Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-15 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 28-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-15
Status: in_force

(1) To solicit, encourage and guide the development of quality charter school applications, the authorizer shall issue and publicize a request for proposals before September 1 of each year; however, during 2013, the authorizer shall issue and publicize a request for proposals before December 1. The content and dissemination of the request for proposals must be consistent with the purposes and requirements of this chapter.

(2) The authorizer annually shall establish and disseminate a statewide timeline for charter approval or denial decisions.

(3) The authorizer's request for proposals must include the following:

(a) A clear statement of any preferences the authorizer wishes to grant to applications intended to help underserved students;

(b) A description of the performance framework that the authorizer has developed for charter school oversight and evaluation in accordance with Section 37-28-29 ;

(c) The criteria that will guide the authorizer's decision to approve or deny a charter application; and

(d) A clear statement of appropriately detailed questions, as well as guidelines, concerning the format and content essential for applicants to demonstrate the capacities necessary to establish and operate a successful charter school.

(4) In addition to all other requirements, the request for proposals must require charter applications to provide or describe thoroughly all of the following mandatory elements of the proposed school plan:

(a) An executive summary;

(b) The mission and vision of the proposed charter school, including identification of the targeted student population and the community the school hopes to serve;

(c) The location or geographic area proposed for the school;

(d) The grades to be served each year for the full term of the charter contract;

(e) Minimum, planned and maximum enrollment per grade per year for the term of the charter contract;

(f) Evidence of need and community support for the proposed charter school;

(g) Background information, including proof of United States citizenship, on the applicants, the proposed founding governing board members and, if identified, members of the proposed school leadership and management team. The background information must include annual student achievement data, disaggregated by subgroup, for every school under the current or prior management of each board member and leadership team member;

(h) The school's proposed calendar, including the proposed opening and closing dates for the school term, and a sample daily schedule. The school must be kept in session no less than the minimum number of school days established for all public schools in Section 37-13-63 ;

(i) A description of the school's academic program, aligned with state standards;

(j) A description of the school's instructional design, including the type of learning environment (such as classroom-based or independent study), class size and structure, curriculum overview and teaching methods;

(k) The school's plan for using internal and external assessments to measure and report student progress on the performance framework developed by the authorizer in accordance with Section 37-28-29 ;

(l) The school's plan for identifying and successfully serving students with disabilities (including all of the school's proposed policies pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004, 20 USCS Section 1400 et seq., Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 USCS Section 794 , and Title 11 of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 USCS Section 12101 et seq., and the school's procedures for securing and providing evaluations and related services pursuant to federal law), students who are English language learners, students who are academically behind, and gifted students, including, but not limited to, compliance with any applicable laws and regulations;

(m) A description of cocurricular or extracurricular programs and how those programs will be funded and delivered;

(n) Plans and timelines for student recruitment and enrollment, including lottery policies and procedures that ensure that every student has an equal opportunity to be considered in the lottery and that the lottery is equitable, randomized, transparent and impartial so that students are accepted in a charter school without regard to disability, income level, race, religion or national origin;

(o) The school's student discipline policies, including those for special education students;

(p) An organizational chart that clearly presents the school's organizational structure, including lines of authority and reporting between the governing board, education service provider, staff, related bodies (such as advisory bodies or parent and teacher councils), and all other external organizations that will play a role in managing the school;

(q) A clear description of the roles and responsibilities of the governing board, education service provider, school leadership team, management team and all other entities shown in the organizational chart;

(r) A staffing chart for the school's first year, and a staffing plan for the term of the charter;

(s) Plans for recruiting and developing school leadership and staff, which may not include utilization of nonimmigrant foreign worker visa programs;

(t) The school's leadership and teacher employment policies, including performance evaluation plans;

(u) Proposed governing bylaws;

(v) Explanations of any partnerships or contractual relationships central to the school's operations or mission;

(w) The school's plans for providing transportation, food service and all other significant operational or ancillary services;

(x) Opportunities and expectations for parent involvement;

(y) A detailed school start-up plan, identifying tasks, timelines and responsible individuals;

(z) A description of the school's financial plans and policies, including financial controls and audit requirements;

(aa) A description of the insurance coverage the school will obtain;

(bb) Start-up and five-year budgets with clearly stated assumptions;

(cc) Start-up and first-year cash flow projections with clearly stated assumptions;

(dd) A disclosure of all sources of private funding and all funds from foreign sources, including gifts from foreign governments, foreign legal entities and domestic entities affiliated with either foreign governments or foreign legal entities. For the purposes of this paragraph, the term “ foreign ” means a country or jurisdiction outside of any state or territory of the United States;

(ee) Evidence of anticipated fundraising contributions, if claimed in the application; and

(ff) A sound facilities plan, including backup or contingency plans if appropriate.

(5) In the case of an application to establish a charter school by converting an existing noncharter public school to charter school status, the request for proposals additionally shall require the applicant to demonstrate support for the proposed charter school conversion by a petition signed by a majority of teachers or a majority of parents of students in the existing noncharter public school, or by a majority vote of the local school board or, in the case of schools in districts under state conservatorship, by the State Board of Education.

(6) In the case of a proposed charter school that intends to contract with an education service provider for substantial educational services, management services or both types of services, the request for proposals additionally shall require the applicant to:

(a) Provide evidence of the education service provider's success in serving student populations similar to the targeted population, including demonstrated academic achievement as well as successful management of nonacademic school functions, if applicable;

(b) Provide a term sheet setting forth: the proposed duration of the service contract; roles and responsibilities of the governing board, the school staff and the education service provider; the scope of services and resources to be provided by the education service provider; performance evaluation measures and timelines; the compensation structure, including clear identification of all fees to be paid to the education service provider; methods of contract oversight and enforcement; investment disclosure; and conditions for renewal and termination of the contract;

(c) Disclose and explain any existing or potential conflicts of interest between the school governing board and proposed service provider or any affiliated business entities; and

(d) Background information, including proof of United States citizenship, on the principal individuals affiliated with the education service provider.

(7) In the case of a charter school proposal from an applicant that currently operates one or more schools in any state or nation, the request for proposals additionally shall require the applicant to provide evidence of past performance and current capacity for growth. The applicant shall be required to submit clear evidence that it has produced statistically significant gains in student achievement or consistently produced proficiency levels as measured on state achievement tests.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-131-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 131-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-131-9
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

All funds received by an institution, under the provisions of this section, shall be deposited in a special fund and shall be used and expended solely for the purpose of defraying and paying the cost and expense of operating, maintaining and conducting such teachers demonstration and practice school. Such funds may be supplemented by and used in connection with any other funds available to the institutions for such purpose whether made available by legislative appropriation or otherwise.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-183-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 183-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-183-5
Status: in_force

(1) There is established the Postsecondary Education COVID-19 Mitigation Relief Program for public and private postsecondary educational institutions to be administered by the department, which shall set the dates and deadlines for applying for an award under this section. The program is established for the purpose of providing reimbursement to eligible postsecondary educational institutions for unreimbursed expenses directly related to COVID-19. The department shall establish such rules and regulations as it deems necessary and proper to carry out the purposes and intent of this section.

(2) The department shall approve applications for reimbursement from each eligible postsecondary educational institution. For each eligible postsecondary educational institution, the department shall only award funds equivalent to the lesser of the total of itemized eligible COVID-19-related expenses or the maximum allowable for each institution based on the total number of students enrolled during the 2019-2020 scholastic year, who were actively enrolled as a part-time or full-time student on March 1, 2020, as determined by the student allocation formulas specified in subsections (3) and (4) of this section. To qualify for reimbursement, each postsecondary educational institution's application for reimbursement must, in addition to specifying the amount of reimbursement requested, also include an itemized expense report that evidences the eligible expenses incurred by the eligible postsecondary educational institution.

(3)(a) Each four-year postsecondary educational institution shall be eligible to be reimbursed at an amount equivalent to Five Hundred Sixty-eight Dollars ($568.00) per student actively enrolled as a part-time or full-time student on March 1, 2020. Each four-year postsecondary educational institution's reimbursement shall be determined upon the submission of the itemized expense report, required under subsection (2) of this section. Failure of a four-year postsecondary educational institution to submit the itemized expense report will subject the institution to forfeiture of any allotted funds designated for the specific institution's eligible maximum reimbursement amount.

(b) Upon a showing of itemized eligible COVID-19-related expenses, the eligible maximum reimbursement amount allowed for each four-year postsecondary educational institution, as determined by the student allocation formula prescribed in paragraph (a) of this subsection, shall be as follows:

(i)

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

․․․․$ 1,854,520.00

(ii)

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

․․․․$ 1,946,536.00

(iii)

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

․․․․$ 3,603,960.00

(iv)

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

․․․․$ 11,704,776.00

(v)

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

․․․․$ 1,523,944.00

(vi)

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

․․․․$ 1,147,928.00

(vii)

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

․․․․$ 11,981,392.00

(viii)

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

․․․․$ 7,320,384.00

(ix)

Belhaven University․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․$ 2,272,000.00

(x)

Blue Mountain College․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․$ 340,800.00

(xi)

Millsaps College․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․$ 433,952.00

(xii)

Mississippi College․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․$ 2,465,688.00

(xiii)

Rust College․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․$ 364,088.00

(xiv)

Tougaloo College․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․$ 397,600.00

(xv)

William Carey University․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․$ 2,433,312.00.

(c) The department shall directly allocate to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning the amount of One Hundred and Thirty Thousand Dollars ($130,000.00) to be used for COVID-19-related expenses.

(d) The total allocating authority provided to the Department of Finance and Administration under the provisions of this subsection (3) shall not exceed Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000.00).

(4)(a) Each two-year postsecondary educational institution, upon a showing of itemized eligible COVID-19-related expenses, shall be eligible to be awarded funds equivalent to the lesser of the total of its itemized eligible expenses or the base amount of Three Hundred Fifty-one Thousand Five Hundred Fifty Dollars and Seventy-one Cents ($351,550.71) available to each respective institution, as determined by calculating the total amount of unreimbursed expenses incurred by all two-year postsecondary educational institutions multiplied by the full-time equivalent (FTE) rate of fifteen percent (15%), and divided by the total number of two-year postsecondary educational institutions based on a thirty-seven percent (37%) reduction. The total of the base amount actually awarded to each institution under this paragraph (a) shall be deducted from the eligible maximum reimbursement amount allowed for each institution under paragraph (c) of this subsection.

(b) The remaining eighty-five percent (85%) of the unreimbursed expenses incurred by all two-year postsecondary educational institutions shall then be divided by the total number of FTE students enrolled in all two-year postsecondary educational institutions to be reimbursed at an amount equivalent to Five Hundred Forty-five Dollars and Forty-two Cents ($545.42) per FTE student at each respective two-year postsecondary educational institution as of March 1, 2020, based on a thirty-seven percent (37%) reduction. Each postsecondary educational institution's reimbursement shall be determined upon the submission of the itemized expense report, required under subsection (2) of this section. Failure of a postsecondary educational institution to submit the itemized expense report will subject the institution to forfeiture of any allotted funds designated for the specific institution's eligible maximum reimbursement amount.

(c) Upon a showing of itemized eligible COVID-19-related expenses, the eligible maximum reimbursement amount allowed for each institution, as determined by the student allocation formulas prescribed in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection, shall be as follows:

(i)

Coahoma Community College․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․$ 1,104,018.54

(ii)

Copiah-Lincoln Community College․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․$ 1,641,377.19

(iii)

East Central Community College․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․$ 1,429,800.67

(iv)

East Mississippi Community College․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․$ 1,943,536.14

(v)

Hinds Community College․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․$ 4,900,064.29

(vi)

Holmes Community College․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․$ 2,908,719.58

(vii)

Itawamba Community College․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․$ 2,511,704.35

(viii)

Jones County Junior College․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․$ 2,359,313.34

(ix)

Meridian Community College․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․$ 1,697,113.29

(x)

Mississippi Delta Community College․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․$ 1,453,472.11

(xi)

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․$ 4,220,356.11

(xii)

Northeast Mississippi Community College․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․$ 1,866,958.52

(xiii)

Northwest Mississippi Community College․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․$ 3,372,657.14

(xiv)

Pearl River Community College․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․$ 2,497,523.94

(xv)

Southwest Mississippi Community College․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․$ 1,248,446.98.

(d) The department shall directly allocate:

(i) To the Mississippi Community College Board the amount of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00); and

(ii) To the individual two-year postsecondary educational institutions, based on full-time enrolled students for all COVID-19-related education expenses, including, but not limited to, PPE and hardened technology infrastructure, the amount of Thirteen Million Eight Hundred Forty-four Thousand Nine Hundred Thirty-seven Dollars and Eighty-one Cents ($13,844,937.81).

Funds allocated under this paragraph (d), at the discretion of the individual two-year postsecondary educational institutions, may be transferred to the Community College Board for consortium distance learning purchases. The Community College Board shall provide the department with the number of full-time enrolled students at the two-year postsecondary educational institutions. Funds allocated under this paragraph (d) shall be for all COVID-19-related education expenses, including, but not limited to, PPE and hardened technology infrastructure at all two-year postsecondary educational institutions.

(e) The total allocating authority provided to the department under the provisions of this subsection (4) shall not exceed Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000.00).

(5) The department may retain One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00) for administrative expenses of the program.

(6) The total allocating authority provided to the department under the provisions of subsections (3) and (4) of this section shall not exceed One Hundred Million Dollars ($100,000,000.00).

