Miss. Code Ann. § 37-61-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 61-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-61-9
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

2300

=

Support Services--General Administration

2310

=

Board of Education Services

2320

=

Executive Administration Services

2330

=

Special Area Administration Services

2500

=

Business Services

2510

=

Fiscal Services

2520

=

Purchasing Services

2530

=

Warehousing and Distributing Services

2540

=

Printing, Publishing and Duplicating Services

2590

=

Other Support Services--Business

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

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

This section shall not apply to central administration with five (5) or less full-time employees, or to those school districts which can substantiate that comparable reductions have occurred in administrative costs for the five-year period immediately prior to school year 1993-1994. In the event the application of this section may jeopardize the fiscal integrity or operations of the school district, have an adverse impact on the ability of the district to deliver educational services, or otherwise restrict the district from achieving or maintaining a quality education program, the State Board of Education shall be authorized to exempt the application of this section to such school district pursuant to rules and regulations of the State Board of Education consistent with the intent of this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-77 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 29-77
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-77
Status: in_force

The board of trustees of any junior college is hereby authorized to lease the buildings and equipment thereof to any responsible individual for the purpose of carrying on a private school when there are no funds available for running said institution, and to lease the lands of said institution to some responsible person for agricultural purposes. Said leases shall not extend for any greater length of time than a period of three years from date of granting said lease.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-171-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 171-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-171-5
Status: in_force

(1) The school board of a school district may adopt a policy allowing the public use of indoor or outdoor school property during nonschool hours for purposes of recreation or sport. The school district must ensure that this use of school facilities by the public does not interfere with the use of those facilities for school purposes.

(2) School districts and school district employees may not be held liable for any claim resulting from a loss or injury arising from the use of indoor or outdoor school property or facilities made available for public recreation or sport. However, this chapter does not relieve a school district or school district employee of liability that otherwise exists for:

(a) Deliberate, willful or malicious injury to persons or property by a school district employee; or

(b) Injury resulting from a lack of proper maintenance or upkeep of a piece of equipment or facilities, unless the school district or school district employee had attempted to restrict access to a piece of equipment or facilities area in need of repair which would endanger a student during normal school hours.

This subsection may not be deemed to create or increase the liability of any person.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-102-15 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 102-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-102-15
Status: in_force

(1) The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and the Bureau of Buildings, Grounds and Real Property Management shall not make any expenditure for capital improvements for off-campus sites unless specifically authorized by the Mississippi Legislature. However, this shall not preclude such capital improvements from being made by county or municipal governments locally or regionally involved.

(2) The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and the Bureau of Buildings, Grounds and Real Property Management is specifically authorized to expend any funds available to it from private sources, from the proceeds of the sale of any property and improvements currently on the site of Mississippi State University off-campus instructional program at Meridian and from the proceeds of funds designated to the Mississippi State University system for “repair, renovation and new construction” in Chapter 2, Section 2, General Laws, First Extraordinary Session of 1989, for the construction, equipping and furnishing and new building, and/or for the repair, renovation, equipping and furnishing of any existing building at the Mississippi State University off-campus instructional program site at Meridian, Mississippi. The board of trustees is hereby authorized to receive and expend matching funds from the local, county and municipal governments for such construction, equipping, furnishing, repair or renovation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-569 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 29-569
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-569
Status: in_force

All of the property located in Coahoma County and belonging to the Board of Trustees of Mississippi Delta Community College prior to and as of the effective date hereof, cooperating in the Coahoma County Community College, and utilized or held for the present or future use and benefit of such community college, shall be and the same is hereby transferred to and vested in the Coahoma County Community College District as created by Sections 37-29-551 through 37-29-569 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-611 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 29-611
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-611
Status: in_force

(1) The Mississippi Community College Board is hereby authorized and empowered, in its discretion, to pass proper resolutions declaring the necessity of the formation of nonprofit educational building corporations, as set forth in Section 37-29-601 .

(2) When the principal of and the interest on any bonds of an educational building corporation payable from the revenues derived from the operation of facilities owned by the corporation shall have been paid in full, then such facilities shall become the property of the community or junior college on whose campus they are located and title to the facilities shall thereupon immediately vest in the community or junior college on whose campus they are located.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-69 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 23-69
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-69
Status: in_force

The State Department of Education may determine and pay the amount of the financial assistance to be made available to each applicant, and see that all applicants and the programs for them meet the requirements of the program for exceptional children. No financial assistance shall exceed the obligation actually incurred by the applicant for educational costs, which shall include special education and related services as defined by the Mississippi Department of Education Policies and Procedures Regarding Children with Disabilities under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Within the amount of available state funds for that purpose, each such applicant may receive assistance according to the following allowances:

(a) If the applicant chooses to attend a private school, a parochial school or a speech, hearing and/or language clinic having an appropriate program for the applicant, and if the school or clinic meets federal and state regulations, then the educational costs reimbursement will be one hundred percent (100%) of the first Six Hundred Dollars ($600.00) in educational costs charged by the school or clinic; or, if the applicant is under six (6) years of age, and no program appropriate for the child exists in the public schools of his domicile, then the reimbursement shall be one hundred percent (100%) of the first Six Hundred Dollars ($600.00) in educational costs charged by the school or clinic, and fifty percent (50%) of the next Eight Hundred Dollars ($800.00) in educational costs charged by the school or clinic;

(b) A public school district shall be reimbursed for the educational costs of an applicant up to an annual maximum based on a cost factor determined by the State Board of Education if the following conditions are met: (i) an applicant in the age range six (6) through twenty (20) requests the public school district where he resides to provide an education for him and the nature of the applicant's educational problem is such that, according to best educational practices, it cannot be met in the public school district where the child resides; (ii) the public school district decides to provide the applicant a free appropriate education by placing him in a private school, a parochial school or a speech, hearing and/or language clinic having an appropriate program for the applicant; (iii) the program meets federal and state regulations; and (iv) the applicant is approved for financial assistance by a State Level Review Board established by the State Board of Education. The Review Board will act on financial assistance requests within five (5) working days of receipt. Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent two (2) or more public school districts from forming a cooperative to meet the needs of low incidence exceptional children, nor shall the public school be relieved of its responsibility to provide an education for all children. If state monies are not sufficient to fund all applicants, there will be a ratable reduction for all recipients receiving state funds under this section. School districts may pay additional educational costs from available federal, state and local funds.

If an exceptional child, as defined in Section 37-23-3 , is placed in a therapeutic or other group home licensed or approved by the state that has no educational program associated with it, the local school district in which the home is located shall offer an appropriate educational program to that child.

At any time that the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Committee in the district where the home is located determines that an exceptional child, as defined in Section 37-23-3 , residing in that home can no longer be provided a free appropriate public education in that school district, and the State Department of Education agrees with that decision, then the State Department of Education shall recommend to the Department of Human Services placement of the child by the Department of Human Services, which shall take appropriate action. The placement of the exceptional child in the facility shall be at no cost to the local school district. Funds available under Sections 37-23-61 through 37-23-77 , as well as any available federal funds, may be used to provide the educational costs of the placement. If the exceptional child is under the guardianship of the Department of Human Services or another state agency, the State Department of Education shall pay only for the educational costs of that placement, and the other agency shall be responsible for the room, board and any other costs. The special education and related services provided to the child shall be in compliance with State Department of Education and any related federal regulations. The State Board of Education may promulgate regulations that are necessary to implement this section; and

(c) If an appropriate local or regional system of care, including a free appropriate public education, is available for exceptional children who are currently being served in out-of-district or Department of Human Services placements under paragraph (b) of this section or Section 37-23-77 , then the state funds from the State Department of Education that would have been used for those placements may be paid into a pool of funds with funds from other state agencies to be used for the implementation of the individualized plans of care for those children. If there are sufficient funds to serve additional exceptional children because of cost savings as a result of serving these students at home and/or matching the pooled funds with federal dollars, the funds may be used to implement individualized plans of care for those additional exceptional children. Each local or regional provider of services included in the individualized plans of care shall comply with all appropriate state and federal regulations. The State Board of Education may promulgate regulations that are necessary to implement this section.

The State Department of Education may also provide for the payment of that financial assistance in installments and for proration of that financial assistance in the case of children attending a school or clinic for less than a full school session and, if available funds are insufficient, may allocate the available funds among the qualified applicants and local school districts by reducing the maximum assistance provided for in this section.

Any monies provided an applicant under Sections 37-23-61 through 37-23-75 shall be applied by the receiving educational institution as a reduction in the amount of the educational costs paid by the applicant, and the total educational costs paid by the applicant shall not exceed the total educational costs paid by any other child in similar circumstances enrolled in the same program in that institution. However, this limitation shall not prohibit the waiving of all or part of the educational costs for a limited number of children based upon demonstrated financial need, and the State Department of Education may adopt and enforce reasonable rules and regulations to carry out the intent of these provisions.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-123 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 65-123
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-123
Status: in_force

The words “ qualified elector ” or “ qualified electors ” for the purposes of this article, shall in addition to the provisions of the first paragraph of Section 37-65-119 , mean:

A person, who on the day he or she signs any petition provided for in the section, is properly registered and qualified to vote in a county wide election of the county if such were then held, according to the voter roll as electronically maintained in the Statewide Elections Management System in the office of the circuit clerk and registrar of the county, in which all or any part of the school district is located, and who is a resident of the school district in which one or more schools have been closed, and who (a) is qualified to vote in an election of a trustee of that school district, if any be elective and (b) if the school district be a municipal separate school district or a special municipal separate school district and such person lives within the corporate limits of the municipality then such person must be qualified to vote in a city wide election if such were held on the day he or she signs any petition herein provided for.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-146-11 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 146-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-146-11
Status: in_force

(1) Students in the program may apply to the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry.

(2) Students in the program seeking admission to the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry shall be eligible for the admissions process pursuant to criteria established by the School of Dentistry Admissions Committee which will include consideration of the attributes of participation in the program.

(3) In carrying out the admissions process developed for the Mississippi Rural Dentists Scholarship Program participants under this section, the goal is for the program to work with the School of Dentistry to enhance the capability of participants to successfully enter and complete dental school and enter practice in rural or underserved areas in Mississippi. To the extent feasible, the early admissions process should be completed before December 1 of the year preceding a student's admission to dental school.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-119 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 65-119
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-119
Status: in_force

If a petition or petitions be filed with the secretary or president of the board of trustees, signed in person in accord with the provisions of this article by three-fifths of the persons who are qualified electors in or of the school district in which any one or more schools have been closed and three-fifths of the qualified electors who reside in the territory comprising the attendance area, if any has been designated, served by any school which may be closed, requesting the opening of a school or schools which have been closed and specifying the school or schools the re-opening of which is requested by the petition they signed, then it shall be the mandatory duty of such board of trustees to forthwith determine whether said petition or petitions are signed by the said requisite number of said qualified electors. In order to facilitate the determination by the board of whether the petition or petitions have been signed by the requisite number of said qualified electors and so that the board of trustees may have the completed petitions before it upon which its determination shall be made, all petitions requesting the opening of the same school or schools shall be filed not later than seven days after the filing of the first petition addressed to the re-opening of the same school or schools; in computing such period of time the day of filing the said first petition shall be excluded.

The board of trustees with whom any such petition or petitions are filed shall check and verify every petition or petitions filed with it to determine whether it be properly signed or executed by the required number of qualified electors. Such board of trustees is fully authorized to employ such person or persons, including counsel, as it may deem necessary in order to expeditiously make such investigation, and it is also authorized to hold such hearing or hearings as it may deem necessary in and about its said investigation and determination. All persons purporting to have signed said petition or petitions shall cooperate with said board of trustees in and about such investigation and determination.

