be invited to participate in the activities of the Interstate Commission on a nonvoting basis prior to adoption of the compact by all states.

C. The Interstate Commission may propose amendments to the compact for enactment by the member states. No amendment shall become effective and binding upon the Interstate Commission and the member states unless and until it is enacted into law by unanimous consent of the member states.

ARTICLE XVI

WITHDRAWAL AND DISSOLUTION

Section 16. A. Withdrawal.

1. Once effective, the compact shall continue in force and remain binding upon each and every member state, provided that a member state may withdraw from the compact specifically by repealing the statute which enacted the compact into law.

2. Withdrawal from this compact shall be by the enactment of a statute repealing the same, but shall not take effect until one (1) year after the effective date of such statute and until written notice of the withdrawal has been given by the withdrawing state to the Governor of each other member jurisdiction.

3. The withdrawing state shall immediately notify the chairperson of the Interstate Commission in writing upon the introduction of legislation repealing this compact in the withdrawing state. The Interstate Commission shall notify the other member states of the withdrawing state's intent to withdraw within sixty (60) days of its receipt thereof.

4. The withdrawing state is responsible for all assessments, obligations, and liabilities incurred through the effective date of withdrawal, including obligations the performance of which extends beyond the effective date of withdrawal.

5. Reinstatement following withdrawal of a member state shall occur upon the withdrawing state reenacting the compact or upon such later date as determined by the Interstate Commission.

B. Dissolution of compact.

1. This compact shall dissolve effective upon the date of the withdrawal or default of the member state that reduces the membership in the compact to one (1) member state.

2. Upon the dissolution of this compact, the compact becomes null and void and shall be of no further force or effect and the business and affairs of the Interstate Commission shall be concluded and surplus funds shall be distributed in accordance with the bylaws.

ARTICLE XVII

SEVERABILITY AND CONSTRUCTION

Section 17. A. The provisions of this compact shall be severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence, or provision is deemed unenforceable, the remaining provisions of the compact shall be enforceable.

B. The provisions of this compact shall be liberally construed to effectuate its purposes.

C. Nothing in this compact shall be construed to prohibit the applicability of other interstate compacts to which the states are members.

ARTICLE XVIII

BINDING EFFECT OF COMPACT AND OTHER LAWS

Section 18. A. Other laws.

1. Nothing herein prevents the enforcement of any other law of a member state that is not inconsistent with this compact.

2. All member states' laws conflicting with this compact are superseded to the extent of the conflict.

B. Binding effect of the compact.

1. All lawful actions of the Interstate Commission, including all rules and bylaws promulgated by the Interstate Commission, are binding upon the member states.

2. All agreements between the Interstate Commission and the member states are binding in accordance with their terms.

3. In the event any provision of this compact exceeds the constitutional limits imposed on the Legislature of any member state, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of the conflict with the constitutional provision in question in that member state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-140-13 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 140-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-140-13
Status: in_force

All expenditures for the school shall be paid by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the State Fiscal Officer, and the State Fiscal Officer shall issue his warrants upon requisition signed by the proper person, officer or officers.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-21 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 59-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-21
Status: in_force

If the territory of such school district as is provided for in section 37-59-19 , lies in two or more counties, bonds may be issued as provided herein by the board of supervisors of the county having the greatest assessed valuation of taxable property within such district, upon petition of a majority of the qualified electors residing within the district as a whole. In such cases, a counterpart of the petition shall be separately circulated in that part of the district situated within each of the counties involved, and the said petitions shall be filed with the respective boards of supervisors. Each such board shall thereupon determine, by resolution entered upon its minutes, the number of qualified electors of such county residing within such district, and the number of qualified electors of such district who have signed such petition, and shall transmit a certified copy of such resolution and of such petition to the board of supervisors of the county having the greater assessed valuation of taxable property within such district. The latter board shall thereupon determine, by resolution entered upon its minutes, the total number of qualified electors residing within such district as a whole, and the total number of qualified electors of such district who have signed such petitions. If the latter board thereupon finds and determines that such petitions have been signed by a majority of all of the qualified electors residing within such district, regardless of county lines, such board may proceed to issue bonds in the amount and for the purpose or purposes set forth in such petition.

The maximum amount of such bonds which may be issued by petition shall not exceed the sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00), and the total amount of bonds so issued by petition in any twelve-month period shall not exceed the sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00).
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-342 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 7-342
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-342
Status: in_force

(1) The Legislature recognizes the necessity of school districts to provide reasonable accommodations to students and licensed employees of a school district who are diagnosed with debilitating illnesses or disabilities, including, but not limited to, diabetes and epilepsy.

(2) The school board of any school district shall authorize the use, in all district facilities and property, of service or assistance dogs which have been specifically trained to alert people of symptoms or conditions resulting from a debilitating illness or disability that threaten their health.

(3) In providing accommodations for students, the parent of a child with such illness or disability, the teacher or teachers of the student and the appropriate school administrator shall meet and develop a written 504 Plan consistent with the provisions of Chapter 23, Title 37, Mississippi Code of 1972 , that would permit the use of service dogs in the school facility. Also, in providing accommodations for students, the teacher or teachers of the student and the appropriate school administrator shall develop a plan designed to educate other students of the appropriate behavior in the presence of such dogs, as well as the proper handling of such dogs in the presence of those students who may have an allergic reaction to the dog and the reasonable care to be taken in efforts to prevent contact by students who are allergic with such dogs.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-33 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 104-33
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-33
Status: in_force

Any holder of revenue bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter, or of any of the interest coupons pertaining thereto, except to the extent that such rights are not restricted by the bond loan agreement and the resolution directing the issuance of such revenue bonds, may, either at law or in equity, by suit, action, mandamus, or other proceeding, protect and enforce any and all rights granted hereunder and under the bond loan agreement and the authorizing resolution; and may enforce and compel performance of all duties required by this chapter and by the bond loan agreement and the authorizing resolution. No holder of any revenue bonds shall have the right to compel any exercise of taxing power by the State of Mississippi to provide funds to pay any such revenue bonds or the interest thereon, or to enforce the payment thereof against any property of the State of Mississippi; nor shall any such revenue bonds constitute a charge, lien, or encumbrance, legal or equitable, upon any property of the state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-171-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 171-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-171-1
Status: in_force

(1) The Legislature finds the following:

(a) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released studies documenting:

(i) Overweight and obese children experience the same risk factors that are associated with heart disease in adults, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and Type 2 diabetes, once referred to as adult-onset diabetes;

(ii) Every year, an estimated three hundred thousand (300,000) people in America die because of diseases caused by being overweight and obese;

(iii) Studies have shown that up to eighty percent (80%) of overweight adolescents become overweight adults;

(iv) Fourteen percent (14%) of deaths from cancer in men and twenty percent (20%) of cancer deaths in women are because of being overweight and obese; and

(v) The annual economic impact in the United States from obesity on our health care system is estimated at One Hundred Forty-seven Billion Dollars ($147,000,000,000.00);

(b) According to the National Survey of Children's Health, Mississippi's childhood obesity rates are the highest in the nation;

(c) A recent study by a major insurance carrier stated that fifty percent (50%) of all Americans will have diabetes by the year 2020, costing the health care system approximately Three Trillion Three Hundred Fifty Billion Dollars ($3,350,000,000,000.00) if current trends in obesity are not abated; and

(d) According to the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, adults with a household member who participated in a community garden consumed fruits and vegetables one and four-tenths (1- 4 / 10 ) more times per day than those who did not participate, and they were three and one-half (3- 1 / 2 ) times more likely to consume fruits and vegetables at least five (5) times daily.

(2) Therefore, the Legislature declares that the intent of this chapter is to make school property available to community members during nonschool hours for recreational activities in order to support active living, reduce obesity, reduce health care costs associated with obesity, increase community safety, maximize community resources, and promote community support for schools.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-43-27 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 43-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-43-27
Status: in_force

No book or books shall be purchased from any person, firm or corporation who is a member of, or connected with, any trust. In the event that it is established that this provision has been violated, the contract shall be forfeited and monies paid out under this contract shall be returned to the state, and all books heretofore purchased under said contract shall be kept by the state or the public school district which purchased the textbooks.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-155-17 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 155-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-155-17
Status: in_force

Any interest, dividends or gains accruing on the payments made pursuant to a prepaid tuition contract under the terms of this article shall be excluded from the gross income of any such payor or beneficiary for purposes of the Mississippi Income Tax Law. The payor may deduct from taxable income the amount of any payments made under a prepaid tuition contract in the tax year.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-55 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 9-55
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-55
Status: in_force

Any appointed superintendent, principal or licensed employee in any public school who is under contract to teach or perform other duties and who desires to be released from such contract shall make application in writing to the school board of the school district for release therefrom, in which application the reasons for such release shall be clearly stated. If the board acts favorably upon such application for release, such superintendent, principal or licensed employee shall be released from his contract, and said contract shall be null and void on the date specified in the school board's order.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-13 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 151-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-13
Status: in_force

The State Board of Education shall establish and design an annual program of awards for exemplary performing administrators in Mississippi's public school districts, to be called the “Mississippi Administrator of the Year” Award Program.