(7) Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, the department shall develop regulations, procedures and application forms to govern the administration of the program, which at a minimum, shall require eligible postsecondary educational institutions to:

(a) Submit an application for a grant for reimbursement;

(b) Demonstrate the need and purpose of the grant funds received to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the operation of the school and its delivery of instruction; and

(c) Provide an itemized list of reimbursable-eligible expenses, as defined in Section 37-183-3 , which the eligible postsecondary educational institution has previously incurred, is presently incurring or will incur in the future, as such expenses relate to mitigation of the impact of COVID-19.

(8) The department shall report on the utilization of the program to the Chairs of the Universities and Colleges Committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives, the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House and the Governor by October 1, 2020. At a minimum, the report shall contain:

(a) The name of each educational institution;

(b) The total amount of reimbursement requested by each educational institution; and

(c) The total amount of reimbursement received by each educational institution.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-509 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 7-509
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-509
Status: in_force

The superintendent of schools, upon order of the school board, shall be authorized and empowered to make such transfers of funds to and from the credit of the school districts involved as may be necessary to carry out the terms and provisions of Sections 37-7-501 through 37-7-511 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-21 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 145-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-21
Status: in_force

The company, the board of trustees and the State Bond Commission are hereby authorized to enter into any and all agreements and contracts as may be necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-11 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 9-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-11
Status: in_force

The State Board of Education is authorized and directed to require tests or an examination of achievement as one of the requirements for the issuance of public school professional licenses issued after July 1, 1997, to any person applying for the first time for a professional license.

Scores on said test or tests shall be made a part of the record of the applicant and maintained in the files of the Office of Teacher Certification and Licensure Division of the State Department of Education.

The State Board of Education is further authorized at its discretion to make determinations of minimum scores required of a person applying for the first time for a professional license.

The State Board of Education shall, at its discretion, determine conditions that would prevail should a person desire to take said test or tests more than once.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-83 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 13-83
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-83
Status: in_force

The State Superintendent of Public Education shall appoint a director for the Office of Compulsory School Attendance Enforcement, who shall meet all qualifications established for school attendance officer supervisors and any additional qualifications that may be established by the State Superintendent of Public Education or State Personnel Board. The director shall be responsible for the proper administration of the Office of Compulsory School Attendance Enforcement in conformity with the Mississippi Compulsory School Attendance Law and any other regulations or policies that may be adopted by the State Board of Education. The director shall report directly to the Director of the Office of Dropout Prevention.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-181-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / 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. § 37-12-11 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 12-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-12-11
Status: in_force

This chapter shall not be construed to authorize this state or any of its political subdivisions to do either of the following:

(a) Require any person to participate in prayer or in any other religious activity.

(b) Violate the constitutional rights of any person.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-6 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 13-6
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-6
Status: in_force

(1) The flag of the United States shall be displayed in close proximity to the school building, on a proper staff, at all times during the hours of daylight when the school is in session when the weather will permit without damage to the flag. In addition, the flag of the United States shall be displayed in each classroom and in each principal room of the school building at all times while school is in session. It shall be the duty of the school boards of each school district to provide for the flags, proper flag staffs and their proper display. Each school district shall provide student instruction in the proper etiquette toward, correct display of, and respect for the flag, and in patriotic exercises. The instruction shall be a part of the district's fifth grade social studies curriculum or history curriculum, with the assistance of the State Department of Education.

(2) From and after July 1, 2002, the school boards of all public schools of this state shall require the teachers under their control to have all pupils repeat the oath of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America at the beginning of the first hour of class each day school is in session, such oath of allegiance being as follows:

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Any student or teacher who objects to reciting the oath of allegiance shall be excused from participating without penalty.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-601 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 29-601
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-601
Status: in_force

Whenever the Mississippi Community College Board shall, by a proper resolution, declare the necessity of the formation of nonprofit corporations for the purpose of acquiring or constructing facilities for community and junior colleges under its jurisdiction, any number of natural persons, not less than three (3), who are residents of the State of Mississippi may file with the Secretary of State an application in writing for authority to incorporate a public nonprofit corporation, known as an “educational building corporation.” If it shall be made to appear that each of the persons is a duly qualified resident of this state, then the persons filing such application shall be authorized, subject to the prior approval by the board of the form of the articles of incorporation and bylaws thereof, to proceed to form the corporation as provided by the general law of this state with respect to corporations organized not-for-profit except as provided in Sections 37-29-601 through 37-29-613 . The Secretary of State, upon receipt of the application, shall forthwith issue a certificate of incorporation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-21 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 59-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-21
Status: in_force

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

The maximum amount of such bonds which may be issued by petition shall not exceed the sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00), and the total amount of bonds so issued by petition in any twelve-month period shall not exceed the sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00).
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-61 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 101-61
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-61
Status: in_force

Whenever the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning of the state of Mississippi shall by a proper resolution declare the necessity of the formation of nonprofit corporations for the purpose of acquiring or constructing facilities for institutions of higher learning under the jurisdiction and control of said board, any number of natural persons, not less than three (3), who are residents of the State of Mississippi, may file with the Secretary of State of this state and application in writing for authority to incorporate a public nonprofit corporation, known as an “educational building corporation.” If it shall be made to appear that each of said persons is a duly qualified resident of this state, then the persons filing such application shall be authorized, subject to the prior approval by said board of the form of the articles of incorporation and bylaws thereof, to proceed to form such corporation as provided by the general law of this state with respect to corporations organized not for profit except as hereinafter provided. The secretary of state, upon receipt of such application, shall forthwith issue a certificate of incorporation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-148-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 148-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-148-3
Status: in_force

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

(a) “ College ” means the state institutions of higher learning in Mississippi which are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

(b) “ Investor ” means a natural person, partnership, limited liability company, association, corporation, business trust or other business entity, not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the rebate offered, which is subject to Mississippi income tax. The term “investor” does not include any medical cannabis establishment as defined in the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act.

(c) “ Qualified research ” means the systematic investigative process that is undertaken for the purpose of discovering information. The term “ qualified research ” does not include research conducted outside the State of Mississippi or research expenses that are already being funded by any grant, contract or otherwise by another person or governmental entity.

(d) “ Research agreement ” means a written contract, grant or cooperative agreement entered into between a person and a college or research corporation for the performance of qualified research. All qualified research costs generating a SMART Business Rebate must be spent by the college or research corporation on qualified research undertaken according to a research agreement.

(e) “ Research corporation ” means any research corporation formed under Section 37-147-15 if the corporation is wholly owned by or affiliated with a college and all income and profits of the corporation inure to the benefit of the college.

(f) “ Qualified research costs ” means costs paid or incurred by an investor to a college or research corporation for qualified research undertaken according to a research agreement.

(g) “ State ” means the State of Mississippi or a governmental entity of the State of Mississippi.

(h) “ IHL ” means the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning in Mississippi.

(i) “ SMART Business ” means Strengthening Mississippi Academic Research Through Business.

(j) “ Applicant ” means a college or research corporation applying for SMART Business Accelerate Initiative funds to develop state-owned intellectual property into products and services.

(k) “ Qualified validation expense ” includes, but is not limited to, services that accelerate the development of early product concepts, conducting proof-of-concept studies, and manufacturing prototypes to perform research validation. Qualified validation expense does not include salaries or wages associated with a licensee of state-owned intellectual property, legal fees or any payment in conflict with state law.

(l) “ Research validation ” means research intended to validate the commercial viability of state-owned intellectual property.

(m) “ Disbursement ” means a grant of funds to support research validation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-131 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 65-131
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-131
Status: in_force

The fact that the power and authority to close any one or more or all of the schools of any school district may, by some other law of the State of Mississippi, be vested in some other person or officer or board shall not cause this article and any other such law to be in conflict nor shall the same be construed to be in conflict with each other, and the power and authority vested in each such board or boards of trustees or person or officer may be exercised by each or either, independent of the other such board or boards or person or persons or officer or officers.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 59-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-5
Status: in_force

No school district shall, except as provided in Section 37-59-7 , hereafter issue bonds for the purposes authorized by law in an amount which, added to all of its then outstanding bonded indebtedness, shall result in the imposition on any of the property in such district of an indebtedness for school purposes of more than fifteen per cent of the assessed value of the taxable property within such district, according to the then last completed assessment for taxation, regardless of whether any of such indebtedness shall have been incurred by such district or by another school district or districts.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-57-105 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 57-105
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-57-105
Status: repealed

(1) In addition to the taxes levied under Section 37-57-1 , the levying authority for the school district, as defined in Section 37-57-1 , upon receipt of a certified copy of an order adopted by the school board of the school district requesting an ad valorem tax effort in dollars for the support of the school district and any charter schools located in the district, shall, at the same time and in the same manner as other ad valorem taxes are levied, levy an annual ad valorem tax in the amount fixed in such order upon all of the taxable property of such school district, which shall not be less than the millage rate certified by the State Board of Education as the uniform minimum school district ad valorem tax levy required for the support of the total funding formula as required by Sections 37-151-200 through 37-151-215 in such school district under Sections 37-57-1 and 37-151-211 . However, any school district levying less than the uniform minimum school district ad valorem tax levy on July 1, 1997, shall only be required to increase its local district maintenance levy in four (4) mill annual increments in order to attain such millage requirements. In making such levy, the levying authority shall levy an additional amount sufficient to cover anticipated delinquencies and costs of collection so that the net amount of money to be produced by such levy shall be equal to the amount which is requested by the school board. The proceeds of such tax levy, excluding levies for the payment of the principal of and interest on school bonds or notes and excluding levies for costs of collection, shall be placed in the school depository to the credit of the school district and shall be expended in the manner provided by law for the purpose of supplementing teachers' salaries, extending school terms, purchasing furniture, supplies and materials, and for all other lawful operating and incidental expenses of such school district.

The monies authorized to be received by school districts from the School Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund pursuant to Section 37-61-35 shall be included as ad valorem tax receipts. The levying authority for the school district, as defined in Section 37-57-1 , shall reduce the ad valorem tax levy for such school district in an amount equal to the amount distributed to such school district from the School Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund each calendar year pursuant to Section 37-61-35 . Such reduction shall not be less than the millage rate necessary to generate a reduction in ad valorem tax receipts equal to the funds distributed to such school district from the School Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund pursuant to Section 37-61-35 . The millage levy certified by the State Board of Education as the minimum tax levy shall be subject to the provisions of this paragraph.

In any county where there is located a nuclear generating power plant on which a tax is assessed under Section 27-35-309(3) , such required levy and revenue produced thereby may be reduced by the levying authority in an amount in proportion to a reduction in the base revenue of any such county from the previous year. Such reduction shall be allowed only if the reduction in base revenue equals or exceeds five percent (5%). “ Base revenue ” shall mean the revenue received by the county from the ad valorem tax levy plus the revenue received by the county from the tax assessed under Section 27-35-309(3) and authorized to be used for any purposes for which a county is authorized by law to levy an ad valorem tax. For purposes of determining if the reduction equals or exceeds five percent (5%), a levy of millage equal to the prior year's millage shall be hypothetically applied to the current year's ad valorem tax base to determine the amount of revenue to be generated from the ad valorem tax levy. For the purposes of this section and Section 37-57-107 , the portion of the base revenue used for the support of any school district shall be deemed to be the aggregate receipts from ad valorem taxes for the support of any school district. This paragraph shall apply to taxes levied for the 1987 fiscal year and for each fiscal year thereafter. If the Mississippi Supreme Court or another court finally adjudicates that the tax levied under Section 27-35-309(3) is unconstitutional, then this paragraph shall stand repealed.

The State Department of Education shall calculate a local pro rata amount for the aggregate receipts of the tax levied in this section by dividing the aggregate receipts by the sum of the school district's net enrollment, as determined under Section 37-151-211 , and the net enrollment of any charter school students who reside in the district.

(2) When the tax is levied upon the territory of any school district located in two (2) or more counties, the order of the school board requesting the levying of such tax shall be certified to the levying authority of each of the counties involved, and each of the levying authorities shall levy the tax in the manner specified herein. The taxes so levied shall be collected by the tax collector of the levying authority involved and remitted by the tax collector to the school depository of the home county to the credit of the school district involved as provided above, except that taxes for collection fees may be retained by the levying authority for deposit into its general fund.