The said board of trustees shall diligently proceed with and complete its investigation and determination of whether said petition or petitions are signed by the requisite number of qualified electors so as to avoid unnecessary delay and in any event shall complete same within not more than forty-five days after the last day upon which, in accord with this section, any petition or petitions may be filed as above provided for. The verification by the board of trustees of the signatures to said petition or petitions shall include an examination of the records on file in the office of the circuit clerk or registrar of the county or counties in which the school district involved may be situated. If it be apparent upon the face of the petition or petitions that same are not signed by the requisite number of qualified electors, when all petitions are considered together which may have been filed within such period of time above provided for, the said board of trustees may make its determination upon the sufficiency of said petition without making the detailed investigation or incurring the expense which would otherwise be incurred by such investigation and check of the records.

Within three days after the board of trustees shall have determined whether said petition or petitions do or do not contain the requisite number of signatures to re-open any school or schools therein designated, it shall hold a regular or special meeting at the place where its regular meetings are held, if the building containing same be then in existence, or, otherwise, in some other public place within the district to be selected by the president of said board of trustees, and there make the official announcement and determination of the sufficiency or insufficiency of the said petition or petitions to cause a re-opening of any school or schools which have been closed in accord with the terms of this article and enter an order evidencing its determination. If it finds that said petition or petitions are insufficient to cause such a re-opening of any such school, it shall so state in its order, but if it finds that the petition or petitions are sufficient in accord with the terms of this article to cause a re-opening of any school or schools previously closed, it shall order that the school or schools be re-opened and go into operation within one week from the date of such meeting; the day of the entry of such order shall be included in such computation of time. Upon the entry of such order all students which have been transferred to other schools and all employees who have been working in other schools and all other employees and all other students who were enrolled in any school or schools which were closed shall, on the day appointed for the re-opening of said school or schools, report for classes and duty in the school or schools where they were attending or working when such school or schools were closed, and such order shall automatically be a re-transfer of such students and employees.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-35-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 35-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-35-7
Status: in_force

Any funds that may be appropriated by the State Legislature for the purpose of carrying out a program of adult education may be used to supplement local funds or to meet the minimum requirements of the federal government for a program of adult education in the state, provided such program is conducted under the rules and regulations established by the Mississippi Community College Board.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-11 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 33-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-11
Status: in_force

Sections 37-33-11 through 37-33-35 shall be known as the “Vocational Rehabilitation Law of Mississippi.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-93 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 27-93
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-93
Status: in_force

(1) The Board of Trustees of Coahoma Agricultural High School are authorized to make application to the Mississippi Department of Education for the approval of converting the facilities and programs of the agricultural high school to an Early College High School. In the event the State Board of Education approves this application, effective July 1, 2018, the Coahoma Agricultural High School shall be transferred to the Coahoma Community College District and shall be used as an Early College High School serving up to four hundred (400) students from the following counties: Bolivar, Coahoma, Tunica, Tallahatchie and Quitman. The conversion from Coahoma Agricultural High School to the Early College High School shall be administered on a phased-in basis beginning with ninth-grade students and adding on one (1) grade level every year from the applicable counties until the school has full enrollment. Students who are currently enrolled in Coahoma Agricultural High School in Grades 10-12 may be enrolled at the facility as students at the Early College High School and continue in the system. From July 1, 2016, through July 1, 2018, the President and Board of Trustees of Coahoma Agricultural High School shall cooperate with the Board of Trustees of the Coahoma Community College District for the transition of the facilities and programs. The Board of Trustees of the Coahoma Agricultural High School and the Board of Trustees of the Coahoma Community College District shall redesign the facilities in order to establish an environment that supports college readiness for all students through a required college preparatory curriculum, access to college courses, counseling for college admissions, and other college readiness activities, such as explicit instruction in college behavior and expectations. All real property titled to or used by Coahoma Agricultural High School will become the property of the Coahoma Community College District.

(2) All personal property used by the Coahoma Agricultural High School for secondary school purposes, including all nondisposable sports and/or extracurricular equipment (i.e., football helmets, shoulder pads, baseball bats and helmets, and band equipment) will become the property of the Coahoma Community College District. The division of such personal property will be determined by joint order of the Boards of Trustees of the Coahoma Community College District and the Coahoma County School District. Any cost of transferring title of such real or personal property will be paid by the Coahoma Community College District.

(3) Any such joint order directing the transfer of the personal property of the Coahoma Agricultural High School shall be submitted and approved by the State Board of Education. The finding of the State Board of Education shall be final and conclusive for the purpose of the transfer of property required by such administrative consolidation.

(4) The students attending the said agricultural high school shall be deemed to be students of the school district where they reside. After transfer of the Coahoma Agricultural High School, any student who is enrolled at the Coahoma Agricultural High School when the transfer is effected may receive two (2) diplomas upon successful completion of all graduation requirements of the school district they subsequently attend: one (1) diploma to be the official completion with the school district they subsequently attend and the second to be a courtesy diploma reflecting graduation from Coahoma Agricultural High School.

(5) The State Board of Education shall issue regulations providing for the automatic transfer of students in the surrounding counties who wish to enroll in the Early College High School.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-69 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 31-69
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-69
Status: in_force

(1) The school board of a local school district, in its discretion, may establish and implement a vocational apprenticeship program in the high schools in that district through which students may earn high school units for vocational experience as an alternative to those high school units required by the school district in addition to the core curriculum defined by the State Board of Education. The purpose of a vocational apprenticeship program established pursuant to this section shall be to provide those students with skills and training that will lead to gainful employment in a trade or other specialized vocation.

(2) Students who participate in the vocational apprenticeship program shall be required to complete all high school units comprising the core curriculum, as defined by the State Board of Education. In addition, a student in the vocational apprenticeship program may be awarded credit for an additional eight (8) high school units earned through the vocational apprenticeship program, which units shall apply toward, and must be recognized by the State Board of Education in fulfillment of, the local school district's graduation requirements. Units may be awarded in the vocational apprenticeship program, whereby a student gains actual work experience through employment in a job approved by the local school district. The local school district shall adopt policies governing the participation of students in the vocational apprenticeship program.

(3) Students successfully completing a vocational apprenticeship program established pursuant to this section are entitled to a diploma evidencing graduation from a high school in Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-47-67 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 47-67
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-47-67
Status: in_force

Any county board of education or board of trustees of any school district, including a municipal separate school district, which may be aggrieved by any final rule, regulation, or order of the state educational finance commission adopted under the provisions of this chapter shall have the right to appeal therefrom to the chancery court of the county in which the school district involved or any part thereof is located in like manner, within the same time, with like effect, and subject in all other respects to appeals from orders, rules, and regulations of the state educational finance commission as provided in Chapter 45 of this Title, the provisions of which are hereby made applicable in all respects to appeals from orders, rules, and regulations of the commission under the provisions of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-195 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 13-195
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-195
Status: in_force

(1) There is created the Mississippi Civil Rights Education Commission. The commission shall be assigned to the Office of the Secretary of State for administrative purposes only. The commission shall provide or assist education officials and other organizations with information, coordination and modification of courses or programs that include the Civil Rights Movement, and will carry out the specific responsibilities set forth in Section 37-13-193 . In completing this task, the commission may act as a liaison with various bodies, including the United States Congress, the State Legislature, Teaching for Change, the William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, as well as other national and international agencies. The commission shall consist of no more than fifteen (15) members, eleven (11) positions of which will be voluntary, to serve with a term of three (3) years on a rotating basis. These positions will be filled by application submitted to a joint committee formed by the William Winter Institute at the University of Mississippi, Tougaloo College, the Oral History Project at the University of Southern Mississippi and Jackson State University. Each of these four (4) entities shall remain permanent members of this commission, with representatives to be appointed by the President or Chancellor of the appropriate institution.

(2) The members of the commission shall be residents of this state and shall be appointed with due regard for broad geographic representation.

(3) The commission shall have a chairperson who shall be designated by the State Superintendent of Education from the commission membership for a term of four (4) years and eight (8) members of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of the business of the commission.

(4) The Mississippi Commission on Civil Rights Education shall adopt rules and regulations and set standards and policies for the organization, operation, management, budgeting and programs of the commission.

(5) The commission may apply for and receive gifts, grants and donations from any public or private sources, including federal and private foundation grants. Members of the commission may not be compensated for the performance of their duties except from nonstate funds that are specifically available therefor.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-161-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 161-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-161-5
Status: in_force

(1) There is established a commission to be known as the “Lifelong Learning Commission.”

(2) The commission shall consist of four (4) members, who shall serve ex officio, as follows:

(a) The Governor of the State of Mississippi, who shall serve as chairman;

(b) The State Superintendent of Public Education;

(c) The Commissioner of the Mississippi Community College Board; and

(d) The Commissioner of Higher Education.

(3) The duties of the Lifelong Learning Commission shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:

(a) To assess the dropout crisis in Mississippi and recommend action steps to address it;

(b) To create a set of common definitions for graduation and dropout rates which can be used to compare the commission's progress relative to other states;

(c) To facilitate agreements that will make the Mississippi high school experience more meaningful;

(d) To encourage more rigor and relevance in the high school experience;

(e) To facilitate the transferability of education from secondary to postsecondary institutions;

(f) To raise state awareness on the need for improving Mississippi's high schools;

(g) To develop a series of best practices policy actions that state policymakers and legislators can implement to achieve system-wide high school reform; and

(h) To convene town hall meetings around the state, when the commission determines necessary, where students, teachers, administrators and parents can discuss high school, the senior year and impediments to greater success.

(4) The commission may prepare an annual report for the consideration of the Chairmen of the House and Senate Education and Universities and Colleges Committees pertaining to the information gathered in the performance of its duties.

(5) The commission members shall meet at those times and places deemed necessary by the commission. The commission may use any available resources to fulfill its mission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-140-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 140-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-140-1
Status: in_force

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

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

(b) “ School ” means the Mississippi School of the Arts.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-17 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 27-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-17
Status: in_force

When the state superintendent of public education shall have received from the county superintendent of education of any county a statement showing that an agricultural high school has been located by the county board of education, that the land has been acquired, that necessary levy has been made by the board of supervisors, and that suitable buildings have been erected, including adequate boarding facilities, then the state superintendent shall visit such school and, after a thorough inspection thereof, make a full and complete report of said inspection to the state board of education. Should it appear to the state board of education that it would be to the interest of the state, and funds have been appropriated therefor, the board shall draw an order on the state auditor in favor of the county depository or depositories for the sum of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for each county supporting an agricultural high school, for the use of the trustees of the said high school or schools. The auditor shall issue his warrant annually on the depository for this amount, but not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for each county supporting an agricultural high school shall be paid to any one (1) school in one (1) year for agricultural high school purposes, except as hereinafter provided.

All schools failing to make an average attendance of forty (40) or more students for the previous session shall receive only One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), as provided above.

After Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) each year has been set aside as an equalizing fund to be disbursed by the state board of education where the need is greatest, which amount shall be distributed without reference to attendance, the remainder shall be distributed on the per capita basis of the average boarding attendance of the previous session. However, no school shall receive more than Five Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($5,500.00) a year of the remainder.

Any consolidated school carrying four (4) years' accredited high school work, doing work in vocational agriculture and vocational home economics, as defined by the director of the division of vocational education, shall receive the following amounts under conditions named:

Schools having enrolled not less than twenty (20) all-day pupils in these classes shall receive Two Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($250.00) annually.

Schools having enrolled not less than thirty (30) all-day pupils in these classes shall receive Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) annually.

Schools having enrolled not less than forty (40) all-day pupils in these classes shall receive Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00) annually.