The board shall establish criteria and guidelines for making the annual award to one (1) exemplary performing administrator in Mississippi, which shall include a cash award of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) to be paid by the State Department of Education pursuant to appropriation therefor and shall be unrestricted as to its use by the recipient. Such award shall be paid as a supplement to such administrator's contracted salary in the year subsequent to receiving the recognition.

The State Board of Education shall utilize such awards to bring the best administrative practices to the attention of other schools. The awards shall include public recognition by the local school board and the State Board of Education and the awarding of plaques, certificates and the monetary award for administrators that perform well.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-6-15 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 6-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-6-15
Status: in_force

(1) Before entering upon the discharge of the duties of his office, each member of the school board shall give a surety bond in the penal sum of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), with sufficient surety, to be payable, conditioned and approved in the manner provided by law.

(2) The school board may execute a blanket surety bond for each school district official and employee (including school business managers and any other employee who receipts and/or disburses school district funds) in the penalty of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), unless a different penalty is prescribed by statute, to be payable, conditioned and approved in the manner provided by law. The premium on said bond shall be paid out of the school district maintenance fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-143 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 29-143
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-143
Status: in_force

(1)(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, on or before the thirtieth day of each month, the board of supervisors of each county levying taxes pursuant to subsection (1) of Section 37-29-141 , for the support and maintenance of the county's respective community college district shall transmit or have the chancery clerk transmit its warrant or warrants constituting all of the revenues received from taxation for the prior month for those purposes to the chief executive officer or president of the county's respective community college district. All such county warrants evidencing a county's annual revenue from the tax levy shall be immediately deposited in one or more banking institutions and public depositories previously selected by the board of trustees of the community college district and spread upon its official minutes.

(b) The county board of supervisors, by appropriate resolution, may designate the tax collector as the official to transmit revenues from taxes levied by the county under Section 37-29-141(1) for the support and maintenance of the county's respective community college district. If so designated, on or before the twentieth day of each month, the tax collector of each county levying such taxes shall transmit all of the revenues received from taxation for the prior month for those purposes to the chief executive officer or president of the county's respective community college district. All such revenues from the tax levy of the county shall be immediately deposited in one or more public depositories of the community college district.

(2) The board of trustees shall, by appropriate orders spread upon its minutes, authorize its chief executive officer or president to expend such funds acquired under subsection (1)(a) and (b) for lawful purposes only and in accordance with its annual budget previously adopted. The board of trustees may require its designated employees, including its president, and fiscal agents to enter into and file with the president of the college a surety bond to insure the faithful performance of the public duties of each officer or agent who is authorized to receive and expend the funds of the district. Such bond may be of such denomination and conditions as the board of trustees may deem necessary and requisite, and the premium thereon shall be paid from the funds of the district.

(3)(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, all funds derived from such taxes as are provided for in subsection (2) of Section 37-29-141 shall be paid into the county depository of the county in which the community or junior college is located upon receipt warrants of the chancery clerk of said county. Such funds shall be paid out of the depository in the manner prescribed by order of the board of trustees of the community or junior college for purposes provided by statute.

(b) The county board of supervisors, by appropriate resolution, may designate the tax collector as the official to transmit funds from taxes levied by the county under Section 37-29-141(2) for the community college district. If so designated, the tax collector of each county shall transmit all funds derived from such taxes to the public depository or depositories of the community college district. Such funds shall be paid out of the depository or depositories in the manner prescribed by order of the board of trustees of the community college district for purposes provided by statute.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-511 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 29-511
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-511
Status: in_force

The board of trustees of the Meridian Junior College District shall on or before the twenty-fifth day of June each year prepare and file the annual budget of the district. The budget shall contain a detailed estimate of the revenues and expenses anticipated for the ensuing year for general operation and maintenance and shall set forth reasonable requirements for anticipated needs for capital outlays for land, buildings, equipment and major repairs, a reasonable accumulation for such purposes being hereby expressly authorized. Funds derived from the levy for capital outlay shall be kept in a separate account and expended for capital outlay purposes only.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-43-21 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 43-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-43-21
Status: in_force

(1) For the purpose of assisting the board during an adoption, there shall be rating committees in each of the fields in which textbooks are considered for adoption. Each committee shall be composed of seven (7) members. The State Superintendent of Public Education shall appoint four (4) members of each of the committees, each of whom shall be a competent, experienced teacher who is currently teaching in the field in which the textbooks are considered for adoption. The Governor of the State of Mississippi thereupon shall appoint three (3) members of each of said committees, who shall be persons he deems competent to participate in the appraisal of books offered for adoption, in each field, for use in the public schools of this state.

(2) It shall be the duty of said rating committees to appraise the books offered for adoption in each field in which textbooks are offered for adoption and recommend eight (8) books and/or series for each adoption to be made by the board and giving the reasons for or basis of such recommendations. No book shall be recommended which does not receive a majority vote of the members of each committee. Any member dissenting from any majority vote of the committee shall make his appraisal of any book recommended or rejected by the majority of the committee and specify the reasons therefor and make such recommendations as he thinks proper. All appraisals, recommendations, and dissents if any, shall be in writing and filed with the board for its consideration upon the adoption. The travel expenses of such committees shall be reimbursed in the amount as provided in Section 25-3-41 and shall be paid out of the State Textbook Fund. Such rating committees shall be subject to the provisions of Section 37-43-17 . The board shall have the power to reject any and all recommendations of the rating committees and to call for further recommendations; in no case shall the board adopt any book not recommended by the rating committees.

(3) Any and all sample textbooks that may be furnished by the publisher thereof as provided by Section 37-43-59 to any member of the board, the State Superintendent of Public Education, and any member of a rating committee shall within one (1) year after receipt of same by said member be turned in to the Regional School Book Depository without cost to the State of Mississippi, and the same shall thereafter be used without any cost to the State of Mississippi in supplying free textbooks to the educable children of the State of Mississippi as now provided by law or shall be sold to the highest bidder by the board with the proceeds immediately deposited in the State Treasury to the credit of the State Textbook Fund.

(4) No state official, state employee, school board member, school superintendent, principal, teacher or any other individual shall sell or donate sample textbooks furnished them by the Regional School Book Depository as part of the textbook adoption or selection process. Said individuals and public officials shall not receive payment by the regional depository, any publisher or any other company for sample textbooks.

(5) School districts may annually utilize any portion of the textbook allotment for the repair of textbooks; provided, however, that school districts are authorized and encouraged to utilize the Mississippi Department of Corrections bookbinder for the repair of textbooks.

(6) Prices for new textbook purchases shall not be higher than the lowest price at which books are sold anywhere in the United States, after all discounts are allowed.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-185-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 185-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-185-3
Status: in_force

As used in Sections 37-185-1 through 37-185-9 , the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed unless the context otherwise requires:

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

(b) “ CARES Act ” means the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.

(c) “ Eligible independent school ” means any private or nonpublic school operating within the State of Mississippi that:

(i) Is a member of the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) and located in the State of Mississippi; or

(ii) Is accredited by a state, regional or national accrediting organization; and

(iii) Is not subject to the purview of authority of the State Board of Education.

“ Eligible independent school ” includes independent universities that are accredited by a state, regional or national accrediting organization and are not subject to the purview of authority of the State Institutions of Higher Learning.

(d) “ Interruption in learning ” means disruption of regular educational instruction in a school facility resulting from required or voluntary closure related to COVID-19.

(e) “ Public health measure ” means any action reasonably taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the educational setting.

(f) “ Eligible expense ” means a cost incurred by an independent school for public health measures or due to interruption in learning from March 1, 2020 through December 30, 2020. Such eligible expenses may consist of:

(i) Training and professional development of local school staff regarding measures to decrease the spread of COVID-19 and familiarity with technology programs and devices to facilitate distance learning;

(ii) Purchasing facility sanitization supplies and other expenses of disinfection of the independent school's facilities to mitigate or respond to COVID-19;

(iii) Purchasing technology programs and equipment for the expansion of internet connectivity and broadband access within the school facility to be used by school administrators, faculty and staff to facilitate online distance learning;

(iv) Purchasing necessary equipment and accommodations and providing adequate services for students with disabilities;

(v) Purchasing medical supplies and personal protection equipment (PPE);

(vi) Developing infrastructure necessary at the community or junior colleges to increase capacity in workforce development or skills training classes for students who are unemployed, underemployed or seeking new employment as a direct or indirect result of COVID-19; or

(vii) Medical expenses incurred by the independent school to treat or dispense COVID-19, including COVID-19 testing and serological testing, emergency medical response and transportation, and telemedicine expenses related to COVID-19.

No cost will be considered an eligible expense if found to be ineligible under the guidelines, guidance, rules, regulations and/or other criteria, as may be amended from time to time, of the United States Department of the Treasury regarding the use of monies from the Coronavirus Relief Fund established by the CARES Act.

(g) “ MDA ” means the Mississippi Development Authority.

