Miss. Code Ann. § 37-61-19 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 61-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-61-19
Status: in_force

It shall be the duty of the superintendents of schools and the school boards of all school districts to limit the expenditure of school funds during the fiscal year to the resources available. It shall be unlawful for any school district to budget expenditures from a fund in excess of the resources available within that fund. Furthermore, it shall be unlawful for any contract to be entered into or any obligation incurred or expenditure made in excess of the resources available for such fiscal year. Any member of the school board, superintendent of schools, or other school official, who shall knowingly enter into any contract, incur any obligation, or make any expenditure in excess of the amount available for the fiscal year shall be personally liable for the amount of such excess. However, no school board member, superintendent or other school official shall be personally liable: (a) in the event of any reduction in total funding formula payments by action of the Governor acting through the Department of Finance and Administration; or (b) for claims, damages, awards or judgments, on account of any wrongful or tortious act or omission or breach of implied term or condition of any warranty or contract. However, the foregoing immunity provisions shall not be a defense in cases of fraud, criminal action or an intentional breach of fiduciary obligations imposed by statute.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-99 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 41-99
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-99
Status: in_force

The principal of and interest upon all notes or bonds issued under the authority of Section 37-41-89 shall be paid out of such transportation funds of the school district as may be available for such purpose. It shall be the duty of the school board to set aside each year out of such transportation funds a sufficient amount to pay the principal of and interest upon said notes or bonds as and when the same shall respectively mature and accrue. It shall be the duty of the superintendent of schools to include in the school budget each year separate items showing the amount required for the payment of the principal of and the interest upon all notes or bonds issued under the authority of said section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-14 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 9-14
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-14
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(7) The superintendent of schools shall maintain as a record in his office a book or a computer printout in which he shall enter all demands, claims and accounts paid from any funds of the school district. The record shall be in a form to be prescribed by the State Auditor. All demands, claims and accounts filed shall be preserved by the superintendent of schools as a public record for a period of five (5) years. All claims found by the school board to be illegal shall be rejected or disallowed. To the extent allowed by board policy, all claims which are found to be legal and proper may be paid and then ratified by the school board at the next regularly scheduled board meeting, as paid by the superintendent of schools. All claims as to which a continuance is requested by the claimant and those found to be defective but which may be perfected by amendment shall be continued. The superintendent of schools shall issue a pay certificate against any legal and proper fund of the school district in favor of the claimant in payment of claims. The provisions of this section, however, shall not be applicable to the payment of salaries and applicable benefits, travel advances, amounts due private contractors or other obligations where the amount thereof has been previously approved by a contract or by an order of the school board entered upon its minutes, or paid by board policy, or by inclusion in the current fiscal year budget, and all such amounts may be paid by the superintendent of schools by pay certificates issued by him against the legal and proper fund without allowance of a specific claim therefor as provided in this section, provided that the payment thereof is otherwise in conformity with law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-515 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 29-515
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-515
Status: in_force

On or before the thirtieth day of each month, the city council of the City of Meridian shall transmit warrants constituting all of the revenues received from taxation for the prior month for purposes of support of the Meridian Junior College District to the president of the Meridian Junior College. Such warrant or warrants shall bear indication of revenues received for general support and maintenance and revenues received for capital outlay purposes. All such warrants evidencing income from the authorized tax levies shall be deposited forthwith in one (1) or more banking institutions and public depositories previously selected by the board of trustees of the Meridian Junior College District and spread upon its official minutes. Such funds shall be paid out of the depository by order of the board of trustees for lawful purposes only.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-37-21 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 37-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-37-21
Status: in_force

When, as a result of any audits performed under the terms of this chapter, the State Auditor has reason to believe that any false or erroneous report or violation of law presents ample evidence therefor, he shall report the same to the Attorney General. The Attorney General shall thereupon institute suit in the name of the State of Mississippi and prosecute to a conclusion such actions as may be necessary to make recovery from any and all persons civilly liable. The Attorney General shall also refer the matter to the proper district attorney for the institution of any appropriate criminal proceedings. Any funds recovered by such suits shall be paid into the appropriate school district fund in accordance with the loss such fund or funds may have sustained.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-103 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 59-103
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-103
Status: in_force

Before any money shall be borrowed under the provisions of this article, the school board of the school district shall adopt a resolution declaring the necessity for and its intention of borrowing such money, specifying the amount to be so borrowed, the date or dates of the maturity thereof, and how such indebtedness is to be evidenced. Such resolution shall also set forth the nature and approximate cost of the alterations, additions, and repairs to be made, or of the erections contemplated, or of the heating plant, fixtures and equipment necessary to be purchased, or of the land to be purchased, improved or equipped, or of the school buses and transportation equipment to be purchased, as the case may be, and shall declare in said resolution that no funds are available in the school funds of the district or from any other source with which to make such repairs, alterations, additions, purchases, erections or improvements.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-47-47 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 47-47
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-47-47
Status: in_force

All state school bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter shall be sold by the said state bond commission upon sealed competitive bids or proposals after advertisement therefor and publication of the notice of such sale in the manner provided by law.

The proceeds of the sale of all state school bonds shall be placed in the “state public school building fund” and shall be expended only for the purposes authorized by this chapter. However, the premium, if any, received for any such bonds and the accrued interest paid thereon, if any, shall be placed in the sinking fund established for the payment of said bonds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-144-15 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 144-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-144-15
Status: in_force

Medical and osteopathic students in the program must enter family medicine or other generalist residency programs according to their choice of specialty. Depending upon the availability of funds, students who successfully enter residency programs which have been approved by the commission may receive further financial support from the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program subject to applicable rules and policies of the commission. All funding for financial support from the commission to participants during their residency must be disbursed in accordance with applicable regulations.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-413 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 29-413
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-413
Status: in_force

The Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College District is hereby authorized and empowered to operate junior college attendance centers at Perkinston, Mississippi, in the vicinity of Gulfport and Biloxi and in the vicinity of Pascagoula and Moss Point and at such other places within the district, subject to the approval of the Mississippi Community College Board, as the board of trustees shall determine to be in the best interest of the district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-3-83 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 3-83
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-3-83
Status: in_force

(1) There is established within the State Department of Education, using only existing staff and resources, a School Safety Grant Program, available to all eligible public school districts, to assist in financing programs to provide school safety. However, no monies from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families grant may be used for the School Safety Grant Program.

(2) The school board of each school district, with the assistance of the State Department of Education School Safety Center, shall adopt a comprehensive local school district school safety plan and shall update the plan on an annual basis.

(3) Subject to the extent of appropriations available, the School Safety Grant Program shall offer any of the following specific preventive services, and other additional services appropriate to the most current school district school safety plan:

(a) Metal detectors;

(b) Video surveillance cameras, communications equipment and monitoring equipment for classrooms, school buildings, school grounds and school buses;

(c) Crisis management/action teams responding to school violence;

(d) Violence prevention training, conflict resolution training, behavioral stress training and other appropriate training designated by the State Department of Education for faculty and staff; and

(e) School safety personnel.

