Miss. Code Ann. § 37-61-29 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 61-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-61-29
Status: in_force

The State Department of Audit is hereby authorized and empowered to post-audit and investigate the financial affairs and all transactions involving the school funds of the school district including the total funding formula funds and supplementary district school funds, and to make separate and special audits thereof, as now provided by Sections 7-7-201 through 7-7-215 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-169-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 169-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-169-3
Status: in_force

Members of the advisory committee shall be composed of the following:

(a) Five (5) persons who are the parents of children with autism or ASD, with one (1) such person to be appointed by the Governor, two (2) to be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor, and two (2) to be appointed by the Speaker of the House;

(b) One (1) person who is a member of the governing body of a school district, to be appointed by the State Superintendent of Public Education;

(c) The State Superintendent of Public Education or the Associate Superintendent of the Office of Special Education;

(d) One (1) person who is the director of special education services in a school district, to be appointed by the State Superintendent of Public Education;

(e) Two (2) members of the Mississippi Special Education Advisory Committee, to be selected by the committee;

(f) Two (2) educators or behavioral specialists who work directly with students with ASD, to be appointed by the State Superintendent of Public Education;

(g) Two (2) Mississippi licensed psychologists who perform evaluation or consultation with Mississippi schools, to be appointed by the Mississippi Association of Psychology in the Schools;

(h) The project director of the Mississippi Parent Training and Information Center;

(i) Two (2) persons who are representatives of autism advocacy groups or professionals who work with the advocacy groups and provide services to individuals with autism or ASD, to be appointed by the Executive Director of the Department of Mental Health;

(j) One (1) person who is a representative of the State Department of Mental Health, to be appointed by the executive director of the department;

(k) One (1) person who is a representative of a private mental health facility who provides services to youth with ASD, to be appointed by the Executive Director of the State Department of Mental Health;

(l) One (1) person who is a representative of the University of Mississippi Medical Center and who provides medical or other services to individuals with autism or ASD, to be appointed by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Mississippi Medical Center;

(m) Two (2) persons who are working in private industry whose business has the potential to employ individuals with autism, to be appointed by the Governor;

(n) One (1) person who is a Transition Specialist, to be appointed by the State Superintendent of Public Education;

(o) One (1) representative of the T.K. Martin Center, to be appointed by the Director of the T.K. Martin Center;

(p) One (1) representative of the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services;

(q) Two (2) persons who are licensed therapists, to be appointed by the President of the Mississippi Speech Language and Hearing Association;

(r) One (1) person who is a representative of the Mississippi Department of Insurance, to be appointed by the commissioner; and

(s) One (1) person who is a representative of the Mississippi Department of Human Services, to be appointed by the director of the department.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 28-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-5
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) “ Applicant ” means any person or group that develops and submits an application for a charter school to the authorizer.

(b) “ Application ” means a proposal from an applicant to the authorizer to enter into a charter contract whereby the proposed school obtains charter school status.

(c) “ Authorizer ” means the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board established under Section 37-28-7 to review applications, decide whether to approve or reject applications, enter into charter contracts with applicants, oversee charter schools, and decide whether to renew, not renew, or revoke charter contracts.

(d) “ Charter contract ” means a fixed-term, renewable contract between a charter school and the authorizer which outlines the roles, powers, responsibilities and performance expectations for each party to the contract.

(e) “ Charter school ” means a public school that is established and operating under the terms of charter contract between the school's governing board and the authorizer. The term “ charter school ” includes a conversion charter school and start-up charter school.

(f) “ Conversion charter school ” means a charter school that existed as a noncharter public school before becoming a charter school.

(g) “ Education service provider ” means a charter management organization, school design provider or any other partner entity with which a charter school intends to contract for educational design, implementation or comprehensive management.

(h) “ Governing board ” means the independent board of a charter school which is party to the charter contract with the authorizer and whose members have been elected or selected pursuant to the school's application.

(i) “ Noncharter public school ” means a public school that is under the direct management, governance and control of a school board or the state.

(j) “ Parent ” means a parent, guardian or other person or entity having legal custody of a child.

(k) “ School board ” means a school board exercising management and control over a local school district and the schools of that district pursuant to the State Constitution and state statutes.

(l) “ School district ” means a governmental entity that establishes and supervises one or more public schools within its geographical limits pursuant to state statutes.

(m) “ Start-up charter school ” means a charter school that did not exist as a noncharter public school before becoming a charter school.

(n) “ Student ” means any child who is eligible for attendance in a public school in the state.

(o) “ Underserved students ” means students qualifying as low-income or qualifying for a special education program under Section 37-151-201 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-161-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 161-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-161-3
Status: in_force

(1) The Legislature finds and declares the following:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(10) Enrollment in the Mississippi Virtual Public School shall be free of charge to students. The costs associated with the operations of the virtual school must be shared by the State Department of Education, subject to appropriation, and/or the local school districts. Once the State Department of Education appropriation and the local school district budgeted funds for Mississippi Virtual Public School have been expended and students choose to enroll in online courses, the costs of the online courses may be the responsibility of the students' parents or guardians.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-127-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 127-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-127-3
Status: in_force

The object of the Mississippi Valley State College shall be to train teachers for teaching in the public schools of this state by giving instruction in the art and practice of teaching in the elementary and high school grades and in all branches of study which pertain to industrial training, health, and rural and elementary education, and to provide instruction and training in such other subjects as the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning, in cooperation with the state department of education, may, from time to time, prescribe. It shall also be the object of said college to establish and conduct schools, classes or courses, for preparing, equipping and training citizens of the State of Mississippi for employment in gainful occupations, in trade, industrial and distributive pursuits whether such students are qualified by educational requirements or not.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-16-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 16-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-16-7
Status: in_force

(1) Each district school board shall establish standards for graduation from its schools which shall include as a minimum:

(a) Mastery of minimum academic skills as measured by assessments developed and administered by the State Board of Education.

(b) Completion of a minimum number of academic credits, and all other applicable requirements prescribed by the district school board.

(c) By school, information on high school graduation rates. High schools with graduation rates lower than eighty percent (80%) must submit a detailed plan to the Mississippi Department of Education to restructure the high school experience to improve graduation rates.

(2) A student who meets all requirements prescribed in subsection (1) of this section shall be awarded a standard diploma in a form prescribed by the State Board of Education.

(3) The State Board of Education may establish student proficiency standards for promotion to grade levels leading to graduation.

(4) The State Board of Education shall develop a curriculum related to the study of sign language. Any such class developed by the board may count as an academic credit for foreign languages for the purposes of high school graduation requirements.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-68-15 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 68-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-68-15
Status: in_force

The department shall provide a comprehensive report on the use of funds distributed under this grant program and the effectiveness of distance learning plans adopted by schools to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Chairs of the Senate and House Appropriations and Education Committees by October 1, 2020.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-61-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 61-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-61-3
Status: in_force

The total funding formula allotments to the public school districts and the funds derived from the supplemental school district tax levies authorized by law shall be used exclusively for the support, maintenance and operation of the schools in the manner provided by law for the fiscal years for which such funds were appropriated, collected or otherwise made available, and no part of said funds or allotments shall be used in paying any expenses incurred during any preceding fiscal year. However, this shall not be construed to prohibit the payment of expenses incurred during the fiscal year after the close of such fiscal year from amounts remaining on hand at the end of such fiscal year, provided that such expenses were properly payable from such amounts. Moreover, this shall not be construed to prohibit the payment of the salaries of superintendents, principals and teachers and other school employees whose salaries are payable in twelve (12) monthly installments after the close of the fiscal year from amounts on hand for such purpose at the end of the fiscal year.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-27 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 28-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-27
Status: in_force

A school district must provide or publicize to parents and the general public information about charter schools as an enrollment option within the district to the same extent and through the same means that the district provides and publicizes information about noncharter public schools in the district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-173 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 23-173
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-173
Status: in_force

The Legislature finds and declares that there are many children in the State of Mississippi who are intellectually, academically, creatively and/or artistically gifted and who require additional opportunities to allow them to develop their capabilities to their fullest potential.

Consequently, it is the purpose of Sections 37-23-171 through 37-23-181 to provide for a uniform system of education for gifted children in the public schools of Mississippi, to provide for a nondiscriminatory process of identification of these children, to provide for periodic evaluation of the program and its benefit to the gifted children, and to insure that gifted children are identified and offered an appropriate education.

Further, it is the intent of the Legislature that local districts be given as much flexibility as possible in the operation of their programs and that there be parental involvement in the development and conduct of their programs.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-61 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 106-61
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-61
Status: in_force

(1) There is hereby created the state medical forgivable loan program. The purpose of such program shall be to enable eligible applicants who desire to become physicians to obtain a medical education in the University of Mississippi School of Medicine, which will qualify them to become licensed, practicing physicians and surgeons.

(2) The board shall establish, by rule and regulation, the maximum annual award which may be made under this program at an amount not to exceed the cost of tuition and other expenses, and shall establish the maximum number of awards which may be made not to exceed the length of time required to complete the degree requirements and internship or residency.

(3) Repayment and conversion terms shall be the same as those outlined in Section 37-106-53 and shall include the following:

(a) Payment in full of principal and interest must be made in sixty (60) or less equal monthly installments;

(b) In lieu of payment in full of both principal and interest, a loan recipient may elect to repay by entry into public health work at a state health institution as defined in Section 37-106-67(2) , or community health centers that are grantees under Section 330 of the United States Public Health Service Act;

(c) In lieu of payment in full of both principal and interest, a loan recipient may elect to repay by entry into the practice of medicine in a primary health care field in an area outside of a metropolitan statistical area, as defined and established by the United States Census Bureau, and within a region ranking between 1 and 54, inclusively, on the Relative Needs Index of Five Factors for Primary Care Physicians, as annually determined by the State Board of Health, for a period of five (5) years.

(4) The board shall establish the rules and regulations as it deems necessary and proper to carry out the purposes and intent of this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-107 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 115-107
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-107
Status: in_force

It shall be the duty of the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning to elect or appoint a dean of this school; to determine and provide for an adequate faculty, staff and other employees; to fix and provide for the compensation of said faculty, staff and employees; to provide an adequate physical plant for this school; to prescribe the courses of study and research compatible with the objects and purposes hereinabove set forth; and to do and accomplish all other related functions consistent with the implementation of Sections 37-115-101 through 37-115-111 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-103 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 33-103
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-103
Status: in_force

The Executive Director of the State Department of Rehabilitation Services, through the Director of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, may, within budgetary limitations, purchase and operate motor vehicles for the purpose of transporting material, products and clients, and may employ program coordinating, supervising, support and production personnel to properly effectuate the purposes for which community rehabilitation programs are established under Section 37-33-101 . The director may designate a member of his or her staff to execute and enter into, on behalf of the office, contracts and subcontracts with any industry, manufacturer or other party for the production and the manufacture of goods or provision of services in the community rehabilitation program; however, the director must approve the general terms and conditions thereof. The director may authorize community rehabilitation programs to manufacture items and/or provide services for sale to jobbers or directly to the general public.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-6-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 6-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-6-9
Status: in_force

The school board of all school districts shall organize by the election of a president and a secretary from its membership whose duty it shall be to make reports and to perform all other duties required by law. A majority of the members of the school board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Minutes shall be kept of all meetings of the school board showing (a) the members present and absent; (b) the date, time and place of the meeting; (c) an accurate recording of any final actions taken at such meeting; (d) a record by individual member of any votes taken at such meeting; and (e) any other information that the school board requests to be reflected in the minutes. Each member of the school board present shall either vote or abstain on every question upon which a vote is taken at such meeting. All action taken by a school board shall become official at the time it is taken. All minutes of the school board shall be signed by the president of the board, shall be attested by the secretary of the board and shall be adopted by the board at the next regular meeting, or within thirty (30) working days, whichever occurs later.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-151 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 13-151
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-151
Status: in_force

Before July 1, 1997, all local school districts shall provide programs of education in home economics, in Grade 10, 11 or 12, which include course work in responsible parenting and family living skills. These programs shall contain instruction to prepare students to understand children's physical, mental, emotional and social growth and development as well as to assume responsibility for their care and guidance, with emphasis on nutrition, emotional health and physical health. All such programs shall be subject to the approval of the State Board of Education pursuant to Section 37-31-205(1)(d) .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-303 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 29-303
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-303
Status: in_force

As used in Sections 37-29-301 through 37-29-305 , the following terms shall be defined as provided in this section:

(a) “ Full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollment ” means the process by which the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) calculates FTE by taking total undergraduate semester credit hours divided by thirty (30); total undergraduate quarter hours divided by forty-five (45); total graduate semester credit hours divided by twenty-four (24); and total graduate quarter hours divided by thirty-six (36).

(b) “ State funds ” means all funds appropriated by the Legislature including funds from the State General Fund, Education Enhancement Fund, Budget Contingency Fund and Health Care Expendable Fund.

(c) “ E & G operations ” means education and general expenses of the colleges and universities.

(d) “ Net enrollment ” has the same meaning as ascribed to that term under Section 37-151-201 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-19-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 19-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-19-9
Status: in_force

(1) There is established a Pilot-Performance-Based Compensation System for school years 2013-2015.

(a) Beginning with the 2013-2014 school year, a pilot study will be conducted in Lamar County, Clarksdale, Gulfport and Rankin County School Districts as outlined in subsection (2) of this section. Measures of effective instruction, instrumentation, student learning growth and performance evaluation results will be collected. Reporting data from the pilot study will be disseminated to all school districts.

(b) The results of the pilot study in the four (4) districts in combination with Teacher Improvement Fund (TIF), School Improvement Grant (SIG), and Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Districts will be collected and analyzed by the Mississippi State University Research and Curriculum Unit and reported to the Department of Education for policy recommendations.