(h) “ Grant ” means an award by the MDA to an independent school to cover eligible expenses in accordance with Sections 37-185-1 through 37-185-9 .

(i) “ Program ” means the Independent Schools' COVID-19 Assistance Grant Program established in Sections 37-185-1 through 37-185-9 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-173-15 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 173-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-173-15
Status: in_force

(1)(a) Each local school district shall adopt a policy to ensure that students will be screened by a screener approved by the State Board of Education in the spring of kindergarten and the fall of Grade 1. The component of the screening must include:

(i) Phonological awareness and phonemic awareness;

(ii) Sound symbol recognition;

(iii) Alphabet knowledge;

(iv) Decoding skills;

(v) Encoding skills; and

(vi) Rapid naming.

(b) If a student fails the screener, the parent or legal guardian will be notified of the results of the screener. Subsequent dyslexia evaluations may be administered by licensed professionals, including:

(i) Psychologists, licensed under Chapter 31, Title 73, Mississippi Code of 1972;

(ii) Psychometrists, licensed by the Mississippi Department of Education, and in accordance with Chapter 31, Title 73 , Section 27, Mississippi Code of 1972; or

(iii) Speech Language Pathologists, licensed under Chapter 38, Title 73, Mississippi Code of 1972 .

(c) If a student fails the screener, the school district, in its discretion, may perform a comprehensive dyslexia evaluation, such evaluation must be administered by any of the licensed professionals identified under paragraph (b) of this subsection.

(d) If a parent or legal guardian of a student who fails the dyslexia screener exercises the option to have a subsequent evaluation performed, such evaluation shall be administered by any of the licensed professionals identified under paragraph (b) of this subsection, and the resulting diagnosis of the subsequent evaluation must be accepted by the school district for purposes of determining eligibility for placement within a dyslexia therapy program within the current school or to receive a Mississippi Dyslexia Therapy Scholarship for placement in a dyslexia program in another public school or nonpublic school.

(2) The screening of all compulsory-school-age children enrolled in each local public school district for dyslexia required by subsection (1)(a) of this section shall in no manner nullify or defeat the requirements of the pilot programs adopted by the State Department of Education to test certain students enrolled or enrolling in public schools for dyslexia under Section 37-23-15 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-121-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 121-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-121-7
Status: in_force

The new dining hall, currently under construction on the campus of Alcorn State University, located in Lorman, Mississippi, shall be named the Dr. Clinton Bristow, Jr., Dining Facility. Alcorn State University shall prepare a distinctive plaque to be placed in a prominent place within the Dr. Clinton Bristow, Jr., Dining Facility, which states the background, accomplishments and service to the university of Dr. Bristow.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-16-13 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 16-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-16-13
Status: in_force

(1) The school board of a local school district may award an honorary high school diploma in a form prescribed and supplied to school districts by the State Board of Education to veterans of World War II, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam Conflict who were unable to complete their education due to their military service. The honorary diploma is available to any honorably discharged veteran residing in Mississippi who was (a) scheduled to graduate between 1941 and 1955 but was inducted into military service before completing the necessary graduation requirements, or (b) was scheduled to graduate between 1963 and 1973 but volunteered for military service and received the Vietnam Service Ribbon. Family members of deceased eligible veterans may apply for the diploma to be awarded posthumously.

(2) The State Board of Education and State Veterans Affairs Board jointly shall develop a uniform application for persons seeking a diploma under subsection (1) of this section. The application shall request no less than the following information:

(a) The veteran's name, social security number and date of birth;

(b) The last year the veteran was in school and the veteran's grade level during that year;

(c) The year the veteran left school to enter World War II, the Korean Conflict or the Vietnam Conflict;

(d) The year the veteran would have graduated from high school;

(e) The name and location of the school attended;

(f) The date of the veteran's enlistment or draft;

(g) The veteran's service number;

(h) The veteran's date of honorable discharge;

(i) A copy of the veteran's DD-214 form, if available; and

(j) Any other information deemed relevant by the State Board of Education or State Veterans Affairs Board.

The State Board of Education shall provide local school districts, county departments of human services and local veterans services offices with copies of the uniform application.

(3) A person may request an application from any local school district, county department of human services or local veterans services office. Completed applications for a diploma may be submitted to the veteran's local school district, regardless of whether or not the veteran attended school in that district. Upon verifying the information contained in the application, including verifying the veteran's military service information with the State Veterans Affairs Board, and determining the veteran's eligibility for the honorary high school diploma, the local school board may award the diploma to the veteran. The diploma shall indicate clearly that the recipient is a veteran of World War II, the Korean Conflict or the Vietnam Conflict and that the diploma was issued at a later date due to the veteran's participation in the war. The State Department of Education and the State Veterans Affairs Board may work together to provide communities with information about hosting a diploma ceremony on or around Veteran's Day. The diploma shall be provided to the veteran or, if the veteran is deceased, to the veteran's family.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-173-16 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 173-16
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-173-16
Status: in_force

(1) Each local school district shall make an initial determination of whether a student diagnosed with dyslexia meets the eligibility criteria under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to have an Individualized Education Program developed and to receive services. If a student's diagnosis of dyslexia does not result in an IDEA eligibility determination then the district must proceed with their process for determining if the student is eligible for a 504 Plan under the Rehabilitation Act based on the presumption that proficiency in spelling, reading and writing are essential for the student to achieve appropriate educational progress. Each local school district shall develop interventions and strategies to address the needs of those students diagnosed with dyslexia which provide the necessary accommodations to enable the student to achieve appropriate educational progress. The interventions and strategies developed shall include, but not be limited to, the use of the 3-Tier Instructional Model and the utilization of provisions of the IDEA and 504 Plan to address those needs.

(2) The State Department of Education shall require public school districts to conduct four (4) hours of in-service training in dyslexia and related disorder awareness education every three (3) years for all licensed educators and paraprofessionals responsible for instruction. Standard 1 and Standard 2 of the International Dyslexia Association's “Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading” 2018 Edition shall be the minimum content used for the dyslexia training. Additional content of the trainings shall also include the indicators and characteristics, screening processes, evidence-based interventions and accommodations for students with dyslexia and other related disorders. The training, which may be provided through live in-person instruction, online course instruction or through a prerecorded video presentation, shall be delivered by an individual who holds a State Department of Education License No. 203 in Dyslexia Therapy and a national certificate as a Certified Academic Language Therapist.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-191 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 13-191
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-191
Status: in_force

Understanding the important role the Civil Rights Movement had on the State of Mississippi and understanding the importance of teaching Mississippi's children all of our history, it is the goal of this Legislature to provide meaningful support to this most important endeavor. Mississippi's central role in the civil rights struggle needs to be formalized and taught as a beacon of hope for all of our citizens.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-44 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 101-44
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-44
Status: in_force

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

(2) The design-build delivery system described under subsection (1) of this section shall be administered pursuant to Section 31-7-13.1 and may be authorized only when the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning makes a determination, entered on its minutes, with specific findings for the project demonstrating how it is in the best interest of the public to enter into a design-build contract.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-233 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 29-233
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-233
Status: in_force

When a student has successfully completed the course prescribed for the freshman and sophomore years, any junior college which has been properly accredited may issue a diploma to such student, bearing the title of AN ASSOCIATE OF ARTS, AN ASSOCIATE OF AGRICULTURE, or any other appropriate title as testimonial of the completion of two years of college work.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-75 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / 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. § 37-23-143 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 23-143
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-143
Status: in_force

(1) When any public agency directly responsible for the education of children with disabilities initiates or refuses to initiate or change the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of the child or the provision of a free appropriate public education to the child, the parent of a child with a disability or the agency shall have the opportunity to request a state-level impartial due process hearing.

(2) The State Department of Education shall promulgate rules and regulations consistent with the requirements under IDEA to establish a system for the provision of state-level impartial due process hearings. Such provisions shall include:

(a) At least five (5) business days prior to a hearing being conducted, each party shall disclose to all other parties all evaluations completed by that date and recommendations based on the offering party's evaluations that the party intends to use at the hearing. A hearing officer may bar any party that fails to comply with this requirement from introducing the relevant evaluation or recommendation at the hearing without the consent of the other party.

(b) A hearing may not be conducted by an employee of the State Department of Education or the local educational agency involved in the education or care of the child.

(c) The right of either party to be accompanied and advised by counsel and by individuals with special knowledge or training with respect to the problems of children with disabilities.

(d) The right of either party to present evidence and confront and cross-examine witnesses.

(e) The right, at the option of parents, to a written or electronic verbatim record of such hearing.

(f) The right, at the option of parents, to electronic findings of fact and decisions.

(g) Findings and facts shall be made available to the public and transmitted to the advisory panel consistent with the requirements under IDEA.

(3) The decision made by the hearing officer shall be final, except that any party aggrieved by the findings and decision made by the hearing officer shall have the right to bring a civil action with respect to the issues of the due process hearing. Such civil action may be brought in any court of competent jurisdiction within ninety (90) days from the date of the decision of the impartial due process hearing officer.