No aid shall be given an agricultural high school until the state board of education has approved the plans for the building and course of study for the same. The appropriations from the state treasury shall be made in such manner as to comply with the law, but the state aid may be withdrawn at any time, when the state board of education finds that a school is not being legally conducted for the purposes for which established.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 23-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-1
Status: in_force

The purpose of Sections 37-23-1 through 37-23-159 is to mandate free appropriate public educational services and equipment for exceptional children in the age range three (3) through twenty (20) for whom the regular school programs are not adequate and to provide, on a permissive basis, a free appropriate public education, as a part of the state's early intervention system in accordance with regulations developed in collaboration with the agency designated as “lead agency” under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The portion of the regulations developed in collaboration with the lead agency which are necessary to implement the programs under the authority of the State Board of Education shall be presented to the State Board of Education for adoption. This specifically includes, but shall not be limited to, provision for day schools for the deaf and blind of an age under six (6) years, where early training is in accordance with the most advanced and best approved scientific methods of instruction, always taking into consideration the best interests of the child and his improvement at a time during which he is most susceptible of improvement. Educational programs to exceptional children under the age of three (3) years shall be eligible for total funding formula funds provided in Sections 37-151-200 through 37-151-215 .

All references in the laws of this state to the “Individuals with Disabilities Education Act” or to the “IDEA” shall be construed to include any subsequent amendments to that act.

The educational programs and services provided for exceptional children in Sections 37-23-1 through 37-23-15 , 37-23-31 through 37-23-35 , 37-23-61 through 37-23-75 and 37-23-77 shall be designed to provide individualized appropriate special education and related services that enable a child to reach his or her appropriate and uniquely designed goals for success. The State Board of Education shall establish an accountability system for special education programs and students with disabilities. The system shall establish accountability standards for services provided to improve the educational skills designed to prepare children for life after their years in school. These standards shall be a part of the accreditation system and shall be implemented before July 1, 1996.

The State Department of Education shall establish goals for the performance of children with disabilities that will promote the purpose of IDEA and are consistent, to the maximum extent appropriate, with other goals and standards for children established by the State Department of Education. Performance indicators used to assess progress toward achieving those goals that, at a minimum, address the performance of children with disabilities on assessments, drop-out rates, and graduation rates shall be developed. Every two (2) years, the progress toward meeting the established performance goals shall be reported to the public.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-61 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 153-61
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-61
Status: in_force

The office shall provide a comprehensive report on the use and effectiveness of funds distributed under the grant programs created in this article, to include, if applicable, wage data and employment outcomes for trainees, to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chairs of the Senate and House Appropriations Committees, Chair of the Senate Economic and Workforce Development Committee, and Chair of the House Workforce Development Committee by October 1 each year of the existence of the program. The report shall also contain, if applicable, the submitted applications, the score of the applications, the amount of grant funds awarded to each applicant, the amount of grant funds expended by each applicant, the status of the training infrastructure, the number of students currently trained at the applicant's school, and the estimated increase in the number of students to be trained at the applicant's school.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-3-95 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 3-95
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-3-95
Status: in_force

(1) Subject to the availability of funding for such purpose, the State Superintendent of Public Education shall employ within the State Department of Education or, in the alternative, contract with the Mississippi Military Department for a statewide coordinator for Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) programs in the public schools. If employed by the State Department of Education, the JROTC statewide coordinator must be an active or retired member of the military and must meet any additional qualifications that may be established for the position by the State Superintendent of Public Education or State Personnel Board. However, if for any reason within the two-year period beginning July 1, 2014, a new JROTC statewide coordinator is employed by the department, the employment of such individual shall not be subject to the rules and regulations of the State Personnel Board, except as otherwise provided in Section 25-9-127(4) .

(2) The following are the powers and duties of the JROTC statewide coordinator:

(a) To coordinate training of new JROTC instructors and continuing education programs for certified instructors;

(b) To facilitate communication between JROTC programs in the various public schools;

(c) To assist in organizing competitions among JROTC units from different high schools;

(d) To assist in the development of the JROTC curriculum;

(e) To compile information on scholarships available to JROTC participants and to solicit support for such scholarships;

(f) To assist in establishing support groups for parents of students participating in a JROTC program;

(g) To solicit and accept financial support for JROTC programs from private sector donors;

(h) To promote the involvement of JROTC units within their local communities;

(i) To facilitate interaction between JROTC units and the Mississippi National Guard and Mississippi Air National Guard;

(j) To promote, in general, the JROTC program in high schools throughout the state;

(k) To assist local schools with the application process for establishing new JROTC programs in high schools; and

(l) To perform such other duties relating to the JROTC program established by the State Superintendent of Public Education or State Board of Education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-175 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 23-175
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-175
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

(d) “Board” shall mean the State Board of Education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-221 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 33-221
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-221
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful, except for purposes directly connected with the administration of the Office of Special Disability Programs and in accordance with regulations, for any person or persons to solicit, disclose, receive, or make use of, or authorize, knowingly permit, participate in, or acquiesce in the use of any list of, or names of, or any information concerning persons applying for or receiving services under the Office of Special Disability Programs, directly or indirectly derived from the records, papers, files, or communications of the state or subdivisions or agencies thereof, or acquired in the course of the performance of official duties, except in response to summons, subpoena or other order of a court. Any violation of this section shall be a misdemeanor and punishable accordingly.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-147-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 147-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-147-7
Status: in_force

The authority shall be composed of an odd number of members, said number to be determined and appointed by the board from among the research officers of the eight (8) institutions of higher learning and the University of Mississippi Medical Center, to serve at the will and pleasure of the board; the vice president of the board during the term of his office; the Director of the Mississippi Development Authority, or his designee; and the Commissioner of Higher Education as an ex officio, nonvoting member.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-41 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 28-41
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-41
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

(f) To sue and be sued in its own name.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-59 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 13-59
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-59
Status: in_force

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 37-13-58 , the state department of education is hereby authorized to provide for the services of a state coordinator of career education and such other professional and nonprofessional staff as may be needed and as funds available to the department will permit. It shall be the responsibility of the state coordinator of career education to coordinate efforts of the personnel of the state department of education, the state's colleges and universities, local public schools and other appropriate agencies to provide the services embraced by Sections 37-13-58 through 37-13-60 . The state department of education and the state coordinator of career education will be responsible for the development of teacher education courses, both at the graduate and undergraduate levels, designed to familiarize teachers and prospective teachers with the career education concept and its application to their roles as teachers and prospective teachers. The state colleges and universities will consult and cooperate with the state department of education and state coordinator of career education in the development of these courses and in the responsibilities under Sections 37-13-58 through 37-13-60 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-111-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 111-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-111-7
Status: in_force

Organizations of the character designated in Section 37-111-1 shall be permitted to hold their regular meetings for academic, social or business purposes in such places as the authorities may agree upon. Such organizations shall not be permitted to purchase, lease, or as an organization live within a domicile especially set apart for their purpose at any time, except under such regulations as shall be prescribed by the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-155-107 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 155-107
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-155-107
Status: in_force

In addition to those powers granted to the board by Sections 37-155-1 through 37-155-27 and any other provisions of this article, the board shall have the powers necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes and provisions of this article, the purposes and objectives of the trust fund, and the powers delegated by any other law or executive order of this state, including, but not limited to, the following express powers:

(a) To adopt such rules and regulations as are necessary to implement this article, subject to applicable federal laws and regulations, including rules regarding transfers of funds between accounts established under prepaid tuition contracts and savings trust agreements;

(b) To impose reasonable requirements for residency for beneficiaries or account owners at the time of purchase of the savings trust agreement;

(c) To contract for necessary goods and services, to employ necessary personnel, and to engage the services of consultants and other qualified persons and entities for administrative and technical assistance in carrying out the responsibilities of the trust funds under terms and conditions that the board deems reasonable, including contract terms for periods up to ten (10) years at which time a contract may be terminated, extended or renewed for a term determined by the board, not to exceed a term of ten (10) years at any one time;

(d) To solicit and accept gifts, including bequests or other testamentary gifts made by will, trust or other disposition grants, loans and other aids from any personal source or to participate in any other way in any federal, state or local governmental programs in carrying out the purposes of this article;

(e) To define the terms and conditions under which payments may be withdrawn or refunded from the trust fund established under this article to impose reasonable charges for a withdrawal or refund;

(f) To impose reasonable time limits on the use of savings trust account distributions provided by the MACS Program;

(g) To regulate the receipt of contributions or payments to the MACS Trust Fund;

(h) To segregate contributions and payments to the MACS Trust Fund into various accounts and funds;

(i) To require and collect administrative fees and charges in connection with any transaction and to impose reasonable penalties for withdrawal of funds for nonqualified higher educational expenses or for entering into a savings trust agreement on a fraudulent basis;

(j) To procure insurance against any loss in connection with the property, assets and activities of the MACS Trust Fund or the board;

(k) To require that account owners of savings trust agreements or purchasers of Mississippi Prepaid Affordable College Tuition (MPACT) contracts under Sections 37-155-1 through 37-155-27 verify, under oath, any requests for contract conversions, substitutions, transfers, cancellations, refund requests or contract changes of any nature;

( l ) To solicit proposals and to contract for the marketing of the MACS Program, provided that: (i) any materials produced by a marketing contractor for the purpose of marketing the program must be approved by the board before being made available to the public; and (ii) neither the state nor the board shall be liable for misrepresentation of the program by a marketing contractor;

(m) To delegate responsibility for administration of the comprehensive investment plan to a contractor or contractors or a consultant or consultants that the board determines is qualified;

(n) To make all necessary and appropriate arrangements with colleges and universities or other entities in order to fulfill its obligations under savings trust agreements;

( o ) To establish other policies, procedures and criteria necessary to implement and administer this article; and

(p) To authorize the Treasury Department or the State Treasurer, or both, to carry out any or all of the powers and duties enumerated in this section for efficient and effective administration of the MACS Program and MACS Trust Fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-25 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 9-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-25
Status: in_force

The school board shall have the power and authority, in its discretion, to employ the superintendent, unless such superintendent is elected at the November 2015 general election, for not exceeding four (4) scholastic years and the principals or licensed employees for not exceeding three (3) scholastic years. In such case, contracts shall be entered into with such superintendents, principals and licensed employees for the number of years for which they have been employed. However, in the event that a vacancy in the office of the superintendent of schools elected at the November 2015 general election shall occur before January 1, 2019, the local school board shall then appoint the superintendent of the school district and enter into contract with the appointee for a period not to exceed three (3) scholastic years. All such contracts with licensed employees shall for the years after the first year thereof be subject to the contingency that the licensed employee may be released if, during the life of the contract, the net enrollment should decrease from that existing during the previous year and thus necessitate a reduction in the number of licensed employees during any year after the first year of the contract. However, in all such cases the licensed employee must be released before July 1 or at least thirty (30) days prior to the beginning of the school term, whichever date should occur earlier. The salary to be paid for the years after the first year of such contract shall be subject to revision, either upward or downward, in the event of an increase or decrease in the funds available for the payment thereof, but, unless such salary is revised prior to the beginning of a school year, it shall remain for such school year at the amount fixed in such contract. However, where school district funds are available during the school year in excess of the amount anticipated at the beginning of the school year, the salary to be paid for such year may be increased to the extent that such additional funds are available, and nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit same.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-37 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 145-37
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-37
Status: in_force

All bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 37-145-23 through 37-145-41 shall be legal investments for trustees and other fiduciaries, and for savings banks, trust companies and insurance companies organized under the laws of the State of Mississippi, and such bonds shall be legal securities which may be deposited with and shall be received by all public officers and bodies of this state and all municipalities and political subdivisions for the purpose of securing the deposit of public funds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-17-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 17-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-17-3
Status: in_force