(4) Each local school district of this state may annually apply for school safety grant funds subject to appropriations by the Legislature. School safety grants shall include a base grant amount plus an additional amount per student in net enrollment in the school or school district. The base grant amount and amount per student shall be determined by the State Board of Education, subject to specific appropriation therefor by the Legislature. In order to be eligible for such program, each local school board desiring to participate shall apply to the State Department of Education by May 31 before the beginning of the applicable fiscal year on forms provided by the department, and shall be required to establish a local School Safety Task Force to involve members of the community in the school safety effort. The State Department of Education shall determine by July 1 of each succeeding year which local school districts have submitted approved applications for school safety grants.

(5) As part of the School Safety Grant Program, the State Department of Education may conduct a pilot program to research the feasibility of using video camera equipment in the classroom to address the following:

(a) Determine if video cameras in the classroom reduce student disciplinary problems;

(b) Enable teachers to present clear and convincing evidence of a student's disruptive behavior to the student, the principal, the superintendent and the student's parents; and

(c) Enable teachers to review teaching performance and receive diagnostic feedback for developmental purposes.

(6) Any local school district may use audio/visual-monitoring equipment in classrooms, hallways, buildings, grounds and buses for the purpose of monitoring school disciplinary problems.

(7) As a component of the comprehensive local school district school safety plan required under subsection (2) of this section, the school board of a school district may adopt and implement a policy addressing sexual abuse of children, to be known as “Erin's Law Awareness.” Any policy adopted under this subsection may include or address, but need not be limited to, the following:

(a) Methods for increasing teacher, student and parental awareness of issues regarding sexual abuse of children, including knowledge of likely warning signs indicating that a child may be a victim of sexual abuse;

(b) Educational information for parents or guardians, which may be included in the school handbook, on the warning signs of a child being abused, along with any needed assistance, referral or resource information;

(c) Training for school personnel on child sexual abuse;

(d) Age-appropriate curriculum for students in prekindergarten through fifth grade;

(e) Actions that a child who is a victim of sexual abuse should take to obtain assistance and intervention;

(f) Counseling and resources available for students affected by sexual abuse; and

(g) Emotional and educational support for a child who has been abused to enable the child to be successful in school.

(8) As part of the school safety grant program, the State Department of Education shall establish three (3) pilot programs in six (6) school districts utilizing an evidence-based curriculum to provide students in Grades K-5 with skills to manage stress and anxiety in order for them to be better equipped to handle challenges in a healthy way and build resiliency. The Mississippi Department of Mental Health shall be responsible for the selection of the content of the evidence-based curriculum. The results of this pilot program shall be measured and reported, and such results shall be used in consideration of the implementation of this curriculum statewide.

(9) As a component of the comprehensive local school district safety plan required under subsection (2) of this section, beginning in the 2019-2020 school year, the State Department of Education shall require local school districts to conduct, every two (2) years, refresher training on mental health and suicide prevention for all school employees and personnel, including all cafeteria workers, custodians, teachers and administrators. The Mississippi Department of Mental Health shall be responsible for the development and/or selection of the content of the training, which training shall be provided at no cost to school employees. School districts shall report completion of the training to the State Department of Education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-65 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 151-65
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-65
Status: in_force

It is the intent of the Legislature by the passage of Sections 37-151-63 through 37-151-75 to provide for the creation and development of a regionally based system in Mississippi for education and training which: responds to the needs of Mississippi's work force and employers; is driven by the demands of industry and a competitive economy; makes maximum use of limited resources; and provides for continuing improvement through constant assessment of the results of education and training for individual workers and employers. 1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-21-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 21-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-21-9
Status: in_force

The State Department of Education shall:

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

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

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

(d) Report annually to the Mississippi Legislature on the graduation and dropout rates based on Grades 7 through 12 and Grades 9 through 12 cohort groups, statewide and by district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-29 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 106-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-29
Status: in_force

(1) There is established the Mississippi Resident Tuition Assistance Grant Program for college or university freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors to be administered by the Mississippi Postsecondary Education Financial Assistance Board established under Section 37-106-9, Mississippi Code of 1972 , which shall set the dates and deadlines for applying for an award under this section. The board shall establish such rules and regulations as it deems necessary and proper to carry out the purposes and intent of this section.

(2) The board shall approve grants to full-time freshmen, sophomore, junior and senior Mississippi residents who meet the general requirements for student eligibility as provided in subsection (4) of this section.

(3) Mississippi Resident Tuition Assistance Grants shall be for Mississippi resident students from any Mississippi family whose prior year adjusted gross income (AGI) exceeds the maximum allowed to qualify for full Pell Grant eligibility and campus-based federal aid. Those Mississippi students qualifying for less than the full Pell Grant award shall receive a Mississippi Resident Tuition Assistance Grant in an amount not to exceed the maximum Pell Grant allowable for that individual student. The award shall be applied to tuition, rooms and meals, books, materials and fees not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for junior and senior students attending state institutions of higher learning in Mississippi or four-year regionally accredited, state-approved, nonprofit colleges and universities in Mississippi, and Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for freshmen and sophomores attending state institutions of higher learning or public community or junior colleges in Mississippi, or regionally accredited, state-approved, nonprofit two-year or four-year colleges in Mississippi, which will be prorated per term, semester or quarter of the academic year for costs of attendance, calculated according to the formula specified in subsection (8) of this section.

(4) The general requirements for initial eligibility of students for Mississippi Resident Tuition Assistance Grants consist of the following:

(a) Member of a Mississippi family whose prior year adjusted gross income (AGI) exceeds the maximum allowed to qualify for Pell Grant eligibility and campus-based federal aid.

(b) Acceptance for enrollment at any state institution of higher learning or public community or junior college located in Mississippi, or any regionally accredited, state-approved, nonprofit two-year or four-year college or university located in Mississippi and approved by the board.

(c) Completion of a secondary education as follows:

(i) Graduation from high school verified by the institution before disbursement of award with a minimum grade point average of 2.5 calculated on a 4.0 scale after seven (7) semesters as certified by the high school counselor or other authorized school official on the application; or

(ii) Attendance at a home education program during grade levels 9 through 12; or

(iii) Satisfactory completion of the High School Equivalency Diploma; or

(iv) Successful completion of the International Baccalaureate Program.

(d) A minimum score of fifteen (15) on the ACT test except that any student entering a vocational or technical program of study, or who has satisfactorily completed the High School Equivalency Diploma Test and attends a community or junior college will not be required to have a test score under the ACT unless a student enrolls in courses of academic study.

(e) Any student currently enrolled in any qualified institution shall have to only meet the same requirements as students who are applying for a renewal award.

(5) By accepting a Mississippi Resident Tuition Assistance Grant, the student is attesting to the accuracy, completeness and correctness of information provided to demonstrate the student's eligibility. Falsification of such information shall result in the denial of any pending grant and revocation of any award currently held to the extent that no further payments shall be made. Any student knowingly making false statements in order to receive a grant shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable, upon conviction thereof, by a fine of up to Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), a prison sentence of up to one (1) year in the county jail, or both, and shall be required to return all Mississippi Resident Tuition Assistance Grants wrongfully obtained.