(3) The aggregate receipts from ad valorem taxes levied for school district purposes, excluding collection fees, pursuant to this section and Section 37-57-1 shall be subject to the increased limitation under Section 37-57-107 ; however, if the ad valorem tax effort in dollars requested by the school district for the fiscal year exceeds the next preceding fiscal year's ad valorem tax effort in dollars by more than four percent (4%) but not more than seven percent (7%), then the school board shall publish notice thereof once each week for at least three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper having general circulation in the school district involved, with the first publication thereof to be made not less than fifteen (15) days prior to the final adoption of the budget by the school board. If at any time prior to the adoption a petition signed by not less than twenty percent (20%) or fifteen hundred (1500), whichever is less, of the qualified electors of the school district involved shall be filed with the school board requesting that an election be called on the question of exceeding the next preceding fiscal year's ad valorem tax effort in dollars by more than four percent (4%) but not more than seven percent (7%), then the school board shall, not later than the next regular meeting, adopt a resolution calling an election to be held within such school district upon such question. The election shall be called and held, and notice thereof shall be given, in the same manner for elections upon the questions of the issuance of the bonds of school districts, and the results thereof shall be certified to the school board. The ballot shall contain the language “For the School Tax Increase Over Four Percent (4%)” and “Against the School Tax Increase Over Four Percent (4%).” If a majority of the qualified electors of the school district who voted in such election shall vote in favor of the question, then the stated increase requested by the school board shall be approved. For the purposes of this paragraph, the revenue sources excluded from the increased limitation under Section 37-57-107 shall also be excluded from the limitation described herein in the same manner as they are excluded under Section 37-57-107 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-53 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 27-53
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-53
Status: in_force

When any pupils who shall attend any agricultural high school or junior college under the provisions of Section 37-27-51 are otherwise entitled to transportation at public expense under any applicable statute, such pupils shall remain entitled to such transportation, and shall be reported for the allotment of transportation funds by the county or municipal separate school district in which they reside and, when so reported, transportation funds shall be allotted therefor just as though such pupils were attending the regular schools of the district in which they reside, and transportation shall be furnished therefor by the county board of education or board of trustees of the municipal separate school district, as the case may be, as is otherwise provided by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-419 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 29-419
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-419
Status: in_force

When any land or other property owned by the Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College District shall cease to be used or needed by the district, the same may be sold by the board of trustees upon sealed bids after three weeks' advertisement in a newspaper in the county where the said property is located. Personal property having a value determined by the board of less than five hundred dollars ($500.00) may be sold without such advertisement; however, in such event notice shall be posted in at least three public places in the county where such property is situated or where it is to be sold, giving notice of the time and place of such sale, and such property shall be sold to the highest and best bidder for cash. Such notice shall be posted for ten days before the sale.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 31-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-7
Status: in_force

The State Board of Education shall have all necessary authority to cooperate with the federal board for vocational education in the administration of the “Smith-Hughes Act” and all subsequent federal vocational education and training acts, to administer any legislation pursuant thereto enacted by the State of Mississippi, and to administer the funds provided by the federal government and the State of Mississippi under the provisions of Sections 37-31-1 through 37-31-15 for the promotion of vocational and technical education not terminating in a bachelors degree. It shall have full authority to formulate plans for the promotion of vocational and technical education in such subjects as are an essential and integral part of the public school system of education in the State of Mississippi, to provide for the preparation of teachers of such subjects, and to escrow funds for students participating in recognized articulated business/industry specific worksite learning programs. It shall have authority to fix the compensation of such officials and assistants as may be necessary to administer the “Smith-Hughes Act” and Sections 37-31-1 through 37-31-15 for the State of Mississippi and to pay such compensation and other necessary expenses of administration from funds appropriated under provisions of said sections. It shall have authority to make studies and investigations relating to vocational and technical education in such subjects; to publish the results of such investigations and to issue other publications as seem necessary by the board; to promote and aid in the establishment by local communities of schools, departments or classes giving training in such subjects; to cooperate with local communities in the maintenance of such schools, department or classes; to prescribe qualifications for the teachers, directors and supervisors of such subjects, and to have full authority to provide for the licensure and renewal of licenses of such teachers, directors and supervisors; to cooperate in the maintenance of classes supported and controlled by the public for the preparation of teachers, directors and supervisors of such subjects or to maintain such classes under its own direction and control; and to establish and determine by general regulations the qualifications to be possessed by persons engaged in the training of vocational and technical teachers.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-169 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 33-169
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-169
Status: in_force

(1) The State Treasurer is designated as the custodian of all monies received by the state from appropriations made by the federal government or from other sources for the purpose of carrying out disability determination functions under the federal Social Security Act, and he shall establish such special funds and accounts as may be necessary. He shall make disbursements therefrom for disability determination purposes upon requisition by the executive director or, when so authorized, by the director on behalf of the executive director, and upon the issuance of warrants thereunder by the State Fiscal Officer.

(2) If federal funds are no longer available for the purpose of funding programs under the provisions of this chapter, the State of Mississippi shall not be obligated to appropriate funds for the continuance of such programs.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-125-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 125-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-125-5
Status: in_force

The Jackson State College shall be located on the property situated near the city of Jackson, Hinds County, Mississippi, and containing forty-nine acres more or less north of the Y. & M. V. railroad, west of Dalton street, section 9, township 6, range 1, east, and otherwise known as Jackson College.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-26-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 26-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-26-9
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(7) From and after July 1, 2016, no state agency shall charge another state agency a fee, assessment, rent or other charge for services or resources received by authority of this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-105 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 7-105
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-105
Status: in_force

(1) In cases where two (2) or more school boards determine that it is appropriate that their existing boundaries be altered to provide better service to students, each school board shall enter on its minutes the legal description of new district lines and shall publish the order altering such districts in some newspaper published and having a general circulation in such district(s) once each week for three (3) consecutive weeks, which said order shall be duly certified by the president of said school board. If no newspaper be published in said school district, then such order shall be published for the required time in some newspaper having a general circulation therein, and, in addition, a copy of said order shall be posted for the required time at three (3) public places in the school district. The order so published shall contain a provision giving notice that said order shall become final thirty (30) days after the first publication of said notice unless a petition is filed protesting against same within such time. In the event no such petition be filed, the said order shall become final at said time. However, in the event twenty percent (20%) or fifteen hundred (1500), whichever is less, of the qualified electors of any school district altered by such order shall file a petition with the school board, within thirty (30) days after the first publication of said notice, protesting against the alteration of such district, then an election shall be called and held, on order of the school board, by the county election commission(s), after publication of legal notice of such election, which said election shall be held within thirty (30) days after the first publication of the notice of such election. At such election the question shall be submitted to the qualified electors of the district or districts in which a petition is filed as to whether or not such district or districts shall be altered as provided in the said order of the school board. If a majority of those voting in said election in each district affected and from which a petition is filed shall vote in favor of the order of the school board then such order shall become final. If a majority of those voting in said election in any district from which a petition is filed shall vote against the order of the school board then such order shall be void and of no effect and no further attempt to make the proposed change in such district shall be made for a period of at least two (2) years after the date of said election.

(2) When the orders of all boards adopting the new lines have been entered and are final, all orders shall be submitted to and considered by the State Board of Education as prescribed in Section 37-7-113, Mississippi Code of 1972 . If the new lines are approved by the State Board of Education, the new district lines shall be submitted to the Attorney General of the United States for preclearance or to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia for a declaratory judgment in accordance with the provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended and extended. In the event the change in the school district lines are either precleared by the United States Department of Justice, or approved by the United States District Court, the State Board of Education shall formally declare the new lines as the new boundaries of the school districts.

(3) Should two (2) or more school districts determine that they wish to consolidate, the following actions shall be taken by the districts to perfect this consolidation: (a) Each board shall state its intent to consolidate with the other district or districts by passing a resolution of the board to that effect and spreading it on the minutes of the districts; and (b) each school board shall publish the order consolidating such districts in some newspaper having a general circulation in such district(s) once each week for three (3) consecutive weeks, which said order shall be duly certified by the president of said school board. The order so published shall contain a provision giving notice that said order shall become final thirty (30) days after the first publication of said notice unless a petition is filed protesting against same within such time. In the event no such petition be filed, the said order shall become final on said date. However, in the event twenty percent (20%) or fifteen hundred (1500), whichever is less, of the qualified electors of any one (1) of the school districts affected by the proposed consolidation shall file a petition with the applicable school board, within thirty (30) days after the first publication of said notice, protesting against the consolidation of such district or districts, then an election shall be called and held in such school districts where petitions were filed, on order of the school board, by the county election commission(s), after publication of legal notice of such election, which said election shall be held within thirty (30) days after the first publication of the notice of such election. At such election the question shall be submitted to the qualified electors of any district or districts in which petitions were filed as to whether or not such district or districts shall be consolidated as provided in the said order of the school boards. If a majority of those voting in said election shall vote in favor of the order of the school boards then such order shall become final. Should less than a majority of the electors of any single school district vote in favor of the adoption of the proposed consolidation, such school district shall not participate in any voluntary consolidation as authorized in this subsection, and the proposed consolidation plan adopted by such districts shall be void.

After the order of the local school boards becomes final, it shall be submitted to and considered by the State Board of Education. If approved by the State Board of Education, the consolidation shall be submitted by the local school boards to the appropriate federal agencies for approval. After all preclearance has been received, the State Board of Education shall declare the new boundaries of the consolidated school district and all action shall proceed as outlined under law using the new boundaries.

Upon preclearance of such consolidation, all school boards shall approve a joint resolution for the election of five (5) new board members from single member districts as provided by law. These elections shall be scheduled prior to May 1 of the year in which the consolidation is to become effective. The new consolidated district shall become effective on July 1 of that same year. The superintendent of any district created through consolidation shall be appointed if all of the school districts which are consolidating had previously appointed their superintendents. The superintendent of any district created through consolidation shall be elected if all of the school districts which are consolidating had previously elected their superintendents. In the event two (2) or more school districts consolidating under the provisions of this section shall have previously appointed one or more superintendents and elected the remainder, the superintendent shall be elected or appointed in accordance with the method utilized by the consolidating school district or districts with the larger or largest student populations. The superintendent shall begin work as the superintendent on July 1 of such year when the consolidation becomes effective. The order to consolidate shall invalidate the contracts of the superintendents of the preceding districts and shall terminate the term of the superintendent if that person was elected. The order to consolidate shall invalidate the term of any school board member beyond July 1 of that year whether they are elected or appointed. Any school board member from any school district may be eligible to run for election to the new consolidated school board.

Each school board shall be responsible for establishing the contracts for teachers and principals for the next school year with the consultation of the successor school board if they have been selected at the time such decisions are to be made. The selection of administrator in the central administration office shall be the responsibility of the successor school board. No existing dates for renewal of contracts shall invalidate the responsibility of the successor school board in taking such action. The successor school board may enter into these contracts at any time following their election, but no later than July 1 of that year. It shall also be the responsibility of the successor school board to prepare and approve the budget of the new district. The successor school board may use staff from the existing districts to prepare the budget. The school board shall have authority to approve the budget prior to the July 1 date and shall follow the time line established for budget preparation under the law. Should either district at the time of consolidation have more liabilities than assets, then the successor school board shall be authorized to levy an ad valorem tax upon the taxable property in the territory of the district where the deficit exists, a tax not to exceed five percent (5%) of the existing tax levy for the sole purpose of reducing the deficit. When the deficit is eliminated, then such tax levy shall be terminated. Any taxes levied to bring about the equalization of funding, to equalize pay scales or levied in the territory of a newly created district where a deficit exists, shall constitute a “new program” for the purposes of ad valorem tax limitations as prescribed in Sections 27-39-321 and 37-57-107, Mississippi Code of 1972 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-144-19 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / 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. § 37-9-25 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / 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. § 37-171-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / 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. § 37-61-21 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 61-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-61-21
Status: in_force

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

(2) On or before the fifteenth day of October of each year, the local school board of each school district, with the assistance of the school district superintendent, shall prepare and file with the State Department of Education year-end financial statements and any other budgetary information that the State Board of Education may require. The State Board of Education shall prescribe and provide forms to each school district for this purpose. No additional changes may be made to the financial statements after October 15 of each year.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-53 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 28-53
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-53
Status: in_force

(1) Each charter school shall certify annually to the State Department of Education its student enrollment, net enrollment and student participation in federal programs.

(2) Each charter school shall certify annually to the school board of the school district in which the charter school is located the number of enrolled charter school students residing in the school district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-148-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 148-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-148-7
Status: in_force

IHL and the Department of Revenue each may promulgate, in accordance with the Mississippi Administrative Procedures Law, rules and regulations, application forms and any other forms necessary for the implementation and administration of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-161-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 161-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-161-1
Status: in_force

(1) This act [Laws of 2006, Chapter 504] shall be known and may be referred to as the “Mississippi Education Reform Act of 2006.”

(2) The Legislature finds and determines that the quality and accountability of public education and its effect upon the social, cultural and economic enhancement of the people of Mississippi is a matter of public policy, the object of which is the education and performance of its children and youth.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-160-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 160-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-160-7
Status: in_force

Before December 1 of each year, the grantee shall submit a written report to the State Superintendent of Public Education on the status of Teach For America Delta. The report must include no less than the following:

(a) Data on the Teach For America teachers under contract and teaching in a geographical critical teacher shortage area, including a list of those school districts that are partnering with Teach For America through funds provided under this chapter and the grades or subjects that are being taught by Teach For America teachers in those school districts;

(b) Data on each Teach For America teacher relating to the background of the teacher and the teacher's training and professional development;

(c) The retention rate of Teach For America teachers in Mississippi;

(d) The results of an externally conducted biannual analysis of the satisfaction rate of local principals regarding the quality and effect of Teach For America teachers in the principals' respective schools; and

(e) Any other information requested for the report by the State Superintendent of Public Education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-57 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 33-57
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-57
Status: in_force

The director, with the approval of the executive director and the state board, may accept and use gifts and donations made unconditionally or otherwise for carrying out the purposes of the Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind Law, from either public or private sources. Gifts made under such conditions as in the judgment of the state board are proper and consistent with the provisions of that law may be so accepted and shall be held, invested, reinvested and used in accordance with the conditions of the gift. All monies received as gifts or donations, except conditional gifts requiring other treatment, shall be deposited in the State Treasury and shall constitute a permanent fund to be called the “Special Fund for the Vocational Rehabilitation of Individuals who are Blind,” and to be used by the state board for those purposes. The state board shall report annually to the State Legislature, setting forth the condition of vocational rehabilitation of individuals who are blind in Mississippi, the expenditures made from state and federal funds in carrying out the provisions of that law or its purpose, and a detailed statement of all gifts and donations offered and accepted, together with the names of donors and the respective amounts prescribed by each and all the disbursements made therefrom.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 28-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-3
Status: in_force

(1) The Legislature finds and declares that the general purposes of the state's charter schools are as follows:

(a) To improve student learning by creating high-quality schools with high standards for student performance;

(b) To close achievement gaps between high-performing and low-performing groups of public school students;

(c) To increase high-quality educational opportunities within the public education system for all students, especially those with a likelihood of academic failure;

(d) To create new professional opportunities for teachers, school administrators and other school personnel which allow them to have a direct voice in the operation of their schools;

(e) To encourage the use of different, high-quality models of teaching, governing, scheduling and other aspects of schooling which meet a variety of student needs;

(f) To allow public schools freedom and flexibility in exchange for exceptional levels of results driven accountability;

(g) To provide students, parents, community members and local entities with expanded opportunities for involvement in the public education system; and

(h) To encourage the replication of successful charter schools.