The Commission on School Accreditation created under this section is hereby continued and reconstituted as follows:

The State Board of Education shall appoint a “Commission on School Accreditation” to be composed of fifteen (15) qualified members. The membership of said commission shall be composed of the following: two (2) classroom teachers, two (2) principals of schools, one (1) administrator with expertise in special education representing exceptional schools and students, one (1) superintendent of a separate school district, one (1) superintendent of a county or other school district, one (1) local school board member from a separate school district; one (1) local school board member from a county or other school district; and six (6) members who are not actively engaged in the education profession. Members of the commission serving on July 1, 1994, shall continue to serve until their term of office expires. No new appointments shall be made until such time as the expiration of a member's term has reduced the commission to less than fifteen (15) members, at which time new appointments shall be made from the categories specified hereinabove. The membership of said commission shall be appointed by the board upon recommendation of the State Superintendent of Public Education. In making the first appointments, five (5) members shall be appointed for a term of one (1) year, five (5) members shall be appointed for a term of two (2) years, five (5) members shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years, and five (5) members shall be appointed for a term of four (4) years. Thereafter, all members shall be appointed for a term of four (4) years. Said commission shall meet upon call of the State Superintendent of Public Education. The commission shall consist of three (3) members from each of the four (4) congressional districts, and three (3) members from the state at large. Each member of said commission shall receive the per diem authorized by Section 25-3-69, Mississippi Code of 1972 , plus actual and necessary expenses and mileage as authorized by Section 25-3-41, Mississippi Code of 1972 , for each day actually spent in attending the meetings of the commission. The expenses of said commission shall be paid out of any funds available for the operation of the central office of the State Department of Education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-155-123 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 155-123
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-155-123
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any state law to the contrary, no monies on deposit in either the MACS or MPACT Programs shall be considered an asset of the parent, guardian or student for purposes of determining an individual's eligibility for a need-based grant, need-based scholarship or need-based work opportunity offered or administered by any state agency except as may be required by the funding source of such financial aid.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-18-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 18-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-18-3
Status: in_force

(1) Upon full implementation of the statewide testing programs developed by the State Board of Education pursuant to Chapter 16, Title 37, Mississippi Code of 1972 , not later than December 31, 2002, the board shall establish for those individual schools failing to meet accreditation standards established under this chapter for Schools At-Risk, a program of development to be complied with in order to receive state funds. The Legislature shall, subject to the availability of funds, annually appropriate adequate funds to implement the provisions of this chapter. The State Board of Education may, in its discretion, assess local school districts for the costs of implementing the provisions of this chapter.

(2) Following a thorough analysis of school data each year, the State Department of Education shall identify those schools that are deficient in educating students and are in need of improvement. This analysis shall measure the individual school performance by determining if a school met its assigned yearly growth expectation and by determining what percentage of the students in the school are proficient. A school shall be identified as a School At-Risk and in need of assistance if the school: (a) does not meet its growth expectation and has a percentage of students functioning below grade level, as designated by the State Board of Education; (b) is designated as a Level 1 school, or other future comparable performance designation by the State Board of Education; or (c) is designated as a Level 2 school, or other future comparable performance designation by the State Board of Education, for two (2) consecutive years.

(3) Within fifteen (15) days after a School At-Risk has been identified, written notice shall be sent by the State Board of Education by certified mail to both the school principal and the local board of education. Within fifteen (15) days after notification the State Board of Education shall assign an evaluation team to the school, subject to the availability of funding. The evaluation team shall be independent of the school being evaluated and may include employees of the State Department of Education. The team may include retired educators who have met certain standards and have completed all necessary training.

(4) An approved evaluation team shall have the following powers and duties:

(a) The evaluation team may request any financial documentation that it deems necessary, and the School At-Risk, with the assistance and cooperation of the school district central office, shall submit such requested financial information to the evaluation team.

(b) The evaluation team shall analyze the School At-Risk data to determine probable areas of weakness before conducting an on-site audit. The evaluation team shall proceed to conduct an on-site audit and shall prepare an evaluation report. If necessary, the evaluation team may request additional individuals in specialty areas to participate as team members in preparing the evaluation. After completing the evaluation of the School At-Risk, the team shall prepare and adopt its school evaluation report, which shall be submitted to the State Superintendent of Public Education for approval within ninety (90) calendar days. The school evaluation report shall identify any personnel who were found by the evaluation team to be in need of improvement and need to participate in a professional development plan. Evaluation instruments used to evaluate teachers, principals, superintendents or any other certified or classified personnel will be instruments which have been validated for such purposes.

(5) Following the approval of the evaluation report by the State Superintendent of Public Education, a representative of the State Superintendent of Public Education and the evaluation team leader shall present the evaluation report to the principal of the School At-Risk and to the superintendent and school board members of the local school district. Following this presentation, the evaluation report shall be presented to the community served by the School At-Risk at an advertised public meeting.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-23 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 145-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-23
Status: in_force

The State Bond Commission shall have the power and is hereby authorized, at one (1) time or from time to time, to issue negotiable general obligation bonds of the State of Mississippi to initially fund the Mississippi Opportunity Loan Fund. The total amount of bonds which may be issued pursuant to Sections 37-145-23 through 37-145-43 shall not exceed Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000.00).
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-455 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / 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. § 37-29-451 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 29-451
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-451
Status: in_force

There is hereby created the Copiah-Lincoln Junior College District comprised of the territory lying within Adams, Copiah, Franklin, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lincoln and Simpson Counties and having boundaries coinciding with the external boundaries thereof. The said district shall be and is hereby constituted a legal political governmental subdivision and a body corporate. The board of trustees of said district, with the consent of the Mississippi Community College Board, is hereby empowered to change the name of the district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-241 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 29-241
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-241
Status: in_force

All boards of trustees of public junior college districts shall prohibit fraternities, sororities, or secret societies in all junior colleges under their respective jurisdiction. It shall be the duty of said boards of trustees to suspend or expel from said junior colleges under their control, any pupil or pupils who shall be or remain a member of, or shall join or promise to join, or who shall become pledged to become a member, or who shall solicit or encourage any other person to join, promise to join, or be pledged to become a member of, any such public junior college fraternity, sorority or secret society, as defined in Section 37-29-235 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-19-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 19-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-19-7
Status: in_force

(1) Teachers' salaries in each public school district shall be determined and paid in accordance with the scale for teachers' salaries as provided in this subsection. For teachers holding the following types of licenses or the equivalent as determined by the State Board of Education, and the following number of years of teaching experience, the scale shall be as follows:

2022-2023 AND SUBSEQUENT SCHOOL YEARS MINIMUM SALARY SCHEDULE

Exp.

AAAA

AAA

AA

A

0

45,500.00

44,000.00

43,000.00

41,500.00

1

46,100.00

44,550.00

43,525.00

41,900.00

2

46,700.00

45,100.00

44,050.00

42,300.00

3

47,300.00

45,650.00

44,575.00

42,700.00

4

47,900.00

46,200.00

45,100.00

43,100.00

5

49,250.00

47,500.00

46,350.00

44,300.00

6

49,850.00

48,050.00

46,875.00

44,700.00

7

50,450.00

48,600.00

47,400.00

45,100.00

8

51,050.00

49,150.00

47,925.00

45,500.00

9

51,650.00

49,700.00

48,450.00

45,900.00

10

53,000.00

51,000.00

49,700.00

47,100.00

11

53,600.00

51,550.00

50,225.00

47,500.00

12

54,200.00

52,100.00

50,750.00

47,900.00

13

54,800.00

52,650.00

51,275.00

48,300.00

14

55,400.00

53,200.00

51,800.00

48,700.00

15

56,750.00

54,500.00

53,050.00

49,900.00

16

57,350.00

55,050.00

53,575.00

50,300.00

17

57,950.00

55,600.00

54,100.00

50,700.00

18

58,550.00

56,150.00

54,625.00

51,100.00

19

59,150.00

56,700.00

55,150.00

51,500.00

20

60,500.00

58,000.00

56,400.00

52,700.00

21

61,100.00

58,550.00

56,925.00

53,100.00

22

61,700.00

59,100.00

57,450.00

53,500.00

23

62,300.00

59,650.00

57,975.00

53,900.00

24

62,900.00

60,200.00

58,500.00

54,300.00

25

65,400.00

62,700.00

61,000.00

56,800.00

26

66,000.00

63,250.00

61,525.00

57,200.00

27

66,600.00

63,800.00

62,050.00

57,600.00

28

67,200.00

64,350.00

62,575.00

58,000.00

29

67,800.00

64,900.00

63,100.00

58,400.00

30

68,400.00

65,450.00

63,625.00

58,800.00

31

69,000.00

66,000.00

64,150.00

59,200.00

32

69,600.00

66,550.00

64,675.00

59,600.00

33

70,200.00

67,100.00

65,200.00

60,000.00

34

70,800.00

67,650.00

65,725.00

60,400.00

35

& above

71,400.00

68,200.00

66,250.00

60,800.00

2024-2025 AND SUBSEQUENT SCHOOL YEARS MINIMUM SALARY SCHEDULE

The school district, with assistance from the Department of Education, shall consider the teacher's years of service and license type and determine the corresponding salary for the retired teacher. After determining the retired teacher's corresponding salary, the school district may allocate up to one hundred twenty-five percent (125%) of the amount provided under the salary schedule for such teacher, as applicable, as salary and assessment under the program.

After determining the retired teacher's salary, the school district may pay no more than fifty percent (50%) of the retired teacher's compensation as salary to the retired teacher. The remaining fifty percent (50%) of the retired teacher's compensation as salary shall be paid by the school district to PERS as a pension liability participation assessment.

It is the intent of the Legislature that any state funds made available for salaries of licensed personnel in excess of the funds paid for such salaries for the 1986-1987 school year shall be paid to licensed personnel pursuant to a personnel appraisal and compensation system implemented by the State Board of Education. The State Board of Education shall have the authority to adopt and amend rules and regulations as are necessary to establish, administer and maintain the system.

All teachers employed on a full-time basis shall be paid a minimum salary in accordance with the above scale. However, no school district shall receive any funds under this section for any school year during which the local supplement paid to any individual teacher shall have been reduced to a sum less than that paid to that individual teacher for performing the same duties from local supplement during the immediately preceding school year. The amount actually spent for the purposes of group health and/or life insurance shall be considered as a part of the aggregate amount of local supplement but shall not be considered a part of the amount of individual local supplement.

The level of professional training of each teacher to be used in establishing the salary for the teacher for each year shall be determined by the type of valid teacher's license issued to that teacher on or before October 1 of the current school year. However, school districts are authorized, in their discretion, to negotiate the salary levels applicable to licensed employees who are receiving retirement benefits from the retirement system of another state.

(2)(a) The following employees shall receive an annual salary supplement in the amount of Six Thousand Dollars ($6,000.00), plus fringe benefits, in addition to any other compensation to which the employee may be entitled:

(i) Any licensed teacher or retired teacher employed by a school district under the authority of Section 25-11-126 who has met the requirements and acquired a Master Teacher certificate from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and who is employed by a local school board or the State Board of Education as a teacher and not as an administrator. Such teacher shall submit documentation to the State Department of Education that the certificate was received prior to October 15 in order to be eligible for the full salary supplement in the current school year, or the teacher shall submit such documentation to the State Department of Education prior to February 15 in order to be eligible for a prorated salary supplement beginning with the second term of the school year.