(6) Eligibility for renewal of Mississippi Resident Tuition Assistance Grants shall be evaluated at the end of each semester, or term, of each academic year. As a condition for renewal, a student shall:

(a) Make steady academic progress toward a certificate or degree, as outlined in the school Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards and certified by the institution's registrar.

(b) Maintain continuous enrollment for not less than two (2) semesters or three (3) quarters in each successive academic year, unless granted an exception for cause by the administering board; examples of cause may include student participation in a cooperative program, internship program or foreign study program. If a student fails to maintain continuous enrollment, and is not granted an exception for cause by the administering board, the student is ineligible to receive the Mississippi Resident Tuition Assistance Grant during the following semester or trimester or term of the regular academic year.

(c) Have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.50 calculated on a 4.0 scale at the end of each semester or trimester or term.

(7) Each student, each year, must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid form or a Statement of Certification as designed by the administering board to determine his/her eligibility for a Mississippi Resident Tuition Assistance Grant.

(8)(a) The amount of the Mississippi Resident Tuition Assistance Grant awarded to any one (1) student, up to the maximum amount provided in subsection (3) of this section, shall be the difference of the student's cost of attendance at his accredited college of choice and the amount of federal aid such student may receive, not to supplant but to supplement the amount of any federal aid awarded to the student. Cost of attendance is the tuition and fees of the applicable institution plus an allowance for room and meals and books and materials.

(b) Payment of the Mississippi Resident Tuition Assistance Grant shall be made payable to the recipient and the educational institution and mailed directly to the institution, to be applied first to tuition.

(9) In order for an institution to remain eligible for its students to participate in the Mississippi Resident Tuition Assistance Grant Program, the institution shall comply with the following requirements:

(a) A complete and accurate roster of the eligibility status of each awarded student shall be made to the board for each term, semester or quarter of the academic year the student receives a Mississippi Resident Tuition Assistance Grant.

(b) The institution is required to make refunds to the Mississippi Resident Tuition Assistance Grant Fund for any funds which have not been disbursed to the recipient, in the case of students who have received a grant but who terminate enrollment during the academic term, semester or quarter of the academic year if an institution's refund policies permit a student to receive a refund in such instance. The recipient shall be responsible for the refund of any funds which have been disbursed by the institution in such instance.

(c) If a student drops below full-time status but does not terminate all enrollment during the term, semester or quarter of the academic year no refund will be required for that term. However, that student is ineligible to receive the Mississippi Resident Tuition Assistance Grant during the following term, semester or quarter of the regular academic year.

(d) The board may conduct its own annual audits of any institution participating in the Mississippi Resident Tuition Assistance Grant Program. The board may suspend or revoke an institution's eligibility to receive future monies under the program if it finds that the institution has not complied with the provisions of this section. In determining a student's initial eligibility, the number of prior semesters enrolled will not be counted against the student.

(10) No student may receive a Mississippi Resident Tuition Assistance Grant for more than the equivalent semesters or quarters required to complete one (1) baccalaureate degree or one (1) certificate or associate degree program per institution.

(11) No student receiving a Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant as provided in Section 37-106-31 shall be eligible to receive the Mississippi Resident Tuition Assistance Grant pursuant to this section unless he is eligible for such award after the Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant has been considered by the board when conducting an assessment of the financial resources available to the student. In no case shall any student receive any combination of student financial aid that would exceed the cost of attendance, as defined in subsection (8)(a).

For purposes of this section, certificated shall mean, but not be limited to, all postsecondary vocational programs in eligible institutions approved by the board.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-111 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 31-111
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-111
Status: in_force

An annual report on program activities and results shall be prepared by the state department of education, vocational division, and submitted to the legislature with the overall annual vocational education report.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-177-17 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 177-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-177-17
Status: in_force

(1) Within thirty (30) days of final State Board of Education approval of state accountability results, the school board of each school district must publish, in a newspaper having a general circulation within the school district, and report to the State Board of Education and the Mississippi Reading Panel the following information relating to the preceding school year:

(a) The provisions of this chapter relating to public school student progression and the school district's policies and procedures on student retention and promotion;

(b) By grade, the number and percentage of all students performing at each level of competency on the reading and math portion of the annual state accountability system and the number and percentage of students given an approved alternative standardized reading assessment and the percentage of these students performing at each competency level on said alternative standardized assessment;

(c) By grade, the number and percentage of all students retained in Kindergarten through Grade 8;

(d) Information on the total number and percentage of students who were promoted for good cause, by each category of good cause described in Section 37-177-11 ; and

(e) Any revisions to the school board's policy on student retention and promotion from the prior school year.

(2) The State Department of Education shall establish a uniform format for school districts to report the information required in subsection (1) of this section. The format must be developed with input from school boards and must be provided no later than ninety (90) days before the annual due date of the information. The department shall compile annually the required district information, along with state-level summary information, and report the information to the Governor, Senate, House of Representatives and general public.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-35-13 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 35-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-35-13
Status: in_force

(1) It is unlawful for anyone knowingly and willfully to do any of the following acts regarding the High School Equivalency Diploma:

(a) Give an examinee access to test questions prior to testing;

(b) Copy or reproduce all or any portion of any secure test booklet or completed test;

(c) Coach an examinee during testing or alter or interfere with an examinee's response in any way;

(d) Make an answer key available to an examinee;

(e) Forge, counterfeit or alter a transcript, diploma, grade report or High School Equivalency Diploma test;

(f) Fail to account for all secure test materials before, during and after testing;

(g) Participate in, direct, aid, counsel, assist in, encourage, fail to report any of the acts prohibited in this section, or engage in any activity with the intent to fraudulently obtain a High School Equivalency Diploma.

(2) Any person violating any provisions of subsection (1) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or be imprisoned for not more than ninety (90) days, or both. Upon conviction, the Mississippi Community College Board may suspend or revoke the High School Equivalency Diploma credential of the person convicted.

(3) The district attorney or county prosecuting attorney shall investigate allegations of violations of this section, either on their own initiative or following the receipt of an allegation, or at the request of the Executive Director of the Mississippi Community College Board.

(4) The district attorney or county prosecuting attorney shall furnish to the Executive Director of the Mississippi Community College Board a report of the findings of any investigation conducted pursuant to this section.