Effective with the 2014-2015 school year, the school districts participating in the Pilot Performance-Based Compensation System pursuant to this section may award additional teacher and administrator pay based thereon.

(c) Beginning with the 2015-2016 school year, the Department of Education will develop proposed legislation based on pilot results for statewide implementation of a Performance-Based Compensation System.

(d) Recommended legislation will be reported to the Chairs of the House and Senate Education Committees and the Governor by November 30, 2015, for consideration during the 2016 Regular Session of the Legislature.

(2) The statewide performance compensation system for instructional personnel and school administrators must:

(a) Contain a qualitative measure of teacher effectiveness, a quantitative measure of student performance and a quantitative measure of student learning growth.

(b) Be designed by districts to support achievement of district goals in line with realization of the district's vision.

(c) Include individual, school and district achievement goals and measures.

(d) Be designed to support effective instruction and student learning growth and use performance evaluation results when developing district and school level improvement plans.

(e) Provide appropriate instruments, procedures and criteria for continuous quality improvement of the professional skills of instructional personnel and school administrators and use performance evaluation results when identifying professional development.

(f) Include a mechanism to examine performance data from multiple sources, including opportunities for parents to provide input into employee performance evaluations when appropriate.

(g) Identify those teaching fields for which special evaluation procedures and criteria are necessary.

(h) Differentiate among four (4) levels of performance as follows:

(i) Highly effective.

(ii) Effective.

(iii) Needs improvement or, for instructional personnel in the first three (3) years of employment who need improvement, developing.

(iv) Unsatisfactory.

(i) Provide for training programs that are based upon guidelines provided by the department to ensure that all individuals with evaluation responsibilities understand the proper use of the evaluation criteria and procedures.

(j) Include a process for monitoring and evaluating the effective and consistent use of the evaluation criteria by employees with evaluation responsibilities.

(k) Include a process for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the system itself in improving instruction and student learning. In addition, each district school board may establish a peer assistance process. This process may be a part of the regular evaluation system or used to assist employees placed on performance probation, newly hired classroom teachers, or employees who request assistance.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-155-13 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 155-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-155-13
Status: in_force

Through the dormitory residence plan, the advance payment contract shall provide prepaid housing fees for a maximum of eight (8) semesters of full-time undergraduate enrollment in an institution of higher education. Dormitory residence plans are optional and may be purchased only in conjunction with a prepaid tuition plan. Dormitory residence plans shall be purchased in increments of two (2) semesters. Beneficiaries shall bear the cost of any additional elective charges such as laundry service or long-distance telephone service. Each institution of higher education may specify the residence halls eligible for inclusion in the plan. In addition, any institution of higher education may request immediate termination of a dormitory contract based on a violation or multiple violations of rules of the residence hall. Beneficiaries shall have the highest priority in the assignment of housing with institutions of higher education residence halls. In the event that sufficient housing is not available for all beneficiaries, the board shall refund the purchaser or beneficiary an amount equal to the fees charged for dormitory residence during that semester.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-16-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 16-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-16-3
Status: in_force

(1) The State Department of Education is directed to implement a program of statewide assessment testing which shall provide for the improvement of the operation and management of the public schools. The statewide program shall be timed, as far as possible, so as not to conflict with ongoing district assessment programs. As part of the program, the department shall:

(a) Establish, with the approval of the State Board of Education, minimum performance standards related to the goals for education contained in the state's plan including, but not limited to, basic skills in reading, writing and mathematics. The minimum performance standards shall be approved by April 1 in each year they are established.

(b) Conduct a uniform statewide testing program in grades deemed appropriate in the public schools, including charter schools, which shall include the administration of a career-readiness assessment, such as, but not limited to, the ACT WorkKeys Assessment, deemed appropriate by the Mississippi Department of Education working in coordination with the Office of Workforce Development, to any students electing to take the assessment. Each individual school district shall determine whether the assessment is administered in the tenth, eleventh or twelfth grade. The program may test skill areas, basic skills and high school course content.

(c) Monitor the results of the assessment program and, at any time the composite student performance of a school or basic program is found to be below the established minimum standards, notify the district superintendent or the governing board of the charter school, as the case may be, the school principal and the school advisory committee or other existing parent group of the situation within thirty (30) days of its determination. The department shall further provide technical assistance to a school district in the identification of the causes of this deficiency and shall recommend courses of action for its correction.

(d) Provide technical assistance to the school districts, when requested, in the development of student performance standards in addition to the established minimum statewide standards.

(e) Issue security procedure regulations providing for the security and integrity of the tests that are administered under the basic skills assessment program.

(f) In case of an allegation of a testing irregularity that prompts a need for an investigation by the Department of Education, the department may, in its discretion, take complete control of the statewide test administration in a school district or any part thereof, including, but not limited to, obtaining control of the test booklets and answer documents. In the case of any verified testing irregularity that jeopardized the security and integrity of the test(s), validity or the accuracy of the test results, the cost of the investigation and any other actual and necessary costs related to the investigation paid by the Department of Education shall be reimbursed by the local school district from funds other than federal funds, total funding formula funds provided in Sections 37-151-200 through 37-151-215 , or any other state funds within six (6) months from the date of notice by the department to the school district to make reimbursement to the department.

(2) Uniform basic skills tests shall be completed by each student in the appropriate grade. These tests shall be administered in such a manner as to preserve the integrity and validity of the assessment. In the event of excused or unexcused student absences, make-up tests shall be given. The school superintendent of every school district in the state and the principal of each charter school shall annually certify to the State Department of Education that each student enrolled in the appropriate grade has completed the required basic skills assessment test for his or her grade in a valid test administration.

(3) Within five (5) days of completing the administration of a statewide test, the principal of the school where the test was administered shall certify under oath to the State Department of Education that the statewide test was administered in strict accordance with the Requirements of the Mississippi Statewide Assessment System as adopted by the State Board of Education. The principal's sworn certification shall be set forth on a form developed and approved by the Department of Education. If, following the administration of a statewide test, the principal has reason to believe that the test was not administered in strict accordance with the Requirements of the Mississippi Statewide Assessment System as adopted by the State Board of Education, the principal shall submit a sworn certification to the Department of Education setting forth all information known or believed by the principal about all potential violations of the Requirements of the Mississippi Statewide Assessment System as adopted by the State Board of Education. The submission of false information or false certification to the Department of Education by any licensed educator may result in licensure disciplinary action pursuant to Section 37-3-2 and criminal prosecution pursuant to Section 37-16-4 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-123-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / 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. § 37-177-13 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 177-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-177-13
Status: in_force

Beginning in the 2014-2015 school year, each school district shall take the following actions for retained Third-Grade students:

(a) Provide Third-Grade students who are not promoted with intensive instructional services, progress monitoring measures, and supports to remediate the identified areas of reading deficiency, as outlined in the student's individual reading plan, including a minimum of ninety (90) minutes during regular school hours of daily, scientifically research-based reading instruction that includes phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension, and other strategies prescribed by the school district, which may include, but are not limited to:

(i) Small group instruction;

(ii) Reduced teacher-student ratios;

(iii) Tutoring in scientifically research-based reading services in addition to the regular school day;

(iv) The option of transition classes;

(v) Extended school day, week or year; and

(vi) Summer reading camps.

(b) Provide written notification to the parent or legal guardian of any Third-Grade student who is retained that the student has not met the proficiency level required for promotion and the reasons the student is not eligible for a good cause exemption. The notification must include a description of proposed interventions and supports that will be provided to the child to remediate the identified areas of reading deficiency, as outlined in the student's individual reading plan. This notification must be provided to the parent or legal guardian in writing, in a format adopted by the State Board of Education in addition to report cards given by the teacher.

(c) Provide Third-Grade students who are retained with a high-performing teacher, as determined by student performance data, particularly related to student growth in reading, above-satisfactory performance appraisals, and/or specific training relevant to implementation of this chapter.

(d) Provide parents and legal guardians of Third-Grade students with a “Read at Home” plan outlined in a parental contract, including participation in regular parent-guided home reading.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-91 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 151-91
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-91
Status: in_force

The school boards of all school districts may establish salary schedules based on training, experience and other such factors as may be incorporated therein, including student progress and performance as developed by the State Board of Education, paying teachers greater amounts than the scale provided in Section 37-19-7 , but no teacher may be paid less than the amount based upon the minimum scale of pay provided in Section 37-19-7 , and all supplements paid from local funds shall be based upon the salary schedules so established. The school boards may call upon the State Department of Education for aid and assistance in formulating and establishing such salary schedules, and it shall be the duty of the State Department of Education, when so called upon, to render such aid and assistance. The amount actually paid to each teacher shall be based upon and determined by the type of license held by such teacher.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-43 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 145-43
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-43
Status: in_force

The company, in addition to any other powers and duties, shall have the power to issue student loan revenue bonds as hereinafter provided in Sections 37-145-43 through 37-145-73 in order to provide funds for deposit into the Mississippi Opportunity Loan Fund and to provide funds to the board of trustees to use in support of the board of trustees' student loan guaranty function.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-177-21 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 177-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-177-21
Status: in_force

The provisions of this chapter which include components necessary to provide for teacher training, instructional materials, remedial education training and administration of an intensive literacy curriculum shall be subject to legislative appropriation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-59 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 145-59
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-59
Status: in_force

The company may create and establish such funds and accounts as may be necessary or desirable for its purposes pursuant to Sections 37-145-43 through 37-145-73 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-47-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 47-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-47-9
Status: in_force

It is found and determined that the state should make an annual grant of Twenty-four Dollars ($24.00) for each child in net enrollment in the public schools of the various school districts of this state during each school year, and that such monies should be applied for the purpose of establishing and maintaining adequate physical facilities for the public school district and/or the payment of existing debt therefor.

The grant to which each public school is entitled under the provisions of this section shall be credited to the school district of which such school is part. If any change is made in the operation or boundaries of any such school district, equitable reallocations shall be made by the department of all balances to the credit of such school district, and all debits charged against the districts affected by the change in the boundaries or system of operation. The obligation of the state to make remittance of the sums appropriated or otherwise provided to make the annual grants provided by this section shall be subordinate to the pledge made to secure the state school bonds authorized under this chapter and the sinking fund created for their retirement. The grants shall be computed annually as soon as practicable after the end of the school year, and shall be based on the net enrollment for such school year in all of the public schools operated by each school district as determined by the State Department of Education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-503 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 29-503
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-503
Status: in_force

All of the property owned by the Meridian Municipal Separate School District utilized by Meridian Junior College as of September 1, 1979, shall be and the same is hereby transferred to and vested in the board of trustees of the Meridian Junior College District and their successors in office.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-11 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 104-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-11
Status: in_force

All expenses incurred in carrying out the provisions of this chapter shall be payable solely from funds provided under the authority of this chapter, and no liability shall be incurred by the Authority hereunder beyond the extent to which monies shall have been provided under the provisions of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-109-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 109-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-109-3
Status: in_force

There is hereby created the Mississippi Dual Enrollment/Dual Credit Scholarship Program, to be administered by the Mississippi Postsecondary Education Financial Assistance Board established under Section 37-106-9 . The board shall set the dates and deadlines for applying for funding for dual enrollment/dual credit courses of eligible Mississippi high school students under the provisions of this chapter and award scholarships to participating institutions for those who meet the eligibility requirements provided herein.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-26-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / 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. § 37-17-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 17-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-17-3
Status: in_force

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

The State Board of Education shall appoint a “Commission on School Accreditation” to be composed of fifteen (15) qualified members. The membership of said commission shall be composed of the following: two (2) classroom teachers, two (2) principals of schools, one (1) administrator with expertise in special education representing exceptional schools and students, one (1) superintendent of a separate school district, one (1) superintendent of a county or other school district, one (1) local school board member from a separate school district; one (1) local school board member from a county or other school district; and six (6) members who are not actively engaged in the education profession. Members of the commission serving on July 1, 1994, shall continue to serve until their term of office expires. No new appointments shall be made until such time as the expiration of a member's term has reduced the commission to less than fifteen (15) members, at which time new appointments shall be made from the categories specified hereinabove. The membership of said commission shall be appointed by the board upon recommendation of the State Superintendent of Public Education. In making the first appointments, five (5) members shall be appointed for a term of one (1) year, five (5) members shall be appointed for a term of two (2) years, five (5) members shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years, and five (5) members shall be appointed for a term of four (4) years. Thereafter, all members shall be appointed for a term of four (4) years. Said commission shall meet upon call of the State Superintendent of Public Education. The commission shall consist of three (3) members from each of the four (4) congressional districts, and three (3) members from the state at large. Each member of said commission shall receive the per diem authorized by Section 25-3-69, Mississippi Code of 1972 , plus actual and necessary expenses and mileage as authorized by Section 25-3-41, Mississippi Code of 1972 , for each day actually spent in attending the meetings of the commission. The expenses of said commission shall be paid out of any funds available for the operation of the central office of the State Department of Education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-71 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 31-71
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-71
Status: in_force

For the purposes of Sections 37-31-71 through 37-31-79 , the term “ regional education center ” means all facilities utilized for the carrying out of instruction on the level of secondary or postsecondary education or both which are jointly operated by or which accept students on a contractual basis from two (2) or more school districts of this state, or for any school district which encompasses an entire county.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-243 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 101-243
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-243
Status: in_force

(1) For the purposes of this section, these words are defined as follows:

(a) “ Commission ” means the Commission on College Accreditation created under Section 37-101-241 ; and

(b) “ Institution ” means and includes institutions of higher learning approved under Section 37-101-241 and proprietary schools and other entities subject to regulation under Section 75-60-1 et seq.