(2) All charter schools in the state established under this chapter are public schools and are part of the state's public education system.

(3) No provision of this chapter may be interpreted to allow the conversion of private schools into charter schools.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-61-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 61-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-61-7
Status: in_force

If at the end of any fiscal year there should remain a balance in the school district fund of any school district which is not needed and is not to be used for paying the expenses properly payable out of such district fund for the preceding fiscal year, such balance shall be carried forward as a part of the school district fund for the next fiscal year and used and expended in the manner otherwise provided by law. Nothing in this section shall be construed as applying to balances of total funding formula funds of a school district, and balances remaining in such funds shall be governed by Section 37-61-5 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-24-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 24-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-24-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Mississippi Youth Concussion Law.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 65-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-3
Status: in_force

The decision or determination to close any one or more of the schools, colleges or institutions of higher learning as provided in Section 37-65-1 , shall be effectuated and evidenced by a proclamation of the governor of the State of Mississippi, which shall be effective upon his execution or issuance thereof, and such schools, colleges, or institutions of higher learning closed according to the provisions of this article shall remain so closed until said governor shall execute or issue a further proclamation opening same. The use by said governor of the power vested in him by the terms of this article may be exercised from time to time as, in his discretion, he may deem necessary for any or all of the purposes specified in Section 37-65-1 and any proclamation of closure need not specify the period of time during which such closure shall be effective.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-13 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 65-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-13
Status: in_force

Upon or during any closure of any school in accordance with the provisions of this article, any and all transportation routes or transportation facilities may be changed or adjusted by the interested board or boards of trustees to accommodate the transportation of children who would be otherwise entitled to transportation had such closure not occurred.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-243 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 29-243
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-243
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful for any person not enrolled in any such public junior college to solicit any pupil enrolled in any such public junior college, to join or pledge himself or herself to become a member of any such public junior college fraternity, sorority, or secret society, or to solicit any such pupil to attend a meeting thereof or any meeting where the joining of any such public junior college fraternity, sorority, or secret organization shall be encouraged.

Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100.00) for each and every offense.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-103 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 29-103
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-103
Status: in_force

Any board of trustees may, in its discretion, by the concurrence of two-thirds ( 2 / 3 ) of its authorized members present and voting and for good cause shown therefor, to be spread upon its minutes by way of its resolution or order, which shall contain a proposal as to the revenues from which it is anticipated the loans herein authorized are to be repaid, authorize the junior college district to borrow money from time to time for periods not to exceed twenty-five (25) years under such terms and conditions as the board deems necessary and requisite and upon its issuing its promissory note or notes or other negotiable instruments. Such loans may be repaid from the general fund of the district, whether the same shall have been derived from ad valorem tax receipts or otherwise and may be further secured by a pledge of the avails of the levies, whether for support, enlargement, improvement or repairs, authorized by Section 37-29-141, Mississippi Code of 1972; and the tax receipts used to repay such loans from any levies so pledged shall be excluded from the ten percent (10%) growth limitation on ad valorem taxes imposed in Sections 27-39-320 , 27-39-321 and 37-57-107, Mississippi Code of 1972 . Such note or notes or other negotiable instruments shall be executed by the manual or facsimile signature of the chairman of the board of trustees and countersigned by the manual or facsimile signature of the secretary thereof, with the seal of the district affixed thereto. At least one (1) signature on each such note shall be a manual signature, as specified in the issuing resolution. The coupons, if any, may bear only facsimile signatures. Any notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued pursuant to this section shall be sold pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-19-25, Mississippi Code of 1972 , and shall not bear a greater overall maximum interest rate to maturity than that allowed in Section 75-17-101, Mississippi Code of 1972 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-16-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 16-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-16-1
Status: in_force

The primary purpose of the statewide testing program is to provide information needed for state-level decisions. The program shall be designed to:

(a) Assist in the identification of educational needs at the state, district and school levels.

(b) Assess how well districts and schools are meeting state goals and minimum performance standards.

(c) Provide information to aid in the development of policy issues and concerns.

(d) Provide a basis for comparisons among districts, between charter schools throughout the state and nonpublic charter schools in those school districts in which charter schools are located, and between districts, the state and the nation, where appropriate.

(e) Produce data which can be used to aid in the identification of exceptional educational programs or processes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-25-17 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 25-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-25-17
Status: in_force

Such assessments as are collected under subsections (1) and (2) of Section 99-19-73 shall be deposited in the Driver Training Penalty Assessment Fund, which fund is hereby created, to be used exclusively as provided in this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-303 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 101-303
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-303
Status: in_force

Before the issuance of any of the bonds herein authorized, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning shall forward to the State Bond Commission its recommendation declaring the necessity for the issuance of general obligation bonds as authorized by Sections 37-101-301 through 37-101-331 for the purpose of erecting, repairing, constructing, remodeling, adding to or improving capital facilities for institutions of higher learning. The State Bond Commission shall have the power and is hereby authorized, upon receipt of the aforesaid recommendations, at one (1) time or from time to time, to declare the necessity for issuance of negotiable general obligation bonds of the State of Mississippi in an aggregate amount not to exceed Forty Million Dollars ($40,000,000.00) to provide funds for the purposes hereinabove set forth and to issue and sell bonds in the amount specified.

Out of the total amount of bonds authorized to be issued, funds shall be allocated among the institutions of higher learning as follows:

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

․․․․․․․․․․$4,416,000.00

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

․․․․․․․․․․․1,882,000.00

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

․․․․․․․․․․․2,396,000.00

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

․․․․․․․․․․․9,810,000.00

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

․․․․․․․․․․․1,909,000.00

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

․․․․․․․․․․․1,775,000.00

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

․․․․․․․․․․․6,086,000.00

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

․․․․․․․․․․․5,971,000.00

University of Southern Mississippi--Gulf Park Campus․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․․․․․․․․․309,000.00

University Medical Center․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․․․․․․․3,465,000.00

Gulf Coast Research Laboratory․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․․․․․․․․․260,000.00

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

․․․․․․․․․․․․․475,000.00

Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․․․․․․․․1,246,000.00

It is expressly provided, however, that in the event any emergencies or unforeseen contingencies arise, the amount set forth above for any institution may be increased by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, provided that the amount of such increase is achieved by a pro rata reduction in the amounts allocated to the other institutions.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-99-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / 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. § 37-149-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 149-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-149-1
Status: in_force

(1) There is established within the State Department of Education, the Mississippi Teacher Center for the purpose of insuring that the children of our state are taught by quality professionals. The center shall serve as an interagency center focused on teacher recruitment, enhanced training and initial instructional support.

(2) The center shall have a staff which shall consist of one (1) director, one (1) administrative assistant and professional teacher recruiters. A steering committee shall be established which shall consist of one (1) member from each of the following: the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, the Mississippi Community College Board, the State Board of Education, the Board of the Mississippi Association of Independent Colleges, the Board of the Mississippi Association of Colleges of Teacher Education, trustees of the local school boards, teachers and the private sector. The members of the steering committee shall be appointed by the State Superintendent with the approval of the board. The steering committee shall direct the work and establish policies for the purpose of operating the center.

(3) The center shall provide leadership for the following initiatives:

(a) The initiation and monitoring of high school programs for teacher recruitment;

(b) The initiation and monitoring of college level programs for teacher recruitment;

(c) The establishment of a Beginning Teacher/Mentoring program, as authorized in Sections 37-9-201 through 37-9-213 ;

(d) The sponsorship of a teacher renewal institute;

(e) The continuation of the Teacher Corps program;

(f) The enhancement of the William Winter Scholarship program;

(g) Research for the development of professional teaching standards;

(h) Provide additional scholarships for any targeted populations needing potential teachers; and

(i) Provide assistance to local school districts in identifying and locating specific teacher needs.

(4)(a) The Legislature recognizes that a highly qualified teacher in every public classroom in this state is fundamental to a quality education. The Legislature also recognizes that Mississippi has a serious shortage of qualified teachers to serve in the public schools of this state and that it has a responsibility to enact public policy in an effort to remedy that shortage of qualified teachers.

(b) There is hereby established a Mississippi “Troops to Teachers” pilot program in the State Department of Education to assist in the recruitment, licensure, referral, placement and compensation of military personnel interested in beginning a second career in public education as a teacher. The Teacher Center in the State Department of Education shall collaborate with the national “Troops to Teachers” program to establish the criteria and procedures for allocation of funds provided by the federal government to administer the pilot program to ensure the most effective placement of such teachers around the state taking into consideration the degree of teacher shortage in each school district.

(c) The Legislature shall appropriate funds necessary for the support of this pilot program which will not supplant federal funds provided for that purpose. The Office of the Governor shall transfer any federal funds provided for the Mississippi “Troops to Teachers” program to the State Department of Education for the administration of this program.

(d) The Department of Education shall report to the Legislature no later than January 1, 2009, on the status of the implementation of the Mississippi “Troops to Teachers” program and the need for its continuation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-15 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 106-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-15
Status: in_force

The earned interest paid into the post-secondary education assistance fund as provided in Section 37-106-13 shall be utilized to finance the cost of administration of this chapter. All remaining interest after payment of such administrative expenses shall be utilized to provide additional loans.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-103-15 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 103-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-103-15
Status: in_force

A married person may claim the residence status of his or her spouse, or he or she may claim independent residence status under the same regulations set forth in Section 37-103-13 as any other adult.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-15-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 15-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-15-3
Status: in_force

Such cumulative folders as are provided for in Section 37-15-1 shall be kept in the school wherein the pupils are in attendance. Both the permanent records and the cumulative folders shall be available to school officials, including teachers within the school district who have been determined by the school district to have legitimate educational interests. In no case, however, shall such records be available to the general public. Transcripts of courses and grades may be furnished when requested by the parent or guardian or eligible pupil as prescribed in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, 20 USCS Section 1232g . Such records shall be kept for each pupil throughout his entire public school enrollment period. In the event a pupil transfers to a public school, including a charter school, then the cumulative folder shall be furnished to the head of the school to which the pupil transfers; if a pupil transfers to a private school, then a copy of the cumulative folder shall be furnished to the head of the school to which the pupil transfers. The permanent record shall be kept permanently by the school district from which the pupil transferred.

At no time may a permanent record of a student be destroyed, but cumulative folders may be destroyed by order of the school board of the school district in not less than five (5) years after the permanent record of the pupil has become inactive and has been transferred to the central depository of the district. Provided, however, that where a school district makes complete copies of inactive permanent records on photographic film, microfilm, or any other acceptable form of medium for storage which may be reproduced as needed, such permanent records may be destroyed after the photographic film or microfilm copy has been stored in the central depository of the district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-148-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 148-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-148-5
Status: in_force

(1) The SMART Business Act shall include the SMART Business Rebate to promote research partnerships between colleges and investors and the SMART Business Accelerate Initiative to promote the development of state-owned intellectual property.

(2) The SMART Business Rebate shall be implemented as follows:

(a) Subject to the provisions of this chapter, an investor incurring qualified research costs subject to a research agreement is eligible for a rebate equal to twenty-five percent (25%) of the investor's qualified research costs.

(b) An investor incurring research costs may not claim a rebate pursuant to this chapter greater than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) in any fiscal year.

(c) The total amount of rebates issued under the SMART Business Rebate by the state in any fiscal year may not exceed Three Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($3,500,000.00).

(d) Investors desiring to apply for the SMART Business rebate authorized by this chapter shall submit an application to IHL which must contain, at a minimum, the following:

(i) A description of the qualified research to be conducted by the college or research corporation;

(ii) A proposed budget;

(iii) An estimated date for completion of the qualified research; and

(iv) Such additional information as may be requested by IHL.

(e) IHL shall review each application to determine if the investor has satisfied all of the requirements of this section.

(f) Within sixty (60) days of receiving an application, IHL shall issue or refuse to issue a SMART Business Rebate certificate. The SMART Business Rebate certificate must include the amount of the rebate the investor is eligible to claim, subject to subsection (1) of this section. IHL must notify the Department of Revenue when a SMART Business Rebate certificate is issued.

(g) To claim a rebate, the investor must submit a rebate allocation claim to the Department of Revenue. The rebate allocation claim must include, at a minimum, the SMART Business Rebate certificate issued by IHL and proof of payment to the college or research corporation for qualified research conducted according to the research agreement.

(h) The Department of Revenue may request an audit from the investor submitting a rebate allocation claim, at the investor's expense, to verify the investor has satisfied the requirements of this chapter.

(i) The Department of Revenue shall issue rebates available under this subsection from current income tax collections.

(j) Rebates must be allocated to investors by the Department of Revenue in the order that SMART Business Rebate certificates are issued by IHL.

(3) The SMART Business Accelerate Initiative shall be implemented as follows:

(a) Subject to the provisions of this chapter, an applicant performing research validation pursuant to a research agreement is eligible for a disbursement of up to One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00) for the applicant's qualified validation expenses.

(b) The total amount of disbursements issued by the state under the SMART Business Accelerate Initiative in any fiscal year may not exceed One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000.00).

(c) Applicants desiring to apply for a SMART Business Accelerate Initiative disbursement authorized by this chapter shall submit an application to IHL which must contain, at a minimum, the following:

(i) A description of the research validation to be conducted by the college or research corporation using funds from the disbursement;

(ii) A proposed budget of qualified validation expenses;

(iii) A certified determination from the applicant that the proposed research validation is necessary to develop state-owned intellectual property into products and services; and

(iv) Such additional information as may be requested by IHL.