(5) Nothing in this section may be construed to prohibit or interfere with the responsibilities of the Mississippi Community College Board in test development or selection, test form construction, standard setting, test scoring and reporting, or any other related activities which in the judgment of the Executive Director of the Mississippi Community College Board are necessary and appropriate.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-141 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 101-141
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-141
Status: in_force

The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning is hereby authorized and empowered, in its discretion, to sell and dispose of the timber, trees, dead wood and stumps standing, growing and being upon the lands granted to the State of Mississippi for the use and benefit of the University of Mississippi by an act of Congress of the United States approved June 20, 1894, and upon the lands granted to the State of Mississippi for the use and benefit of Mississippi University for Women by an act of Congress of the United States approved March 2, 1895, and upon the lands granted to the State of Mississippi for the use and benefit of Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science, and Alcorn State University by an act of Congress of the United States approved February 20, 1895, whenever the sale or disposition of such timber shall be to the best advantage of the institutions named herein. Such timber shall be sold and disposed of under the direction and specifications of the State Forestry Commission in accordance with sound and efficient principles of forestry management and conservation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-173-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 173-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-173-1
Status: in_force

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

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

(b) “ Department ” means the State Department of Education.

(c) “ Dyslexia ” means a specific learning disability that is neurological in origin, characterized by difficulties with accurate and fluent word recognition and poor spelling and decoding abilities, which typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction, and secondary consequences which may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.

(d) “ Dyslexia therapy ” means an appropriate specialized dyslexia instructional program that is delivered by a Mississippi Department of Education licensed dyslexia therapist which is scientific, research-based, Orton-Gillingham based, and is offered in a small group setting to teach students the components of reading instruction which include:

(i) Phonemic awareness to enable students to detect, segment, blend and manipulate sounds in spoken language;

(ii) Graphophonemic knowledge (phonics) for teaching the letter-sound plan of English;

(iii) The entire structure of the English language that encompasses morphology, semantics, syntax and pragmatics;

(iv) Linguistic instruction directed toward proficiency and fluency with the patterns of language so that words and sentences are carriers of meaning; and

(v) Strategies that students use for decoding, encoding, word recognition, fluency and comprehension.

These components shall be taught using instructional approaches that include explicit, direct instruction which is systematic, sequential and cumulative, following a logical plan of presenting the alphabetic principle commensurate with the students' needs, with no assumption of prior skills or language knowledge; individualized to meet the specific learning needs of each individual student in a small group setting; intensive, highly concentrated instruction that maximizes student engagement and uses specialized methods and materials; meaning-based instruction directed toward purposeful reading and writing, with an emphasis on comprehension and composition; and multisensory instruction that incorporates the simultaneous use of two (2) or more sensory pathways during teacher presentations and student practice.

(e) “ AA license ” means a certification issued by the department to educators who hold a master's degree, indicating their eligibility to teach in specific academic settings within the State of Mississippi.

(f) “ Qualified Instructor of Certified Academic Language Therapists ” means a professional who is certified in instructor competency through a nationally recognized Orton-Gillingham based dyslexia therapy organization or Orton-Gillingham based academic language therapy organization and has:

(i) Experience in Orton-Gillingham based dyslexia therapy situations that include remediating students of various severity levels, ages and group sizes not exceeding six (6) students;

(ii) Completed a minimum of fourteen hundred (1400) clinical therapy hours;

(iii) Completed a minimum of two (2) curriculum therapy cycles remediating students;

(iv) Trained in a minimum of two (2) Orton-Gillingham based dyslexia therapy curriculum programs;

(v) Assisted in training educators through an Orton-Gillingham based dyslexia therapy program under a Qualified Instructor of Certified Academic Language Therapists; and

(vi) A master's degree or higher level of education.

(g) “ Department of Education licensed dyslexia therapist ” means a professional:

(i) Who has completed training in a department approved Orton-Gillingham based dyslexia therapy training program attaining a AA license in dyslexia therapy; or

(ii) Holding or currently participating in a master's degree that leads to an AA license and a department-approved Orton-Gillingham based dyslexia therapy training program; or

(iii) Holding a standard five-year license or administrator license and a master's degree having completed a department-approved Orton-Gillingham based dyslexia training program; or

(iv) Holding:

1. A national certification for Orton-Gillingham based dyslexia therapy or Orton-Gillingham based academic language therapy from a nationally recognized professional organization;

2. College transcripts as proof of a master's degree or greater level of graduate education; and

3. Current membership in a national certifying organization for Orton-Gillingham based dyslexia therapy or Orton-Gillingham based academic language therapy as proof of maintenance of professional continuing education standards.

(h) “ Approved dyslexia therapy training program ” means a program accredited by the International Multisensory Structured Language Education Council (IMSLEC) and includes:

(i) A minimum of two hundred (200) hours of coursework and seven hundred (700) hours of clinical work, observed and monitored by a Qualified Instructor of Certified Academic Language Therapists; and

(ii) A reading-science competency examination, including multisensory structured language, administered by a nationally recognized organization with authority to issue national certification.

(i) “ Mississippi Dyslexia Therapy Scholarship for Students with Dyslexia Program ” means a scholarship to provide the option to attend a public school other than the one to which assigned, or to provide a scholarship to a nonpublic school of choice, for students in Grade 1 through Grade 12 diagnosed with dyslexia in order to receive comprehensive multisensory dyslexia therapy delivered by holders of an appropriate license in dyslexia therapy issued by the department.

(j) “ School ” means any public or state-accredited nonpublic special purpose school that provides a specific learning environment that provides comprehensive dyslexia therapy instruction delivered by dyslexia therapists licensed by the department providing highly qualified education and intervention services to children diagnosed with the primary learning disability of dyslexia.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-4.1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 13-4.1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-4.1
Status: in_force

(1) The legislative intent and purpose for this section is to protect the freedom of speech guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, to define for the citizens of Mississippi the rights and privileges that are accorded them on public school property, other public property or other property at school-related events; and to provide guidance to public school officials on the rights and requirements of law that they must apply. The intent and purpose of the Legislature is to accommodate the free exercise of religious rights of its student citizens in the public schools and at public school events as provided to them by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and the judicial interpretations thereof as given by the United States Supreme Court.

(2) On public school property, other public property or other property, invocations, benedictions or nonsectarian, nonproselytizing student-initiated voluntary prayer shall be permitted during compulsory or noncompulsory school-related student assemblies, student sporting events, graduation or commencement ceremonies and other school-related student events.

(3) This section shall not diminish the right of any student or person to exercise his rights of free speech and religion, including prayer, as permitted by the United States Constitution, on public school property, other public property or other property, at times or events other than those stated in subsection (2) of this section.

(4) The exercise of the rights guaranteed under subsection (2) of this section shall not be construed to indicate any support, approval or sanction of the contents of any such prayer, invocation, benediction or other activity, or be construed as an unconstitutional use of any public property or other property by the State of Mississippi or any agency, department, board, commission, institution or other instrumentality thereof or any political subdivision of the state, including any county or municipality and any instrumentality thereof. The exercise of these rights on public school property, other public property or on other property for school-related activities, by students or others, shall not be construed as the promotion or establishment of any religion or religious belief.