(2) The commission may enter into and administer interstate reciprocity agreements that allow institutions to offer postsecondary distance education. The commission is further authorized to carry out the following duties as related to interstate reciprocity agreements:

(a) Approve or disapprove participation in these agreements by institutions;

(b) Establish fees to be paid by participating institutions to cover the commission's direct and indirect administrative costs incurred by the commission or by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning on the commission's behalf;

(c) Serve as the state point of contact for questions, complaints and other communications;

(d) Enter into agreements with other state agencies regarding state responsibilities; and

(e) Form committees to assist in establishing policies and procedures.

(3) The commission shall not:

(a) Require institutions to participate in interstate reciprocity agreements; or

(b) Prohibit institutions that do not participate in these agreements from offering postsecondary distance education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-335 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 7-335
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-335
Status: in_force

(1) The school board of any school district shall be authorized to charge reasonable fees, but not more than the actual cost, for the following:

(a) Supplemental instructional materials and supplies, excluding textbooks;

(b) Any other fees designated by the local school board as fees related to a valid curriculum educational objective, including transportation; and

(c) Extracurricular activities and any other educational activities of the school district that are not designated by the local school board as valid curriculum educational objectives, such as band trips and athletic events.

(2)(a) All fees authorized to be charged under this section, except those fees authorized under subsection (1)(c) of this section, shall be charged only upon the condition that the school board of each school district shall adopt a financial hardship waiver policy that shall be kept in the strictest of confidence with all files and personal disclosures restricted from review by the general public. The financial hardship waiver policy must be distributed in writing to pupils at the time of enrollment. Any family who qualifies for the National School Lunch Program, as created by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 USCS Section 1751 et seq. ), shall receive a financial hardship waiver.

The board shall insure that a pupil eligible to have any such fees waived as a result of an inability to pay for those fees, shall not be discriminated against nor shall there be any overt identification of any pupil who has received a financial hardship waiver by use of special tokens or tickets, announcements, posting or publication of names, physical separation, choice of materials or by any other means. In no case shall any school district's procedures expose any pupil receiving a hardship waiver to any type of stigma or ridicule by other pupils or school district personnel.

(b) The confidentiality of the financial hardship waiver policy adopted by the school board shall apply to any students who have an inability to pay any fees authorized under subsection (1) of this section.

(3) In no case shall the inability to pay the assessment of fees authorized under the provisions of this section result in a pupil being denied or deprived of any academic awards or standards, any class selection, grade, diploma, transcript or the right to participate in any activity related to educational enhancement.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-47-45 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 47-45
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-47-45
Status: in_force

All bonds issued under the authority of this chapter shall mature annually. None of such bonds shall have a final maturity date of more than twenty (20) years from the date of the issuance thereof, and in no event shall the final maturity date of any such bonds be later than July 1, 2004. In issuing such bonds, the state bond commission shall be authorized and empowered to provide maturities therefor in such amounts and at such times as the state bond commission shall deem appropriate, proper and feasible. No bonds shall be issued and sold under the provisions of this chapter for less than par and accrued interest.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-61 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 33-61
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-61
Status: in_force

The department, through the office, shall cooperate, under agreements with the federal government, in carrying out the purposes of any federal statutes pertaining to vocational rehabilitation of individuals who are blind, and is authorized to adopt such methods of administration as are found by the federal government to be necessary for the proper and efficient operation of those agreements or plans for vocational rehabilitation and to comply with such conditions as may be necessary to secure the full benefits of those federal statutes and appropriations, to administer any legislation under those federal statutes and appropriations that is enacted by the State of Mississippi, to direct the disbursement and administer the use of all funds provided by the federal government or this state for the vocational rehabilitation of individuals who are blind in this state, and to do all things necessary to insure the vocational rehabilitation of individuals who are blind.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 11-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-5
Status: in_force

(1) It shall be the duty of the principals and teachers in all public school buildings to instruct the pupils in the methods of fire drills and to practice fire drills until all the pupils in the school are familiar with the methods of escape. Such fire drills shall be conducted often enough to keep such pupils well drilled. It shall be the further duty of such principals and teachers to instruct the pupils in all programs of emergency management as may be designated by the State Department of Education.

(2) It shall be the further duty of such principals and teachers to develop and conduct an active shooter drill within the first sixty (60) days of each new school semester for students, teachers and staff.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-205 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 23-205
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-205
Status: in_force

There is hereby established the Certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired Scholarship Program. The program shall be operated by the Mississippi Instructional Resource Center (MIRC). MIRC shall develop rules and regulations to implement a scholarship program to assist Certified Teachers of the Visually Impaired in taking and passing the Mississippi Praxis II Braille Competency Exam and/or becoming certified under National Certification in Literacy Braille. Funding for this program shall be administered through a special fund at the Mississippi Department of Education and shall be subject to appropriation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-65 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 115-65
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-65
Status: in_force

The proceeds of any contribution made by any county under the provisions of Section 37-115-61 , including the proceeds of any bonds issued for such purpose, shall be paid by the board of supervisors of such county into the state treasury into a special fund in the state treasury to the credit of the state building commission and shall thereafter be utilized and expended by said building commission for the construction, erection and equipping of a teaching hospital and related facilities in the manner and under the terms, provisions and conditions of Sections 37-115-21 through 37-115-33 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-187-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 187-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-187-7
Status: in_force

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

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

(3) Mississippi public school districts, independent schools and Native American tribal schools that receive grant monies under this chapter shall provide periodic project status reports to the Mississippi Department of Education and any other documentation that the Mississippi Department of Education determines is necessary to ensure compliance with this chapter and the United States Department of the Treasury regarding the use of monies from the Coronavirus Relief Fund established in Section 5001 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-411 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 7-411
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-411
Status: in_force

Subject to the prior consent and approval of the State Board of Education, the school boards of all school districts involved shall be authorized to agree as to which of the school boards shall have the power to operate, manage, govern and control any joint school or school building, constructed, erected and equipped or which is to be operated jointly under the provisions of Section 37-7-403 , or, in the alternative, such boards may agree that all of such boards, acting jointly, or a joint board established and constituted in such manner as shall be agreed upon, shall have the power to operate, manage, govern and control any such school or school building. The board so agreed upon and constituted shall have the full power and authority to govern, supervise, manage and control such joint school building in the same manner and to the same extent as though said school was a regular school of such school district. All pertinent provisions of the school laws of this state shall be fully applicable to joint schools established, constructed, erected and equipped or which are to be jointly operated under the provisions of Section 37-7-403 , except that the eligible children of all school districts joining and cooperating in the establishment and/or operation of such joint school who are assigned to such school by the school board of the district in which they reside shall be eligible to and shall attend such school.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-105 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 65-105
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-105
Status: in_force

The board of trustees of any such school district may, in its discretion, pay all or any part of the salary of all superintendents, principals, teachers and other employees during or for the period when any of the said schools are closed in accordance with the terms of this article, and funds shall be drawn from the same source or sources as such funds would be drawn to pay such items if the school or schools had not been closed.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-121-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 121-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-121-5
Status: in_force

The Mississippi agricultural and forestry experimental station is authorized to establish a branch at Alcorn State University, Lorman, Mississippi, for the purpose of providing an organization for cooperative effort between the two land grant institutions in furthering a unified agricultural research program for the State of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-15-31 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 15-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-15-31
Status: in_force

(1)(a) Except as provided in subsections (2) through (5) of this section, upon the petition in writing of a parent or guardian resident of the school district of an individual student filed or lodged with the president or secretary of the school board of a school district in which the pupil has been enrolled or is qualified to be enrolled as a student under Section 37-15-9 , or upon the aforesaid petition or the initiative of the school board of a school district as to the transfer of a grade or grades, individual students living in one school district or a grade or grades of a school within the districts may be legally transferred to another school district, by the mutual consent of the school boards of all school districts concerned, which consent must be given in writing and spread upon the minutes of such boards.

(b) The school board of the transferring school district to which such petition may be addressed shall act thereon not later than its next regular meeting subsequent to the filing or lodging of the petition, and a failure to act within that time shall constitute a rejection of such request. The school board of the other school district involved (the transferee board) shall act on such request for transfer as soon as possible after the transferor board shall have approved or rejected such transfer and no later than the next regular meeting of the transferee board, and a failure of such transferee board to act within such time shall constitute a rejection of such request. If such a transfer is approved by the transferee board, then such decision shall be final. If such a transfer should be refused by the school board of either school district, then such decision shall be final.

(c) Any legal guardianship formed for the purpose of establishing residency for school district attendance purposes shall not be recognized by the affected school board.

(2)(a) Upon the petition in writing of any parent or guardian who is a resident of Mississippi and is an instructional or licensed employee of a school district, but not a resident of such district, the school board of the employer school district shall consent to the transfer of such employee's dependent school-age children to its district and shall spread the same upon the minutes of the board. Upon the petition in writing of any parent or guardian who is not a resident of Mississippi and who is an instructional or licensed employee of a school district in Mississippi, the school board of the employer school district shall consent to the transfer of such employee's dependent school-age children to its district and shall spread the same upon the minutes of the board.

(b) The school board of any school district, in its discretion, may adopt a uniform policy to allow the enrollment and attendance of the dependent children of noninstructional and nonlicensed employees, who are residents of Mississippi but are not residents of their district. Such policy shall be based upon the employment needs of the district, implemented according to job classification groups and renewed each school year.

(c) The employer transferee school district shall notify in writing the school district from which the pupil or pupils are transferring, and the school board of the transferor school district shall spread the same upon its minutes.

(d) Any such agreement by school boards for the legal transfer of a student shall include a provision providing for the transportation of the student. In the absence of such a provision the responsibility for transporting the student to the transferee school district shall be that of the parent or guardian.

(e) Any school district which accepts a student under the provisions of this subsection shall not assess any tuition fees upon such transferring student in accordance with the provisions of Section 37-19-27 .

(3) Upon the petition in writing of any parent or legal guardian of a school-age child who is a resident of an adjacent school district residing in the geographical situation described in Section 37-15-29(3) , the school board of the school district operating the school located in closer proximity to the residence of the child shall consent to the transfer of the child to its district, and shall spread the same upon the minutes of the board. Any such agreement by school boards for the legal transfer of a student under this subsection shall include a provision for the transportation of the student by either the transferor or the transferee school district. In the event that either the school board of the transferee or the transferor school district shall object to the transfer, it shall have the right to appeal to the State Board of Education whose decision shall be final. However, if the school boards agreeing on the legal transfer of any student shall fail to agree on which district shall provide transportation, the responsibility for transporting the student to the transferee school district shall be that of the parent or guardian.

(4) Upon the petition in writing of any parent or legal guardian of a school-age child who was lawfully transferred to another school district prior to July 1, 1992, as described in Section 37-15-29(4) , the school board of the transferee school district shall consent to the transfer of such child and the transfer of any school-age brother and sister of such child to its district, and shall spread the same upon the minutes of the board.

(5)(a) If the board of trustees of a municipal separate school district with added territory does not have a member who is a resident of the added territory outside the corporate limits, upon the petition in writing of any parent or legal guardian of a school-age child who is a resident of the added territory outside the corporate limits, the board of trustees of the municipal separate school district and the school board of the school district adjacent to the added territory shall consent to the transfer of the child from the municipal separate school district to the adjacent school district. The agreement must be spread upon the minutes of the board of trustees of the municipal separate school district and the school board of the adjacent school district. The agreement must provide for the transportation of the student. In the absence of such a provision, the parent or legal guardian shall be responsible for transporting the student to the adjacent school district. Any school district that accepts a student under this subsection may not assess any tuition fees against the transferring student.

(b) Before September 1 of each year, the board of trustees of the municipal separate school district shall certify to the State Department of Education the number of students in the added territory of the municipal separate school district who are transferred to the adjacent school district under this subsection. The municipal separate school district also shall certify the total number of students in the school district residing in the added territory plus the number of those students who are transferred to the adjacent school district. Based upon these figures, the department shall calculate the percentage of the total number of students in the added territory who are transferred to the adjacent school district and shall certify this percentage to the levying authority for the municipal separate school district. The levying authority shall remit to the school board of the adjacent school district, from the proceeds of the ad valorem taxes collected for the support of the municipal separate school district from the added territory of the municipal separate school district, an amount equal to the percentage of the total number of students in the added territory who are transferred to the adjacent school district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-15-2 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 15-2
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-15-2
Status: in_force

The permanent record provided for in Section 37-15-1 shall be kept, while it is active, in the attendance center office in a fire resistant container.

The permanent record shall be considered active: (a) if the student is enrolled in the school; or (b) if he has withdrawn or has been expelled and the students of the class of which he was a member shall not have reached the time of graduation.

At the point of the student's graduation or at the time when the student would normally have graduated had he not withdrawn or been expelled from school, the student's permanent record shall become a part of the permanent binder in the central fire resistant depository or stored digitally as designated and provided by the school board of the school district, or, as an alternative method, the records may be maintained in fire resistant storage at the school last attended by the student. The permanent binding and preservation of the inactive records shall be the duty of the superintendent of the school district who shall maintain a central depository of the records.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-103 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 115-103
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-103
Status: in_force

The object and purpose of the establishment of a school of dentistry at the University of Mississippi Medical Center shall be the encouragement of the study of dentistry toward the doctor of dental medicine degree, as well as the continued education of the state's dental health professions; and the encouragement of dental research and the improvement of dental health.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-16-11 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 16-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-16-11
Status: in_force

(1) A student who has been properly classified, in accordance with rules established by the State Board of Education shall, upon meeting all applicable requirements prescribed by the district school board, be awarded a special diploma in a form prescribed by the state board; however, such special graduation requirements prescribed by the district school board shall include minimum graduation requirements as prescribed by the state board. Any such student who meets all special requirements of the district school board for his exceptionality, but is unable to meet the appropriate special state minimum requirements, shall be awarded a special certificate of completion in a form prescribed by the state board. Nothing provided in this section, however, shall be construed to limit or restrict the right of an exceptional student solely to a special diploma. Any such student shall, upon proper request, be afforded the opportunity to fully meet all requirements of Section 37-16-7 through the standard procedures established therein and thereby qualify for a standard diploma upon graduation.