(ii) A licensed nurse who has met the requirements and acquired a certificate from the National Board for Certification of School Nurses, Inc., and who is employed by a local school board or the State Board of Education as a school nurse and not as an administrator. The licensed school nurse shall submit documentation to the State Department of Education that the certificate was received before October 15 in order to be eligible for the full salary supplement in the current school year, or the licensed school nurse shall submit the documentation to the State Department of Education before February 15 in order to be eligible for a prorated salary supplement beginning with the second term of the school year.

(iii) Any licensed school counselor who has met the requirements and acquired a National Certified School Counselor (NCSC) endorsement from the National Board of Certified Counselors and who is employed by a local school board or the State Board of Education as a counselor and not as an administrator. Such licensed school counselor shall submit documentation to the State Department of Education that the endorsement was received prior to October 15 in order to be eligible for the full salary supplement in the current school year, or the licensed school counselor shall submit such documentation to the State Department of Education prior to February 15 in order to be eligible for a prorated salary supplement beginning with the second term of the school year. However, any school counselor who started the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards process for school counselors between June 1, 2003, and June 30, 2004, and completes the requirements and acquires the Master Teacher certificate shall be entitled to the master teacher supplement, and those counselors who complete the process shall be entitled to a one-time reimbursement for the actual cost of the process as outlined in paragraph (b) of this subsection.

(iv) Any licensed speech-language pathologist and audiologist who has met the requirements and acquired a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and any certified academic language therapist (CALT) who has met the certification requirements of the Academic Language Therapy Association and who is employed by a local school board. The licensed speech-language pathologist and audiologist and certified academic language therapist shall submit documentation to the State Department of Education that the certificate or endorsement was received before October 15 in order to be eligible for the full salary supplement in the current school year, or the licensed speech-language pathologist and audiologist and certified academic language therapist shall submit the documentation to the State Department of Education before February 15 in order to be eligible for a prorated salary supplement beginning with the second term of the school year.

(v) Any licensed athletic trainer who has met the requirements and acquired Board Certification for the Athletic Trainer from the Board of Certification, Inc., and who is employed by a local school board or the State Board of Education as an athletic trainer and not as an administrator. The licensed athletic trainer shall submit documentation to the State Department of Education that the certificate was received before October 15 in order to be eligible for the full salary supplement in the current school year, or the licensed athletic trainer shall submit the documentation to the State Department of Education before February 15 in order to be eligible for a prorated salary supplement beginning with the second term of the school year.

(b) An employee shall be reimbursed for the actual cost of completing each component of acquiring the certificate or endorsement, excluding any costs incurred for postgraduate courses, not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for each component, not to exceed four (4) components, for a teacher, school counselor or speech-language pathologist and audiologist, regardless of whether or not the process resulted in the award of the certificate or endorsement. A local school district or any private individual or entity may pay the cost of completing the process of acquiring the certificate or endorsement for any employee of the school district described under paragraph (a), and the State Department of Education shall reimburse the school district for such cost, regardless of whether or not the process resulted in the award of the certificate or endorsement. If a private individual or entity has paid the cost of completing the process of acquiring the certificate or endorsement for an employee, the local school district may agree to directly reimburse the individual or entity for such cost on behalf of the employee.

(c) All salary supplements, fringe benefits and process reimbursement authorized under this subsection shall be paid directly by the State Department of Education to the local school district and shall be in addition to its allotments from the total funding formula provided in Sections 37-151-200 through 37-151-215 and not a part thereof in accordance with regulations promulgated by the State Board of Education. Local school districts shall not reduce the local supplement paid to any employee receiving such salary supplement, and the employee shall receive any local supplement to which employees with similar training and experience otherwise are entitled. However, an educational employee shall receive the salary supplement in the amount of Six Thousand Dollars ($6,000.00) for only one (1) of the qualifying certifications authorized under paragraph (a) of this subsection. No school district shall provide more than one (1) annual salary supplement under the provisions of this subsection to any one (1) individual employee holding multiple qualifying national certifications.

(d) If an employee for whom such cost has been paid, in full or in part, by a local school district or private individual or entity fails to complete the certification or endorsement process, the employee shall be liable to the school district or individual or entity for all amounts paid by the school district or individual or entity on behalf of that employee toward his or her certificate or endorsement.

(3) The following employees shall receive an annual salary supplement in the amount of Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000.00), plus fringe benefits, in addition to any other compensation to which the employee may be entitled:

Effective July 1, 2016, if funds are available for that purpose, any licensed teacher or retired teacher employed by a local school district under the authority of Section 25-11-126 who has met the requirements and acquired a Master Teacher Certificate from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and who is employed in a public school district located in one (1) of the following counties: Claiborne, Adams, Jefferson, Wilkinson, Amite, Bolivar, Coahoma, Leflore, Quitman, Sharkey, Issaquena, Sunflower, Washington, Holmes, Yazoo and Tallahatchie. The salary supplement awarded under the provisions of this subsection (3) shall be in addition to the salary supplement awarded under the provisions of subsection (2) of this section.

Teachers who meet the qualifications for a salary supplement under this subsection (3) who are assigned for less than one (1) full year or less than full time for the school year shall receive the salary supplement in a prorated manner, with the portion of the teacher's assignment to the critical geographic area to be determined as of June 15th of the school year.

(4)(a) This subsection shall be known and may be cited as the “Mississippi Performance-Based Pay (MPBP)” plan. In addition to the minimum base pay described in this section, only if funds are available for that purpose, the State of Mississippi may provide monies from state funds to school districts for the purposes of rewarding licensed teachers, administrators and nonlicensed personnel at individual schools showing improvement in student test scores. The MPBP plan shall be developed by the State Department of Education based on the following criteria:

(i) It is the express intent of this legislation that the MPBP plan shall utilize only existing standards of accreditation and assessment as established by the State Board of Education.

(ii) To ensure that all of Mississippi's teachers, administrators and nonlicensed personnel at all schools have equal access to the monies set aside in this section, the MPBP program shall be designed to calculate each school's performance as determined by the school's increase in scores from the prior school year. The MPBP program shall be based on a standardized scores rating where all levels of schools can be judged in a statistically fair and reasonable way upon implementation. At the end of each year, after all student achievement scores have been standardized, the State Department of Education shall implement the MPBP plan.

(iii) To ensure all teachers cooperate in the spirit of teamwork, individual schools shall submit a plan to the local school district to be approved before the beginning of each school year. The plan shall include, but not be limited to, how all teachers, regardless of subject area, and administrators will be responsible for improving student achievement for their individual school.

(b) The State Board of Education shall develop the processes and procedures for designating schools eligible to participate in the MPBP. State assessment results, growth in student achievement at individual schools and other measures deemed appropriate in designating successful student achievement shall be used in establishing MPBP criteria.

(5)(a) If funds are available for that purpose, each school in Mississippi shall have mentor teachers, as defined by Sections 37-9-201 through 37-9-213 , who shall receive additional base compensation provided for by the State Legislature in the amount of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) per each beginning teacher that is being mentored. The additional state compensation shall be limited to those mentor teachers that provide mentoring services to beginning teachers. For the purposes of such funding, a beginning teacher shall be defined as any teacher in any school in Mississippi that has less than one (1) year of classroom experience teaching in a public school. For the purposes of such funding, no full-time academic teacher shall mentor more than two (2) beginning teachers.

(b) To be eligible for this state funding, the individual school must have a classroom management program approved by the local school board.

(6) Effective with the 2014-2015 school year, the school districts participating in the Pilot Performance-Based Compensation System pursuant to Section 37-19-9 may award additional teacher and administrator pay based thereon.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-103 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 59-103
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-103
Status: in_force

Before any money shall be borrowed under the provisions of this article, the school board of the school district shall adopt a resolution declaring the necessity for and its intention of borrowing such money, specifying the amount to be so borrowed, the date or dates of the maturity thereof, and how such indebtedness is to be evidenced. Such resolution shall also set forth the nature and approximate cost of the alterations, additions, and repairs to be made, or of the erections contemplated, or of the heating plant, fixtures and equipment necessary to be purchased, or of the land to be purchased, improved or equipped, or of the school buses and transportation equipment to be purchased, as the case may be, and shall declare in said resolution that no funds are available in the school funds of the district or from any other source with which to make such repairs, alterations, additions, purchases, erections or improvements.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-413 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 101-413
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-413
Status: in_force

(1) As used in this section, the term “ state institutions of higher learning ” means those institutions identified in Section 37-101-1 and the University Research Center.

(2) The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning may establish an equipment leasing and purchase program for the use of the state institutions of higher learning. In establishing and administering the program, the board may perform the following actions:

(a) Adopt policies and procedures to implement the program;

(b) Establish offices or subordinate units as may be necessary for the administration of the program;

(c) Adopt rules and regulations pertaining to the program;

(d) Acquire by purchase, lease or lease-purchase contract and retain or transfer ownership or possession of instructional and other equipment;

(e) Contract for the leasing of such properties and for the financing of leases and purchases;

(f) Enter into contracts with others to provide any services deemed necessary and advisable by the board;

(g) Make purchases and enter into leases according to the requirements of the state public purchasing laws and the requirements of those laws establishing the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services;

(h) Enter into lease financing agreements in connection with purchases made under the authority of this section;

(i) Require the transfer of appropriations of general funds or self-generated funds from the state institutions to those funds that the board may determine are required in connection with any lease financing agreements;

(j) Develop administrative methods for determining age, useful life, replacement value, current use, condition and other characteristics of instructional and research equipment at the state institutions and research facilities;

(k) Determine obsolescence of the equipment and establish priorities for replacement or provision of the equipment or its transfer to another state institution that can continue to utilize it; and

(l) Develop long-range plans for the orderly and systematic acquisition and utilization of the instructional and research equipment in order to eliminate waste and duplication, provide the maximum efficiency of use for expenditures, and achieve equitable allocations of equipment funds to the state institutions consistent with the roles of the institutions and disciplines served.

(3) All institutions of higher learning desiring to purchase, lease or lease-purchase equipment involving an expenditure or expenditures of more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) must procure that equipment under the equipment leasing and purchase program unless funds for the procurement of the equipment under the program are unavailable or the equipment can be procured elsewhere at an overall cost lower than that for which the equipment can be procured under the program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-571 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 29-571
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-571
Status: in_force

All counties located within the Coahoma Community College District shall allocate fifty percent (50%) of any millage levied for the support and maintenance of community colleges by such county under Section 37-29-141, Mississippi Code of 1972 , to the Coahoma Community College District and the remaining fifty percent (50%) of such millage to the other community college district in which such county is located. Provided, however, that Coahoma County shall allocate one hundred percent (100%) of the millage levied for the support and maintenance of community colleges to the Coahoma Community College District. Provided further, however, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1995, Tunica County's allocation of any millage shall be prorated with thirty-five percent (35%) being allocated to the Coahoma Community College District and the remaining sixty-five percent (65%) being allocated to the Northwest Community College District. From and after July 1, 1996, the Tunica County millage shall be divided equally between the Coahoma Community College District and the Northwest Community College District.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-171 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 13-171
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-171
Status: in_force

(1) The local school board of every public school district shall adopt a policy to implement abstinence-only or abstinence-plus education or sexual risk avoidance education into its curriculum, which instruction in those subjects shall be implemented not later than the start of the 2023-2024 school year or the local school board shall adopt the program which has been developed by the Mississippi Department of Human Services and the Mississippi Department of Health. The State Department of Education shall approve each district's curriculum for sex-related education and shall establish a protocol to be used by districts to provide continuity in teaching the approved curriculum in a manner that is age, grade and developmentally appropriate.