(5) The provisions of this section are severable. If any part of this section is declared invalid or unconstitutional, that declaration shall not affect the part or parts that remain.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-323 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 101-323
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-323
Status: in_force

The proceeds of the bonds authorized in Sections 37-101-301 through 37-101-331 shall be deposited in a special fund hereby created in the State Treasury to be known as the “Higher Education Capital Improvement Fund.” The proceeds of such bonds shall be used solely for the purposes herein provided, including the costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds. The costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds shall be disbursed by warrant upon requisition of the State Bond Commission, signed by the Governor. The expenditure of the remaining money shall be under the direction of the Office of General Services, and such funds shall be paid by the State Treasurer upon warrants issued by the Fiscal Management Board, which warrants shall be issued upon requisitions signed by the Executive Director of the Office of General Services.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-35 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 9-35
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-35
Status: in_force

A reduction in the net enrollment during a current year from that existing in the preceding year shall not authorize the discharge or release of a teacher or teachers during such current year.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-71 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 115-71
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-71
Status: in_force

Any such county as is provided for in Section 37-115-69 is hereby authorized and empowered to issue and sell its bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness for the purpose of providing funds with which to make the contribution or donation authorized under the provisions of said section. Such bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness shall not be issued in an amount which will exceed the limit of indebtedness of said county as such limit is prescribed by Sections 19-9-1 through 19-9-31, Mississippi Code of 1972 . Before issuing any such bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness, the board of supervisors acting for such county shall adopt a resolution declaring its intention to issue the same, stating the amount and purpose thereof and fixing the date upon which an election will be held on the proposition. Notice of such election shall be given by publication of such resolution once a week for at least three consecutive weeks in at least one newspaper published in said county. The first publication of such notice shall be made not less than twenty-one days prior to the date fixed in such resolution for the holding of said election as aforesaid and the last publication shall be made not more than seven days prior to such date. At such election all qualified electors of said county may vote and the ballots used shall have printed thereon a brief statement of the amount and purpose of the bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness proposed to be issued and the voter shall vote by placing a cross (x) or check (✓) opposite his choice on the proposition. The bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness authorized herein shall not be issued unless authorized by the affirmative vote of a majority of the qualified voters of said county who vote on the proposition at such election.

Such election shall be conducted and the returns thereof made, canvassed, and declared as nearly as may be in like manner as is now or may hereafter be provided by law in the case of general elections in counties. In the event that the question of the issuance of such bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness be not authorized at such election, such question shall not again be submitted to a vote until the expiration of a period of six months, from and after the date of such election.

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

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

All bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued hereunder shall be secured by a pledge of the full faith, credit and resources of such county. There shall annually be levied upon all taxable property within said county an ad valorem tax in addition to all other taxes, sufficient to provide for the payment of the principal of and the interest on said bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness as the same respectively mature and accrue.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-25-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 25-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-25-7
Status: in_force

Any student receiving instruction under this chapter shall be:

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

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

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

Any driver education student shall not be required to possess a learner's permit or driver's license while the student is under the direct supervision of a driver education instructor and is actually enrolled in an approved course of driver education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-565 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 29-565
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-565
Status: in_force

The Coahoma Community College District is charged with the responsibility for providing preprofessional courses, liberal arts, technical, vocational and adult education courses, and shall undertake to provide the same as conveniently as is possible to the residents of the district, and to this end the board of trustees is authorized and empowered to transport such students as, in its discretion, should be transported in the best interest of the district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-213 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 33-213
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-213
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 special disability programs, and may 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 special disability programs and comply with such conditions as may be necessary to secure the full benefits of those federal statutes and appropriations, administer any legislation under federal statutes and appropriations that is enacted by the State of Mississippi, direct the disbursement and administer the use of all funds provided by the federal government or this state for the persons of this state, and do all things necessary to ensure the provision of services to the person served by the special disability programs.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 23-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-9
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise provided in Laws, 1999, Chapter 582, 1 course of study, teacher-pupil ratio, adequacy of methods of instruction, in-service training qualifications of teachers and technicians, and necessary equipment for special education must comply with the requirements established by the state department of education. Boards of trustees of the districts wherein a special class or classes are established are to employ teachers as provided by law for the purpose of teaching the established special classes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-145 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 101-145
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-145
Status: in_force

Before any timber, trees, dead wood, or stumps, standing, growing or being upon lands shall be sold from said lands as is authorized in Section 37-101-141 , and before any lands shall be leased for oil, gas and mineral purposes, or other purposes as is authorized in Section 37-101-143 , the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning shall advertise its intention to do so by publication in a newspaper in the City of Jackson, and also in a newspaper published in each county where such lands are situated, such notice to be published once a week for three consecutive weeks preceding such sale or lease, and by posting one notice at the courthouse in the county or counties where the lands are situated. In any county having no paper published therein, the publication shall be placed in some paper having a general circulation in said county. Said board shall sell or lease at public auction, or by sealed bids, at the place designated in said notices, to the highest and best bidder for cash. The board shall have the right to reject any or all of such bids.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-203 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 151-203
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-203
Status: in_force

(1) In fiscal year 2025, the student base amount shall be Six Thousand Six Hundred Ninety-five Dollars and Thirty-four Cents ($6,695.34) per student. In fiscal years 2026, 2027 and 2028, the inflationary adjustment described in this section shall be applied to derive the total funding formula. In fiscal year 2029, and every fourth fiscal year thereafter, the State Board of Education, on or before August 1, with an adjusted estimate no later than January 2, shall submit to the Legislative Budget Office, the Chairmen of the Senate and House of Representatives Appropriations and Education Committees, respectively, the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House a new proposed student base amount calculation using the following formula:

(a) Instructional cost. To determine the instructional cost, the department shall first calculate the state's student to teacher ratio. Such ratio shall be determined by dividing the net enrollment for public schools and charter schools in the state by the total number of teachers in such schools, as determined by the department, in months two (2) and three (3) of the school year preceding the year funds are to be appropriated. The student to teacher ratio shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number. After determining the student to teacher ratio, the average teacher salary shall be divided by the student-teacher ratio, and the resulting amount shall be considered the instructional cost. The average teacher salary shall be calculated by the department and include district local supplements as provided in Section 37-151-87 , but shall not include the highest five percent (5%) and lowest five percent (5%) of district local supplements.

(b) Administrative cost; which shall be twenty percent (20%) of the instructional cost.

(c) Ancillary personnel and expenses; which shall be thirty percent (30%) of the instructional cost.

(d) Operation and maintenance of plant. For the plant and maintenance cost component, the State Department of Education shall select districts that have a ratio of plant and maintenance expenditures per one hundred thousand (100,000) square feet of building space and a ratio of maintenance workers per one hundred thousand (100,000) square feet of building space that are both between one (1) standard deviation above the mean and two (2) standard deviations below the mean of the statewide average. The plant and maintenance cost component shall be calculated by dividing the latest available months one (1) through nine (9) average daily attendance of the selected districts into the plant and maintenance expenditures of these selected districts. For the purpose of this calculation, the Department of Education shall use the following funds, functions and objects: Fund 1120 Functions 2600-2699, Objects 100-699 and Objects 800-999; Fund 2711 Functions 2600-2699, Objects 100-699 and Objects 800-999; Fund 2430 Functions 2600-2699, Objects 100-699 and Objects 800-999. Net enrollment means the percentage change from the prior year of each year of each school district's months two (2) and three (3) average of net enrollment for the three (3) immediately preceding school years of the year for which funds are being appropriated.