(2) The State Board of Education shall develop and issue criteria for a Mississippi Occupational Diploma for students having a disability as defined by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Beginning with the 2002-2003 school year, any such student, upon proper request, shall be afforded the opportunity to fully meet such requirements and qualify for an occupational diploma upon graduation.

(3) The special Mississippi Occupational Diploma for students with disabilities shall not be available to any student entering the Ninth Grade in the 2017-2018 school year or thereafter, pending State Board of Education approval of new graduation options.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-47 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 106-47
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-47
Status: in_force

(1)(a) The board is authorized and empowered to operate the following forgivable loan programs of like character, operation and purpose to the foregoing enumerated programs to encourage the participation of eligible worthy persons in courses of instruction in its institutions: Graduate Teacher Forgivable Loan, Counselor and School Administrator Forgivable Loan, Southern Regional Education Board Doctoral Scholars Forgivable Loan, and Veterinary Medicine Minority Forgivable Loan.

(b) In addition to the authority granted to the board in paragraph (a) of this subsection, the board is authorized and empowered to promulgate rules and regulations for the Southern Regional Education Board Contract Forgivable Loan Program, created through the regional education compact, as set forth in Section 37-135-1 .

(2) In furtherance of such power and authority, the board is authorized to adopt and implement rules and regulations declaring and describing the goals and objectives of such forgivable loan programs; to establish the eligibility requirements for entry into such program and required for continuing participation for succeeding years; to determine the maximum amount to be made available to recipients; to delineate the terms and conditions of contracts with recipients and establish the service requirements for such contracts, if any; to enter into contracts pertaining to such programs with recipients; to enter into loan agreements and other contracts with financial institutions or other providers of loan monies for forgivable loan and loan repayment participants; and to allocate and utilize such funds as may be necessary for the operation of such forgivable loan programs from the annual appropriation for student financial aid. In issuing rules and regulations governing the administration of the Graduate Teacher Summer Scholarship (GTSS) program, the board shall provide that certified teachers at the Oakley Youth Development Center under the jurisdiction of the Department of Human Services shall be fully eligible to participate in the program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-91 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 151-91
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-91
Status: in_force

The school boards of all school districts may establish salary schedules based on training, experience and other such factors as may be incorporated therein, including student progress and performance as developed by the State Board of Education, paying teachers greater amounts than the scale provided in Section 37-19-7 , but no teacher may be paid less than the amount based upon the minimum scale of pay provided in Section 37-19-7 , and all supplements paid from local funds shall be based upon the salary schedules so established. The school boards may call upon the State Department of Education for aid and assistance in formulating and establishing such salary schedules, and it shall be the duty of the State Department of Education, when so called upon, to render such aid and assistance. The amount actually paid to each teacher shall be based upon and determined by the type of license held by such teacher.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-213 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 153-213
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-213
Status: in_force

The office shall certify to the Department of Finance and Administration that each expenditure of the funds appropriated to the office under this article is in compliance with the guidelines, guidance, rules, regulations and/or other criteria, as may be amended from time to time, of the United States Department of the Treasury regarding the use of monies from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund in Section 9901 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 ( Public Law No. 117-1 ).
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-97-103 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 97-103
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-97-103
Status: in_force

As used in this article, the following terms shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) “ Compensation ” means any remuneration, in cash or in kind, whether provided at the time or at any subsequent date, to a student-athlete.

For the purposes of this article, “compensation” shall not mean any grant, scholarship, fellowship, tuition assistance, or other form of financial aid provided to a student for pursuing a post-secondary education.

(b) “ Intercollegiate athletics program ” means an intercollegiate athletics sport played at the collegiate level for which eligibility requirements for participation by a student-athlete are established by a national association, conference or any other group or organization with authority over the sport, that promotes or regulates collegiate athletics.

(c) “ Publicity Rights ” means any right associated with the name, image, likeness, publicity, reputation, fame, or personal following of a student recognized under federal or state law as permitting an individual to control or profit from the use of the same.

(d) “ Postsecondary educational institution ” means a public university or community college or private university or college.

(e) “ Student-athlete ” means an individual who is enrolled in or has signed a National Letter of Intent or other written agreement to enroll in a postsecondary educational institution or is being recruited by a postsecondary educational institution to participate in an intercollegiate athletics program. If an individual is permanently ineligible to participate in a particular intercollegiate sport, the individual is not a student-athlete for purposes of that sport.

(f) “ Third party ” means any individual or entity or group of the same other than a postsecondary educational institution, including a charitable organization that qualifies as an exempt organization under 26 USC Section 501(c)(3) , as amended.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-22 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 113-22
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-22
Status: in_force

The Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service and the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station are authorized and encouraged to exercise any research and extension activities necessary to promote the Mississippi seafood industry.

It is not the intent of this section to mandate or authorize any new branch agricultural experiment stations for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 106-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-3
Status: in_force

(1) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that:

(a) By legislative enactment, programs are herein created wherein Mississippi residents are granted forgivable loans in certain professional fields in return for their contractual obligation to perform services in such professions under a variety of requirements of location, duration, manner and mode of service, and institution in which performed;

(b) There is a need for the creation of additional forgivable loan programs for the purpose of encouraging eligible Mississippi residents to enter into professional schools, and that, in particular, there should be programs to encourage the participation of minorities in graduate professional programs in the institutions of this state;

(c) There is a need to create an ability within the board to fashion new and innovative systems for the financing of forgivable loan programs by combining the use of private sector loans for education and guaranteed student loans with loan repayment programs promulgated by the board; and

(d) The board should be granted authority to devise and develop such innovative systems to obtain the most efficient use of state funds to encourage entry and service in certain professional fields.

(2) The purpose of the Legislature in the passage of this chapter is to make manifest the belief that the continued growth and development of Mississippi requires that all Mississippi youth be assured ample opportunity for the fullest development of their abilities and to recognize that this opportunity will not fully materialize unless the State of Mississippi moves to encourage and financially assist our young people in their efforts. This chapter shall be broadly construed to accomplish that purpose.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-57 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 28-57
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-57
Status: in_force

(1) A charter school must adhere to generally accepted accounting principles.

(2) A charter school shall have its financial records audited annually, at the end of each fiscal year, either by the State Auditor or by a certified public accountant approved by the State Auditor. However, a certified public accountant may not be selected to perform the annual audit of a charter school if that accountant previously has audited the charter school for more than three (3) consecutive years. Certified public accountants must be selected in a manner determined by the State Auditor. The charter school shall file a copy of each audit report and accompanying management letter with the authorizer before October 1.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-48 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 113-48
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-48
Status: in_force

The building located at 255 Tracy Drive in Mississippi State, Mississippi, and also known as the “Old Extension Service Building,” shall be named the “Lloyd-Ricks-Watson Building” after former university employees Edward R. Lloyd and James R. Ricks, and current university employee Vance H. Watson. Such employees have served as the Director of the Experiment Station and the Director of the Extension Service, and are the only three (3) individuals in history who have served in both capacities at Mississippi State University. Mississippi State University shall prepare a distinctive plaque to be placed in a prominent place inside the building, which states the background, accomplishments and service to the state of these university employees.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-139 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 23-139
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-139
Status: in_force

(1) The State Department of Education shall establish the necessary rules and regulations in accordance with IDEA to provide for an organization or individual to file a signed written complaint with respect to a violation of federal or state regulations by a local educational agency relating to the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of the child, or the provision of a free appropriate public education to such child.

(2) Procedures that require the parent of a child with a disability, or the attorney representing the child, to provide notice to the State Department of Education shall include:

(a) The name of the child, the address of the residence of the child, and the name of the school the child is attending;

(b) A description of the nature of the problem of the child relating to such proposed initiation or change, including facts relating to such problem; and

(c) A proposed resolution of the problem to the extent known and available to the parents at the time.

(3) The State Department of Education shall develop a model form to assist parents in filing a complaint in accordance with the requirements under IDEA.

(4) All complaints shall remain protected by the confidentiality requirements under IDEA.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-19 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 145-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-19
Status: in_force

The receipt of a loan under this chapter by an eligible borrower is subject to the availability of lending capital and Mississippi Opportunity Loan Fund balances.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-268 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 29-268
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-268
Status: in_force

(1) There is hereby created in the State Treasury a special fund to be designated as the “Community College Repair and Renovation Fund” which shall consist of monies appropriated or otherwise made available therefor by the Legislature. Within the special fund, the State Treasury shall establish a subaccount for each community and junior college. Interest earned on monies in the special fund shall be deposited to the credit of such fund and money shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal year into the State General Fund. Money in the special fund shall be appropriated by the Legislature and allocated by the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management, Department of Finance and Administration, for the repair, renovation and improvement of existing facilities owned by the community and junior colleges, including utility infrastructure projects; heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems; and the replacement of furniture and equipment. However, the cost of such repair, renovation and improvement for any one (1) project shall not exceed One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00).

(2) Monies in the special fund shall be allocated to each community college's subaccount as follows:

(a) One-half ( 1 / 2 ) divided equally among the fifteen (15) public community and junior colleges; and

(b) One-half ( 1 / 2 ) divided upon the basis of the number of full-time academic, technical and vocational public community and junior college students actually enrolled and in attendance on the last day of the sixth week of the fall semester of the preceding year counting only those students who reside within the State of Mississippi. On or before December 1 of each year, the Mississippi Community College Board shall furnish the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management, Department of Finance and Administration, the enrollment information required in this paragraph (b), including the percentage of statewide enrollment attributed to each community and junior college.

(3) For the purposes of this section, the term “ furniture and equipment ” shall be limited to the types of furniture and equipment items previously recorded in the community college's inventory.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-205 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 23-205
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-205
Status: in_force

There is hereby established the Certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired Scholarship Program. The program shall be operated by the Mississippi Instructional Resource Center (MIRC). MIRC shall develop rules and regulations to implement a scholarship program to assist Certified Teachers of the Visually Impaired in taking and passing the Mississippi Praxis II Braille Competency Exam and/or becoming certified under National Certification in Literacy Braille. Funding for this program shall be administered through a special fund at the Mississippi Department of Education and shall be subject to appropriation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-85 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 13-85
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-85
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(n) To adopt any other policies or guidelines that the office deems necessary for the enforcement of the Mississippi Compulsory School Attendance Law; however, the policies or guidelines shall not add to or contradict with the requirements of Section 37-13-91 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-417 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 29-417
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-417
Status: in_force

The trustees of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College District are authorized to execute oil, gas and mineral leases on any of the property of the district but such leases shall not extend for a term beyond five years unless oil, gas or other minerals shall be in production under said leases at the expiration of said period. The terms and conditions of said lease, within the limitations above set out, shall be for the determination and within the discretion of the trustees.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-26-11 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 26-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-26-11
Status: in_force

(1) There is created in the State Treasury a special fund to be known as the Children's Advocacy Centers Fund, which shall be administered by the Office of the Attorney General. The purpose of the fund shall be for training forensic interviewers in child abuse and child sexual abuse cases, training law enforcement officers and prosecutors about child abuse cases, expanding the number of Children's Advocacy Centers of Mississippi to underserved areas, and other related purposes. Monies in the fund shall be expended by the Attorney General, upon appropriation by the Legislature. The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal-year limitations, and shall consist of:

(a) Monies appropriated by the Legislature for the purposes of funding the Children's Advocacy Centers of Mississippi;

(b) The interest accruing to the fund;

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

(d) Monies received from the federal government;

(e) Donations; and

(f) Monies received from such other sources as may be provided by law.

(2) There is created in the State Treasury a special fund to be known as the Mississippi Foster Care Fund, which shall be administered by the Administrative Office of Courts. The purpose of the fund shall be for supporting the services directly provided to foster families and foster children by programs, persons or entities pursuant to contracts and grants that comply with Mississippi law, and for other related purposes. Monies in the fund shall be expended by the office, upon appropriation by the Legislature, only for the purposes stated in this subsection, and only in such amounts as then exist in the fund. The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal-year limitations, and shall consist of:

(a) Monies appropriated by the Legislature for the purposes of funding the Mississippi Foster Care Fund;

(b) The interest accruing to the fund;

(c) Monies received under the provisions of Section 99-19-73 for the Mississippi Foster Care Fund, ninety percent (90%) of which shall be used directly for supporting the services directly provided to foster families and foster children by programs, persons or entities pursuant to contracts and grants that comply with Mississippi law, and no more than ten percent (10%) of which shall be used for administrative purposes;

(d) Monies received from the federal government;

(e) Donations; and

(f) Monies received from such other sources as may be provided by law.

(3) From and after July 1, 2016, the expenses of the Children's Advocacy Centers Fund Program 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.

(4) 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. § 37-7-709 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 7-709
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-709
Status: in_force

In all such special municipal separate school districts which may be so organized, reorganized or reconstituted to embrace the entire county in which the majority of the inhabitants of the county reside outside the corporate limits of the municipality, all vacancies which may occur during the term of office shall be filled by appointment by the remaining members of the board of trustees, such appointee to have the same qualifications as other members of the board and to reside in the same supervisors district as the former member whose death, removal or resignation caused the vacancy. Such appointment shall be made within thirty days after the vacancy occurs. The person so appointed shall serve only until the first Monday of January following the next regular general election after such appointment and, at the regular general election next preceding such first Monday in January, a person shall be elected for the remainder of the unexpired term at the same time and in the same manner as a trustee is elected for the full term next expiring, and such person shall take office on said first Monday of January.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-71 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 113-71
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-71
Status: in_force

There is established, at Mississippi State University, the “Dr. Elton Mac Huddleston Rural Veterinarians Scholarship Program” for the purpose of identifying and providing qualified students with scholarships to assist such students in pursuing degrees through matriculation in veterinary medicine. The scholarship program shall:

(a) Be developed and implemented in order to provide encouragement, opportunities and incentives for persons pursuing a veterinary medicine degree at Mississippi State University to:

(i) Provide veterinary services in rural Mississippi communities; and

(ii) Receive specialized training to meet the needs of rural Mississippians and livestock producers in rural Mississippi communities;

(b) Be administered by the Dean of the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine; and

(c) Annually award scholarships to an average of two (2) scholars, whose scholarship assistance may be funded annually for a period not to exceed four (4) years.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-16 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 23-16
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-16
Status: in_force

(1)(a) The State Department of Education shall select early literacy and numeracy screening assessment instrument or instruments to be used throughout the state in the screening of students in Kindergarten through Grade 3.