(2) Abstinence-only education shall remain the state standard for any sex-related education taught in the public schools. For purposes of this section, abstinence-only education includes any type of instruction or program which, at an appropriate age and grade:

(a) Teaches the social, psychological and health gains to be realized by abstaining from sexual activity, and the likely negative psychological and physical effects of not abstaining;

(b) Teaches the harmful consequences to the child, the child's parents and society that bearing children out of marriage is likely to produce, including the health, educational, financial and other difficulties the child and his or her parents are likely to face, as well as the inappropriateness of the social and economic burden placed on others;

(c) Teaches that unwanted sexual advances are irresponsible and teaches how to reject sexual advances and how alcohol and drug use increases vulnerability to sexual advances;

(d) Teaches that abstinence from sexual activity before marriage, and fidelity within marriage, is the only certain way to avoid out-of-marriage pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and related health problems. The instruction or program may include a discussion on condoms or contraceptives, but only if that discussion includes a factual presentation of the risks and failure rates of those contraceptives. In no case shall the instruction or program include any demonstration of how condoms or other contraceptives are applied;

(e) Teaches the current state law related to sexual conduct, including forcible rape, statutory rape, paternity establishment, child support and homosexual activity; and

(f) Teaches that a mutually faithful, monogamous relationship in the context of marriage is the only appropriate setting for sexual intercourse.

(3) A program or instruction on sex-related education need not include every component listed in subsection (2) of this section for abstinence-only education. However, no program or instruction under an abstinence-only curriculum may include anything that contradicts the excluded components. For purposes of this section, abstinence-plus education includes every component listed under subsection (2) of this section that is age and grade appropriate, in addition to any other programmatic or instructional component approved by the department, which shall not include instruction and demonstrations on the application and use of condoms. Abstinence-plus education may discuss other contraceptives, the nature, causes and effects of sexually transmitted diseases, or the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS, along with a factual presentation of the risks and failure rates.

(4) Any course containing sex-related education offered in the public schools shall include instruction in either abstinence-only or abstinence-plus education.

(5) Local school districts, in their discretion, may host programs designed to teach parents how to discuss abstinence with their children.

(6) There shall be no effort in either an abstinence-only or an abstinence-plus curriculum to teach that abortion can be used to prevent the birth of a baby.

(7) At all times when sex-related education is discussed or taught, boys and girls shall be separated according to gender into different classrooms, sex-related education instruction may not be conducted when boys and girls are in the company of any students of the opposite gender.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-135 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 13-135
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-135
Status: in_force

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

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

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

(4) The Commission on School Accreditation shall encourage the development of plans of comprehensive school health education and the implementation thereof.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-211 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 31-211
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-211
Status: in_force

The Legislature shall appropriate to the State Board of Education those state funds to be expended by the board through the Division of Vocational and Technical Education of the State Department of Education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-143 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / 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. § 37-155-11 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 155-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-155-11
Status: in_force

The board shall make prepaid tuition contracts available for the: (1) junior college plan; (2) senior college plan; and (3) junior-senior college plan.

(a) Junior College Plan. Through the junior college plan, a prepaid tuition contract shall provide tuition and required fees for the beneficiary to attend a public community or junior college for a specified number of undergraduate credit hours not to exceed the typical full-time hourly course load as defined by the institution for tuition payment purposes or up to a maximum of two (2) years required for a certificate or an associate degree awarded by a public community or junior college.

(b) Senior College Plan. Through the senior college plan, a prepaid tuition contract shall provide prepaid tuition and required fees for the beneficiary to attend a public senior college or university for a specified number of undergraduate credit hours not to exceed the typical full-time hourly course load as defined by the institution for tuition payment purposes or up to a maximum of five (5) years required for a baccalaureate degree awarded by a public senior college or university.

(c) Junior-Senior College Plan. Through the junior-senior college plan, a prepaid tuition contract shall provide prepaid tuition and required fees for the beneficiary to attend:

(i) A public community or junior college for a specified number of undergraduate credit hours not to exceed the typical full-time hourly course load as defined by the institution for tuition payment purposes or up to a maximum of two (2) years required for a person to receive a certificate or associate degree awarded by a public community or junior college; and

(ii) A public senior college or university for a specified number of credit hours not to exceed the typical full-time hourly course load as defined by the institution for tuition payment purposes or up to a maximum of five (5) years required for the person to receive a baccalaureate degree awarded by a public senior college or university.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-201 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 31-201
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-201
Status: in_force

Wherever used in this chapter, or in any other statute, rule or regulation affecting the Vocational Education Division of the State Department of Education and any of its functions or duties:

(a) The word “board” shall mean and refer to the State Board of Education.

(b) The word “division” shall mean and refer to the Mississippi Division of Vocational and Technical Education of the State Department of Education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-49 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 113-49
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-49
Status: in_force

If any such county makes the contribution or donation as provided for in Section 37-113-43 , neither such donation nor any provisions of Sections 37-113-43 through 37-113-49 shall be held to give rise to any right of title, lien, encumbrance or other right in the buildings, facilities or equipment so constructed or acquired and installed by means of or with the aid of such contribution or donation or upon the site on which they are located. Neither shall such donation nor any provision of said sections give rise to any right or obligation on the part of such county with respect to the operation or maintenance of said educational facilities and equipment.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-144-19 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 144-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-144-19
Status: in_force

The Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program, acting through the commission, shall make every effort to establish an initial practice entry support system for participants in the program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-63-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 63-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-63-7
Status: in_force

The authority for educational television shall employ an executive director who shall be the administrative officer of the authority and shall perform such duties as are required of him by law and such other duties as may be assigned him by the authority and who shall receive such compensation as may be fixed by the authority. In addition, the executive director shall be entitled to remuneration for his necessary traveling expenses consistent with general law.

The authority shall have the power and authority to employ such technical, professional and clerical personnel as may be necessary for the administration of this chapter and for the performance of such other duties as may be imposed upon the authority by law, and to define the duties and fix the compensation of such employees.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-13 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 101-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-13
Status: in_force

It shall be the duty of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and the boards of trustees of the community colleges to begin immediately a comprehensive study of gaming and related programs, degrees and courses offered. Following the completion of such study, the board shall make such adjustments as may be found to be necessary in the programs of the various institutions, to the end that the broadest possible educational opportunities shall be offered to the citizens of this state without inefficient and needless duplication. Subject to the provisions of Section 75-76-34 , the board shall, through such officers of the board and through such procedures as it shall see fit to establish, exercise continuing jurisdiction and control over the establishment of new courses of study, new departments and new functions and activities in each institution so that the growth and development of the program of higher education in the state shall proceed in an orderly and rational manner, inefficient and needless duplication may be avoided, and new expanded programs will be undertaken only as the same may become justified, based upon objective criteria to be established by the board. In carrying out the purposes of this section, particular attention shall be given to the extension programs of the various institutions. The boards, in conjunction with the chancellor and presidents of the institutions, shall take such steps as may be necessary to improve and coordinate such programs and shall exercise such direct control over the establishment, organization, operation and granting of credit for such programs as may be necessary to accomplish such purposes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-181-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 181-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-181-5
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(b) Textbooks related to academic coursework;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(10) An eligible student shall be allowed to return to his home school district at any time after enrolling in the ESA program, in compliance with regulations adopted by the department providing for the least disruptive process for doing so. Upon the participating student's return to his or her home school district, the student's Education Scholarship Account shall be closed and any remaining funds shall be distributed to the student's home school district at the end of the awarded ESA school year.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-227 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 7-227
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-227
Status: in_force

(1) The county election commissioners shall indicate on the ballot which of the persons whose names appear thereon are candidates for a full term, and which of such persons, if any, are candidates for an unexpired term or terms. The candidate who receives a majority of the votes cast, either for a full term or for an unexpired term or terms, as indicated on the ballot, shall be declared elected, and the person or persons elected to a full term shall assume the duties of his office on the first day of January of the year following such election. The person or persons elected to an unexpired term(s) shall assume office immediately. If no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast at the election, a runoff shall be held in the same manner four (4) weeks after the election between the two (2) candidates receiving the highest number of votes upon the first ballot.

(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if an election for school board trustees occurs on a Tuesday, during a general election, any runoff for such election shall occur four (4) weeks after the election.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-99-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 99-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-99-3
Status: in_force

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

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

(b) “ Eligible child ” means:

(i) Any individual who is younger than twenty-one (21) 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;

(ii) Any individual who is younger than twenty-one (21) 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; or

(iii) Any individual who is younger than twenty-one (21) 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 (c) of this subsection at any time.

(c) “ 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 eligible child was housed by the agency.

(2) The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and the boards of trustees of the community and junior colleges shall adopt policies requiring each public institution of higher learning, community or junior college to provide free transcripts to an eligible child when requested.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-3-91 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 3-91
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-3-91
Status: in_force

(1) Subject to the availability of funds appropriated for such purpose, the State Department of Education may establish regional behavioral institutes for the purpose of providing state-of-the-art training to teachers and administrators in discipline and classroom management strategies and behavioral health screenings for students.

(2) Any school district may volunteer to participate in a regional behavioral institute. However, the State Department of Education may require a school district to participate in a regional behavioral institute if the department determines that such participation is in the best interest of the school district based upon:

(a) Complaints received and determined by the department to be valid which relate to disciplinary problems in the school district;

(b) Any visit to the school by representatives of the department which indicates disciplinary problems in the school district; or

(c) A review of reports submitted by a school district to the department which indicates disciplinary problems in the school district.

(3) Effective with the 2019-2020 school year, the Mississippi Department of Mental Health shall develop a standardized Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) to be utilized by the Mississippi Department of Mental Health certified mental health providers and mental health facilities in providing mental health services to local school districts. The MOU shall include standardized behavioral health screening and referral protocols, procedures and forms to be utilized by the local school districts. Any standardized behavioral health screening and referral protocols shall only be performed on students with the approval of the student's parent or legal guardian. The Mississippi Department of Mental Health shall provide online training for appropriate school personnel to conduct initial behavioral health screenings of students experiencing or exhibiting behavioral stress or at risk of harming themselves or others.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-17 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 28-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-17
Status: in_force

(1) The following are the purposes of a charter application:

(a) To present the proposed charter school's academic and operational vision and plans;

(b) To demonstrate the applicant's capacities to execute the proposed vision and plans; and

(c) To provide the authorizer a clear basis for assessing the applicant's plans and capacities.