(2) For purposes of these calculations, the State Department of Education shall utilize financial data from the second preceding year of the year for which funds are being appropriated.

(3) For each of the fiscal years between the recalculation of the base student cost, the base student cost shall be increased by an amount equal to twenty-five percent (25%) of the base student cost for the previous fiscal year, multiplied by the twenty year average annual change in the rate of inflation rounded up to the nearest tenth of a percent for the State of Mississippi as determined by the State Economist, plus any adjustments for additional state requirements including, but not limited to, teacher pay raises and health insurance premium increases. The calculation shall be performed annually by the Department of Education, and the resulting amount shall replace base student cost from the previous year.

(4) In years when the total revenue of the state does not increase, the Legislature may retain the base student cost from the previous year. If the total revenue increases the following year, the formula shall be recalculated or increased according to inflation as provided in Sections 37-151-200 through 37-151-215 .

(5) Base student cost shall not be lower than the previous year; provided, however, the base student cost may be lowered when the State Fiscal Officer provides notice to the Legislative Budget Office of a revenue shortfall in accordance with Section 27-104-13 .

(6) By November 1, 2024, the department shall submit to the Legislative Budget Office, the Chairmen of the Senate and House of Representatives Appropriations and Education Committees, respectively, the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House, a report on the department's plan for implementation of the funding formula as specified under the provisions of Sections 37-151-200 through 37-151-215 , and to recommend any technical amendments necessary for its effective administration before the commencement of the 2025 Regular Session of the Legislature.

(7) The annual amount of funding for the operation of each school district and charter school under the total funding formula as provided under Sections 37-151-200 through 37-151-215 is determined by multiplying the student base amount, as determined under Section 37-151-203 , by the final weighted enrollment of the school district or charter school, as determined under Section 37-151-205 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-101 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 115-101
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-101
Status: in_force

The board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning is hereby directed and authorized to establish a school of dentistry at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-21 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 113-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-21
Status: in_force

(1) Agriculture is the primary industry of Mississippi and it is to the interest of said state agriculture that research in the fields of livestock products, pastures and forage crops, poultry, herd and flock management, horticulture, farm mechanization, soil conservation, forestry, disease and insect and parasite control, the testing of plants and livestock under different conditions, farm enterprises for different sized farms under different soil and climatic conditions and market locations, and other important phases of Mississippi's agricultural economy, be expanded in the manner provided for in this section.

(2) There is hereby authorized a branch experiment station to be known as the Brown Loam Branch Experiment Station, which is to be located on a part of that tract of land owned by the State of Mississippi and formerly operated as the Oakley Penitentiary and known as the Oakley Youth Development Center, same to be selected in accordance with Laws, 1954, Chapter 159, Section 3, and used as an agricultural experiment station. This property is to be supplied with necessary buildings, equipment, and other facilities; and title to such Oakley Penitentiary Farm, now known as the Oakley Youth Development Center, is to be transferred to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning for the use of the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experimental Station as the site of, and to be used for said Brown Loam Branch Experiment Station in accordance with Laws, 1954, Chapter 159, Section 3.

There is hereby authorized a branch experiment station to be known as the Coastal Plain Branch Experiment Station to be located on a suitable tract of approximately nine hundred (900) acres to be purchased in the upper coastal plain or short leaf pine area of east central Mississippi and to be supplied with necessary buildings, equipment, and other facilities.

The enlargement of the Holly Springs Branch Experiment Station, hereafter to be known as the North Mississippi Branch Experiment Station, is hereby authorized, by the purchase of approximately five hundred (500) acres of additional land adjacent to or in the vicinity of either of the two (2) farms now operated by said branch stations, and by the provision of the necessary buildings, equipment, and other facilities, and the sale as, hereinafter provided, of that farm of said branch station which is not adjacent to the additional land to be purchased.

There is hereby authorized the reactivation of the former McNeil Branch Experiment Station to be operated as a part of the South Mississippi Branch Experiment Station at Poplarville, and to be supplied with necessary buildings, equipment, and other facilities.

There is hereby authorized a branch experiment station to be known as the Black Belt Branch Experiment Station to be located on a suitable tract of approximately six hundred forty (640) acres of land to be purchased in Noxubee County, Mississippi, and to be supplied with the necessary buildings, equipment, and other facilities.

There is hereby authorized a branch experiment station to be known as the Northeast Mississippi Branch Experiment Station to be located on a suitable tract of approximately two hundred (200) acres of land to be purchased in Lee County, Mississippi. Said station shall be primarily devoted to the development of the dairy industry and shall be supplied with necessary buildings, equipment, and other facilities.

There is hereby authorized the expansion of the office and laboratory building at the Delta Branch Experiment Station at Stoneville and of the office and laboratory and dwellings for station workers at the Truck Crops Branch Experiment Station at Crystal Springs.

(3) The governing authorities of any municipality, town, or county in the state may, in their discretion, donate land, money or other property to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning in furtherance of the purposes of this section.

For the purpose of securing funds to carry out this subsection, the governing authorities of such municipality, town, or county are hereby authorized and empowered, in their discretion, to issue bonds or negotiate notes for the purpose of acquiring by purchase, gift, or lease real estate for the purpose herein authorized. Such issuance of bonds or notes shall be issued in an amount not to exceed the limitation now or hereafter imposed by law on counties, municipalities and towns, and shall be issued in all respects including interest rate, maturities and other details as is now or may hereafter be provided by general law regulating the issuance of bonds or notes by the governing authorities of such municipality, town, or county.

(4) Any person, firm or corporation may contribute or donate real or other property to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning in furtherance of the purpose of this section.

(5) The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning is hereby authorized, upon recommendation of the Director of the Agricultural and Forestry Experimental Station at the Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science, which recommendation is approved by and transmitted to said board by the president of said university, to carry out the provisions of this section with particular reference to the establishment, reactivation, expansion, and the discontinuance of branch stations as herein provided, to receive and accept title to any land or property or money herein authorized, to buy or sell and dispose of any real or personal property herein authorized, to make available for carrying into effect the provisions of this section all money received from such sale or sales, and to do any and all things necessary to effectuate the purposes of this section. One-half ( 1 / 2 ) interest in and to all oil, gas and other minerals shall be retained under any lands sold hereunder.

(6) A gift of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00), authorized by the general education board of the Rockefeller Foundation for the development of agricultural research, with particular reference to expanding the branch experiment stations and conditioned upon a general program of expansion substantially, as herein provided, is hereby accepted. The Director of the Agricultural and Forestry Experimental Station at the Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science is authorized and instructed to control and expend such fund in the same manner as other funds appropriated to carry out the provisions of this section.

(7) The experiment station in Clay County, Mississippi, shall not be affected by this section.