(4) Except as provided under IDEA, during the pendency of any proceedings conducted pursuant to this section, unless the local educational agency and the parents otherwise agree, the child will remain in the then-current educational placement of such child, or, if applying for initial admission to a public school, shall, with the consent of the parents, be placed in the public school program until all such proceedings have been completed. This requirement does not limit the local educational agency from obtaining a temporary restraining order from any court of competent jurisdiction, as deemed necessary by the agency.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-415 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 29-415
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-415
Status: in_force

The board of trustees of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College District shall, on or before the fifteenth day of June each year, prepare and file the annual budget of the district. The said budget shall contain a detailed estimate of the revenues and expenses anticipated for the ensuing year for general operation and maintenance and shall set forth the reasonable requirements for anticipated needs for capital outlays for land, buildings, initial equipment for new buildings and major repairs, a reasonable accumulation for such purposes being hereby expressly authorized. Funds derived from the levy for capital outlay shall be kept in a separate account and expended for capital outlay purposes only.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-37-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 37-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-37-3
Status: in_force

In addition to all auditors and other employees now or hereafter provided by law, the State Auditor may appoint and employ examiners in the Department of Audit. The examiners shall make such audits as may be necessary to determine the correctness and accuracy of all reports made to the State Department of Education by any school district or school official concerning the number of educable students in any school district, the number of students enrolled in any school district, the number of students in net enrollment in any school district, and the number of students being transported or entitled to transportation to any of the public schools of this state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-21 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 33-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-21
Status: in_force

The state board, through the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, shall cooperate under agreements with the federal government in carrying out the purposes of any federal statutes pertaining to vocational rehabilitation, and may adopt such methods of administration as are found by the federal government to be necessary for the proper and efficient operation of such agreements or plans for vocational rehabilitation and comply with such conditions as may be necessary to secure the full benefits of those federal statutes and appropriations, administer any legislation pursuant thereto enacted by the State of Mississippi, direct the disbursement and administer the use of all funds provided by the federal government or this state for the vocational rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities of this state and do all things necessary to insure the vocational rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-73-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 73-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-73-5
Status: in_force

The Mississippi Department of Education shall work in conjunction with the Mississippi Community College Board to ensure alignment of career technical education courses across the public school system and community college system. If a community college chooses not to participate in the dual credit program or does not have certain courses available for participating students, eligible high school students may enroll in dual credit courses and attend such courses at the campus of another participating community college within the state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-85 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 13-85
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-85
Status: in_force

The Office of Compulsory School Attendance Enforcement shall have the following powers and duties, in addition to all others imposed or granted by law:

(a) To establish any policies or guidelines concerning the employment of school attendance officers which serve to effectuate a uniform system of enforcement under the Mississippi Compulsory School Attendance Law throughout the state, and to designate the number of school attendance officers which shall be employed to serve in each school district area;

(b) To supervise and assist school attendance officer supervisors in the performance of their duties;

(c) To establish minimum standards for enrollment and attendance for the state and each individual school district, and to monitor the success of the state and districts in achieving the required levels of performance;

(d) To provide to school districts failing to meet the established standards for enrollment and attendance assistance in reducing absenteeism or the dropout rates in those districts;

(e) To establish any qualifications, in addition to those required under Section 37-13-89 , for school attendance officers as the office deems necessary to further the purposes of the Mississippi Compulsory School Attendance Law;

(f) To develop and implement a system under which school districts are required to maintain accurate records that document enrollment and attendance in such a manner that the records reflect all changes in enrollment and attendance, and to require school attendance officers to submit information concerning public school attendance on a monthly basis to the office;

(g) To prepare the form of the certificate of enrollment required under the Mississippi Compulsory School Attendance Law and to furnish a sufficient number of the certificates of enrollment to each school attendance officer in the state;

(h) To provide to the State Board of Education statistical information concerning absenteeism, dropouts and other attendance-related problems as requested by the State Board of Education;

(i) To provide for the certification of school attendance officers;

(j) To provide for a course of training and education for school attendance officers, and to require successful completion of the course as a prerequisite to certification by the office as school attendance officers;

(k) To adopt any guidelines or policies the office deems necessary to effectuate an orderly transition from the supervision of school attendance officers by district attorneys to the supervision by the school attendance officer supervisors;

(l) Beginning on July 1, 1998, to require school attendance officer supervisors to employ persons employed by district attorneys before July 1, 1998, as school attendance officers without requiring such persons to submit an application or interview for employment with the State Department of Education;

(m) To adopt policies or guidelines linking the duties of school attendance officers to the appropriate courts, law enforcement agencies and community service providers; and

(n) To adopt any other policies or guidelines that the office deems necessary for the enforcement of the Mississippi Compulsory School Attendance Law; however, the policies or guidelines shall not add to or contradict with the requirements of Section 37-13-91 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-45 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / 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. § 37-18-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 18-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-18-1
Status: in_force

(1) The State Board of Education shall establish, design and implement a Superior-Performing Schools Program and an Exemplary Schools Program for identifying and rewarding public schools, including charter schools, that improve. The State Board of Education shall develop rules and regulations for the program, establish criteria and establish a process through which Superior-Performing and Exemplary Schools will be identified and rewarded. Upon full implementation of the statewide testing program, Superior-Performing, Exemplary or School At-Risk designation shall be made by the State Board of Education in accordance with the following:

(a) A growth expectation will be established by testing students annually and, using a psychometrically approved formula, by tracking their progress. This growth expectation will result in a composite score each year for each school.

(b) A determination will be made as to the percentage of students proficient in each school. This measurement will define what a student must know in order to be deemed proficient at each grade level and will clearly show how well a student is performing. The definition of proficiency shall be developed for each grade, based on a demonstrated range of performance in relation to content as reflected in the Mississippi Curriculum Frameworks. This range of performance must be established through a formal procedure including educators, parents, community leaders and other stakeholders.

(c) A school has the following two (2) methods for designation as either a Superior-Performing or an Exemplary School, to be determined on an annual basis:

(i) A school exceeds its growth expectation by a percentage established by the State Board of Education; or

(ii) A school achieves the grade level proficiency standard established by the State Board of Education.

Any school designated as a School At-Risk which exceeds its growth expectation by a percentage established by the State Board of Education shall no longer be considered a School At-Risk and shall be eligible for monetary awards under this section.

(2) Superior-Performing and Exemplary Schools may apply to the State Board of Education for monetary incentives to be used for selected school needs, as identified by a vote of all licensed and instructional personnel employed at the school. These incentive funds may be used for specific school needs, including, but not limited to:

(a) Funding for professional development activities. Staff participating in such activities will report to the school and school district or, in the case of a charter school, the governing board of the school about the benefits and lessons learned from such training;

(b) Technology needs;

(c) Sabbaticals for teachers or administrators, or both, to pursue additional professional development or educational enrichment;

(d) Paid professional leave;

(e) Training for parents, including, but not limited to, the following:

(i) Curriculum;

(ii) Chapter 1;

(iii) Special need students;

(iv) Student rights and responsibility;

(v) School and community relations;

(vi) Effective parenting.

All funds awarded under this subsection shall be subject to specific appropriation therefor by the Legislature.

(3) The State Board of Education shall provide special recognition to all schools receiving Superior-Performing or Exemplary designation and, in the case of noncharter public schools, their school districts. Examples of such recognition include, but are not limited to: public announcements and events; special recognition of student progress and effort; certificates of recognition and plaques for teachers, principals, superintendents, support and classified personnel and parents; and media announcements utilizing the services of Mississippi Educational Television.

(4) The State Department of Education may benefit from the use of growth expectation measurements under this section in making evaluations under Section 37-19-9 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-193 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 13-193
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-193
Status: in_force

The State Board of Education may make civil rights and human rights education a part of the K-12 curriculum of instruction in Mississippi public schools. The State Department of Education shall work with the Mississippi Civil Rights Education Commission established in Section 37-13-195 in implementing these five (5) guidelines: (a) provide assistance and advice to K-12 schools with respect to the Civil Rights Movement and human rights education and awareness programs; (b) survey and catalog the extent to which civil rights and human rights education exists in state curricula; (c) inventory civil rights memorials, exhibits and resources that could be used in classrooms and other educational programs; (d) compile a list of volunteers who are willing to share their knowledge and experiences concerning the struggle for civil rights; (e) prepare reports for the Governor and the State Legislature on the inclusion of civil rights studies into the educational systems of the state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-133-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 133-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-133-1
Status: in_force

This chapter may be cited as the “Mississippi Technical Institute Law of 1964.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-26-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 26-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-26-9
Status: in_force

(1) It shall be the duty of the clerk of any court to promptly collect the costs imposed pursuant to the provisions of Section 37-26-3 . In all cases the clerk shall monthly deposit all such costs so collected with the State Treasurer either directly or by other appropriate procedures. All such deposits shall be clearly marked for the State Court Education Fund and the State Prosecutor Education Fund. Upon receipt of such deposits, the State Treasurer shall credit seventy-five percent (75%) of any amounts so deposited to the State Court Education Fund created pursuant to subsection (2) of this section, and shall credit the remaining twenty-five percent (25%) of any amounts so deposited to the State Prosecutor Education Fund created pursuant to subsection (3) of this section.