(b) All school districts shall use the literacy and numeracy screening instrument or instruments selected by the department; however, no literacy or numeracy screening instrument or instruments shall be used by school districts for the purpose of determining whether or not a student will be promoted to the next grade level. For the purposes of this section, “ literacy ” means ability to read and write and “ numeracy ” means fluency in understanding numbers and mathematical operations.

(2) In addition to those funds that are appropriated by the Legislature, the State Department of Education may receive and expend funds made available to the department from any source, including any federal or other governmental agency, private business, industry, foundation or other organization, to screen students for literacy and numeracy difficulties.

(3) The State Department of Education shall establish a reporting system for school districts in order to monitor the effectiveness of the literacy or numeracy screening assessment instruments. The department shall require school districts to annually submit data requested by the department which may be utilized to determine whether or not the assessment instruments are accurately identifying students in need.

(4) The requirements of this section shall be effective beginning with the 2008-2009 school year and compliance with the mandates of this section shall be subject to appropriation by the Legislature.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-217 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 33-217
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-217
Status: in_force

Any individual applying for or receiving services provided by the Office of Special Disability Programs who is aggrieved by any action or inaction of the office shall be entitled, in accordance with regulations promulgated by the department, to a fair hearing.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-705 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 7-705
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-705
Status: in_force

In all such special municipal separate school districts which may be so organized, reorganized or reconstituted to embrace the entire county in which the majority of the inhabitants of the county reside outside the corporate limits of the municipality, the board of trustees of such district shall be constituted in accordance with the provisions of Sections 37-7-707 through 37-7-711 , unless the governing authorities of the municipality and of the county shall have provided for one of the alternative methods of organization as provided by Sections 37-7-715 and 37-7-717 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-135-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 135-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-135-1
Status: in_force

The following compact of the southern states for the purpose of operating regional educational institutions in the southern states be, and the same is, hereby ratified and approved:

Whereas, the states who are parties hereto have during the past several years conducted careful investigation looking toward the establishment and maintenance of jointly owned and operated regional educational institutions in the southern states in the professional, technological, scientific, literary and other fields, so as to provide greater educational advantages and facilities for the citizens of the several states who reside within such region, and

Whereas, Meharry Medical College of Nashville, Tennessee, has proposed that its lands, buildings, equipment, and the net income from its endowment be turned over to the southern states, or to an agency acting in their behalf, to be operated as a regional institution for medical, dental and nursing education upon terms and conditions to be hereafter agreed upon between the southern states and Meharry Medical College, which proposal, because of the present financial condition of the institution, has been approved by the said states who are parties, hereto, and

Whereas, the said states desire to enter into a compact with each other providing for the planning and establishment of regional educational facilities;

Now therefore, in consideration of the mutual agreements, covenants and obligations assumed by the respective states who are parties hereto (hereinafter referred to as “states”), the said several states do hereby form a geographical district or region consisting of the areas lying within the boundaries of the contracting states which, for the purposes of this compact, shall constitute an area for regional education supported by public funds derived from taxation by the constituent states for the establishment, acquisition, operation and maintenance of regional educational schools and institutions for the benefit of citizens of the respective states residing within the region so established as may be determined from time to time in accordance with the terms and provisions of this compact.

(a) The states do further hereby establish and create a joint agency which shall be known as the Board of Control for Southern Regional Education (hereinafter referred to as the “board”), the members of which board shall consist of the governor of each state, ex officio, and four (4) additional citizens of each state to be appointed by the governor thereof, at least one (1) of whom shall be selected from the field of education, and at least one (1) of whom shall be a member of the legislature of that state. In making his appointments, the governor shall appoint persons as broadly representative as possible of the variety of higher education at institutions in the state. The governor shall continue as a member of the board during his tenure of office as governor of the state but the members of the board appointed by the governor shall hold office for a period of four (4) years, except that in the original appointment one (1) board member so appointed by the governor shall be designated at the time of his appointment to serve an initial term of three (3) years, but thereafter his successor shall serve the full term of four (4) years. Vacancies on the board caused by death, resignation, refusal or inability to serve, shall be filled by appointment by the governor for the unexpired portion of the term. The officers of the board shall be a chairman, a vice chairman, a secretary, a treasurer and such additional officers as may be created by the board from time to time.

(b) It shall be the duty of the board to submit plans and recommendations to the states from time to time for their approval and adoption by appropriate legislative action for the development, establishment, acquisition, operation and maintenance of educational schools and institutions within the geographical limits of the regional area of the states, of such character and type and for such educational purposes, professional, technological, scientific, literary or otherwise, as they may deem and determine to be proper, necessary or advisable. Title to all such educational institutions when so established by appropriate legislative actions of the states and to all properties and facilities used in connection therewith shall be vested in said board as the agency of and for the use and benefit of the said states and the citizens thereof, and all such educational institutions shall be operated, maintained and financed in the manner herein set out, subject to any provisions or limitations which may be contained in the legislative acts of the states authorizing the creation, establishment and operation of such educational institutions.

(c) In addition to the power and authority heretofore granted, the board shall have the power to enter into such agreements or arrangements with any of the states and with educational institutions or agencies, as may be required in the judgment of the board, to provide adequate services and facilities for the graduate, professional, and technical education for the benefit of the citizens of the respective states residing within the region.

(d) The board shall have such additional and general power and authority as may be vested in it by the states from time to time by legislative enactments of the said states.

(e) Any two (2) or more states who are parties of this compact shall have the right to enter into supplemental agreements providing for the establishment, financing and operation of regional educational institutions for the benefit of citizens residing within an area which constitutes a portion of the general region herein created, such institutions to be financed exclusively by such states and to be controlled exclusively by the members of the board representing such states, provided such agreement is submitted to and approved by the board prior to the establishment of such institutions.

Each state agrees that, when authorized by the legislature, it will from time to time make available and pay over to said board such funds as may be required for the establishment, acquisition, operation and maintenance of such regional educational institutions as may be authorized by the states under the terms of this compact, the contribution of each state at all times to be in the proportion that its population bears to the total combined population of the states who are parties hereto as shown from time to time by the most recent official published report of the bureau of census of the United States of America or upon such other basis as may be agreed upon.

(f) This compact shall not take effect or be binding upon any state unless and until it shall be approved by proper legislative action of as many as six (6) or more of the states whose governors have subscribed hereto within a period of eighteen (18) months from the date hereof. When and if six (6) or more states shall have given legislative approval to this compact within said eighteen (18) months period, it shall be and become binding upon such six (6) or more states sixty (60) days after the date of legislative approval by the sixth state and the governors of such six (6) or more states shall forthwith name the members of the board from their states as hereinabove set out, and the board shall then meet on call of the governor of any state approving this compact, at which time the board shall elect officers, adopt bylaws, appoint committees and otherwise fully organize. Other states whose names are subscribed hereto shall thereafter become parties hereto upon approval of this compact by legislative action within two (2) years from the date hereof, upon such conditions as may be agreed upon at the time.

(g) After becoming effective this compact shall thereafter continue without limitation of time, provided, however, that it may be terminated at any time by unanimous action of the states and provided, further, that any state may withdraw from this compact if such withdrawal is approved by its legislature, such withdrawal to become effective two (2) years after written notice thereof to the board accompanied by a certified copy of the requisite legislative action, but such withdrawal shall not relieve the withdrawing state from its obligations hereunder accruing up to the effective date of such withdrawal. Any state so withdrawing shall ipso facto cease to have any claim to or ownership of any of the property held or vested in the board or to any of the funds of the board held under the terms of this compact.

If any state shall at any time become in default in the performance of any of its obligations assumed herein or with respect to any obligation imposed upon said state as authorized by and in compliance with the terms and provisions of this compact, all rights, privileges and benefits of such defaulting state, its members on the board and its citizens shall ipso facto be and become suspended from and after the date of such default. Unless such default shall be remedied and made good within a period of one (1) year immediately following the date of such default this compact may be terminated with respect to such defaulting state by an affirmative vote of three-fourths ( 3 / 4 ) of the members of the board (exclusive of the members representing the state in default), from and after which time such state shall cease to be a party to this compact and shall have no further claim to or ownership of any of the property held by or vested in the board or to any of the funds of the board held under the terms of this compact, but such termination shall in no manner release such defaulting state from any accrued obligation or otherwise affect this compact or the rights, duties, privileges or obligations of the remaining states thereunder.

(h) In witness whereof this compact has been approved and signed by the governors of the several states, subject to the approval of their respective legislatures in the manner hereinabove set out, as of the __________ day of __________, 1948.

State of Florida,

State of Tennessee,

By __________________________________________

By __________________________________________

Governor

Governor

State of Maryland,

Commonwealth of Virginia,

By __________________________________________

By __________________________________________

Governor

Governor

State of Georgia,

State of Arkansas,

By __________________________________________

By __________________________________________

Governor

Governor

State of Louisiana,

State of North Carolina,

By __________________________________________

By __________________________________________

Governor

Governor

State of Alabama,

State of South Carolina,

By __________________________________________

By __________________________________________

Governor

Governor

State of Mississippi,

State of Texas,

By __________________________________________

By __________________________________________

Governor

Governor

Commonwealth of Kentucky,

State of Oklahoma,

By __________________________________________

By __________________________________________

Governor

Governor

State of West Virginia,

By ________________________________

Governor
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-25 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 41-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-25
Status: in_force

Any superintendent of schools, member of the school board, superintendent, principal or carrier, or bus driver, who shall knowingly make any false report, list or record, or who shall knowingly make use of any false report, list or record concerning the number of school children being transported or entitled to be transported in any county or school district shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days, or by a fine of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the court. In addition, any such person shall be civilly liable for all amounts of public funds which are illegally, unlawfully or wrongfully expended or paid out by virtue of or pursuant to such false report, list or record, and upon conviction or adjudication of civil liability hereunder such person shall forfeit his license to teach for a period of three (3) years, if such person is the holder of such a license. Any suit to recover such funds illegally, unlawfully, or wrongfully expended or paid out may be brought in the name of the State of Mississippi by the Attorney General or the proper district attorney or county attorney. In the event such suit be brought against a person who is under bond, the sureties upon such bond shall likewise be liable for such amount illegally, unlawfully or wrongfully expended or paid out.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-201 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 29-201
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-201
Status: in_force

The official boards of the various public supported hospitals of the State of Mississippi that conduct a nurses training program in connection with said hospitals are hereby empowered to contribute to a public supported junior college wherein said hospital is located in said junior college district for the support and maintenance of a nurses training program at said junior college. The board of supervisors of any county wherein there is a public hospital supported in whole or in part at county expense is hereby authorized and empowered to contribute to a nurses training program carried on and conducted thereat when said junior college district encompasses the county wherein the supervisors so contribute. The governing board of any municipality in this state that supports in whole or in part a hospital is hereby authorized and empowered to contribute to such a nurses training program at the public supported junior college wherein the municipality is located within the junior college district.

Any public supported junior college operating or conducting a nurses training program is hereby authorized and empowered to accept donations from private hospitals or any other persons, firms or corporations for the support of a nurses training program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-35 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 23-35
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-35
Status: in_force

(1) When any children who are residents of the State of Mississippi and qualify under the provisions of Section 37-23-31 , are provided a program of education, instruction and training within a school under the provisions of Section 37-23-31 , the State Department of Education shall allocate one (1) teacher unit for each approved class. The allocation of funds for each teacher unit shall be based on the teacher's certification and shall be in accordance with Section 37-19-7 . The department shall complete provisional teacher unit approval for university or college-based programs at the same time teacher units are approved for local educational agencies. The university or college shall be eligible for state and federal funds for such programs in accordance with IDEA. The university or college shall be responsible for providing for the additional costs of the program.

(2) IDEA-Part B and preschool allocations for each LEA shall be determined and calculated by the State Department of Education with notification provided to the UBP of the total amount of funds being distributed to the LEA. The LEA and UBP shall enter into a collaborative agreement that describes the services provided and the funds required for such services.

(3) State funds for transportation, extended school year and teacher unit allocations, including National Board Certification/Speech-Language Pathology Supplements, shall be distributed by the State Department of Education directly to the state-supported university or college for students placed either through the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process or who are parentally placed. The university-based program (UBP) shall submit this information directly to the State Department of Education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-31 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 27-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-31
Status: in_force

The board of trustees of any agricultural high school is hereby authorized to lease the buildings and equipment thereof to any responsible individual for the purpose of carrying on a private school when there are no funds available for running said institution, and to lease the lands of said institution to some responsible person for agricultural purposes. Said leases shall not extend for any greater length of time than a period of three years from date of granting said lease.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-5-19 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 5-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-5-19
Status: in_force

Vacancies in the membership of the county board of education shall be filled by appointment, within sixty (60) days after the vacancy occurs, by the remaining members of the county board of education. Said appointee shall be selected from the qualified electors of the district in which the vacancy occurs, and shall serve until the first Monday of January next succeeding the next general election, at which general election a member shall be elected to fill the remainder of the unexpired term in the same manner and with the same qualifications applicable to the election of a member for the full term. In the event the school district is under conservatorship and no members of the county board of education remain in office, the Governor shall call a special election to fill the vacancies and said election will be conducted by the county election commission.