(8) The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning is hereby authorized, upon recommendation of the Director of the Agricultural and Forestry Experimental Station at the Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science or the Dean of the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences at Alcorn State University, which recommendation is approved by and transmitted to said board by the president of said university, to enter into contracts, leases and other arrangements for terms not to exceed thirty (30) years, with the option for two (2) ten-year lease extensions, with any persons or business entity for the development of a solar installation at any branch research station operated by the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experimental Station or Alcorn State University College of Agriculture Extension and Research Centers.

(9) If all or any portion of the property described in subsection (8) of this section is leased, Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Sciences or Alcorn State University, with the approval of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, is authorized to negotiate all aspects of any lease or sublease and any terms and ancillary agreements pertaining to any lease or sublease as may be reasonably necessary to effectuate the intent and purposes of subsection (8) of this section and to ensure a fair and equitable return to the state. All proceeds derived or received from the agreements and leases entered into under subsection (8) of this section shall be deposited into a special fund to be expended only for the use and benefit of Mississippi State University or into a special fund to be expended only for the use and benefit of Alcorn State University, respectively. At the end of the lease term provided in subsection (8) of this section, the property leased under the authority provided herein shall revert to Mississippi State University or Alcorn State University, respectively. The State of Mississippi shall retain all mineral rights to the real property leased under subsection (8) of this section.

(10) The lease provided for in subsection (8) of this section shall include a provision that requires that at the expiration or termination of the lease, and/or abandonment of the project, as applicable, the lessee shall:

(a) Remove all leasehold improvements from the property; and

(b) Be obligated to pay all costs to return the property to its same or similar condition at the time of lease execution.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-47 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 45-47
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-47
Status: in_force

All costs taxed by the commission in any hearing or proceeding shall be had within forty-five days after the date of any final order of the commission or decree of the chancery court if no appeal is taken therefrom, and within thirty days after the final order or judgment of the supreme court of Mississippi if an appeal is taken to it.

In the event said costs are not so paid, said commission shall certify the same to the state board of education and unless said costs shall have been paid the said state board of education shall deduct the amount thereof, as to any county board of education, from the next allotment to said county for administrative expenses, and as to any municipal separate school district from its next allotment of two hundred dollars ($200.00) per teacher unit. Such amount shall be paid to the commission, which shall deposit same in the state treasury, and the same shall then be disbursed to the person to whom it is owing by proper warrant upon order of the commission. The provisions of this section shall not relieve the obligation of any surety upon any appeal bond.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-81 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 11-81
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-81
Status: in_force

(1) The state, or any of its agencies, a school district, charter school, the Mississippi School of the Arts, the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, the Mississippi Virtual Public School, the Mississippi School for the Deaf or the Mississippi School for the Blind (hereafter, “the contracting party”) may offer digital or online resources or databases to students in kindergarten through twelfth grade only if the vendor or other person or entity providing the resources verifies that all the resources will comply with the provisions of subsection (2) of this section.

(2) A vendor or other person or entity providing digital or online resources or databases under the authority of this section must have safety policies and technology protection measures that:

(a) Prohibit and prevent a person from sending, receiving, viewing or downloading materials that are:

(i) Child pornography;

(ii) Materials that depict or promote child sexual exploitation or trafficking;

(iii) Obscene materials, as defined in this act;

(iv) Inappropriate materials depicting or dealing with matters of sex, cruelty and violence in a manner likely to be injurious or harmful to a child; or

(v) Materials that are sexually oriented, as defined in Section 97-5-27(2) ; and

(b) Block, or otherwise prohibit and prevent, access to obscene materials, inappropriate materials, materials that are sexually oriented or materials that depict, describe or promote child pornography or child sexual exploitation.

(c) For the purposes of this act, material is obscene, if:

(i) To the average person, applying contemporary community standards, taken as a whole, it appeals to the prurient interest, that is, a lustful, erotic, shameful, or morbid interest in nudity, sex or excretion; and

(ii) The material taken as a whole lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value; and

(iii) The material depicts or describes in a patently offensive way, sexual contact specifically defined in items 1 through 5 below:

1. Acts of sexual intercourse of any kind, normal or perverted, actual or simulated;

2. Acts of masturbation;

3. Acts involving excretory functions or lewd exhibition of the genitals;

4. Acts of bestiality or the fondling of sex organs of animals; or

5. Sexual acts of flagellation, torture or other violence indicating a sadomasochistic sexual relationship.

(3)(a) The provisions of this section shall take precedence over any other provision of law to the contrary in a contract between the contracting party and a vendor or other person or entity providing digital or online resources or databases. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, in a contract between the contracting party and a provider to the contrary, if a provider of digital or online resources or databases fails to comply with the requirements of this section, the contracting party shall withhold further payments, if any, to the provider pending verification of compliance.

(b) No Internet service provider, or its affiliates or subsidiaries, search engine, or cloud service provider shall be held to have violated the provisions of this act solely for providing services that do not constitute the direct provision of digital or online resources or databases to students in kindergarten through twelfth grade.

(c) The provisions of this section do not apply to the use of digital or online resources or databases by a student enrolled in a Mississippi institution of higher education or a Mississippi community or junior college, including dual-enrolled students.

(d) Upon a first uncured occurrence by a provider of digital or online resources or databases of noncompliance with subsection (2) of this section and failure to verify within thirty (30) days of receiving notice of the noncompliance from the contracting party that the provider is in compliance with this section, the contracting party shall consider the provider's noncompliance to be a breach of contract.

(e) Upon a second uncured occurrence by a provider of noncompliance with subsection (2) and failure to verify within thirty (30) days of receiving notice of the noncompliance from the contracting party that the provider is in compliance with the requirements of this section, the contracting party is entitled to a reduction in the amount of ten percent (10%) of the agreed upon price in the contract to be paid by the contracting party to the provider. The contracting party shall adjust any future payments due to the provider under the contract accordingly to effectuate the ten percent (10%) reduction. However, if the contract price has been paid in full, or if the balance owed on the contract price is equal to less than ten percent (10%) of the contract price, the provider must return to the contracting party such amount that is required to effectuate a ten percent (10%) reduction of the contract price.

(f) Upon a third uncured occurrence by a provider of noncompliance with subsection (2) and failure to verify within thirty (30) days of receiving notice of the noncompliance from the contracting party that the provider is in compliance with the requirements of this section, the contract must be considered terminated and the contracting party is entitled to a complete refund of the agreed upon price in the contract to be paid by the contracting party to the provider. The contracting party shall withhold any future payments that may be due to the provider, and the provider must return to the contracting party all amounts previously paid to the provider under the contract.