(d) IHL shall review each application to determine if the applicant has satisfied all of the requirements of this section.

(e) Within sixty (60) days of receiving an application, IHL shall issue or refuse to issue a SMART Business Accelerate Initiative disbursement certificate. The SMART Business Accelerate Initiative disbursement certificate must include the amount of the disbursement the applicant is eligible to receive, subject to paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection. IHL must notify the Department of Revenue when a SMART Business Accelerate Initiative disbursement certificate is issued.

(f) IHL shall develop a process for accepting, reviewing and selecting proposals for SMART Business Accelerate Initiative disbursements and notifying the Department of Revenue when applicants have been selected to receive disbursements.

(g) The Department of Revenue shall issue disbursements available under this subsection from current income tax collections.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-53 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 153-53
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-53
Status: in_force

(1) The Mississippi Legislature finds the following:

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

(b) Workforce shortages exist in a number of high-wage, high-demand Mississippi industries, including, but not limited to, the field of nursing; and

(c) The availability of unprecedented federal funding to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the workforce and economy has created a unique opportunity for the Office of Workforce Development, working with community colleges, institutions of higher learning, employers, and others, to provide education and training for Mississippians seeking employment in healthcare and other fields.

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

(a) To provide funding for outreach and other efforts to connect citizens seeking employment in nursing and other high-wage, high-demand fields with the education and training required to obtain necessary skills for relevant employment in the state;

(b) To provide funding for new and increased capacity in new and existing relevant workforce development and training programs, particularly programs related to nursing and healthcare, to include any required equipment or supplies, at community and junior colleges and institutions of higher learning across the state; and

(c) To gauge the effectiveness of these programs by gathering data related to participation and wage and employment outcomes in order to replicate successful efforts in future workforce development programs.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-261 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 29-261
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-261
Status: in_force

The board of supervisors of any county which levies a tax for the support of a junior college district may, in its discretion, permit county road department employees or road district employees, if any, to operate county-owned equipment and machinery to assist in the maintenance of the public property on such junior college campus.

The board of trustees of the junior college district affected and the board of supervisors may agree as to the terms and conditions under which such public property may be worked and supplies or materials may be furnished.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-103-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 103-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-103-9
Status: in_force

Children of parents who are members of the faculty or staff of any institution under the jurisdiction of the board of trustees of any junior college in this state or the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning may be classified as residents for the purpose of attendance at the institution where their parents are faculty or staff members.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-17 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 65-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-17
Status: in_force

Should any school, junior college or institution of higher learning be closed in accordance with the terms of this article, such period of closure shall not be subtracted from the period of time which would otherwise be earned by any superintendent, principal, teacher or other employee employed to render services in and about the conduct and operation of any such school, junior college or institution of higher learning, as to any certification to which such person might otherwise be entitled.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-123-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 123-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-123-3
Status: in_force

The principal object of the Delta State College shall be to qualify teachers for the public schools of this state, by imparting instruction in the art and practice of teaching in all branches of study which pertain to a common school education, and such other studies as the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning may from time to time prescribe.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-27 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 59-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-27
Status: in_force

All bonds issued by a school district shall mature annually, with all maturities not longer than twenty (20) years. Not less than one-fiftieth ( 1 / 50 ) total issue shall mature each year during the first five (5) years of the life of such bonds, and not less than one-twenty-fifth ( 1 / 25 ) of the total issue shall mature each year during the succeeding period of ten (10) years of the life of such bonds, and the remainder shall be amortized, as to principal and interest, into approximately equal annual payments, one (1) payment to mature each year for the remaining life of such bonds. However, in cases where bonds shall be issued or dated subsequent to the date fixed for making the school tax levy in the year in which such bonds are to be issued, the first maturity date of not less than one-fiftieth ( 1 / 50 ) of the total issue may be fixed for any period not exceeding two (2) years from the date of the bonds with the same schedule of subsequent maturities as hereinabove set forth. Such bonds shall not bear a greater overall maximum interest rate to maturity than that allowed in Section 75-17-101, Mississippi Code of 1972 . No bond shall bear more than one (1) rate of interest. Each bond shall bear interest from its date to its stated maturity date at the interest rate specified in the bid. All bonds of the same maturity shall bear the same rate of interest from date to maturity. All interest accruing on such bonds so issued shall be payable semiannually or annually, except that the first interest coupon attached to any such bond may be for any period not exceeding one (1) year.

No interest payment shall be evidenced by more than one (1) coupon and neither cancelled nor supplemental coupons shall be permitted. The lowest interest rate specified for any bonds issued shall not be less than seventy percent (70%) of the highest interest rate specified for the same bond issue. The interest rate of any one (1) interest coupon shall not exceed the maximum interest rate allowed on such bonds. Each interest rate specified in any bid must be in multiples of one-eighth of one percent ( 1 / 8 of 1%) or in multiples of one-tenth of one percent ( 1 / 10 of 1%), and a zero rate of interest cannot be named.

The form and place or places of payment of such bonds shall be fixed in the resolution or order of the school board of such school district issuing such bonds. Such bonds shall be executed by the manual or facsimile signature of the president of the school board and the superintendent of schools, with the official seal or facsimile thereof of such school district affixed thereto. At least one (1) signature on each bond shall be a manual signature, as specified in the issuing resolution. The coupons may bear only the facsimile signatures of such president of the school board and superintendent of schools. However, if so provided in the issuing resolution, if the manual signature of the trustee or other fiduciary or agent charged with authenticating and issuing the bonds is required to be thereon, both the signatures of the president of the school board and the superintendent of schools may be by facsimile. No bonds shall be issued and sold under the provisions of this article for less than par and accrued interest.

The bond register for all outstanding bond issues of such school district shall be maintained by the school board.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-65 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 33-65
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-65
Status: in_force

Any individual applying for or receiving vocational rehabilitation services who is aggrieved by any action or inaction of the department shall be entitled, in accordance with regulations promulgated by the department, to a fair hearing.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-61 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 27-61
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-61
Status: in_force

The county superintendent of education of a county which does not alone or in conjunction with another county maintain an agricultural high school or an agricultural high school-junior college, may provide, with the approval of the county board of education and the board of supervisors, for the attendance of pupils residing in the county of which he is superintendent of education, at an agricultural high school or an agricultural high school-junior college located in a county adjoining thereto, and pay by certificate drawn by him on the county school funds for the instruction of such pupils. However, the amount so paid shall not be greater than the pro rata share of such pupils, in the actual cost of incidentals and tuition, of such agricultural high school or agricultural high school-junior college. Counties co-operating under provisions of this section shall be represented on the boards of trustees by the county superintendent of education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-25 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 33-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-25
Status: in_force

Any individual applying for or receiving vocational rehabilitation who is aggrieved by any action or inaction of the office shall be entitled, in accordance with regulations promulgated by the state board, to a fair hearing.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-109 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 65-109
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-109
Status: in_force

Upon or during any period of closure in accordance with the provisions of this article, any teacher or other employee affected thereby may be, by the board of trustees of such school district, placed in any other school within the district, or in a school or schools of another convenient district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-15 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 59-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-15
Status: in_force

Such election shall be held upon order of the school board, as far as is practicable, in the same manner as other elections are held in such county or municipality. At such election, all qualified electors of such school district may vote. The ballots used at such election shall have printed thereon a brief statement of the amount and the purpose of the proposed bond issue, and the words “FOR THE BOND ISSUE,” and “AGAINST THE BOND ISSUE.” The voter shall vote by placing a cross (X) or check mark (✓) opposite his choice on the proposition.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-138-29 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 138-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-138-29
Status: in_force

The commission may establish requirements for reciprocity for accreditation and certification of management planners, project designers, contractors, supervisors, inspectors and workers with other states that have established accreditation and certification programs that meet or exceed the Model Plan and the accreditation and certification requirements of this chapter. The commission shall have the authority to issue orders and promulgate rules and regulations to carry out this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-95 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 151-95
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-95
Status: in_force

Total funding formula funds shall cover one hundred percent (100%) of the cost of the State and School Employees' Life and Health Insurance Plan created under Article 7, Chapter 15, Title 25, Mississippi Code of 1972 , for all district employees who work no less than twenty (20) hours during each week and regular nonstudent school bus drivers employed by the district.

Where the use of federal funding is allowable to defray, in full or in part, the cost of participation in the insurance plan by district employees who work no less than twenty (20) hours during each week and regular nonstudent school bus drivers, whose salaries are paid, in full or in part, by federal funds, the use of total funding formula funds as required under this section shall be reduced to the extent of the federal funding. Where the use of federal funds is allowable but not available, it is the intent of the Legislature that school districts contribute the cost of participation for such employees from local funds, except that parent fees for child nutrition programs shall not be increased to cover such cost.

The State Department of Education, in accordance with rules and regulations established by the State Board of Education, may withhold a school district's total funding formula funds for failure of the district to timely report student, fiscal and personnel data necessary to meet state and/or federal requirements. The rules and regulations promulgated by the State Board of Education shall require the withholding of total funding formula funds for those districts that fail to remit premiums, interest penalties and/or late charges under the State and School Employees' Life and Health Insurance Plan. Noncompliance with such rules and regulations shall result in a violation of compulsory accreditation standards as established by the State Board of Education and Commission on School Accreditation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-53 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 28-53
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-53
Status: in_force

(1) Each charter school shall certify annually to the State Department of Education its student enrollment, net enrollment and student participation in federal programs.

(2) Each charter school shall certify annually to the school board of the school district in which the charter school is located the number of enrolled charter school students residing in the school district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-155-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 155-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-155-3
Status: in_force

The Legislature hereby finds and declares as follows:

(a) Tuition and required fees at institutions of higher education are difficult for many to afford and difficult to predict. As a result, the ability of individuals and families to plan for future educational expenses has been adversely affected.

(b) It is in the best interest of the citizens of this state to foster higher education in order to provide well-educated citizens.

(c) It is in the best interest of the citizens of this state to encourage state residents to enroll in institutions of higher education.

(d) Providing a mechanism to help assure the higher education of the citizens of this state is necessary and desirable for the public health, safety and welfare.

(e) The purposes of this article are to:

(i) Provide wide and affordable access to the public institutions of higher education for the residents of this state.

(ii) Encourage attendance at institutions of higher education and help individuals plan for educational expenses.

(iii) Provide a program for the advance purchase of tuition and required fees as both a means and an incentive for the citizens of this state to provide for future higher education expenses.

(iv) Provide a program through which many of the costs associated with postsecondary attendance may be paid in advance and fixed at a guaranteed level for the duration of the undergraduate enrollment.

(v) Provide for the creation of a trust fund, as an agency and instrumentality of the State of Mississippi, to assist qualified students in financing a portion of the cost of attending institutions of higher education in the State of Mississippi.

(vi) Encourage timely financial planning for higher education by the creation of prepaid tuition contracts.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-331 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 101-331
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-331
Status: in_force

It is the express intent of the Legislature that the capital renovation and repair needs of state community and junior colleges be comprehensively addressed by appropriate legislation during the 1989 Regular Legislative Session; and, to that end, the Mississippi Community College Board is hereby directed to prepare a complete report detailing:

(a) Repair and renovation needs;

(b) The financing capabilities of each community and junior college district; and

(c) The total millage levied in each community and junior college district for the support of the district, the amount of revenue generated in each district by the millage imposed, and an assessment of what capital renovation and repair needs can be financed under existing levying authority.

The board shall submit such report to the Legislature on or before January 3, 1989, in order that the Legislature be made fully cognizant of such needs and capabilities. The Governor's Office of General Services is directed to provide the fullest degree of reasonable cooperation to the Mississippi Community College Board in the preparation of this report.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-155-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 155-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-155-7
Status: in_force

(1) The board of directors shall consist of thirteen (13) members as follows:

(a) Nine (9) voting members as follows: the State Treasurer; the Commissioner of Higher Education, or his designee; the Executive Director of the Community and Junior College Board, or his designee; the Department of Finance and Administration Executive Director, or his designee; and one (1) member from each Mississippi Supreme Court District and two (2) from the state at large to be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. The MPACT Board of Directors, created by former Section 37-155-7, is continued and reconstituted as follows: Effective January 1, 2028, the appointed MPACT Board members shall be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, for a term of office of four (4) years, provided that three (3) such members shall be appointed in 2028 to a term ending December 31, 2031, and two (2) such members shall be appointed in 2030 to a term ending December 31, 2033. Appointments made at the beginning of the four-year cycle shall be made to fill any member's term which actually expires that year and any member's term which expires next until the majority of the membership of the board or commission is reached. Appointments made at the beginning of the third year of the four-year cycle shall be made for the remainder of the membership positions irrespective of the time of their prior appointment. Any question regarding the order of appointments shall be determined by the Secretary of State in accordance with the specific statute. All appointment procedures, vacancy provisions, interim appointment provisions and removal provisions specifically provided for in Section 7-1-35, Mississippi Code of 1972 , shall be fully applicable to appointments to the MPACT Board of Directors. Ex officio members of the board may be represented at official meetings by their deputy, or other designee, and such designees shall have full voting privileges and shall be included in the determination of a quorum for conducting board business.

(b) Two (2) nonvoting, advisory members of the board shall be appointed by each of the following officers: the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(2) Each member appointed shall possess knowledge, skill and experience in business or financial matters commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the trust fund.

(3) Members of the board of directors shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for each day's official duties of the board at the same per diem as established by Section 25-3-69 and actual travel and lodging expenses as established by Section 25-3-41 .

(4) The board of directors shall annually elect one (1) member to serve as chairman of the board and one (1) member to serve as vice chairman. The vice chairman shall act as chairman in the absence of or upon the disability of the chairman or in the event of a vacancy of the office of chairman.