(2) Such assessments as are collected under Section 99-19-73 shall be deposited in a special fund hereby created in the State Treasury and designated the “State Court Education Fund.” Monies deposited in such fund shall be expended by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning as authorized and appropriated by the Legislature to defray the cost of providing: (i) education and training for the courts of Mississippi and related personnel; (ii) technical assistance for the courts of Mississippi and related personnel; and (iii) current and accurate information for the Mississippi Legislature pertaining to the needs of the courts of Mississippi and related personnel.

(3) Such assessments as are collected under Section 99-19-73 shall be deposited in a special fund hereby created in the State Treasury and designated the “State Prosecutor Education Fund.” Monies deposited in such fund shall be expended by the Attorney General of the State of Mississippi as authorized and appropriated by the Legislature to defray the cost of providing: (i) education and training for district attorneys, county prosecuting attorneys and municipal prosecuting attorneys; (ii) technical assistance for district attorneys, county prosecuting attorneys and municipal prosecuting attorneys; and (iii) current and accurate information for the Mississippi Legislature pertaining to the needs of district attorneys, county prosecuting attorneys and municipal prosecuting attorneys.

(4) A supplemental fund is hereby created in the State Treasury and designated the State Court Constituents Fund. Monies deposited in such fund shall be for the education and training of judges and related court personnel other than those specified in Section 37-26-1(b) . In addition to any other fees or costs now or as may hereafter be provided by law, there is hereby charged in all civil cases in the chancery, circuit, county, justice and municipal courts of this state a supplemental court education and training cost in the amount of Fifty Cents (50¢), except in justice court cases where the amount sued for is less than Fifteen Dollars ($15.00); and in all criminal cases in the circuit, county, justice and municipal courts of this state, except in cases where the fine is less than Ten Dollars ($10.00). Such costs shall be charged and collected as provided by Sections 37-26-3 and 37-26-5 .

After the transfer to the State Prosecutor Education Fund of twenty-five percent (25%) of the money provided for in subsection (1) of this section, there shall then be transferred into the State Court Education Fund the money on deposit in the State Court Constituents Fund.

(5) A special fund is created in the State Treasury and designated the “State Court Security Systems Fund.” Monies deposited in such fund shall be expended for general courtroom security as well as the maintenance and operation of security surveillance and detection devices for the courtrooms of each court of the State of Mississippi specified in Section 37-26-1(2) . The Administrative Office of Courts shall conduct a study to assess and determine the security needs of the courts and is authorized to expend monies in the fund for the purposes of the fund as authorized and appropriated by the Legislature.

(6) From and after July 1, 2017, the expenses of the State Court Education Fund, the State Prosecutors Education Fund, the State Court Constituents Fund and the State Court Security Systems Fund shall be defrayed by appropriation from the State General Fund and all user charges and fees authorized under this section shall be deposited into the State General Fund as authorized by law and as determined by the State Fiscal Officer.

(7) From and after July 1, 2016, no state agency shall charge another state agency a fee, assessment, rent or other charge for services or resources received by authority of this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-61-31 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 61-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-61-31
Status: in_force

The boards of supervisors of the various counties in Mississippi which are entitled to share in the distribution of the Chickasaw school funds, are hereby authorized and empowered to make settlement with any separate school district in said counties which has received more or less than its proportionate part of said funds, and the boards of supervisors may appropriate any money now on hand or that may be allotted to said counties in the future in the payment of any amount due to such separate school districts.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-255 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 33-255
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-255
Status: in_force

The department may, if indicated, establish an appropriate number of transitional living facilities for individuals who need attendant care, who are in adjustment periods, who require a structured environment, or who are in retraining or educational programs. All residents shall use the transitional living facility as a temporary measure, and not as a permanent home or domicile, and shall pay a monthly fee based on ability to pay.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-20-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 20-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-20-9
Status: in_force

(1) The State Department of Education shall provide technical assistance to districts and carry out the responsibilities of reviewing, monitoring and evaluating the programs conducted under this chapter.

(2) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules which, in its opinion, are necessary to assure that the programs in each school district are carried out in a manner consistent with the purpose and intent of this chapter. The State Board of Education shall develop a procedure for approving or denying local program applications within sixty (60) days of their receipt by the State Department of Education. The State Department of Education shall include in its annual report the number of students participating in programs under this chapter, the extent to which student achievement has increased, the programs which appear to be most successful, and an analysis of the expenditure of funds by district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-14 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 9-14
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-14
Status: in_force

(1) It shall be the duty of the superintendent of schools to administer the schools within his district and to implement the decisions of the school board.

(2) In addition to all other powers, authority and duties imposed or granted by law, the superintendent of schools shall have the following powers, authority and duties:

(a) To enter into contracts in the manner provided by law with each assistant superintendent, principal and teacher of the public schools under his supervision, after such assistant superintendent, principal and teachers have been selected and approved in the manner provided by law.

(b) To enforce in the public schools of the school district the courses of study provided by law or the rules and regulations of the State Board of Education, and to comply with the law with reference to the use and distribution of free textbooks.

(c) To administer oaths in all cases to persons testifying before him relative to disputes relating to the schools submitted to him for determination, and to take testimony in such cases as provided by law.

(d) To examine the monthly and annual reports submitted to him by principals and teachers for the purpose of determining and verifying the accuracy thereof.

(e) To preserve all reports of superintendents, principals, teachers and other school officers, and to deliver to his successor or clerk of the board of supervisors all money, property, books, effects and papers.

(f) To prepare and keep in his office a map or maps showing the territory embraced in his school district, to furnish the county assessor with a copy of such map or maps, and to revise and correct same from time to time as changes in or alterations of school districts may necessitate.

(g) To keep an accurate record of the names of all of the members of the school board showing the districts for which each was elected or appointed, the post office address of each, and the date of the expiration of his term of office. All official correspondence shall be addressed to the school board, and notice to such members shall be regarded as notice to the residents of the district, and it shall be the duty of the members to notify such residents.

(h) To deliver in proper time to the assistant superintendents, principals, teachers and board members such forms, records and other supplies which will be needed during the school year as provided by law or any applicable rules and regulations, and to give to such individuals such information with regard to their duties as may be required.

(i) To make to the school board reports for each scholastic month in such form as the school board may require.

(j) To distribute promptly all reports, letters, forms, circulars and instructions which he may receive for the use of school officials.

(k) To keep on file and preserve in his office all appropriate information concerning the affairs of the school district.

(l) To visit the schools of his school district in his discretion, and to require the assistant superintendents, principals and teachers thereof to perform their duties as prescribed by law.

(m) To observe such instructions and regulations as the school board and other public officials may prescribe, and to make special reports to these officers whenever required.

(n) To keep his office open for the transaction of business upon the days and during the hours to be designated by the school board.

(o) To make such reports as are required by the State Board of Education.

(p) To make an enumeration of educable children in his school district as prescribed by law.

(q) To keep in his office and carefully preserve the public school record provided, to enter therein the proceedings of the school board and his decision upon cases and his other official acts, to record therein the data required from the monthly and term reports of principals and teachers, and from the summaries of records thus kept.

(r) To delegate student disciplinary matters to appropriate school personnel.

(s) To make assignments to the various schools in the district of all noninstructional and nonlicensed employees and all licensed employees, as provided in Sections 37-9-15 and 37-9-17 , and to make reassignments of such employees from time to time; however, a reassignment of a licensed employee may only be to an area in which the employee has a valid license issued by the State Department of Education. Upon request from any employee transferred, such assignment shall be subject to review by the school board.

(t) To employ substitutes for licensed employees, regardless of whether or not such substitute holds the proper license, subject to such reasonable rules and regulations as may be adopted by the State Board of Education.

(u) To comply in a timely manner with the compulsory education reporting requirements prescribed in Section 37-13-91(6) .

(v) To perform such other duties as may be required of him by law.

(w) To notify, in writing, the parent, guardian or custodian, the youth court and local law enforcement of any expulsion of a student for criminal activity as defined in Section 37-11-29 .

(x) To notify the youth court and local law enforcement agencies, by affidavit, of the occurrence of any crime committed by a student or students upon school property or during any school-related activity, regardless of location and the identity of the student or students committing the crime.

(y) To employ and dismiss noninstructional and nonlicensed employees as provided by law.

(z) To temporarily employ licensed and nonlicensed employees to fill vacancies which may occur from time to time without prior approval of the board of trustees, provided that the board of trustees is notified of such employment and the action is ratified by the board at the next regular meeting of the board. A school district may pay a licensed employee based on the same salary schedule as other contracted licensed employees in the district until school board action, at which time a licensed employee approved by the school board enters a contract. If the board, within thirty (30) days of the date of employment of such employee under this subsection, takes action to disapprove of the employment by the superintendent, then the employment shall be immediately terminated without further compensation, notice or other employment rights with the district. The terminated employee shall be paid such salary and fringe benefits that such employee would otherwise be entitled to from the date of employment to the date of termination for days actually worked.