In the event the vacancy occurs more than five (5) months prior to the next general election and the remaining members of the county board of education are unable to agree upon an individual to be appointed, any two (2) of the remaining members may certify such disagreement to the county election commission. Upon the receipt of such a certificate by the county election commission, or any member thereof, the commission shall hold a special election to fill the vacancy, which said election, notice thereof and ballot shall be controlled by the laws concerning special elections to fill vacancies in county or county district offices. The person elected at such a special election shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-41 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 104-41
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-41
Status: in_force

All monies received by the Authority pursuant to this chapter, from any source whatever, shall be deemed to be trust funds to be held and applied solely as provided herein.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-169 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / 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. § 37-43-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 43-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-43-1
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

(6) In addition to the authority granted in this chapter, local school boards shall make available to the parents or legal guardians of any children of school age who reside in the school district administered by the school board, upon request, any textbooks on the state surplus inventory list. The parent or legal guardian is responsible for the return of the textbook(s) to the local school district upon completion of the textbook(s) use. Failure to return the textbook(s) to the school district will result in the parents or legal guardians being responsible for compensating the school district for the fair market value of the textbook(s).
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-27 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 27-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-27
Status: in_force

The board of trustees of any vocational-agricultural high school located within a municipality having a population of less than seven hundred, and not having a municipal water system, may, in its discretion, enter into a contract and agreement with the governing authority to supply said municipality with water from the water system owned by such vocational-agricultural high school.

Such contract or agreement shall be entered into by and between the board of trustees of such vocational-agricultural high school and the governing authority of such municipality. The same shall be made a matter of record on the minutes of each, and shall be upon such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon by and between the said board of trustees and the governing authority of such municipality.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-215 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 7-215
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-215
Status: in_force

All such elections shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each year and in the same manner as general state and county elections are held and conducted. In the event a runoff is necessary the runoff shall be held four (4) weeks thereafter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-15-30 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 15-30
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-15-30
Status: in_force

(1) Notwithstanding any provision of law, a pupil complies with the residency requirements for school attendance in a school district if the parent of the pupil is transferred to, or is pending transfer to, a military installation within this state while on active military duty pursuant to an official military order.

(2) A school district shall accept an application for enrollment and course registration by electronic means for a pupil who meets the requirements prescribed in subsection (1) of this section, including enrollment in a specific school or program within the school district.

(3) The parent of a pupil who meets the requirement prescribed in subsection (1) of this section shall provide proof of residence to the school district within ten (10) days after the published arrival date provided on official documentation. The parent may use the address of any of the following as proof of residence for the purposes of this subsection:

(a) A temporary on-base billeting facility.

(b) A purchased or leased home or apartment.

(c) Any federal government housing or off-base military housing, including off-base military housing that may be provided through a public-private venture.

(4) For the purposes of this section:

(a) “ Active military duty ” means full-time military duty status in the active uniformed service of the United States, including members of the National Guard and the State Military Reserve on active duty orders.

(b) “ Military installation ” means a base, camp, post, station, yard, center, homeport facility for any ship or other installation under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Defense or the United States Coast Guard.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-23 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 45-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-23
Status: in_force

Subject to the provisions of any applicable statute, the commission shall formulate policies and approve or disapprove plans for the location and construction of all necessary elementary and secondary noncharter public school buildings.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-29 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 115-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-29
Status: in_force

The state building commission shall construct the buildings and all other related facilities for said medical school and teaching hospital. When such buildings shall have been constructed and made ready for occupancy, the lands so selected by the state building commission for the use of said medical school and teaching hospital, together with the buildings and other improvements erected thereon, shall be conveyed by the state building commission to the University of Mississippi, and title to said property shall be vested in the University of Mississippi. Said medical school and teaching hospital shall be operated as departments of the University of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-305 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 101-305
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-305
Status: in_force

Upon receipt of a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning declaring the necessity for the issuance of any part or all of the bonds authorized by Sections 37-101-301 et seq. , the State Bond Commission is hereby authorized and empowered to sell and issue general obligation bonds of the State of Mississippi in the principal amount requested, not to exceed an aggregate principal amount of Forty Million Dollars ($40,000,000.00) for the purposes hereinabove set forth. The State Bond Commission is authorized and empowered to pay the costs that are incident to the sale, issuance and delivery of the bonds authorized under Sections 37-101-301 et seq. from the proceeds derived from the sale of such bonds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-177 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 29-177
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-177
Status: in_force

Specialized programs in vocational and vocational-technical education which are not available to students in their home districts, but which are offered in other districts, shall be available to such students on a non-out-of-district fee basis.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-177-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 177-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-177-7
Status: in_force

The State Department of Education shall:

(a) Select schools most in need for the reading intervention program and create criteria for selection for participation based on number and percentages of students scoring in the lowest two (2) achievement levels on state-adopted yearly reading assessments, screening results, and other relevant data;

(b) Assign a supervisory position within each school to be responsible for the faithful implementation of the Reading Intervention Program; and

(c) Subject to legislative appropriation, the Mississippi Department of Education shall conduct a program with willing “C” level or low-performing districts and/or schools. The program shall focus on the use of data coaches to improve reading and literacy, to determine the effectiveness of intense data-focused professional development, provide expert support in literacy and early reading instruction but it shall not necessarily be limited to literacy. Data coaches should be experts in both pedagogy and data analysis who facilitate professional learning community meetings, and provide observation and feedback, to help teachers and district leaders build skills in using data to inform instruction. Schools and districts selected by the department to participate in the program shall agree to involve the school and district leadership team as directed by the department. The Mississippi Department of Education is authorized to include pre-school programs it deems appropriate. The department is authorized to contract with a private sector provider to implement the program and work in partnership with four-year institutions of higher learning to develop and implement the program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-91 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 151-91
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-91
Status: in_force

The school boards of all school districts may establish salary schedules based on training, experience and other such factors as may be incorporated therein, including student progress and performance as developed by the State Board of Education, paying teachers greater amounts than the scale provided in Section 37-19-7 , but no teacher may be paid less than the amount based upon the minimum scale of pay provided in Section 37-19-7 , and all supplements paid from local funds shall be based upon the salary schedules so established. The school boards may call upon the State Department of Education for aid and assistance in formulating and establishing such salary schedules, and it shall be the duty of the State Department of Education, when so called upon, to render such aid and assistance. The amount actually paid to each teacher shall be based upon and determined by the type of license held by such teacher.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-41 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 27-41
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-41
Status: in_force

The board of supervisors of any county may authorize the sale of any undivided interest in any property owned by an agricultural high school and used for school purposes to any public school, and the board of supervisors may authorize the sale of an undivided interest in any public school property used for school purposes to an agricultural high school. Before an order authorizing such sale shall be effected, the boards of trustees of each of such schools shall agree in writing on the terms of such sale, and shall set out in full the extent of the rights of use and occupancy of the school and grounds each of said schools is to enjoy, and shall also agree upon the control, management and preservation of such premises. Before, however, any such contract with reference to the use, occupancy, management and control of such school buildings and grounds to be used for joint purposes is final it shall receive the approval of the county board of education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-69-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 69-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-69-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known as “The Energy Academy Act.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-21 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 65-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-21
Status: in_force

The fact that the power and authority to close any one or more or all of the schools of any school district, or any agricultural high school, or any agricultural high school and junior college, or any institution of higher learning may be by some other law of the State of Mississippi vested in some other person or officer or board shall not cause this article and any other such law to be in conflict nor shall same be construed to be in conflict with each other, and the power and authority vested in each such board or boards of trustees or person or officer may be exercised by each or either, independent of the other such board or boards or person or persons or officer or officers.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-283 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 101-283
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-283
Status: in_force

Each male applicant for any scholarship or loan funded in whole or in part by this state, whether granted by the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning, the post-secondary education financial assistance board, or otherwise granted by any state-supported college or university, and whether to be used at a state-supported institution of higher learning or at a private institution, shall within six (6) months after he attains the age of eighteen (18) years submit to the person, commission, board or agency in which his application for scholarship or loan is or has been made satisfactory evidence of his compliance with the draft registration requirements of the military selective service act. Such evidence shall consist of a signed affirmation under penalty of perjury from the scholarship or loan applicant that he has complied with the requirements of the federal selective service act. If an applicant for or holder of any such scholarship or loan fails to submit a copy of his draft registration acknowledgment letter in the manner and within the time allowed therefor, any pending application of such person for the award, grant or renewal of any such scholarship or loan shall be denied, and any such scholarship or loan currently held by such person shall be revoked to the extent that no further payments under that scholarship or loan may be made to him or on his behalf. The person, commission, board or agency to which an application for the award, grant or renewal of such scholarship or loan is made, or by or through which any such scholarship or loan is administered or issued shall notify the applicant or holder and the chief executive officer of any institution at which a holder of a scholarship or loan so revoked is enrolled of its action, and upon request of the scholarship or loan applicant or holder shall afford him the opportunity, either in person, in writing or by counsel of his choice to present evidence against such action.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-45 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 115-45
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-45
Status: in_force

(1) The University of Mississippi Medical Center shall establish a separate unit at the medical center for the treatment of burn victims, which shall be known as the Mississippi Burn Center. The opening and operation of the Mississippi Burn Center shall be conditioned upon the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning making a written determination, spread upon their minutes, that adequate funds are available from public and/or private sources for the annual operating cost of the facility.

(2) The Legislature may appropriate funds for the construction of the Mississippi Burn Center, and may appropriate sufficient funds annually to the University of Mississippi Medical Center for the operation of the Mississippi Burn Center.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-13 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 145-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-13
Status: in_force

The annual and aggregate loan limits for each eligible student borrower shall be in accordance with those limits established for the Stafford Loan Program authorized by Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. The board of trustees has established an agency to carry out the functions of providing guarantees to student loans in accordance with the Stafford Loan Program. This agency, entitled the Mississippi Guarantee Student Loan Agency, guarantees payment of loans qualifying under federal law which are thereby eligible for reinsurance from the federal Department of Education. The board is authorized to operate the Mississippi Opportunity Loan Program as a guaranteed program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-31 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 27-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-31
Status: in_force

The board of trustees of any agricultural high school is hereby authorized to lease the buildings and equipment thereof to any responsible individual for the purpose of carrying on a private school when there are no funds available for running said institution, and to lease the lands of said institution to some responsible person for agricultural purposes. Said leases shall not extend for any greater length of time than a period of three years from date of granting said lease.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-97-105 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 97-105
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-97-105
Status: in_force

(1) A postsecondary educational institution or any officer, trustee, or employee, of a postsecondary educational institution, shall have the right to, directly or through an agreement with a third party, identify, create, solicit, facilitate, negotiate, support, assist and otherwise enable opportunities for a student-athlete to earn or attempt to earn compensation for the use of the student-athlete's publicity rights. Such right shall include, without limitation, the right to discuss with a student-athlete the potential to earn compensation for their publicity rights if they attend the postsecondary educational institution. Provided that a postsecondary educational institution or any officer, trustee, or employee, of a postsecondary educational institution does not:

(a) Receive compensation from the student-athlete for facilitating, enabling, or assisting with such opportunities;

(b) Attempt to influence a student-athlete's choice of professional representation related to such opportunities; or

(c) Attempt in bad faith to reduce such student-athlete's opportunities from competing third parties.

(2) A third party shall have the right to compensate a student-athlete for the use of the student-athlete's publicity rights. This shall include the right to compensate the student-athlete for the use of the student-athlete's publicity rights in connection with the promotion of an athletic event in which the student-athlete may participate, the promotion of the postsecondary educational institution the student-athlete attends, and the promotion of the postsecondary educational institution's intercollegiate athletics programs.

(3) A postsecondary educational institution or officer, trustee, or employee of a postsecondary institution shall have the right to compensate a student-athlete for the use of the student-athlete's publicity rights to the extent consistent with any legally enforceable rules of a national association, a conference or any other group or organization with authority over the sport, that promotes or regulates collegiate athletics applicable to that institution. Before any agreement for compensation for the use of a student-athlete's publicity rights is entered into, and before any compensation is provided to the student-athlete, a postsecondary educational institution may require a student-athlete enrolled at that institution or who has announced an intention to attend that institution, to disclose the agreement or the terms thereof to a designated official of the postsecondary educational institution in which the student-athlete is enrolled or intends to enroll in a manner prescribed by the institution.

Student-athlete agreements, proposed agreements and any documents that compile, summarize or disclose any of the terms of such agreements shall be exempt from the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983. Postsecondary educational institutions and student-athletes shall not be compelled to disclose student-athlete agreements, proposed agreements and any documents that compile, summarize or disclose any of the terms of such agreements to a national association, a conference or any other group or organization with authority over the sport, that promotes or regulates collegiate athletics.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-68-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 68-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-68-9
Status: in_force

(1) The department shall:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(2) The department may:

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

(b) Use the federal ESSER funds set aside for administration of the program to administer this grant program, to the extent permissible under federal law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-125-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 125-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-125-1
Status: in_force

A body politic and corporate is hereby created by the name of the “Jackson State College” to have perpetual succession, with power to contract and be contracted with, to receive by any legal method of transfer or conveyance, property of any description, to have, hold and employ the same, to make and use a corporate seal, with power to break or change the same, and to adopt bylaws, rules, and regulations for the government of its members, official agents, and employees. However, the name of said “Jackson State College” is hereafter changed to “Jackson State University,” without interference with the rights, powers and prerogatives of said college which continue in all respects. Whenever the name “Jackson State College” appears, the same is construed to denote “Jackson State University.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-43-25 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 43-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-43-25
Status: in_force

Specimen copies of all textbooks, which have been made the basis of contracts under the provisions of this chapter, clearly marked and identified as such, shall be deposited by the publisher of said books with the State Superintendent of Public Education. Said specimen copies shall be preserved and kept open for inspection by the public.