(5) A majority of the currently serving members of the board shall constitute a quorum for the purposes of conducting business and exercising its official powers and duties. Any action taken by the board shall be upon the vote of a majority of the members present.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-63 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 13-63
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-63
Status: in_force

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

(2) If the school board of any school district shall determine that it is not economically feasible or practicable to operate any school within the district for the full one hundred eighty (180) days required for a scholastic year as contemplated due to an enemy attack, a man-made, technological or natural disaster or extreme weather emergency in which the Governor has declared a disaster or state of emergency under the laws of this state or the President of the United States has declared an emergency or major disaster to exist in this state, the school board may notify the State Department of Education of the disaster or weather emergency and submit a plan for altering the school term. If the State Board of Education finds the disaster or extreme weather emergency to be the cause of the school not operating for the contemplated school term and that such school was in a school district covered by the Governor's or President's disaster or state of emergency declaration, it may permit that school board to operate the schools in its district for less than one hundred eighty (180) days; however, in no instance of a declared disaster or state of emergency under the provisions of this subsection shall a school board receive payment from the State Department of Education for per pupil expenditure for pupils in net enrollment in excess of ten (10) days.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-51-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 51-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-51-1
Status: in_force

It is hereby determined and declared that the state reaffirms its commitment and dedication to public school education; that nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed in any manner whatever to be an abandonment or impairment of public school education in this state; that the state calls upon all public school trustees, administrators, teachers, parents, and the public at large to continue full support of the public school system of this state; and that, especially during these difficult times, all school officials, administrators, teachers and others with primary responsibility for the public school system merit and need continued support and encouragement in their efforts.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-51 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 33-51
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-51
Status: in_force

Sections 37-33-51 through 37-33-75 shall be known as the “Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind Law of Mississippi.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-65 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 23-65
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-65
Status: in_force

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

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

The State Department of Education shall require that the programs for which children are eligible for financial assistance under Sections 37-23-61 through 37-23-75 be designed to provide individualized appropriate special education and related services that enable a child to reach his or her appropriate and uniquely designed goals for success.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-469 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 29-469
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-469
Status: in_force

The board of trustees of the Copiah-Lincoln Junior College District shall have the general borrowing and bonding authority provided in Sections 37-29-101 through 37-29-127 . The said board of trustees shall have the taxation authority provided in Sections 37-29-141 through 37-29-145 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-221 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / 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. § 37-101-4 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 101-4
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-4
Status: in_force

There shall be a trusteeship, to be known as the Felix La Bauve Scholarship Trust, for the Felix La Bauve Scholarship that exists for the benefit of the University of Mississippi. The trusteeship shall be composed of three (3) persons. The initial composition of the trusteeship shall be the two (2) persons who last filled the position of La Bauve trustee on the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and, as an ex officio voting member, the person holding the office of DeSoto County Superintendent of Education. The term of the trustee who served as La Bauve trustee on the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning from 1980-1984 shall be four (4) years. The term of the trustee who served in that position from 1984-1988 shall be eight (8) years. The term of each of the trustees shall begin on June 1, 1988.

At least one (1) month before the expiration of the term of a trustee, other than the DeSoto County Superintendent of Education, the trusteeship shall choose a successor who shall serve a term of eight (8) years. No trustee other than the DeSoto County Superintendent of Education shall serve more than one (1) term of office. Any person chosen as a trustee other than the Superintendent of Education shall be a resident of DeSoto County and shall hold an undergraduate degree from the University of Mississippi.

In case of the death, disability or resignation of any trustee, other than the DeSoto County Superintendent of Education, the trusteeship shall appoint a person to serve the remainder of the term of his predecessor who shall be a resident of DeSoto County and shall hold an undergraduate degree from the University of Mississippi.

The trusteeship shall be responsible for recommending to the Chancellor of the University of Mississippi prospective students who are eligible recipients of the La Bauve Scholarship. The Chancellor shall choose the best qualified student or students from those nominated, depending on the amount of monies available for scholarship awards.

The Legislature shall continue to appropriate the annual sum to the University of Mississippi that has been paid in lieu of the interest earned on the original corpus of the La Bauve Scholarship Fund until such time as the Legislature restores the original corpus of the fund, adjusted to current value at the time of restoration. Once the Legislature has restored the fund as hereinbefore provided, the annual appropriation shall cease, and scholarships shall be awarded from the income on the corpus of the fund. Thereafter, no expenditure shall be made from the corpus of the fund for any purpose.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-129-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 129-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-129-1
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

No provision of this section shall be construed to authorize any department, agency, officer or employee of the State of Mississippi to exercise any controls over the admissions policy of any private educational institution offering a baccalaureate degree in nursing.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-21-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 21-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-21-9
Status: in_force

The State Department of Education shall:

(a) Conduct a total needs assessment of the state to determine what areas currently lack pre-kindergarten programs and services, and conduct a cost-benefit analysis of establishing pre-kindergarten programs on a statewide basis. Any expected costs, whether federal, state or local, associated with implementing this requirement shall be clearly outlined; and

(b) Conduct a cost-benefit analysis of implementing mandatory kindergarten on a statewide basis. Any expected costs, whether federal, state or local, associated with implementing this requirement shall be clearly outlined; and

(c) Study the feasibility of developing an optional graduation diploma, to be known as an occupational diploma, that would include course requirements to ensure that students have mastered skills and employment competencies. The study shall include proposed procedures for ensuring that students may select and move between courses of study leading to a standard high school diploma or an occupational diploma. The study shall include options for continued skills training through community colleges, which shall include agreements between school districts and community colleges to minimize the circumstances under which students must repeat successfully completed high school coursework in community college. Any expected costs, both federal and state, associated in implementing these requirements shall be clearly outlined; and

(d) Report annually to the Mississippi Legislature on the graduation and dropout rates based on Grades 7 through 12 and Grades 9 through 12 cohort groups, statewide and by district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-83 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 41-83
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-83
Status: in_force

The school boards are authorized and empowered to expend the necessary amounts from the available transportation funds of the school district for the purchase of such transportation equipment, the servicing, repair and maintenance thereof and for the payment of the salaries of persons employed to drive or operate such transportation equipment, and to establish, erect and equip school bus shops or garages, and purchase land therefor.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 33-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-1
Status: in_force

The State of Mississippi accepts all of the provisions and benefits of an act passed by the Congress of the United States entitled, “The Rehabilitation Act of 1973,” as amended.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 11-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-1
Status: in_force

(1) Subject to the provisions of subsection (2) of this section, after a pupil has been assigned to a particular public school in a school district, the principal, or anyone else vested with the authority of assigning pupils to classes, knowingly shall not place such pupil in a class where the pupil's presence would serve to adversely affect, hinder, or retard the academic development of the other pupils in the class.

(2)(a) A parent or guardian of twins or higher order multiples, as defined in paragraph (d) of this subsection, may request that the children be placed in the same classroom or in separate classrooms if the children are in the same grade level at the same school in the school district. The school may recommend classroom placement and provide professional education advice to the parent or guardian to assist the parent or guardian in making the best decision for the children's education. A school must provide the placement requested by the children's parent or guardian unless: (i) the parent or guardian has requested that the children, who are different sexes, be placed in the same classroom and the students in the school have been assigned to different classrooms according to sex, as authorized under Section 37-11-3 ; or (ii) the school board of the school district makes a classroom placement determination following the school principal's request according to this subsection.

(b) A parent or guardian making a request under this subsection must submit a written request for the classroom placement to the school principal no later than fourteen (14) calendar days after the first day of each school year or, if the children are enrolled in the school after the school year commences, no later than fourteen (14) calendar days after the children's first day of attendance in the school.

(c) At the end of the initial grading period during which children have been in the same classroom or separate classrooms pursuant to their parent or guardian's request under this subsection, if the principal, in consultation with the children's classroom teacher or teachers, determines that the requested classroom placement is disruptive to the school, the principal may request that the school board determine the children's classroom placement.

(d) For purposes of this section, the term “ higher order multiples ” means triplets, quadruplets, quintuplets or more.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-138-27 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 138-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-138-27
Status: in_force

(1) Any person found by the commission to have violated any of the provisions of this chapter or any rule or regulation or written order of the commission in pursuance thereof or any certificate issued pursuant to this chapter shall be subject to (a) a civil penalty of not more than Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) for each violation, such penalty to be assessed and levied by order of the commission after notice and hearing in accordance with subsection (5) below of this section, and (b) a reprimand or a suspension or revocation of any certificate issued to the person pursuant to this chapter, such reprimand, suspension or revocation to be assessed and levied by order of the commission after notice and hearing as provided in subsection (5) below of this section.

(2) In lieu of, or in addition to, the penalty provided for in subsection (1)(a) of this section, the commission shall have power to institute and maintain in the name of the state any and all proceedings necessary or appropriate to enforce the provisions of this chapter, rules and regulations enforced pursuant thereto, and orders and certificates issued pursuant to this chapter in the appropriate circuit, chancery, county or justice court of the county in which venue may lie. The commission may obtain mandatory or prohibitory injunctive relief, either temporary or permanent, and it shall not be necessary in such cases that the state plead or prove: (a) that irreparable damage would result if the injunction did not issue; (b) that there is no adequate remedy at law; or (c) that a written complaint or commission order has first been issued for the alleged violation.

(3) Any person who knowingly submits false or inaccurate information in support of an application for issuance or renewal of a certificate under this chapter or who willfully fails to comply with the conditions of the certificate issued by the commission or who willfully violates this chapter, or any rule, regulation or written order of the commission or emergency order issued by the director in pursuance thereof shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a misdemeanor and fined not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) within the discretion of the court. Each day in which such violation exists or continues shall constitute a separate offense.

(4) In addition to or in lieu of filing a criminal complaint for such willful misconduct described in subsection (3) of this section, the commission may impose a civil penalty in accordance with subsection (1)(a) of this section, and shall impose a reprimand or a suspension or revocation of any certificate in accordance with subsection (1)(b) of this section.

(5) All proceedings and hearings before the commission regarding violations of this chapter or any rule or regulation, written order of the commission, emergency order of the director or certificate issued or renewed by the commission in pursuance thereof or any certificate issued pursuant to this chapter and all appeals therefrom shall be conducted in accordance with Sections 49-17-31 through 49-17-41, Mississippi Code of 1972 .

(6) All fines, penalties and other sums recovered or collected by the commission for and on behalf of the state under this section shall be deposited in the Pollution Emergency Fund established under Section 49-17-68, Mississippi Code of 1972 , and the commission is authorized to receive and accept, from any funds and all available sources whatsoever, additional funds to be deposited in such fund and expended for the purpose of remedial, clean-up, or abatement actions involving pollution of the land, air or waters of the state in violation of Sections 49-17-1 through 49-17-43, Mississippi Code of 1972 , any rule or regulation or written order of the commission in pursuance thereof, or any condition or limitation of a permit.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-113 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 9-113
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-113
Status: in_force

(1) Any employee aggrieved by a final decision of the school board is entitled to judicial review thereof, as hereinafter provided.

(2) An appeal may be taken by such employee to the chancery court of the judicial district in which the school district is located, by filing a petition with the clerk of that court and executing and filing bond payable to the school board with sufficient sureties, in the penalty of not less than Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00), conditioned upon the payment of all of the costs of appeal, within twenty (20) days of the receipt of the final decision of the board.

(3) The scope of review of the chancery court in such cases shall be limited to a review of the record made before the school board or hearing officer to determine if the action of the school board is unlawful for the reason that it was:

(a) Not supported by any substantial evidence;

(b) Arbitrary or capricious; or

(c) In violation of some statutory or constitutional right of the employee.

(4) No relief shall be granted based upon a court's finding of harmless error by the board in complying with the procedural requirements of Sections 37-9-101 through 37-9-113 . However, in the event that there is a finding of prejudicial error in the proceedings, the cause shall be remanded for a rehearing consistent with the findings of the court.

(5) Any party aggrieved by action of the chancery court may appeal to the Supreme Court in the manner provided by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-141 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 23-141
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-141
Status: in_force

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

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

(a) Voluntary on the part of the parties;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(8) Discussions that occur during the mediation process shall be confidential and may not be used as evidence in any subsequent due process hearings or civil proceedings and the parties to the mediation process may be required to sign a confidentiality pledge prior to the commencement of such process.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-459 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 29-459
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-459
Status: in_force

The President and the Board of Trustees of the Copiah-Lincoln Junior College District shall have the powers to do all things necessary for the successful operation of said district and the campuses located therein.

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

The President and the Board of Trustees of the Copiah-Lincoln Junior College District shall have the same powers as the presidents and trustees of other junior colleges in the State of Mississippi.

The delineation and enumeration of the powers and purposes set out in Sections 37-29-451 through 37-29-471 shall be deemed to be supplemental and additional and shall not be construed to restrict the powers of the governing authorities of the district or of any college or campus located therein so as to deny any of the rights, privileges and powers enjoyed by other junior colleges and junior college districts in the State of Mississippi.

The said Copiah-Lincoln Junior College District shall remain subject to the jurisdiction and control of the Mississippi Community College Board as now established or as the same may be hereafter changed by law, and shall be subject to all rules and regulations and all statutory limitations which are now in effect or may hereafter be imposed, except as the same may be in direct conflict with the provisions of Sections 37-29-451 through 37-29-471 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-39-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / 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. § 37-28-13 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 28-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-13
Status: in_force

(1) Upon request, the State Department of Education shall assist the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board with implementing the authorizer's decisions by providing such technical assistance and information as may be necessary for the implementation of this chapter.