(3) All funds to the credit of a school district shall be paid out on pay certificates issued by the superintendent upon order of the school board of the school district properly entered upon the minutes thereof, and all such orders shall be supported by properly itemized invoices from the vendors covering the materials and supplies purchased. All such orders and the itemized invoices supporting same shall be filed as a public record in the office of the superintendent for a period of five (5) years. The superintendent shall be liable upon his official bond for the amount of any pay certificate issued in violation of the provisions of this section. The school board shall have the power and authority to direct and cause warrants to be issued against such district funds for the purpose of refunding any amount of taxes erroneously or illegally paid into such fund when such refund has been approved in the manner provided by law.

(4) The superintendent of schools shall be special accounting officer and treasurer with respect to any and all district school funds for his school district. He or his designee shall issue all warrants without the necessity of registration thereof by the chancery clerk. Transactions with the depositories and with the various tax collecting agencies which involve school funds for such school district shall be with the superintendent of schools, or his designee.

(5) The superintendent of schools will have no responsibility with regard to agricultural high school and junior college funds.

All agricultural high school and junior college funds shall be handled and expended in the manner provided for in Sections 37-29-31 through 37-29-39 .

(6) It shall be the duty of the superintendent of schools to keep and preserve the minutes of the proceedings of the school board.

(7) The superintendent of schools shall maintain as a record in his office a book or a computer printout in which he shall enter all demands, claims and accounts paid from any funds of the school district. The record shall be in a form to be prescribed by the State Auditor. All demands, claims and accounts filed shall be preserved by the superintendent of schools as a public record for a period of five (5) years. All claims found by the school board to be illegal shall be rejected or disallowed. To the extent allowed by board policy, all claims which are found to be legal and proper may be paid and then ratified by the school board at the next regularly scheduled board meeting, as paid by the superintendent of schools. All claims as to which a continuance is requested by the claimant and those found to be defective but which may be perfected by amendment shall be continued. The superintendent of schools shall issue a pay certificate against any legal and proper fund of the school district in favor of the claimant in payment of claims. The provisions of this section, however, shall not be applicable to the payment of salaries and applicable benefits, travel advances, amounts due private contractors or other obligations where the amount thereof has been previously approved by a contract or by an order of the school board entered upon its minutes, or paid by board policy, or by inclusion in the current fiscal year budget, and all such amounts may be paid by the superintendent of schools by pay certificates issued by him against the legal and proper fund without allowance of a specific claim therefor as provided in this section, provided that the payment thereof is otherwise in conformity with law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-37 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / 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. § 37-43-45 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 43-45
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-43-45
Status: in_force

Any loss occasioned by the neglect, carelessness or failure of duty by the county superintendent or any principal or teacher in charge of any school, shall entitle the state to bring suit for the recovery of the amount of the loss or losses occasioned thereby.

Any writ or suit of any nature instituted under the provisions of this chapter shall be brought in the name of the State of Mississippi by the Attorney General. Any money or moneys recovered by such suit shall be placed to the credit of the State Textbook Fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 11-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-9
Status: in_force

The board of trustees of any school district is authorized and empowered to pay out of the athletic fund or funds obtained from athletic activities all of the actual medical expenses evidenced by itemized bills of account, for injuries sustained by any regularly enrolled student while participating in athletic activities considered a part of any sport that said school engages in as a part of any regularly scheduled athletic contest with other schools, to include any injury sustained in any contest scheduled by the proper school authorities and any required training preparatory thereto.

In lieu of the payment set out in the first paragraph above, and in the discretion of the board of trustees, the board is authorized and empowered to contract for hospitalization insurance designed to fully compensate students for actual medical expenses in such cases. The payment of such hospitalization insurance shall be made from funds available as set out in the first paragraph above.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-57 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 33-57
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-57
Status: in_force

The director, with the approval of the executive director and the state board, may accept and use gifts and donations made unconditionally or otherwise for carrying out the purposes of the Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind Law, from either public or private sources. Gifts made under such conditions as in the judgment of the state board are proper and consistent with the provisions of that law may be so accepted and shall be held, invested, reinvested and used in accordance with the conditions of the gift. All monies received as gifts or donations, except conditional gifts requiring other treatment, shall be deposited in the State Treasury and shall constitute a permanent fund to be called the “Special Fund for the Vocational Rehabilitation of Individuals who are Blind,” and to be used by the state board for those purposes. The state board shall report annually to the State Legislature, setting forth the condition of vocational rehabilitation of individuals who are blind in Mississippi, the expenditures made from state and federal funds in carrying out the provisions of that law or its purpose, and a detailed statement of all gifts and donations offered and accepted, together with the names of donors and the respective amounts prescribed by each and all the disbursements made therefrom.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-73 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 11-73
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-73
Status: in_force

(1) This section applies only to those school districts in which there exists a foundation incorporated as a nonprofit organization, legally separate from any school district, which has as its sole purpose the receiving of grants, donations and gifts of real or personal property, or both, to be used and applied exclusively for educational purposes in a particular school district with the goals of enhancing the public educational experience of students and improving the quality of their instruction in that school district.

(2) Whenever an audit of a school district described under subsection (1) includes a finding that the foundation supporting the educational purposes of that school district is considered to be a blended component unit of the district, as determined by Section 2100 of the “Codification of Governmental Accounting and Financial Reporting Standards,” any funds belonging to the foundation which are transferred to the public funds of the school district upon the dissolution of the foundation due to the auditor's finding may be disbursed to any successor foundation that subsequently is incorporated as a nonprofit entity if:

(a) The successor foundation adopts as its primary mission the same purpose and goals as the original foundation;

(b) The funds of the successor foundation are not subject to any oversight by the school board of the school district, nor shall any member of the local school board serve as a member of the foundation's board of directors, and the successor foundation is structured legally in such a manner that the foundation is not considered, under generally accepted accounting principles, to be part of the school district;

(c) The funds that are the subject of the disbursement are to be used by the successor foundation in carrying out its purpose of enhancing the public educational experience and quality of the instruction available to students in the school district, which is a purpose recognized to be primarily a function of the government; and

(d) The precise amount of the principal of the funds to be disbursed, along with any interest that has been earned on the principal, less any amount previously obligated by the school district, has been determined through an independent analysis of the school district's fund or funds to which the predecessor foundation's funds were transferred.

(3) A disbursement of funds by a school district under this section is considered a disbursement made for a public purpose in consideration of the foundation's aid to the school district in discharging the district's governmental obligation to provide a quality education to the children of that school district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-97-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / 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. § 37-25-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 25-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-25-7
Status: in_force

Any student receiving instruction under this chapter shall be:

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

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

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

Any driver education student shall not be required to possess a learner's permit or driver's license while the student is under the direct supervision of a driver education instructor and is actually enrolled in an approved course of driver education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-455 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 7-455
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-455
Status: reserved

(1) Any land, buildings or other property that is not used for school purposes and which is not needed in the operation of the schools of the district may be sold in the manner established in this section but only after each charter school located in the school district has notified the school board that it is not exercising its right of first refusal on the property, as provided under Section 37-28-61 . Except as otherwise provided in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, all such land, buildings or other property shall be sold only after the receipt of sealed bids therefor after the time and place of making such sale has been duly advertised in some newspaper having a general circulation in the county in which the property is located once each week for three (3) consecutive weeks with the first publication to be made not less than fifteen (15) days prior to the date upon which such bids are to be received and opened. The property shall be sold to the highest and best bidder for cash, but the school board shall have the right to reject any and all bids. If the property is not sold pursuant to such advertisement, the school board, by resolution, may set a date for an open meeting of the school board to be held within sixty (60) days after the date upon which the bids were opened. At the meeting held pursuant to such resolution, the school board may sell by auction the property for a consideration not less than the highest sealed bid previously received pursuant to the advertisement. At the meeting, any interested party may bid for cash, and the property shall be sold to the highest and best bidder for cash, but the school board shall have the right to reject any and all bids. The school board may require a written confirmation of bids received at such called meeting before selling the property at auction, but it shall not be necessary that sealed bids be received before conducting the auction.

(2) As an alternative to the procedures established under subsection (1) of this section, the school board of a school district may elect, in its discretion, to sell by public auction any property, other than real property or buildings of the school district, which is not used for school or related school purposes and not needed in the operation of the schools, according to the procedure in Section 17-25-25 , except as otherwise provided under Section 37-7-459 .

(3) As an alternative to the procedures established under subsection (1) or (2) of this section, the county board of education of a county having a population in excess of ten thousand (10,000) according to the 2000 decennial census and in which U.S. Highway 45 intersects with Mississippi Highway 16, may elect, in its discretion, to transfer and sell the buildings of the school district and the real property upon which the buildings are located which are not used as school facilities or for school-related purposes and not needed in the operation of the schools, after advertising for and receiving competitive bids for the sale of such property. If any bid is offered by a nonprofit 501(c)(3) entity which has made substantial improvements to the buildings, the fair market value of the improvements shall be deemed to be consideration for, a part of, the bid offered by the entity. In this case, the school board shall enter a finding on its minutes that the nonprofit entity has made substantial improvements to the property and the property is no longer needed for school district purposes.