A copy of all contracts and bonds executed under the provisions of this chapter shall be provided to the following, one (1) copy for the contractor, one (1) copy to be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State, and one (1) copy to be filed in the office of the State Superintendent of Public Education.

An original of each bid, whether accepted or rejected, shall be filed and preserved in the office of the State Superintendent of Public Education for at least five (5) years.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-155-25 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 155-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-155-25
Status: in_force

The state shall agree to meet the obligations of the board to beneficiaries if monies in the fund fail to offset the obligations of the board. If there is not enough money in the fund to pay the tuition and required fees of the institution of higher education in which a beneficiary enrolls as provided by the prepaid tuition contract, the Legislature shall appropriate to the fund the amount necessary for the board to pay the applicable amount of tuition and required fees of the institution.

In the event that the board determines the program to be financially infeasible, the board may discontinue the program. Any qualified beneficiary who has been accepted by and is enrolled or is within five (5) years of enrollment in an institution of higher learning or any in-state or out-of-state regionally accredited private four- or two-year college or an out-of-state regionally accredited, state-supported, nonprofit four- or two-year college or university shall be entitled to exercise the complete benefits for which he has contracted. All other contract holders shall receive a refund, pursuant to Section 37-155-9, of the amount paid in and an additional amount in the nature of interest at a rate that corresponds, at a minimum, to the prevailing interest rates for savings accounts provided by banks and savings and loan associations.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-115 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 59-115
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-115
Status: in_force

The indebtedness incurred under the authority of this article shall not be included in computing the statutory limitation upon the indebtedness which may be incurred by school districts as provided in Article 1 of this chapter, or any other statute, but shall be in addition thereto. The only limitation upon the amount of indebtedness which may be incurred under the provisions of this article shall be that provided in Section 37-59-107 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-277 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 29-277
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-277
Status: in_force

When the board of trustees of any community or junior college or educational building corporation created under Sections 37-29-601 through 37-29-613 acquires auxiliary facilities by lease, lease purchase or service contract, or borrows money to purchase the property, the board of trustees or educational building corporation shall obtain business interruption insurance in an amount sufficient to pay lease payments or debt service payments for the period of time required to restore or rebuild leased or financed facilities damaged or destroyed by a catastrophic event such as a fire, storm, tornado or earthquake.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 11-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-7
Status: in_force

(1) The State of Mississippi does hereby accept and avail itself of all the provisions and benefits of acts passed by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled on June 4, 1946, known as the “National School Lunch Act,” Chapter 281, 60 Stat 230, and on October 11, 1966, known as the “Child Nutrition Act,” 80 Stat 885.

(2) The State Department of Education is hereby designated and appointed as the state agency in Mississippi to carry out and execute the functions and duties required of a state agency under the terms and provisions of said acts and to administer the funds made available by the federal government for the school lunch and other child nutrition programs for and in the State of Mississippi under the provisions of said acts. For such purpose, the State Superintendent of Public Education is hereby authorized and empowered to do any and all things which may be required under the terms of said acts to enable the State of Mississippi to receive the benefits thereof, to enter into any and all agreements and contracts with any officer or agency of the United States of America, or any other person, agency or political subdivision, that may be necessary, expedient or advisable in administering said acts, and to appoint and employ a state supervisor of the child nutrition programs and such other administrative, supervisory, stenographic and clerical personnel as may be necessary in the administration of said acts.

(3) The school boards of any combination of school districts may authorize by resolution the organization and operation of, or the participation in, a group purchase program with other participating child nutrition operators for the purchase of commodities, supplies, equipment and services provided under the school lunch and child nutrition programs, when it appears to said participating child nutrition operators that a group purchase program shall effect economy or efficiency in such operation. The State Department of Education may administer such group purchase program to provide commodities, supplies, equipment and services under the school lunch and child nutrition programs and may charge and collect reasonable fees from participating operators for the actual cost of administering such group purchase program. Purchases by participating operators in such group purchasing programs shall not be exempt from public bid requirements as prescribed in Sections 31-7-12 and 31-7-13, Mississippi Code of 1972 .

(4) The State Treasurer is hereby designated and appointed custodian of all monies received by the state from appropriations made to carry out the provisions of said acts of Congress, and he is authorized to receive and to provide for the proper custody of same, and to make disbursements thereof in the manner provided for in said acts and for the purposes therein specified.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-132-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 132-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-132-3
Status: in_force

It shall be the responsibility of a cooperating teacher, in conjunction with the principal or other administrator and the representative of the teacher preparation institution, to assign to the student teacher or intern responsibilities and duties that will provide adequate preparation for teaching. Student teaching may include duties granted to a certificated teacher under the rules and regulations of such board of education and any other part of the school program for which either the cooperating teacher or the principal is responsible.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-87 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 151-87
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-87
Status: in_force

No school district shall pay any teacher less than the state minimum salary. However, school districts are authorized to reduce the state minimum salary by a pro rata daily amount in order to comply with the school district employee furlough provisions of Section 37-7-308 . From and after July 1, 2012, no school district shall receive any funds under the provisions of this chapter for any school year during which the aggregate amount of local supplement is reduced below such amount for the previous year. However, (a) where there has been a reduction in total funding formula allocations for such district in such year, (b) where there has been a reduction in the amount of federal funds to such district below the previous year, or (c) where there has been a reduction in ad valorem taxes to such school district for the 1986-1987 school year below the amount for the previous year due to the exemption of nuclear generating plants from ad valorem taxation pursuant to Section 27-35-309 , the aggregate amount of local supplement in such district may be reduced in the discretion of the local school board without loss of funds under this chapter. No school district may receive any funds under the provisions of this chapter for any school year if the aggregate amount of support from ad valorem taxation shall be reduced during such school year below such amount for the previous year; however, where there is a loss in total funding formula allocations, or where there is or heretofore has been a decrease in the total assessed value of taxable property within a school district, the aggregate amount of such support may be reduced proportionately. Nothing herein contained shall prohibit any school district from adopting or continuing a program or plan whereby teachers are paid varying salaries according to the teaching ability, classroom performance and other similar standards.

For purposes of this section, the term “ local supplement ” means the additional amount paid to an individual teacher over and above the salary schedule prescribed in Section 37-19-7 for the performance of regular teaching duties by that teacher.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-99 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 23-99
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-99
Status: in_force

The county board of education shall initiate the establishment of such a center by adoption of a resolution stating its intention and shall transmit to the board of supervisors of its county a properly certified copy of such resolution stating its intention to establish a child development center, including estimated costs of land purchase, construction and operational costs per year and the proposed sources of the necessary revenues. The board of supervisors shall make an independent investigation and confirm or deny the need and practicality for such a center.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 13-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-7
Status: in_force

(1) The boards of trustees of the 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 least once during each school month, 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.”

(2) The official pledge of the State of Mississippi shall read as follows:

“I salute the flag of Mississippi and the sovereign state for which it stands with pride in her history and achievements and with confidence in her future under the guidance of Almighty God.”

The pledge of allegiance to the Mississippi flag shall be taught in the public schools of this state, along with the pledge of allegiance to the United States flag.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-18-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / 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. § 37-104-35 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 104-35
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-35
Status: in_force

The Authority is authorized to provide by resolution for the issuance of revenue-refunding bonds for the purpose of refunding any revenue bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter and then outstanding, together with interest thereon to the date of such refunding bonds, and redemption premium thereon, if any. The issuance of such revenue-refunding bonds, the maturity, and all other details thereof, the rights of the holders thereof, and the duties of the Authority in respect thereto shall be governed by the provisions of this chapter insofar as the same may be applicable.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-33 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 29-33
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-33
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise provided in Sections 37-29-1 through 37-29-273 , all of the property belonging to the board of trustees of any existing junior college and all of the property belonging to any or all of the counties cooperating, as of July 1, 1964, in the existing junior colleges or the agricultural high schools and junior colleges located at the existing campuses and utilized or held for the present or future use and benefit of such junior colleges and/or agricultural high schools and junior colleges, shall be and the same is hereby transferred to and vested in the boards of trustees of the junior college districts created in Section 37-29-31 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-131 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / 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. § 37-155-23 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 155-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-155-23
Status: in_force

This article is not a promise or guarantee that the beneficiary will be:

(a) Admitted to any institution of higher education;

(b) Admitted to a particular institution of higher education after admission;

(c) Allowed to continue enrollment at an institution of higher education; or

(d) Graduated from an institution of higher education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-160-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / 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. § 37-155-13 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 155-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-155-13
Status: in_force

Through the dormitory residence plan, the advance payment contract shall provide prepaid housing fees for a maximum of eight (8) semesters of full-time undergraduate enrollment in an institution of higher education. Dormitory residence plans are optional and may be purchased only in conjunction with a prepaid tuition plan. Dormitory residence plans shall be purchased in increments of two (2) semesters. Beneficiaries shall bear the cost of any additional elective charges such as laundry service or long-distance telephone service. Each institution of higher education may specify the residence halls eligible for inclusion in the plan. In addition, any institution of higher education may request immediate termination of a dormitory contract based on a violation or multiple violations of rules of the residence hall. Beneficiaries shall have the highest priority in the assignment of housing with institutions of higher education residence halls. In the event that sufficient housing is not available for all beneficiaries, the board shall refund the purchaser or beneficiary an amount equal to the fees charged for dormitory residence during that semester.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-45 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 104-45
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-45
Status: in_force

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

The powers and duties conferred upon the State Bond Commission, and its members, the Governor, the Attorney General and the State Treasurer, acting as the Authority, are supplemental to and not to conflict with the duties and powers conferred upon the State Bond Commission, the Governor, the Attorney General, and State Treasurer by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-27 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / 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. § 37-61-33 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 61-33
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-61-33
Status: in_force

(1) There is created within the State Treasury a special fund to be designated the “Education Enhancement Fund” into which shall be deposited all the revenues collected pursuant to Sections 27-65-75(5) , (7) and (8) and 27-67-31(a) and (b) .

(2) Of the amount deposited into the Education Enhancement Fund, Sixteen Million Dollars ($16,000,000.00) shall be appropriated each fiscal year to the State Department of Education to be distributed to all school districts. Such money shall be distributed to all school districts in the proportion that the net enrollment of each school district bears to the net enrollment of all school districts within the state for the following purposes:

(a) Purchasing, erecting, repairing, equipping, remodeling and enlarging school buildings and related facilities, including gymnasiums, auditoriums, lunchrooms, vocational training buildings, libraries, teachers' homes, school barns, transportation vehicles (which shall include new and used transportation vehicles) and garages for transportation vehicles, and purchasing land therefor;

(b) Establishing and equipping school athletic fields and necessary facilities connected therewith, and purchasing land therefor;

(c) Providing necessary water, light, heating, air-conditioning and sewerage facilities for school buildings, and purchasing land therefor;

(d) As a pledge to pay all or a portion of the debt service on debt issued by the school district under Sections 37-59-1 through 37-59-45 , 37-59-101 through 37-59-115 , 37-7-351 through 37-7-359 , 37-41-89 through 37-41-99 , 37-7-301 , 37-7-302 and 37-41-81 , or debt issued by boards of supervisors for agricultural high schools pursuant to Section 37-27-65 , if such pledge is accomplished pursuant to a written contract or resolution approved and spread upon the minutes of an official meeting of the district's school board or board of supervisors. The annual grant to such district in any subsequent year during the term of the resolution or contract shall not be reduced below an amount equal to the district's grant amount for the year in which the contract or resolution was adopted. The intent of this provision is to allow school districts to irrevocably pledge a certain, constant stream of revenue as security for long-term obligations issued under the code sections enumerated in this paragraph or as otherwise allowed by law. It is the intent of the Legislature that the provisions of this paragraph shall be cumulative and supplemental to any existing funding programs or other authority conferred upon school districts or school boards. Debt of a district secured by a pledge of sales tax revenue pursuant to this paragraph shall not be subject to any debt limitation contained in the foregoing enumerated code sections; and

(e) Any other purpose for which the total funding formula funds as determined by Sections 37-151-200 through 37-151-215 are not sufficient.