(2) An approved charter application may not serve as the school's charter contract.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-45 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 41-45
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-45
Status: in_force

It shall be a misdemeanor for any person to use a publicly owned school district bus for any purpose other than one in connection with the school, and, upon conviction thereof, such person shall be fined not less than Fifty Dollars ($50.00). When any publicly owned school district bus is being operated on the public roads or highways at a time other than the usual and customary time for the transportation of children to and from the public schools, members of the Highway Safety Patrol, sheriffs, constables and other peace officers shall have the power and authority to stop such bus for the purpose of ascertaining whether the trip then being made is authorized by law. If it be found that such trip is unauthorized, such highway patrolman, sheriff, constable or other peace or police officer shall forthwith report the same to the school board owning such bus and to the State Department of Education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-181-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 181-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-181-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as “The Equal Opportunity for Students with Special Needs Act.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-59 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 151-59
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-59
Status: in_force

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit a school district from issuing its bonds, negotiable notes or certificates of indebtedness for the purposes, in the manner, to the extent and subject to the limitations provided by Sections 37-59-1 through 37-59-45, Mississippi Code of 1972, or any other applicable sections, and the authority granted by this article shall be construed as being additional, supplemental and cumulative thereto. The proceeds of the sale of any such bonds, negotiable notes or certificates of indebtedness so issued by any such school district may be used for the purpose for which they were issued and may be expended in conjunction with funds provided by the Council for Education Technology under the provisions of this article, or may be expended without such funds, if same be not available.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-501 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 7-501
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-501
Status: in_force

When any school district now existing or hereafter created under any of the laws of this state shall be dissolved, abolished or discontinued, either as a result of the reorganization and reconstitution of school district under the provisions of Article 1 of this chapter, or otherwise, and such school district at the time of the dissolution or discontinuance thereof shall have no outstanding bonds or other indebtedness then all funds, property and other assets which shall belong to such school district at the time of the dissolution or discontinuance thereof shall become the property, funds and assets of the school district to which the territory formerly comprising such dissolved district is annexed. If the territory of the dissolved district is annexed to or becomes a part of two (2) or more school districts, then such property, funds and other assets shall be divided and apportioned among such districts in proportion to the number of children enrolled in the schools of the dissolved district at the time of the dissolution thereof who reside in the territory annexed to each district, or in such other manner as may be agreed upon by the school boards of the districts involved. Any school property or other assets of the dissolved district which are not to be used by the school district or districts to which the territory of the dissolved district is annexed may be sold by the board of supervisors of the county in which the property or other assets are located, and, in such case, the proceeds of the sale thereof shall be disposed of in the manner otherwise provided in this section for the disposition of the funds and other assets of the dissolved district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-479 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 7-479
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-479
Status: in_force

Any group of persons, any association, club or corporation, or any county, municipality or other political subdivision having acquired school buildings, land, property or related facilities under the provisions of Sections 37-7-471 through 37-7-483 , may, by resolution duly adopted at a regular or special meeting called and convened for such purpose, determine that such school buildings, land, property or related facilities, or any portion thereof, are no longer needed or used for the purpose for which such was acquired, and may by such resolution provide for the sale of such school buildings, land, property or related facilities, or any portion thereof. Said resolution shall be forwarded to the school board of the school district involved, and if the said board shall adopt a resolution determining that such school buildings, land, property or related facilities, or such portion thereof as is sought to be sold, is no longer needed or used by the school district involved, then such school buildings, land, property or related facilities, or any portion thereof, may be sold in accordance with the procedure set forth in Section 37-7-455 .

The school board of such district shall by order entered on its minutes, provide for the distribution of the proceeds received from the sale of such property in such proportions as the said school board may, in its discretion, determine reasonable as the interests may appear between the district and the group of persons, association, club, corporation, county, municipality or other political subdivision having an interest in such property at the time of such sale.

However, the provisions of this section shall not be mandatory if the school board retains a partial interest, or undivided interest or other ownership interest in the school property being conveyed.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-6 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 11-6
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-6
Status: in_force

In order to provide public schools with immediate access to inclement weather warnings, the State Board of Education shall require each public school district to provide for the purchase and installation, before July 1, 1997, of a weather radio for each school in the district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-68-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 68-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-68-9
Status: in_force

(1) The department shall:

(a) Inform each school of its portion of the funds appropriated to this grant program as provided for in Section 37-68-7(2) ;

(b) Develop regulations and procedures to govern the administration of this grant program, to include:

(i) A reimbursement process for schools to submit expenditures and receive reimbursement for eligible expenses from the department up to the total amount allocated to each school in Section 37-68-7 ;

(ii) Provide guidance to schools in the development of a technology sustainability plan, addressing how devices and other technology purchased and used by the school district, and students, teachers and other administrators and staff, will be maintained throughout their usage and replaced before the expiration of the term of their expected useful life;

(iii) Provide guidance to schools in the development of a responsible use policy for students, teachers and administrators or other staff to govern the use of devices and other technology purchased under this grant program;

(c) Provide guidance to schools on the development and implementation of a distance learning plan;

(d) Solicit bid proposals from vendors to establish an EPL; and

(e) Seek an emergency exemption from the procurement laws and bidding procedures established in Section 31-7-13 to expedite the compilation of an EPL and to minimize the cost of relevant devices or other technology for school districts through bulk purchasing.

(2) The department may:

(a) Revise the adopted EPL based upon purchasing demands as needed to provide schools with choice in the selection of the electronic devices; and

(b) Use the federal ESSER funds set aside for administration of the program to administer this grant program, to the extent permissible under federal law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-39-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 39-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-39-1
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

(d) “ Services ” shall mean maintenance, operational and scholastic services utilized within and for the school district or school districts.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-183 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / 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. § 37-161-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 161-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-161-7
Status: in_force

The State Board of Education shall develop a wellness curriculum for use by each school district and the board shall establish rules and regulations to be followed by the districts whereby the districts shall implement the curriculum. Such wellness curriculum shall include educating students about the value of exercise, proper diet and abstinence from use of tobacco and alcohol. The state board shall also adopt regulations for districts' compliance concerning what products may be sold in vending machines on campus and when they can be sold.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-121-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 121-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-121-5
Status: in_force

The Mississippi agricultural and forestry experimental station is authorized to establish a branch at Alcorn State University, Lorman, Mississippi, for the purpose of providing an organization for cooperative effort between the two land grant institutions in furthering a unified agricultural research program for the State of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 153-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-7
Status: in_force

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

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

(a) The Governor, or his designee;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(e) The following state officials or their designees:

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

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

(iii) The State Superintendent of Public Education;

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

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

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

(vii) The Commissioner of Higher Education.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(b) With respect to specific workforce training projects:

(i) The location of the training;

(ii) The amount allocated to the project;

(iii) The purpose of the project;

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

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

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

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

(i) The entity that was awarded the grant;

(ii) The amount allocated to the grant;

(iii) The purpose of the grant;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(14) Confidential client information in public records held by the office shall be exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983 during any period of review and negotiation on a project proposal facilitated by the Mississippi Development Authority or local economic development entities and for a period of thirty (30) days after approval, disapproval or abandonment of the proposal not to exceed one (1) year.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 29-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-5
Status: in_force

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

Any board of supervisors or board of trustees of any municipal separate school district which presently holds title to the lands, buildings, and improvements of a junior college may convey title to same to the board of trustees and their successors in office of such junior college pursuant to a resolution of such board of supervisors or board of trustees of a municipal separate school district, duly adopted and spread on the minutes of said board of supervisors.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-51 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 113-51
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-51
Status: in_force

The board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning is hereby authorized and directed to establish a college of veterinary medicine at Mississippi State University at Starkville, Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-153 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 101-153
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-153
Status: reserved

The board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning is hereby authorized and empowered in its discretion to lease any lands, or any part thereof, belonging to any of the institutions of higher learning, either of said institutions or other institutions under its control and supervision, for oil, gas and mineral development, upon such terms, conditions and considerations as said board of trustees shall deem proper and for the best interest of the institution or institutions. Any such oil, gas or mineral lease shall be for a primary term of not more than six years and so long thereafter as oil, gas or other mineral is produced from said land. The royalty reserved in such lease or leases shall not be less than the following:

(a) On oil, one-eighth part produced and saved from said land;

(b) On gas, including casinghead gas, or other gaseous substances, produced from said land and sold or used off the premises, or for the extraction of gasoline or other products therefrom the market value at the well of one-eighth of the gas so sold or used; and

(c) On all other minerals mined and marketed, one-eighth part in kind or value at the well or mine except sulphur on which the royalty shall be two dollars ($2.00) per long ton.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-143 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / 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. § 37-153-59 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 153-59
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-59
Status: in_force

(1) There is established the Mississippi Health Sciences Training Infrastructure Grant Program, the purpose of which is to provide a reimbursable grant for primary care health sciences training infrastructure at any osteopathic medical school in Mississippi that is accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). This program shall be subject to the availability of funds appropriated by the Legislature using Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds made available under ARPA or any other funds appropriated by the Legislature.

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

(a) “ Applicant ” means any osteopathic medical school in Mississippi that is accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).

(b) “ Health sciences training infrastructure ” means any infrastructure that is eligible under ARPA that assists with the training of health sciences students to increase their interest and encourage their pursuit of careers in primary care.

(3) On or before July 1, 2022, the office shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to administer the Mississippi Health Sciences Training Infrastructure Grant Program prescribed under this section, including application procedures and deadlines. The Department of Finance and Administration, Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management, is authorized and directed to advise the office regarding all such rules and regulations.

(4) The office shall receive applications submitted by the applicants, which shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(a) A detailed description and the cost of the health sciences training infrastructure requested;

(b) The number of students currently trained at the applicant's school that pursue graduate medical education in primary care;

(c) A certification that the health sciences training infrastructure meets the guidelines of ARPA and its implementing guidelines, guidance, rules, regulations and other criteria, as may be amended or supplemented from time to time, by the United States Department of the Treasury; and all applicable guidance issued by the department; and

(d) Any additional requirements set by the office.

(5) Applications shall be reviewed and scored by the office. The office shall certify that each application submitted is an allowable expense as defined in ARPA and all applicable guidance issued by the department. The Department of Finance and Administration, Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management, is authorized and directed to advise the office as to the estimated cost and eligibility of the projects. The office shall award the grants to the applicants based on what projects the office determines has the most significant impact on increasing student access to primary care training opportunities. A grant agreement shall be executed between the applicant and the office. All final awards will be determined at the discretion of the executive director of the office. Funds shall be made available to an applicant upon the execution of a grant agreement between the office and the approved applicants. The office shall provide these funds to the applicants on a reimbursable basis after receiving support for expenses and determining that they meet the grant award criteria.

(6) The applicant may be required to repay the State of Mississippi for any grant funds awarded not consistent with the guidelines of ARPA and its implementing guidelines, guidance, rules, regulations and other criteria, as may be amended or supplemented from time to time, by the United States Department of the Treasury, and all applicable guidance issued by the office.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 115-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-3
Status: in_force

The lands and property of the University of Mississippi 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 persons for the purpose of affording cheap board to the students attending the institution, shall not be subject to taxation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-47-33 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 47-33
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-47-33
Status: in_force

For the purpose of: (a) providing funds to enable the State Board of Education to make loans or advances to school districts as provided by Section 37-47-25 ; (b) providing funds for the payment and redemption of certificates of credit issued to school districts under Section 37-47-23 , when such funds are not otherwise available; or (c) providing funds in an amount not exceeding Twenty Million Dollars ($20,000,000.00) for the payment of allocations of total funding formula funds to school districts for capital expenditures approved under Sections 37-151-200 through 37-151-215 by the State Board of Education which have not been pledged for debt by the school district, when such funds are not otherwise available, the State Bond Commission is authorized and empowered to issue state school bonds under the conditions prescribed in this chapter. The aggregate principal amount of such bonds outstanding at any one (1) time, after deducting the amount of the sinking fund provided for the retirement of bonds issued for such purposes, shall never exceed the sum of One Hundred Million Dollars ($100,000,000.00). Within such limits, however, state school bonds may be issued from time to time under the conditions prescribed in this chapter. None of such bonds so issued shall have a maturity date later than July 1, 2021.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 141-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-3
Status: in_force

(1) There is hereby created the University Research Center, as an agency of the State of Mississippi, hereinafter referred to as the “center,” which shall have full authority to contract and to be contracted with. The Commissioner of Higher Education shall serve as the Director for the center.

(2) The center shall be under the direction and management of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning. The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning shall, in its discretion, obtain fidelity bonds and determine who and what should be covered thereby and the amount of such bonds.

(3) The Commissioner of Higher Education, with the approval of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, shall appoint and employ such staff and employees as he deems necessary to carry out the objectives and purposes of this chapter and Section 57-63-17 and may establish the organizational structure of the center, which shall include the creation of any divisions necessary to implement the duties assigned to the center. It is specifically provided that the commissioner establish such units within the center as he deems necessary to include but not limited to areas of economic analysis, economic forecasting, long range economic development planning, research, grants, services and university and agency coordination and reporting.

(4) The Commissioner of Higher Education may consolidate the following functions of the central office of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and the University Research Center:

(a) Administrative services;

(b) Libraries;

(c) Computer services.