(4) When the sale of such property is authorized and approved by the school board, the president of the school board shall be authorized and empowered to execute a conveyance of the property upon the terms and for the consideration fixed by the board. The school board shall reserve unto the district all oil, gas and minerals in, on or under the land, and all proceeds derived from royalties upon the reserved mineral interests shall be used as provided by Section 37-7-457 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-81 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 41-81
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-81
Status: in_force

The local school boards of this state are hereby authorized and empowered to purchase, own and operate, under such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the State Board of Education, motor vehicles, electric vehicles and other equipment for the transportation of children to and from the public schools of the respective counties and school districts, and to provide for the servicing, repair, care and maintenance of such county or district-owned motor vehicles and to employ drivers for the operation thereof, and to establish, erect and equip school bus shops or garages, and purchase land therefor, all under such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the State Board of Education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-33 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 104-33
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-33
Status: in_force

Any holder of revenue bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter, or of any of the interest coupons pertaining thereto, except to the extent that such rights are not restricted by the bond loan agreement and the resolution directing the issuance of such revenue bonds, may, either at law or in equity, by suit, action, mandamus, or other proceeding, protect and enforce any and all rights granted hereunder and under the bond loan agreement and the authorizing resolution; and may enforce and compel performance of all duties required by this chapter and by the bond loan agreement and the authorizing resolution. No holder of any revenue bonds shall have the right to compel any exercise of taxing power by the State of Mississippi to provide funds to pay any such revenue bonds or the interest thereon, or to enforce the payment thereof against any property of the State of Mississippi; nor shall any such revenue bonds constitute a charge, lien, or encumbrance, legal or equitable, upon any property of the state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-22-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 22-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-22-7
Status: in_force

If state funds appropriated by the Legislature or otherwise made available by statute are insufficient to fully fund the Uniform Millage Assistance Grant Program, the Second Level Funding Program and the Emergency Fund Loss Assistance Program in any year, then any state funds made available for such programs shall be allocated by appropriation to each program in an aggregate amount which shall not exceed the total amount of state funds available.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-237 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 153-237
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-237
Status: in_force

The office shall enter into a grant contract agreement with each recipient of a grant under the program that incorporates the following obligations and conditions:

(a) The recipient of a grant shall commit to serving as a paramedic for three (3) continuous years in the State of Mississippi;

(b) If any recipient of a grant under the program does not engage in serving as a paramedic in accordance with the terms of this article, the recipient shall be obligated to repay the grant amounts received, together with interest thereon at the maximum rate allowed by Mississippi law or the federal discount rate plus five percent (5%) per year, whichever is less, the interest to accrue from the date that each payment of funds was received by the recipient;

(c) No interest shall accrue and there shall be no obligation to repay the principal sums accrued during any one (1) period of time that the recipient involuntarily serves on active duty in the United States Armed Forces; and

(d) Repayment of the principal with interest shall be due and payable in full immediately on the occurrence of either of the following events:

(i) Failure to remain in the State of Mississippi for three (3) continuous years for any reason other than temporary personal illness; or

(ii) Failure to serve as a paramedic on a regularly sustained basis as provided in the eligibility requirements of Section 37-153-235 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-123-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 123-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-123-7
Status: in_force

(1) Delta State University may enter into a public-private partnership with a third-party developer for planning, designing, renovating, constructing, furnishing, and equipping Ward Hall Dormitory and Cleveland Hall, using funds specifically appropriated for that purpose.

(2) Delta State University may enter into a partnership with the Cleveland School District to create a model rural education school to serve Pre-K through sixth-grade students from Bolivar County and a model program which shall also serve as a model for the education of teachers and administrators. To accomplish that purpose, Delta State University and the Cleveland School District are each authorized, in their discretion:

(a) To enter into an agreement for the purpose of designing, constructing, maintaining and operating a model rural education school to serve Pre-K through sixth-grade students from Bolivar County; and

(b) To transfer funds to the other and expend such funds on mutually agreeable terms and conditions for the construction, maintenance and operation of such school.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-138-13 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 138-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-138-13
Status: in_force

(1) It is unlawful for any person who does not possess a valid project designer certificate to specify engineering methods and work practices under an asbestos project to another person.

(2) To qualify for a project designer certificate, an applicant shall:

(a)(i) Have attained a Bachelor of science degree in engineering or its equivalent from an accredited university and be licensed by the Mississippi Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors as a registered professional engineer or, (ii) have attained a Bachelor of Science degree in architecture or its equivalent from an accredited university and be licensed as an architect by the Mississippi Board of Architecture or, (iii) have satisfactorily completed prior to April 1, 1990, either a project designer training course or an asbestos abatement contractor training course and a supervisor's training course, each approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and any applicable annual refresher training courses approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency such that applicable training has been continuously current and is current as of April 1, 1990, for the purpose of satisfying this paragraph (a) only; however, this subparagraph (iii) shall apply only to applicants applying for a certificate prior to November 1, 1991;

(b) Satisfactorily complete a commission-approved training course for project designers, except that a project designer training course approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency satisfactorily completed shall be sufficient to meet this requirement; and

(c) Demonstrate to the satisfaction of the commission that the applicant and applicant's employees and agents are familiar with and capable of complying with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations.

(3) Any certificate issued by the commission pursuant to this section and requirements (b) and (c) of subsection (2) of this section shall be renewed on an annual basis.

(4) Each applicant for a project designer certificate shall, on an annual basis, submit to the commission, on forms prepared by the commission, an application for issuance or renewal of the certificate, whichever is applicable, and a certificate that shows satisfactory completion of the training course(s) specified in subsection (2)(b) above and shall pay the applicable annual fee.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-183 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 101-183
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-183
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Compensation payable to persons on sabbatical leave shall be paid at the same time and in the same manner salaries of the other members of the faculty are paid.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-55 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / 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. § 37-31-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 31-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-9
Status: in_force

The state treasurer is hereby designated and appointed custodian of all moneys received by the state from the appropriations made by the “Smith-Hughes Act,” and he is authorized to receive and to provide for the proper custody of the same, and to make disbursements thereof in the manner provided for in said act and for the purposes therein specified. He shall also pay out any moneys appropriated by the State of Mississippi for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of Sections 37-31-1 through 37-31-15 upon the order of the state board of education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-51 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 45-51
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-51
Status: in_force

Any school board of a school district aggrieved by any final rule, regulation or order of the commission shall have the right of appeal to the chancery court of the county in which said school district or any part thereof may be located or situated, which appeal shall be taken and perfected as hereinafter provided within thirty (30) days from the date of such final rule, regulation or order. The said chancery court may modify or affirm such rule, regulation or order or reverse or remand the same for further proceedings as justice may require. All such appeals shall be taken and perfected, heard and determined, either in term time or in vacation, on the record, including a transcript of any evidence, pleadings or testimony filed and heard before said commission. Such appeal shall be heard and disposed of promptly by the chancery court as a preference cause. In perfecting any appeal provided by this chapter, the provisions of law respecting notice to the reporter and the allowance of bills of exception, now or hereafter in force respecting appeals from the chancery court to the Supreme Court shall be applicable. The reporter shall transcribe his notes and file the transcript of the record with the commission within thirty (30) days after approval of the appeal bond.

Upon the filing with the commission of a petition for appeal to the chancery court, it shall be the duty of the commission, as promptly as possible and in any event within sixty (60) days after approval of the appeal bond, to file with the clerk of the chancery court a copy of the petition for appeal and of the rule, regulation or order appealed from, and a transcript of the record of the pleadings and evidence before the commission. After the filing of said petition, the appeal shall be perfected by the filing of bond in the sum of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) with two (2) sufficient sureties or with a surety company qualified to do business in Mississippi as the surety, conditioned to pay the cost of such appeal. Said bond shall be approved by the clerk of the court. The perfection of an appeal shall not stay or suspend the operation of any rule, regulation or order of the commission, but the judge of the said chancery court may award a writ of supersedeas to any rule, regulation or order of the commission after five (5) days' notice to the commission and after hearing. Any order or judgment staying the operation of any rule, regulation or order of the commission shall contain a specific finding, based upon evidence submitted to the chancellor and identified by reference thereto, that great or irreparable damage would result to the appellant if he is denied relief, and the stay shall not become effective until a supersedeas bond shall have been executed and filed with and approved by the clerk of the court or the chancellor, payable to the state. The bond shall be in an amount fixed by the chancellor and conditioned as said chancellor may direct in the order granting the supersedeas.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-89 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 27-89
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-89
Status: in_force

All funds placed to the credit of the county common school fund, under the provisions of Sections 37-27-83 , 37-27-87 , shall be distributed in the same manner as is provided for the distribution of the county common school funds, and shall be used for the support and maintenance of the public schools of the county.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-81 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 106-81
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-81
Status: in_force

(1) This section shall be known and may be cited as the “State Representative Bill Kinkade Fostering Access and Inspiring True Hope (FAITH) Scholarship Program.”