(3) The remainder of the money deposited into the Education Enhancement Fund shall be appropriated as follows:

(a) To the State Department of Education as follows:

(i) Sixteen and sixty-one one-hundredths percent (16.61%) to the cost of the total funding formula determined under Sections 37-151-200 through 37-151-215 ; of the funds generated by the percentage set forth in this section for the support of the adequate education program, one and one hundred seventy-eight one-thousandths percent (1.178%) of the funds shall be appropriated to be used by the State Department of Education for the purchase of textbooks to be loaned under Sections 37-43-1 through 37-43-59 to approved nonpublic schools, as described in Section 37-43-1 . The funds to be distributed to each nonpublic school shall be in the proportion that the average daily attendance of each nonpublic school bears to the total average daily attendance of all nonpublic schools;

(ii) Seven and ninety-seven one-hundredths percent (7.97%) to assist the funding of transportation operations and maintenance pursuant to Section 37-19-23 ; and

(iii) Nine and sixty-one one-hundredths percent (9.61%) for classroom supplies, instructional materials and equipment, including computers and computer software, to be distributed to all eligible teachers within the state through the use of procurement cards or a digital solution capable of tracking, paying and reporting purchases. Classroom supply funds shall not be expended for administrative purposes. On a date to be determined by the State Department of Education, but not later than July 1 of each year, local school districts shall determine and submit to the State Department of Education the number of teachers eligible to receive an allocation for the current year. For purposes of this subparagraph, “ teacher ” means any employee of the school board of a school district, or the Mississippi School for the Arts, the Mississippi School for Math and Science, the Mississippi School for the Blind, the Mississippi School for the Deaf or public charter school, who is required by law to obtain a teacher's license from the State Department of Education and who is assigned to an instructional area of work as defined by the department, and shall include any full- or part-time gifted or special education teacher. It is the intent of the Legislature that all classroom teachers shall utilize these funds in a manner that addresses individual classroom needs and supports the overall goals of the school regarding supplies, instructional materials, equipment, computers or computer software under the provisions of this subparagraph, including the type, quantity and quality of such supplies, materials and equipment. Classroom supply funds allocated under this subparagraph shall supplement, not replace, other local and state funds available for the same purposes. The State Board of Education shall develop and promulgate rules and regulations for the administration of this subparagraph consistent with the above criteria, with particular emphasis on allowing the individual teachers to expend funds as they deem appropriate. The local school board shall require each school to issue credentials for a digital solution selected by or procurement cards provided by the Department of Finance and Administration under the provisions of Section 31-7-9(1)(c) for the use of teachers and necessary support personnel in making instructional supply fund expenditures under this section, consistent with the regulations of the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration pursuant to Section 31-7-9 . Such credentials or procurement cards shall be provided by the State Department of Education to local school districts on a date determined by the State Department of Education, but not later than August 1 of each year. Local school districts shall issue such credentials or procurement cards to classroom teachers at the beginning of the school year, but no later than August 1 of each year, and shall be issued in equal amounts per teacher determined by the total number of qualifying personnel and the current state appropriation for classroom supplies with the Education Enhancement Fund. After initial cards are issued under the timeline prescribed by this section, the State Department of Education may issue cards to districts for any classroom teacher hired after July 1 under a timeline prescribed by the State Department of Education. Such credentials or cards will expire on a predetermined date at the end of each school year, but not before April 1 of each year;

(b) Twenty-two and nine one-hundredths percent (22.09%) to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning for the purpose of supporting institutions of higher learning; and

(c) Fourteen and forty-one one-hundredths percent (14.41%) to the Mississippi Community College Board for the purpose of providing support to community and junior colleges.

(4) The amount remaining in the Education Enhancement Fund after funds are distributed as provided in subsections (2) and (3) of this section shall be appropriated for other educational needs.

(5) None of the funds appropriated pursuant to subsection (3)(a) of this section shall be used to reduce the state's General Fund appropriation for the categories listed in an amount below the following amounts:

(a) For subsection (3)(a)(ii) of this section, Thirty-six Million Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars ($36,700,000.00);

(b) For the aggregate of minimum program allotments in the 1997 fiscal year, formerly provided for in Chapter 19, Title 37, Mississippi Code of 1972 , as amended, excluding those funds for transportation as provided for in paragraph (a) of this subsection.

(6) Any funds appropriated from the Education Enhancement Fund that are unexpended at the end of a fiscal year shall lapse into the Education Enhancement Fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-41 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 104-41
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-41
Status: in_force

All monies received by the Authority pursuant to this chapter, from any source whatever, shall be deemed to be trust funds to be held and applied solely as provided herein.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-129 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 23-129
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-129
Status: in_force

The department shall determine the services to be provided by the system, however, at least the following services will be provided:

(a) Provision of diagnostic and evaluation services to children who are being considered for possible or continued placement in educational programs for exceptional children.

(b) Provision, to personnel providing educational programs for exceptional children, of inservice activities and consultation on the diagnosis and evaluation of exceptional children and on the development of individualized educational programs.

(c) Provision of regional screening team services to schools and agencies providing educational services to exceptional children as required in the “competent professional persons” portion of Section 37-23-3 .

(d) Collection and maintenance, for demonstration and loan purposes, of instructional materials, professional literature, and evaluation materials which are appropriate for the exceptional child program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-61 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / 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. § 37-115-33 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 115-33
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-33
Status: in_force

The state building commission in the development of the architectural facilities of the medical center and hospital facilities is hereby authorized, empowered and directed to erect and equip adequate facilities for the training of nurses under such rules and regulations as may be promulgated by the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-69 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 145-69
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-69
Status: in_force

The bonds issued by and under the authority of Sections 37-145-43 through 37-145-73 by the company are declared to be legal investments in which all public officers or public bodies of the state, its political subdivisions, all municipalities and municipal subdivisions, all insurance companies and associations, and other persons carrying on insurance business, all banks, bankers, banking associations, trust companies, savings associations, including savings and loan associations, building and loan associations, investment companies, and other persons carrying on a banking business, all administrators, guardians, executors, trustees and other fiduciaries, and all other persons who are now or may later be authorized to invest in bonds or in other obligations of the state, may invest funds, including capital, in their control or belonging to them. Such bonds are also hereby made securities which may be deposited with and received by all public officers and bodies of the state or any agency or political subdivision of the state and all municipalities and public corporations for any purpose for which the deposit of bonds or other obligations of the state is now or may be later authorized by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-203 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 33-203
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-203
Status: in_force

Sections 37-33-203 through 37-33-223 shall be known as the “Special Disability Programs Law of Mississippi.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-146-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 146-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-146-5
Status: in_force

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

(a) Developing the administrative policy for the commission and the Mississippi Rural Dentists Scholarship Program;

(b) Promulgating rules and regulations, with the advice and consent of the University of Mississippi Medical Center, pertaining to the implementation and operation of the Rural Dentists Scholarship Program;

(c) Developing and implementing strategies and activities for the identification and recruitment of students and for marketing the program and for the implementation of the program. In developing these strategies, the board shall seek the input of various organizations and entities;

(d) Establishing a budget, with the advice and consent of the University of Mississippi Medical Center, to support the activities of the program and periodically reviewing and if appropriate, revising, the scholarship and other stipends offered through the program;

(e) Advising the University of Mississippi Medical Center regarding hiring appropriate staff necessary to work in conjunction with the Executive Director of the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program;

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

(g) The commission shall have the authority through use of generally applicable definitions, to designate an area of the state as underserved or rural. The method by which these designations shall be made shall be contained in rules and regulations promulgated by the commission;

(h) The commission shall produce an annual report to the Legislature showing certain information relating to the program for the previous fiscal year, including the following:

(i) Budget, including funds provided in addition to legislative appropriations;

(ii) The number of participants enrolled in dental school along with their matriculation status;

(iii) The status of, to include location or practice, participants who have entered a dental residency program;

(iv) The number and cause of participants who breached their obligation(s) to the program; and

(v) The status of, to include location of practice, participants who have entered into the practice of dentistry in a rural or medically underserved area in Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-25 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 41-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-25
Status: in_force

Any superintendent of schools, member of the school board, superintendent, principal or carrier, or bus driver, who shall knowingly make any false report, list or record, or who shall knowingly make use of any false report, list or record concerning the number of school children being transported or entitled to be transported in any county or school district shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days, or by a fine of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the court. In addition, any such person shall be civilly liable for all amounts of public funds which are illegally, unlawfully or wrongfully expended or paid out by virtue of or pursuant to such false report, list or record, and upon conviction or adjudication of civil liability hereunder such person shall forfeit his license to teach for a period of three (3) years, if such person is the holder of such a license. Any suit to recover such funds illegally, unlawfully, or wrongfully expended or paid out may be brought in the name of the State of Mississippi by the Attorney General or the proper district attorney or county attorney. In the event such suit be brought against a person who is under bond, the sureties upon such bond shall likewise be liable for such amount illegally, unlawfully or wrongfully expended or paid out.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-103 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 65-103
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-103
Status: in_force

The decision or determination to close any one or more or all schools of the district shall be effectuated and evidenced by an order of such board of trustees directing the same, entered upon the minutes of such board, and the same shall be sufficient by an adjudication or determination therein of any one or more reasons authorizing such action as set out in Section 37-65-101 , and it shall not be necessary to include in said order any fact or detail other than the said reason or reasons above mentioned.

Any one or more or all schools of the district which may be closed, as hereinabove provided for, shall remain closed until further order of said board of trustees made and entered upon its minutes opening such school or schools or all schools of the district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-159-13 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 159-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-159-13
Status: in_force

(1) There is established a pilot program to provide for the construction of rental housing units for teachers in the West Tallahatchie School District, which pilot program shall be administered by the State Department of Education. The department may contract with one or more public or private entities to provide assistance in implementing and administering the program. The State Board of Education shall adopt rules and regulations regarding the implementation and administration of the program.

(2) The West Tallahatchie School District shall receive proposals from developers for the construction of the rental housing units, and submit its recommendation to the State Department of Education about which developer should construct the units. The department shall make the final determination about the developer that will construct the units.

(3) After selection of the developer, the department shall loan the developer not more than Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00) for construction of the units. The interest rate on the loan shall be equal to one percent (1%) below the discount rate at the Federal Reserve Bank in the Federal Reserve district in which the school district is located, and the loan shall be repaid in not more than fifteen (15) years, as determined by the department. All funds received by the department as repayment of the principal and interest of the loan shall be deposited in the Mississippi Critical Teacher Shortage Fund. If a claim against the developer for repayment is placed in the hands of an attorney for collection, the obligor shall be liable for an additional amount equal to a reasonable attorney's fee.

(4) The developer shall operate the rental housing units. For a period of ten (10) years or until such time as the loan to the developer is repaid, whichever is longer, the priority for residence in the units shall be given first to teachers employed by the school district, then to other licensed school district employees, and then to any other school district employees.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-138-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 138-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-138-9
Status: in_force

The commission shall administer and enforce this chapter and shall have the following powers and duties under this chapter:

(a) To adopt, modify, repeal and promulgate, after due notice and hearing, and where not otherwise prohibited by federal or state law, to make exceptions to and grant exemptions and variances from, and to enforce rules and regulations implementing or effectuating the powers and duties of the commission under this chapter, including but not limited to rules and regulations concerning the required accreditation training, the issuance and annual renewal of certificates, the assessment of annual fees and the assessment of penalties, reprimands, and the suspension and revocation of certificates, abatement emergencies and the exclusion of minor abatement and/or routine maintenance activities at commercial buildings, industrial facilities, public buildings and school buildings from any requirements of this chapter;

(b) To issue certificates for the positions of management planner, project designer, air monitor, contractor, supervisor, inspector and worker and to renew said certificates annually;

(c) To assess penalties, to issue reprimands and to suspend and revoke certificates;

(d) To assess annual fees for the issuance and annual renewal of certificates;

(e) To approve the accreditation of training courses administered to applicants for issuance and annual renewal of certificates and to develop an examination and grading system for testing applicants, to be administered by the designated university;

(f) Administration and expenditure of funds deposited in and expended by legislative appropriation from the Asbestos Abatement Accreditation and Certification Fund;

(g) Reciprocal arrangements for accreditation and certification of management planners, project designers, air monitors, contractors, supervisors, inspectors and workers with other states that have established accreditation and certification programs that meet or exceed the accreditation and certification requirements of this chapter;

(h) To apply for, receive and expend any federal or state funds or contributions, gifts, devises, bequests or funds from any other source relating to this chapter;

(i) To commission or conduct studies relating to this chapter;

(j) To enter into, and to authorize the executive director to execute with the approval of the commission, contracts, grants and cooperative agreements with any federal or state agency or subdivision thereof, or any public or private institution located inside or outside the State of Mississippi, or any person, corporation or association in connection with carrying out the provisions of this chapter; but this authority under this chapter shall not include contracts, grants or cooperative agreements which do not develop data or information usable by the commission in connection with this chapter, or which provide goods, services or facilities to the commission or any of its bureaus, and shall exclude any monies for special interest groups for purposes of lobbying or otherwise promoting their special interests; and

(k) To discharge such other duties, responsibilities and powers as are necessary to implement the provisions of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-18-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 18-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-18-7
Status: in_force

(1) As part of the school improvement plan for a School At-Risk, a professional development plan shall be prepared for those school administrators, teachers or other employees who are identified by the evaluation team as needing improvement. The State Department of Education shall assist the School At-Risk in identifying funds necessary to fully implement the school improvement plan.

(2) In the event a school continues to be designated a School At-Risk after three (3) years of implementing a school improvement plan, or in the event that more than fifty percent (50%) of the schools within the school district are designated as Schools At-Risk in any one (1) year, the State Board of Education may request that the Governor declare a state of emergency in that school district. Upon the declaration of the state of emergency by the Governor, the State Board of Education may take all such action for dealing with school districts as is authorized under subsection (12) or (15) of Section 37-17-6 , including the appointment of an interim superintendent.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-159-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 159-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-159-9
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(10) The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the proper administration of the University Assisted Teacher Recruitment and Retention Grant Program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-20 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 113-20
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-20
Status: in_force

(1) For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section unless the context otherwise clearly requires:

(a) “ Wireless communication device ” means any handheld, portable or mobile electronic device capable of transmitting or exchanging data in the form of multimedia, graphics, text, or voice that meets all the following criteria:

(i) The device has a wireless communication capability and is mobile;

(ii) The device requires an upfront or periodic charge or fee to utilize the wireless communications capability; and

(iii) The wireless communication capability that requires an upfront or periodic fee is activated.

For purposes of this section, a notebook or laptop computer is not considered a wireless communication device.

(b) “ Director ” means the Mississippi State University Extension Service Director, the Mississippi State University Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station Director, the Mississippi State University Forestry and Wildlife Research Center Director or the Dean of the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

(2) The director or his designee may, at his discretion, assign or otherwise make available for usage one or more wireless communications devices to a faculty member or an agent of the Mississippi State University Extension Service under his direct or indirect supervision after the director, or his designee, signs a statement certifying the need or purpose for issuing the device. No faculty member or extension service agent to whom has been assigned a wireless communication device under this paragraph shall use the assigned device for personal use except in those cases where the personal use does not incur additional charges or fees as a result of the personal use. A detailed billing of wireless services for devices referred to in this paragraph shall be obtained on a periodic basis and reviewed by the director, or his designee, to audit usage and verify compliance with this section.

(3) No state-appropriated funds shall be used to pay for the acquisition or use of a wireless communication device issued under this section.