(2) Before July 1 of each year, the authorizer shall publish a pamphlet, which may be in electronic form, containing:

(a) All statutes in Title 37, Mississippi Code of 1972 , which are applicable to the charter schools;

(b) Any rules, regulations and policies adopted by the State Superintendent of Public Education, the State Board of Education or the State Department of Education with which charter schools must comply by virtue of the applicability to charter schools, as well as other public schools, of the state law to which those relevant rules, regulations and policies pertain; and

(c) Any other state and federal laws and matters that are relevant to the establishment and operation of charter schools in the State of Mississippi.

The Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board shall make the pamphlet available to the public on the board's website and shall notify all prospective applicants of the pamphlet.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-53 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 27-53
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-53
Status: in_force

When any pupils who shall attend any agricultural high school or junior college under the provisions of Section 37-27-51 are otherwise entitled to transportation at public expense under any applicable statute, such pupils shall remain entitled to such transportation, and shall be reported for the allotment of transportation funds by the county or municipal separate school district in which they reside and, when so reported, transportation funds shall be allotted therefor just as though such pupils were attending the regular schools of the district in which they reside, and transportation shall be furnished therefor by the county board of education or board of trustees of the municipal separate school district, as the case may be, as is otherwise provided by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 59-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-7
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(c) The election is held and the proposed bond issue receives the requisite voter approval as set forth in Section 37-59-17 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-49 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 41-49
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-49
Status: in_force

In case of any violation by a school district bus driver or carrier of the safety regulations established by the State Board of Education, such violation shall be deemed a misdemeanor and such offender may be punished as provided in Section 37-41-47 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-68-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 68-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-68-3
Status: in_force

(1) The Mississippi Legislature finds the following:

(a) The State of Emergency and ongoing public health crisis related to COVID-19 requires all schools to plan and implement distance learning programs, and plan to facilitate safe classroom and remote instruction;

(b) The availability of unprecedented federal funding for distance learning has created a unique opportunity for schools to provide all students and teachers with better access to technology to enhance traditional classroom teaching; and

(c) In recognition that every school's technology needs are different, this chapter establishes the Equity in Distance Learning Grant Program to require the Mississippi Department of Education and schools to expend funds on eligible expenses, within the relevant statutory provisions of this chapter and the regulations promulgated, in order to assist schools in expeditiously implementing distance learning programs and facilitating safe classroom and remote instruction.

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

(a) To provide funding for devices and other technology, including technology related to connectivity and online access, sufficient for students, teachers, and administrators and other staff to engage in grade-appropriate distance learning aligned with the state's College and Career Readiness Standards, and provide funding for safe classroom or remote instruction; and

(b) To provide funding for technical support and professional development to facilitate distance learning and safe classroom or remote instruction.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-171 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 29-171
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-171
Status: in_force

No expenditures shall be made under the provisions of the Mississippi Junior College Vocational and Technical Training Law of 1964 for the construction of new buildings, renovation or expansion of existing buildings, the purchase of any new or used instructional equipment, machinery and instructional facilities, or for any other purpose under the provisions of said law until approval of the state building commission is obtained by resolution duly entered upon its minutes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-61 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 113-61
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-61
Status: in_force

(1) As used in this section:

(a) “ Extension service ” means the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

(b) “ Fiscal year ” means the period beginning on July 1 of any year and ending on June 30 of the following year.

(c) “ Therapeutic riding ” means the use of equine-facilitated activities for the purpose of contributing positively to the cognitive, physical, emotional and social well-being of people with disabilities.

(2) There is established a program of state certification for therapeutic riding instructors in Mississippi, which shall be administered by the Mississippi State University Extension Service. In order to receive certification under the state program, a therapeutic riding instructor must complete the training provided by the extension service, which shall address standards of safety for participants, volunteers, staff, equipment, facilities and horses, and standards of health care for horses. The extension service shall provide, or facilitate through contracts with third parties, the training necessary to obtain certification.

(3) Initial and renewal certification under the state program will be valid for one (1) fiscal year. The initial certification will be valid for the fiscal year in which it is obtained. In order to renew the certification for later fiscal years, the instructor must attend, in each fiscal year, a continuing education seminar that is provided by or approved by the extension service.

(4) The extension service may charge reasonable fees for providing training, initial certification, and continuing education seminars.

(5) The state certification program is a program to identify and recognize those therapeutic riding instructors who have completed training in safety standards in therapeutic riding. The state certification program is not a regulatory program, and the extension service shall not have any regulatory authority over therapeutic riding instructors, facilities or programs in Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-121 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 65-121
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-121
Status: in_force

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

All duplicate original signed copies or other copy or copies of said petitions, as hereinabove provided for, shall be preserved for not less than one calendar year from the date of said filing and same shall be public records.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-25 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 113-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-25
Status: in_force

The board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning is hereby authorized to establish and maintain a system of retirement for the employees of the agricultural and forestry experimental station and extension service, out of any federal funds available under the provisions of the act of congress, approved March 4, 1940, and out of contributions made by the employees of such experimental station and extension service.

In the establishment of such special retirement system, the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning shall have full authority to make all needful rules and regulations, to carry into effect the provisions of this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-21-6 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 21-6
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-21-6
Status: in_force

The Mississippi Early Childhood Education Program shall be the kindergarten program implemented by local school districts.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-149-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 149-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-149-1
Status: in_force

(1) There is established within the State Department of Education, the Mississippi Teacher Center for the purpose of insuring that the children of our state are taught by quality professionals. The center shall serve as an interagency center focused on teacher recruitment, enhanced training and initial instructional support.

(2) The center shall have a staff which shall consist of one (1) director, one (1) administrative assistant and professional teacher recruiters. A steering committee shall be established which shall consist of one (1) member from each of the following: the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, the Mississippi Community College Board, the State Board of Education, the Board of the Mississippi Association of Independent Colleges, the Board of the Mississippi Association of Colleges of Teacher Education, trustees of the local school boards, teachers and the private sector. The members of the steering committee shall be appointed by the State Superintendent with the approval of the board. The steering committee shall direct the work and establish policies for the purpose of operating the center.

(3) The center shall provide leadership for the following initiatives:

(a) The initiation and monitoring of high school programs for teacher recruitment;

(b) The initiation and monitoring of college level programs for teacher recruitment;

(c) The establishment of a Beginning Teacher/Mentoring program, as authorized in Sections 37-9-201 through 37-9-213 ;

(d) The sponsorship of a teacher renewal institute;

(e) The continuation of the Teacher Corps program;

(f) The enhancement of the William Winter Scholarship program;

(g) Research for the development of professional teaching standards;

(h) Provide additional scholarships for any targeted populations needing potential teachers; and

(i) Provide assistance to local school districts in identifying and locating specific teacher needs.

(4)(a) The Legislature recognizes that a highly qualified teacher in every public classroom in this state is fundamental to a quality education. The Legislature also recognizes that Mississippi has a serious shortage of qualified teachers to serve in the public schools of this state and that it has a responsibility to enact public policy in an effort to remedy that shortage of qualified teachers.

(b) There is hereby established a Mississippi “Troops to Teachers” pilot program in the State Department of Education to assist in the recruitment, licensure, referral, placement and compensation of military personnel interested in beginning a second career in public education as a teacher. The Teacher Center in the State Department of Education shall collaborate with the national “Troops to Teachers” program to establish the criteria and procedures for allocation of funds provided by the federal government to administer the pilot program to ensure the most effective placement of such teachers around the state taking into consideration the degree of teacher shortage in each school district.

(c) The Legislature shall appropriate funds necessary for the support of this pilot program which will not supplant federal funds provided for that purpose. The Office of the Governor shall transfer any federal funds provided for the Mississippi “Troops to Teachers” program to the State Department of Education for the administration of this program.

(d) The Department of Education shall report to the Legislature no later than January 1, 2009, on the status of the implementation of the Mississippi “Troops to Teachers” program and the need for its continuation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-43-43 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 43-43
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-43-43
Status: in_force

The State Superintendent of Public Education shall deposit all funds sent to him from nonpublic schools for lost books or damaged books as well as all other funds accruing under this chapter in the State Treasury to the credit of the State Textbook Fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-209 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 7-209
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-209
Status: in_force

All elections of trustees who are elected under the provisions of subsection (1) of Section 37-7-203 shall be held and conducted in the manner and at the time provided for in Sections 37-7-211 through 37-7-219 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 141-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as “The University Research Center Act of 1988.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-55 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 28-55
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-55
Status: in_force

(1)(a) The State Department of Education shall make payments to charter schools for each student in net enrollment at the charter school, as determined under Section 37-151-207 , equal to the state share of total funding formula payments for each student, as determined under Section 37-151-211 .

(b) Payments made pursuant to this subsection by the State Department of Education must be made at the same time and in the same manner as total funding formula payments are made to school districts under Sections 37-151-101 and 37-151-103 . Amounts payable to a charter school must be determined by the State Department of Education pursuant to this section and the total funding formula. Enrollment projections made under Section 37-151-207 to determine the net enrollment of a charter school for calculating the state share payment must be reconciled with a charter school's net enrollment using months two (2) and three (3) for the year for which total funding formula funds are being appropriated, and any necessary adjustments must be made to payments during the school's following year of operation. Any necessary adjustment must be based on the state share of the per pupil amount in effect for the year for which net membership did not meet enrollment projections and not any new amount appropriated for the year in which the adjustment will be made. If a charter school is closed by the authorizer before the following year, it must pay to the state any amounts due before completion of the closure.

(2)(a) For students attending a charter school located in the school district in which the student resides, the school district in which the charter school is located shall pay directly to the charter school an amount as follows: the sum of the local pro rata amount, as calculated by the State Department of Education in accordance with Section 37-151-211(2)(b) (local contribution), and the local pro rata amount, as calculated by the State Department of Education in accordance with Section 37-57-105 (school district operational levy), multiplied by the number of resident students enrolled in the charter school, based on the charter school's months two (2) and three (3) net enrollment of resident students for the current school year. However, the amount to the charter school may not include any taxes levied for the retirement of the local school district's bonded indebtedness or short-term notes or any taxes levied for the support of vocational-technical education programs.

(b) The amount must be paid by the school district to the charter school before January 16 of the current fiscal year. If the local school district does not pay the required amount to the charter school before January 16, the State Department of Education shall reduce the local school district's January transfer of total funding formula funds by the amount owed to the charter school and shall redirect that amount to the charter school. Any such payments made under this paragraph by the State Department of Education to a charter school must be made at the same time and in the same manner as total funding formula payments are made to school districts under Sections 37-151-101 and 37-151-103 .

(3)(a) For students attending a charter school located in a school district in which the student does not reside, the State Department of Education shall pay to the charter school in which the students are enrolled an amount as follows: the sum of the local pro rata amount, as calculated by the State Department of Education in accordance with Section 37-151-211(2)(b) (local contribution), and the local pro rata amount, as calculated by the State Department of Education in accordance with Section 37-57-105 (school district operational levy), multiplied by the number of students enrolled in the charter school but residing in that district, based on the charter school's months two (2) and three (3) net enrollment of these students for the current school year. However, the amount to the charter school may not include any taxes levied for the retirement of the local school district's bonded indebtedness or short-term notes or any taxes levied for the support of vocational-technical education programs.

(b) The State Department of Education shall reduce the school district's January transfer of total funding formula funds by the amount owed to the charter school and shall redirect that amount to the charter school. Any such payments made under this subsection (3) by the State Department of Education to a charter school must be made at the same time and in the same manner as total funding formula payments are made to school districts under Sections 37-151-101 and 37-151-103 .

(4)(a) The State Department of Education shall direct the proportionate share of monies generated under federal programs, including, but not limited to, special education, vocational, English Language Learner, and other programs, to charter schools serving students eligible for such funding. The department shall ensure that charter schools with rapidly expanding enrollments are treated equitably in the calculation and disbursement of all federal program dollars. Each charter school that serves students who may be eligible to receive services provided through such programs shall comply with all reporting requirements to receive the aid.

(b) A charter school shall pay to a local school district any federal or state aid attributable to a student with a disability attending the charter school in proportion to the level of services for that student which the local school district provides directly or indirectly.

(c) Subject to the approval of the authorizer, a charter school and a local school district may negotiate and enter into a contract for the provision of and payment for special education services, including, but not necessarily limited to, a reasonable reserve not to exceed five percent (5%) of the local school district's total budget for providing special education services. The reserve may be used by the local school district only to offset excess costs of providing services to students with disabilities enrolled in the charter school.

(5)(a) The State Department of Education shall disburse state transportation funding to a charter school on the same basis and in the same manner as it is paid to school districts.

(b) A charter school may enter into a contract with a school district or private provider to provide transportation to the school's students.

(6) The State Department of Education shall disburse Education Enhancement Funds for classroom supplies, instructional materials and equipment, including computers and computer software to all eligible charter school teachers on the same basis and in the same manner as it is paid to school districts under Section 37-61-33(3)(a)(iii) for the purpose of issuing procurement cards or credentials for a digital solution to eligible teachers.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 13-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-1
Status: in_force

There shall be maintained a uniform system of free public schools consisting of grades one through twelve, which may be divided between grammar schools, junior high schools and high schools, or any combination thereof, on such basis and in such grades as the board of trustees of the school district involved, in its discretion, shall deem necessary and desirable.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-53 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 141-53
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-53
Status: in_force

(1) Applications for financial assistance shall be made to the University Research Center.