(2) As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meaning ascribed in this subsection, unless context of use clearly requires otherwise:

(a) “ Approved postsecondary educational institution ” means any public state-supported institution of higher learning, community or junior college, or any not-for-profit private institution of higher learning in the state. The term does not include proprietary colleges or universities.

(b) “ Board ” means the Mississippi Postsecondary Education Financial Assistance Board established in Section 37-106-9 , which is authorized and empowered to administer the provisions of Title 37, Chapter 106, Mississippi Code of 1972 .

(c) “ Director ” means the individual designated by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning to administer the provisions of the various financial assistance programs by promulgating the necessary rules and regulations for their effective administration.

(d) “ Department ” means the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services.

(e) “ Eligible student ” means:

(i) Any individual who is younger than twenty-five (25) years of age who was placed in the legal custody of the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services by a youth court or through other legal means and who was in the legal custody of the department at any time on or after attaining thirteen (13) years of age;

(ii) Any individual who is younger than twenty-five (25) years of age who was placed in a qualified residential child care agency by a parent, legal guardian, court of competent jurisdiction, or other person or entity acting in the best interest of the individual and who did reside in a qualified residential child care agency at any time on or after attaining thirteen (13) years of age; or

(iii) Any individual who is younger than twenty-five (25) years of age who was adopted from the department's legal custody or adopted while residing at a qualified residential child care agency as described in paragraph (f) of this subsection at any time on or after attaining thirteen (13) years of age.

(f) “ Qualified residential child care agency ” means an entity that provides a home for children and was licensed by the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services at the time that the scholarship applicant was housed by the agency.

(g) “ Scholarship ” means the State Representative Bill Kinkade Fostering Access and Inspiring True Hope (FAITH) Scholarship.

(3) The Mississippi Postsecondary Education Financial Assistance Board, with the assistance of the Mississippi Department Child Protection Services shall develop and administer the Kinkade FAITH Scholarship Program for eligible students. Commencing with the 2023-2024 academic year, the board shall approve scholarships to eligible students who meet the general requirements set forth in subsection (8) of this section. Scholarships shall be used to pay up to the cost of attendance at any approved postsecondary educational institution, provided that payments to any not-for-profit private institution of higher learning shall not exceed the average cost of attendance required by all of the public state-supported institutions of higher learning.

(4) Payments up to the cost of attendance are considered program scholarships.

(5) The Kinkade FAITH Scholarship Program shall include a mentor service administered by the department as a support system for scholarship recipients. This service shall include mentors who shall be compensated by the department, as employees or contractors, to help participants adapt to independent living, academics and other college or university activities.

(6)(a) Initial recipients shall be selected from all eligible students based on rules promulgated by the board. In the second and subsequent years of the program, priority consideration shall first be given to renewal applicants.

(b) The board shall develop rules for ensuring that expenses of the scholarship program in a fiscal year do not exceed funding for the program in that fiscal year. For that purpose, and any other provision of this section to the contrary notwithstanding, the board may limit the acceptance of scholarship applications and may limit the award of scholarships.

(7) The program shall pay up to the student's cost of attendance for up to five (5) years, except as otherwise provided in subsection (10) of this section. In no event shall the cost of attendance be paid pursuant to this section for more than seventy-two (72) credit hours at a community college or one hundred forty-four (144) credit hours at a four-year college. The program shall only pay up to cost of attendance for courses leading to an undergraduate credential or degree. Scholarship funds may be disbursed only if sufficient funding for the scholarship program is available.

(8) To participate in the program, a scholarship applicant shall satisfy the following general eligibility requirements:

(a) Be an eligible student as defined in subsection (2)(e) of this section;

(b) Be accepted for enrollment in a degree or certificate program at an approved postsecondary educational institution; and

(c) Have completed and submitted to the United States Department of Education a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before each year in which he or she receives a scholarship. He or she shall have applied for all federal student financial assistance, including Educational and Training Vouchers.

(9) To receive a renewal scholarship, a student shall satisfy the following continuing eligibility requirements:

(a) Make satisfactory academic progress toward the completion of a degree or certificate as determined by rules promulgated by the board and maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA for consecutive or nonconsecutive semesters of enrollment; and

(b) Remain in good standing with the policies established by the approved postsecondary educational institution.

(10) The age limitation under subsection (2)(e) of this section shall be extended by the total number of years during which the student was on active duty status in the United States Armed Forces. The number of months served on active duty status in the United States Armed Forces shall be rounded up to the next higher year to determine the maximum length of eligibility extension allowed.

(11) The scholarship will include any costs associated with room and board during institutional holidays at approved postsecondary educational institutions where such accommodations are available.

(12) Funds can be combined with any other federal, institutional, or private scholarships to meet the student's full cost of attendance. No other gift aid should be reduced or supplanted by the Kinkade FAITH scholarship. However, in no case shall the FAITH scholarship be combined with other gift aid to exceed cost of attendance.

(13) The board shall promulgate rules as necessary to implement and administer this section.

(14) Nothing in this section shall be construed to:

(a) Guarantee acceptance of or entrance into any approved postsecondary educational institution for an eligible student;

(b) Limit the participation of an eligible student in any other program of financial assistance for postsecondary education;

(c) Require any approved postsecondary educational institution to waive costs or fees relating to room and board; or

(d) Restrict any approved postsecondary educational institution, the Mississippi Postsecondary Education Financial Assistance Board, or the Department of Child Protection Services from accessing other sources of financial assistance, except loans, that may be available to an eligible student.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-20-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 20-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-20-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Mississippi Remedial Education Act of 1988.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-69-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 69-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-69-5
Status: in_force

For purposes of this chapter:

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

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

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

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

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

(f) “ MDA ” means the Mississippi Development Authority.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-138-11 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 138-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-138-11
Status: in_force

(1) It is unlawful for an individual who does not possess a valid management planner certificate to develop a management plan.

(2) To qualify for an asbestos management planner certificate, an applicant shall:

(a)(i) Have attained a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or its equivalent from an accredited university and be licensed by the Mississippi Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors as a registered professional engineer or, (ii) have attained a Bachelor of Science degree in architecture or its equivalent from an accredited university and be licensed as an architect by the Mississippi Board of Architecture or, (iii) have satisfactorily completed prior to April 1, 1990, an initial management planner training course approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and any applicable annual refresher training courses approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency such that management planner training has been continuously current and is current as of April 1, 1990, for the purpose of satisfying this paragraph (a) only; however, this subparagraph (iii) shall apply only to applicants applying for a certificate prior to November 1, 1991; and

(b) Satisfactorily complete a commission-approved training course for asbestos management planners, except that a management planner training course approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency satisfactorily completed shall be sufficient to meet this requirement; and

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

(3) Any certificate issued by the commission pursuant to this section and requirements (b) and (c) of subsection (2) of this section shall be renewed on an annual basis.

(4) Each applicant for a management planner certificate shall, on an annual basis, submit to the commission, on forms prepared by the commission, an application for issuance or renewal of the certificate, whichever is applicable, and a certificate that shows satisfactory completion of the training course(s) specified in subsection (2)(b) above and shall pay the applicable annual fee.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-101 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 65-101
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-101
Status: in_force

In addition to all other power and authority which may now be vested in any board of trustees of any school district by the constitution or statutes, or both, of the State of Mississippi, any such board of trustees is hereby vested with the authority to close any one or more or all schools in any school district when, in its discretion, it determines such closure to be to the best interest of a majority of the educable children of the territory served, or to the best interest of a majority of the children enrolled in any such school or schools. Said board of trustees is also vested with the authority, in its discretion, to close any one or more or all schools in any school district when such board, in its discretion, determines such closure will promote or preserve the public peace, order or tranquility of the district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-39-17 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 39-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-39-17
Status: in_force

Purchases of items regularly used in connection with school operation shall not be made in small quantities for the purpose of circumventing the law requiring competitive bids or quotations, but shall be purchased by contract whenever feasible. School boards shall have the authority, however, to award such contracts for supplies or equipment to be delivered to different points in the school district or county, to different bidders, when the best interests of the district or county warrant such action. Reasons for awarding such contracts to different bidders for different areas in the district shall be recorded on the minutes of the school board. In no event shall the price paid exceed the lowest and best bid received.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-49 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 45-49
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-49
Status: in_force

Any cost or fees provided by this chapter to be paid by any county board of education or board of trustees of a municipal separate school district may be paid by the county board of education from any school funds of the district other than total funding formula funds, and by the municipal separate school district from the maintenance funds of the district, other than total funding formula funds. Any fees or costs provided by this chapter to be paid by the department may be paid from the funds appropriated for its operation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 151-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-9
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

(c) Assess both positive and negative impact on school districts of new education programs, including but not limited to The Mississippi Report Card and alternative school programs.