Consolidation of such services shall not affect the duty otherwise imposed by statute upon the University Research Center to assist state agencies with support services including, but not limited to, printing, data processing and libraries. The commissioner shall establish and maintain a branch library at the Department of Economic Development suitable for the economic development research needs of the department. The branch library shall be available for use by the public and by private development organizations.

(5) The Commissioner of Higher Education shall use savings realized through personnel attrition and other economies created by the reorganization effected in Senate Bill No. 2925, 1988 Regular Session [Laws, 1988, Chapter 518] to establish a special account in the University Research Center out of which funds may be expended to conduct priority research projects by contracting with universities, agencies and individuals.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-69-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 69-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-69-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known as “The Energy Academy Act.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-6-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 6-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-6-3
Status: repealed

(1) From and after July 1, 1987, all school districts in the State of Mississippi shall have the same prerogatives, powers, duties and privileges as provided in this chapter.

(2) As used in this chapter, the term “school board” shall mean (a) the county board of education of any countywide school district in this state; and (b) the board of trustees of any municipal separate, special municipal separate, consolidated or line consolidated school district in this state.

(3) As used in this chapter, the term “superintendent” or “superintendent of schools” shall mean (a) the county superintendent of education of any countywide school district in this state whose duties require the supervision of students; and (b) the superintendent of any municipal separate, special municipal separate, consolidated or line consolidated school district in this state.

(4) Repealed.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-161-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 161-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-161-3
Status: in_force

(1) The Legislature finds and declares the following:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(10) Enrollment in the Mississippi Virtual Public School shall be free of charge to students. The costs associated with the operations of the virtual school must be shared by the State Department of Education, subject to appropriation, and/or the local school districts. Once the State Department of Education appropriation and the local school district budgeted funds for Mississippi Virtual Public School have been expended and students choose to enroll in online courses, the costs of the online courses may be the responsibility of the students' parents or guardians.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-309 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 101-309
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-309
Status: in_force

Such bonds shall be signed by the Chairman of the State Bond Commission, or by his facsimile signature, and the official seal of the State Bond Commission shall be affixed thereto, attested by the Secretary of the State Bond Commission. The interest coupons, if any, to be attached to such bonds may be executed by the facsimile signatures of such officers. Whenever any such bonds shall have been signed by the officials herein designated to sign the bonds, who were in office at the time of such signing but who may have ceased to be such officers prior to the sale and delivery of such bonds, or who may not have been in office on the date such bonds may bear, the signatures of such officers upon such bonds and coupons shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes and have the same effect as if the person so officially signing such bonds had remained in office until the delivery of the same to the purchaser, or had been in office on the date such bonds may bear. Provided, however, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, such bonds may be issued as provided in the Registered Bond Act of the State of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-17-6.1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 17-6.1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-17-6.1
Status: in_force

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

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

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

(4) A declaration of a state of emergency shall not be required by the Governor for the two (2) districts to transition from the Mississippi Achievement School District placement into a District of Transformation; however, the two (2) districts shall be required to comply with any and all obligations and laws as required by other Districts of Transformation and the State Board of Education shall have all the authorities granted to it in Sections 37-17-6 and 37-17-13 , including the assignment of an interim superintendent to the Districts of Transformation, or in its discretion, contracting with an appropriate private entity with experience in the academic, finance and other operational functions of schools and school districts, who will be responsible for the administration, management and operation of the school district in accordance with Section 37-17-6(15) , and the determination of when a District of Transformation is ready to be reconstituted, reorganized, and returned to local control.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-203 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 23-203
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-203
Status: in_force

(1) As part of the certification process, teachers certified in the education of blind and visually impaired students shall be required to demonstrate competence in reading and writing Braille after January 1, 2010. The State Department of Education shall adopt procedures to assess such competencies.

(2) The department shall recognize Braille and Orientation & Mobility as core subject areas for all blind students, as deemed appropriate by the IEP Committee for all areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC). The department shall adopt proficiency and competency in reading and writing of Literary Braille and Nemeth Code as a minimal standard for all teachers of the blind certified after January 1, 2010.

(3) Competency in reading and writing Literary Braille and Nemeth Code must be exhibited by an individual passing the Mississippi Praxis II Braille Competency Exam.

(4) The adoption of Braille as a core subject for blind and visually impaired students recognizes that the teaching of Braille is a unique educational need unparalleled by any other subject or skill taught to either general or special education students.

(5) The Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) is the body of knowledge and skills that are needed by students with visual impairments due to their unique disability-specific needs. Students with visual impairments need the Expanded Core Curriculum in addition to the core academic curriculum of general education. The ECC should be used as a framework for assessing students, planning individual goals and providing instruction. The ECC includes compensatory or functional academic skills, including communication modes, orientation and mobility, social interaction skills, independent living skills, recreation and leisure skills, career education, use of assistive technology, sensory efficiency skills and self-determination.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-65 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 115-65
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-65
Status: in_force

The proceeds of any contribution made by any county under the provisions of Section 37-115-61 , including the proceeds of any bonds issued for such purpose, shall be paid by the board of supervisors of such county into the state treasury into a special fund in the state treasury to the credit of the state building commission and shall thereafter be utilized and expended by said building commission for the construction, erection and equipping of a teaching hospital and related facilities in the manner and under the terms, provisions and conditions of Sections 37-115-21 through 37-115-33 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-140-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 140-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-140-9
Status: in_force

The board shall be the exclusive governing body of the school and shall promulgate rules and regulations required for the administration and operation of the school, consistent with the provisions of this chapter. The emphasis of the school shall be on the education and training of students in the performing, visual and literary arts and in the humanities, but this emphasis shall not preclude the teaching of those liberal arts and science courses, math and science deemed necessary by the board to provide students with a well-rounded education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-80.1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 13-80.1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-80.1
Status: in_force

(1) The State Board of Education shall implement a Middle School Dropout Prevention and Recovery Pilot Program in select “D” and “F” rated school districts selected by the State Board of Education. The purpose of the pilot program is to reengage students and increase the graduation rates in Mississippi through an educational program that provides vocational technology, flexible scheduling and a blended learning environment with individualized and self-paced learning options.

(2) Under the pilot program, the educational services and programming shall be provided by an education partner that is a nonprofit or for-profit entity approved by the State Board of Education. The local school board of the districts selected to participate in the pilot program shall be responsible for reporting enrollment to the State Department of Education, working with the education partner to align graduation requirements. The participating schools district shall be accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools as an indicator of quality instructional programming.

(3) The pilot program shall provide at least the following:

(a) Facilities that are easily accessible to the students being served;

(b) Flexible scheduling, including at least two (2) different program schedules;

(c) Differentiated instruction that shall include individualized, group and online instructional components;

(d) The capacity for assessing, recording and responding to the students' academic progress on a daily basis using assessments that are aligned with state and local standards and requirements;

(e) A focus on serving a defined population of at-risk students who have dropped out or are likely to drop out of school in the foreseeable future without some type of intervention;

(f) Support services, including social workers and crisis intervention professionals who are trained to assist students in removing barriers to attending school and graduating;

(g) Vocational technology and other instructional models that are self-paced and mastery-based; and

(h) Individualized graduation plans to guide students to graduation with a standard high school diploma.

(4) Before the State Board of Education approves an applicant as an education partner, the applicant must demonstrate the following:

(a) A history providing dropout recovery services to high school students in public schools;

(b) At least two (2) years of relevant experience operating and providing services to brick-and-mortar public schools;

(c) At least two (2) years of relevant experience providing comprehensive online learning or vocational technology programs;

(d) Relevant experience serving diverse student populations, including socioeconomically disadvantaged students;

(e) An explanation of the steps taken by the applicant to ensure that its proposed instructional content is aligned with state standards;

(f) A plan for the recruitment and hiring of state-certified teachers, including hiring criteria;

(g) A plan for the recruitment and hiring of qualified administrators, including hiring criteria;

(h) A detailed description of the applicant's plan to work with the participating local school districts and the State Board of Education to identify students who need to be served, to reengage those students, and to provide alternative education options for students at risk of dropping out. Students at risk of dropping out from their current schools may be transferred into the pilot program; and

(i) An operational plan that includes the following:

(i) The number and physical location of proposed sites and a list of the equipment required;

(ii) A proposed program calendar and daily schedule and an explanation of how the calendar and schedule meet the needs of prospective students. The schedule must include at least four (4) hours per school day of on-site learning at a physical location;

(iii) The student-to-teacher ratio;

(iv) A description of each of the instructional methods to be used and number of hours per day for each method;

(v) A plan for differentiated instruction that must include individualized, group, and online instructional components;

(vi) Capacity for assessing, recording, and responding to students' academic progress on a daily basis using standard assessments;

(vii) A detailed one-year budget;

(viii) A system of competency-based credit; and

(ix) A plan for aggregation and reporting of student performance data and reporting of financial activity.

(5)(a) The State Board of Education shall develop and implement an alternative student performance accountability method to evaluate the performance and effectiveness of pilot program school districts that solely provide dropout prevention services and dropout recovery programs to at-risk students who have dropped out of or are likely to drop out of their base high school. Data and student results collected and compiled from the pilot program districts shall inform the State Board of Education in developing an alternative accountability method to apply statewide and in evaluating the success of the pilot program as a whole.

(b) The alternative accountability method shall only measure academic growth of students who have been continuously enrolled for a period of one hundred twenty (120) days. Students shall be assessed by pre-testing and post-testing at the beginning and end of the one hundred twenty-day enrollment period to measure student growth and shall apply beginning with the 2014-2015 school year.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-47-65 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 47-65
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-47-65
Status: in_force

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit a school district from issuing its bonds, negotiable notes, or certificates of indebtedness for the purposes, in the manner, to the extent, and subject to the limitations provided by Sections 37-59-1 through 37-59-45 , or any other applicable sections, and the authority granted by this chapter shall be construed as being additional, supplemental, and cumulative thereto. The proceeds of the sale of any such bonds, negotiable notes, or certificates of indebtedness so issued by any such school district may be used for the purpose for which they were issued and may be expended in conjunction with funds provided by the state educational finance commission under the provisions of this chapter, or may be expended without such funds, if same be not available.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-14-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 14-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-14-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known as the Mary Kirkpatrick Haskell-Mary Sprayberry Public School Nurse Act of 2007.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-161-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 161-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-161-3
Status: in_force

(1) The Legislature finds and declares the following:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(10) Enrollment in the Mississippi Virtual Public School shall be free of charge to students. The costs associated with the operations of the virtual school must be shared by the State Department of Education, subject to appropriation, and/or the local school districts. Once the State Department of Education appropriation and the local school district budgeted funds for Mississippi Virtual Public School have been expended and students choose to enroll in online courses, the costs of the online courses may be the responsibility of the students' parents or guardians.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-17-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 17-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-17-7
Status: in_force

Any nonpublic school may, through its governing body, request that the State Board of Education approve such institution. Approval shall be based upon a process promulgated by the State Board of Education; provided, however, that in no event shall the State Board of Education adopt more stringent standards for approval of nonpublic schools than the accreditation standards applied to public schools.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-329 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 101-329
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-329
Status: in_force

Sections 37-101-301 through 37-101-331 shall be deemed to be full and complete authority for the exercise of the powers herein granted, but Sections 37-101-301 through 37-101-331 shall not be deemed to repeal or to be in derogation of any existing law of this state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-37 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 31-37
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-37
Status: in_force

The state board of education shall make such reports, in such form and containing such information, as the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare may from time to time require under the terms of the federal social security act, and shall comply with such provisions as the secretary may from time to time find necessary to assure the correctness and verification of such reports.