(2) Applicants may request up to seventy-five percent (75%) of the total projects cost. The applicant shall provide at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the total cost, twelve and one-half percent (12- 1 / 2 %) of which may be in in-kind funding.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-18-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 18-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-18-5
Status: in_force

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

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

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

(4) A school district that has been designated as failing as defined by the State Board of Education or a district with a School At-Risk shall also establish a community-based prekindergarten through higher education council comprised of a broad spectrum of the community, including economic developers, elected officials, civic leaders, business leaders, faith-based leaders, social services, nonprofit organizations, school attendance officers, law enforcement officials, health department officials, day care providers, librarians, parents and others with the knowledge and resources that can be leveraged to build strong communities. The State Board of Education shall develop procedures for appointments to the council, which shall not be appointed solely by the school board. The council will serve as a community-led group that is inclusive, accountable and required to publicly report progress to the community as a whole.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-129-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 129-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-129-3
Status: in_force

No provision of this section and Section 37-129-1 shall apply to or in any wise affect the school of nursing heretofore established in the University of Mississippi pursuant to Section 37-115-51 , and no provision of this section and Section 37-129-1 shall apply to or affect the scholarship program for advanced study in nursing established under Sections 37-129-5 through 37-129-13 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-292 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 101-292
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-292
Status: in_force

(1) Within the limits of the funds available to the Mississippi Transportation Commission for such purpose, the Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Transportation may pay a stipend to contractual services employees for educational expenses such as tuition, books and related fees to pursue junior or senior undergraduate level year coursework toward a bachelor's degree in civil engineering or graduate level coursework toward a master's degree in civil engineering to those applicants deemed qualified. It is the intent of the Legislature that such an educational program shall be used as a method of encouraging recruitment of well-qualified civil engineers for employment with the Mississippi Department of Transportation.

(2)(a) In order to be eligible for this program an undergraduate participant must:

(i) Have successfully obtained a minimum of fifty-eight (58) semester hours toward a bachelor of science in civil engineering from a state institution of higher learning that has been fully accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology;

(ii) Have achieved a minimum grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale on the previously obtained semester hours toward a bachelor of science in civil engineering; and

(iii) Agree to work as a civil engineer at the Mississippi Department of Transportation for a period of time equivalent to the period of time for which the applicant receives a stipend for educational expenses calculated to the nearest whole month.

(b) In order to be eligible for this program a graduate participant must:

(i) Have obtained a bachelor of science in civil engineering from a state institution of higher learning that has been fully accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology;

(ii) Have met the regular admission standards and been accepted into a master of science in civil engineering program at a state institution of higher learning that has been fully accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology;

(iii) Have submitted a proposed graduate program thesis project for review by the Department of Transportation; and

(iv) Agree to work as a civil engineer at the Mississippi Department of Transportation for a period of time equivalent to the period of time for which the applicant receives a stipend for educational expenses calculated to the nearest whole month.

(3)(a) Each participant shall enter into a contract with the Mississippi Transportation Commission, which shall be deemed a contract with the State of Mississippi, agreeing to the terms and conditions upon which the stipend shall be granted to him. The contract shall include such terms and provisions necessary to carry out the full purpose and intent of this section. The form of such contract shall be prepared and approved by the Attorney General of this state, and shall be signed by the Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Transportation and the recipient. If the recipient is a minor, his minority disabilities shall be removed by a chancery court of competent jurisdiction before the contract is signed.

(b) The Mississippi Transportation Commission may cancel any contract made between it and any participant upon such cause being deemed sufficient by the executive director.

(c) The Mississippi Transportation Commission is vested with full and complete authority and power to sue in its own name any recipient for any balance due the state on any such uncompleted contract, which suit shall be filed and handled by the Attorney General of the state. The Mississippi Transportation Commission may contract with a collection agency or banking institution, subject to approval by the Attorney General, for collection of any balance due the state from any recipient. The State of Mississippi, the Mississippi Transportation Commission and the Mississippi Department of Transportation and its employees are immune from any suit brought in law or equity for actions taken by the collection agency or banking institution incidental to or arising from their performance under the contract. The Mississippi Transportation Commission may negotiate for the payment of a sum that is less than full payment in order to satisfy any balance the recipient owes the state, if necessary or advisable.

(d) Notice of pending default status shall be mailed to the recipient at the last known address prior to commencing a lawsuit.

(e) The sponsoring agency shall conduct a hearing of pending default status, make a final determination, and issue an Order of Default, if appropriate.

(f) Recipients may appear either personally or by counsel, or both, and produce and cross-examine witnesses or evidence in the recipient's behalf. The procedure of the hearing shall not be bound by the Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure and Evidence.

(g) Appeals from a finding of default by the sponsoring agency shall be to the Circuit Court of Hinds County.

(h) Rules and regulations governing this program and other applicable matters may be promulgated by the sponsoring agency.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-140-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / 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. § 37-145-27 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 145-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-27
Status: in_force

All general obligation bonds of the State of Mississippi and interest coupons issued under the provisions of Sections 37-145-23 through 37-145-41 shall have and are hereby declared to have all the qualities and incidents of negotiable instruments under the negotiable instruments law of the State of Mississippi. Such bonds and the income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation within the State of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-144-17 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 144-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-144-17
Status: in_force

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

(2) Upon entering the practice of medicine, a participant in the program must serve in a health professional shortage area (HPSA), medically underserved area (MUA), or rural area otherwise approved for practice under subsection (1) of this section for a number of years which corresponds to the number of years, not to exceed five (5), for which the participant received funding through the program. A participant who completes residency who fails to enter the practice of medicine as required under this section shall be deemed in breach of contract and shall be liable for the immediate repayment of all financial assistance provided to the participant through the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program, including assistance provided during undergraduate school, as well as in medical or osteopathic school, along with other penalties that may be prescribed in policy by the board. Any participant who fails to complete the period of practice for which he or she is obligated to provide services in a health professional shortage area (HPSA) or a medically underserved area (MUA) in exchange for financial assistance received through the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program shall be liable for the repayment of all financial assistance provided to the participant through the program, along with other penalties that may be prescribed by the commission, an amount which shall be reduced on a pro rata basis for actual years of practice by the physician in the area designated by the commission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-23 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 28-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-23
Status: in_force

(1) A charter school must be open to:

(a) Any student residing in the geographical boundaries of the school district in which the charter school is located; and

(b) Any student who resides in the geographical boundaries of a school district that was rated “C,” “D” or “F” at the time the charter school was approved by the authorizer board, or who resides in the geographical boundaries of a school district rated “C,” or “D” or “F” at the time the student enrolls.

(2) A school district may not require any student enrolled in the school district to attend a charter school.

(3) Except as otherwise provided under subsection (8)(d) of this section, a charter school may not limit admission based on ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, income level, disabling condition, proficiency in the English language, or academic or athletic ability.

(4) A charter school may limit admission to students within a given age group or grade level, including pre-kindergarten students, and may be organized around a special emphasis, theme or concept as stated in the school's application.

(5) The underserved student composition of a charter school's enrollment collectively must reflect that of students of all ages attending the school district in which the charter school is located, to be defined for the purposes of this chapter as being at least eighty percent (80%) of that population. If the underserved student composition of an applicant's or charter school's enrollment is less than eighty percent (80%) of the enrollment of students of all ages in the school district in which the charter school is located, despite the school's best efforts, the authorizer must consider the applicant's or charter school's recruitment efforts and the underserved student composition of the applicant pool in determining whether the applicant or charter school is operating in a nondiscriminatory manner. A finding by the authorizer that a charter school is operating in a discriminatory manner justifies the revocation of a charter.

(6) A charter school must enroll all students who wish to attend the school unless the number of students exceeds the capacity of a program, class, grade level or building.

(7) If capacity is insufficient to enroll all students who wish to attend the school based on initial application, the charter school must select students through a lottery.

(8)(a) Any noncharter public school or part of a noncharter public school converting to a charter school shall adopt and maintain a policy giving an enrollment preference to students who reside within the former attendance area of that public school. If the charter school has excess capacity after enrolling students residing within the former attendance area of the school, students outside of the former attendance area of the school, but within the geographical boundaries of the school district in which the charter school is located, are eligible for enrollment. If the number of students applying for admission exceeds the capacity of a program, class, grade level or building of the charter school, the charter school must admit students on the basis of a lottery.

(b) A charter school must give an enrollment preference to students enrolled in the charter school during the preceding school year and to siblings of students already enrolled in the charter school. An enrollment preference for returning students excludes those students from entering into a lottery.

(c) A charter school may give an enrollment preference to children of the charter school's applicant, governing board members and full-time employees, so long as those children constitute no more than ten percent (10%) of the charter school's total student population.

(d) A charter school shall give an enrollment preference to underserved children as defined in Section 37-28-5 to ensure the charter school meets its required underserved student composition.

(e) This section does not preclude the formation of a charter school whose mission is focused on serving students with disabilities, students of the same gender, students who pose such severe disciplinary problems that they warrant a specific educational program, or students who are at risk of academic failure. If capacity is insufficient to enroll all students who wish to attend the school, the charter school must select students through a lottery.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-13 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 9-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-13
Status: in_force

(1)(a) Each school district shall have a superintendent of schools, selected in the manner provided by law. No person shall be eligible to the office of superintendent of schools unless such person shall hold a valid administrator's license issued by the State Department of Education and shall have classroom or administrative experience of not less than six (6) years which shall include at least three (3) years of administrative experience as a school building principal (a) in a school with an “A” or “B” accountability rating, or (b) in a school that increased its accountability rating by a letter grade during the period in which the principal was employed as principal at the school, or (c) in a school with comparable accountability rating or improvement in another state which shall be verified by the Mississippi Department of Education.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (4) of this section, no person shall be eligible to the office of superintendent of schools if the person has pled guilty to or been convicted of any state or federal offense in which he or she unlawfully took, obtained or misappropriated funds received by or entrusted to the person by virtue of his or her public office or employment.

(2) From and after January 1, 2019, in all public school districts, the local school board shall appoint the superintendent of schools of such district. At the expiration of the term of any county superintendent of education elected at the November 2015 general election, the county superintendent of education of said county shall not be elected but shall thereafter be appointed by the local school board in the manner provided in Section 37-9-25 . 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 office of superintendent of schools shall immediately become an appointed position, and the local school board shall appoint the superintendent of the school district. The superintendent of schools shall have the general powers and duties to administer the schools within his district as prescribed in Section 37-9-14 et seq., Mississippi Code of 1972 .

(3) As an alternative to the qualifications prescribed in subsection (1)(a) of this section, the State Board of Education is authorized and directed to issue regulations by January 1, 2018, which include minimum credentials, educational prerequisites, and relevant best practice experience requirements that will qualify a person to serve as a superintendent without having the direct experience or certification as an educator specified in subsection (1)(a) of this section.

(4) The provisions of this section shall be applicable to any superintendent of schools selected on or after July 1, 2017, who has not previously served as a superintendent or assistant superintendent within the last five (5) years.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-15-10 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 15-10
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-15-10
Status: in_force

The state board of education shall administer Sections 37-15-1 through 37-15-4 , 37-15-8 and this section and issue such additional standards and regulations as might be necessary in carrying out this duty.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-47-31 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 47-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-47-31
Status: in_force

The state bond commission now consisting of the governor, attorney general and treasurer of the State of Mississippi, each acting ex officio, is hereby continued in existence for the purpose of this chapter and with full power and authority to issue state school bonds to the extent, for the purposes, and in the manner and subject to the limitations set forth in this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-23 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 106-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-23
Status: in_force

The board shall use the funds available to make possible the implementation of a guaranteed student loan program as provided for by any act of congress.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-42 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 101-42
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-42
Status: in_force

There is created an advisory committee to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning for the lease of the property described in Sections 37-101-41 , 37-101-43 and 37-101-44 , which shall be composed of the following members:

(a) The respective Chairmen of the Public Property Committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate;

(b) The respective Chairmen of the Universities and Colleges Committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate;

(c) One (1) member of the House of Representatives, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; and

(d) One (1) member of the Senate, to be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor.

Before selecting the private developer to which to lease the property described in Sections 37-101-41 , 37-101-43 and 37-101-44 , and while negotiating the terms of the lease with the private developer that has been selected, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning shall consult with the advisory committee and consider any suggestions and recommendations made by the advisory committee regarding the lease of the property.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-67 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 27-67
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-67
Status: in_force

If, within three (3) weeks after notice by publication has been made of intention to issue bonds pursuant to the provisions of Section 37-27-65 , ten percent (10%) of the adult taxpayers of the county shall petition against the issuance of said bonds, then the question shall be submitted to the qualified electors of the county, within twenty (20) days after the next meeting of the board of supervisors after the filing of the petition. Should a majority of those voting in such election vote against the bond issue, the bonds shall not be issued, and the order shall be null and void.

When ten percent (10%) of the adult taxpayers of the county shall petition for the issuance of bonds pursuant to the provisions of Section 37-27-65 , then the board of supervisors shall submit the question to the qualified electors of the county within twenty (20) days after the meeting of the board of supervisors at which such petition is filed. Should a majority of those voting in such election vote for the bond issue the bonds shall be issued by the board of supervisors as provided by law, but if a majority of the qualified electors voting at such election should vote against the bond issue, the bonds shall not be issued.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-73 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 27-73
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-73
Status: in_force

The board of trustees of any such agricultural high school borrowing money pursuant to the authority granted in Section 37-27-69 , is hereby authorized and empowered to fix, maintain and collect fees, rentals and other charges to be paid by students, faculty members and others using, housed in or being served by any building or other housing facility erected or established under the terms and provisions of said section. All such fees, rentals and other charges shall be paid into the debt retirement fund specified in Section 37-27-71 and shall be pledged for the prompt repayment of any and all indebtedness, whether of principal or interest, incurred under the provisions of said section. Nothing in Sections 37-27-69 through 37-27-75 shall be construed to authorize the levying or imposition of any taxes in excess of the limits and amounts which are now or may hereafter be provided by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-102-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 102-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-102-9
Status: in_force

It is the intention of this chapter that the political subdivision or the people of the area may assist in providing facilities for the establishment of such off-campus sites.