(4) The Attorney General may investigate compliance with this section. The contracting party must report to the Attorney General a provider's failure to comply with subsection (2) of this section no later than thirty (30) days after the contracting party learns of the provider's noncompliance. Such a report shall constitute a public record under the Mississippi Public Records Act.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-155-107 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 155-107
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-155-107
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(p) To authorize the Treasury Department or the State Treasurer, or both, to carry out any or all of the powers and duties enumerated in this section for efficient and effective administration of the MACS Program and MACS Trust Fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-6-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 6-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-6-5
Status: in_force

Each school district in the state shall be a political subdivision with the name of the district being “ __________ School District.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-501 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 29-501
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-501
Status: in_force

There is hereby created a junior college district comprised of the territory lying within the Meridian Municipal Separate School District and having boundaries coinciding with the external boundaries thereof. The name of the said junior college district shall be the Meridian Junior College District and the said district shall be and the same is hereby constituted a legal political governmental subdivision and a body corporate.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-57 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 145-57
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-57
Status: in_force

In the event that any of the members or officers of the board of directors of the company shall cease to be members or officers of the board prior to the delivery of any bonds signed by them, their signatures or facsimiles thereof shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes, the same as if such members or officers had remained in office until such delivery.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-99 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 41-99
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-99
Status: in_force

The principal of and interest upon all notes or bonds issued under the authority of Section 37-41-89 shall be paid out of such transportation funds of the school district as may be available for such purpose. It shall be the duty of the school board to set aside each year out of such transportation funds a sufficient amount to pay the principal of and interest upon said notes or bonds as and when the same shall respectively mature and accrue. It shall be the duty of the superintendent of schools to include in the school budget each year separate items showing the amount required for the payment of the principal of and the interest upon all notes or bonds issued under the authority of said section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-25-14 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 25-14
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-25-14
Status: in_force

The Department of Public Safety shall report to the Department of Education annual statistics regarding crash and fatality data for the State of Mississippi and nationally, including, but not limited to, statistics involving teenage drivers.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-149 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 23-149
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-149
Status: in_force

There is hereby created in the State Treasury a special fund to be designated as the “Special Education, Special Services Fund” which shall be used to distribute any funds specifically appropriated by the Legislature to such fund. This Special Education, Special Services Fund will be used solely for the provision of direct services to individual children with disabilities. Any funds remaining in the fund at the end of the fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, but shall carryover to subsequent fiscal years. Any interest accruing on any unexpended balance in the Special Education, Special Services Fund shall be invested by the State Treasurer and shall remain in the fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-27 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / 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. § 37-23-177 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 23-177
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-177
Status: in_force

The board shall have the following powers, duties and responsibilities:

(a) To promulgate and enforce rules, regulations and guidelines to implement the provisions of Sections 37-23-171 through 37-23-181 ;

(b) To provide technical assistance to local school district personnel in the development, implementation, evaluation and modification of gifted education programs for gifted children;

(c) To review and approve or deny all local school district gifted education programs, or changes therein, submitted pursuant to Sections 37-23-171 through 37-23-181 ;

(d) To accept and distribute federal funds or funds made available from other sources;

(e) To develop certification requirements for all teaching or nonteaching personnel employed in gifted education programs;

(f) To develop staff development programs for personnel employed in gifted education programs;

(g) To collect such data from all local school districts as may be required to implement Sections 37-23-171 through 37-23-181 ;

(h) To disseminate information on quality gifted education programs; and

(i) To withhold funds from any school district which refuses or fails to comply with the provisions of Sections 37-23-171 through 37-23-181 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-144-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 144-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-144-1
Status: in_force

There is established the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program for the purpose of identifying and recruiting qualified university and college students for medical or osteopathic school matriculation. The program shall consist of three (3) distinct phases through which participants will progress, including:

(a) Undergraduate premedical education;

(b) Medical or osteopathic school and residency; and

(c) Post-residency entry into medical practice in a rural or underserved area of the State of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-13 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 31-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-13
Status: in_force

(1) Any appropriation that may be made under the provisions of Sections 37-31-1 through 37-31-15 shall be used by the board for the promotion of vocational education as provided for in the “Smith-Hughes Act” and for the purpose set forth in Sections 37-31-1 through 37-31-15 . The state appropriation shall not be used for payments to high schools which are now receiving other state funds, except in lieu of not more than one-half ( 1 / 2 ) the amount that may be due such high schools from federal funds. Only such portion of the state appropriation shall be used as may be absolutely necessary to carry out the provisions of Sections 37-31-1 through 37-31-15 , and to meet the federal requirements. Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, the state appropriation shall not be used for payments to high schools for conducting vocational programs for more than ten (10) months in any school year, and only funds other than total funding formula funds may be expended for such purpose.

(2) Subject to annual approval by the State Board of Education, extended contracts for vocational agriculture education services and other related vocational education services which contribute to economic development may be conducted by local school districts, and state appropriations may be used for payments to school districts providing such services. The board of trustees of each school district shall determine whether any proposed services contribute to the economic development of the area. Local districts may apply to the Division of Vocational and Technical Education of the State Department of Education for any state funds available for these extended contracts. The State Board of Education shall establish the application process and the selection criteria for this program. The number of state funded extended contracts approved by the State Board of Education will be determined by the availability of funds specified for this purpose. The State Board of Education's decision shall be final. Payments under this subsection shall only be available to those high schools whose teachers of vocational programs are responsible for the following programs of instruction during those months between the academic years: (a) supervision and instruction of students in agricultural or other vocational experience programs; (b) group and individual instruction of farmers and agribusinessmen; (c) supervision of student members of youth groups who are involved in leadership training or other activity required by state or federal law; or (d) any program of vocational agriculture or other vocational-related services established by the Division of Vocational and Technical Education of the State Department of Education that contribute to the economic development of the geographic area.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-11 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 11-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-11
Status: in_force

(1) For the purposes of this section, the term “ hospital ” shall include community-based programs and facilities licensed or approved by the Department of Mental Health for treatment of chemical substance use and abuse.

(2) When five (5) or more children of educable mind between the ages of six (6) and twenty-one (21) years who are capable of pursuing courses of instruction at secondary school level or below shall be confined in a hospital for an extended period of time, such children shall be eligible for and shall be provided with a program of education, instruction and training within such hospital in the manner hereinafter set forth, provided that the need for hospitalization for an extended period of time shall be certified by the chief of staff of such hospital and that the ability of such children to do school work shall be certified by qualified psychologists and/or educators approved by the State Board of Education.

(3) When five (5) or more children as set forth herein shall be confined in the same hospital, then the board of trustees of the school district in which such hospital is located shall be authorized and empowered, in its discretion, to provide a program of education, instruction and training to such children within such hospital. For such purpose the board shall be authorized and empowered to employ and contract with teachers, provide textbooks and other instructional materials, correspondence courses and instructional equipment and appliances, and otherwise provide for the furnishing of such program and to administer and supervise the same. Such program shall be furnished in a manner as prescribed by rules and regulations adopted by the State Board of Education. The state board shall have full power to adopt such rules, regulations, policies and standards as it may deem necessary to carry out the purpose of this section, including the establishment of qualifications of any teachers employed under the provisions hereof. It is expressly provided, however, that no program shall be furnished under this section except in a hospital licensed for operation by the State of Mississippi and only in cases where such hospital shall consent thereto, shall provide any classroom space, furniture and facilities which may be deemed necessary, and otherwise shall cooperate in carrying out the provisions of this section. Before such program of education, instruction and training shall be provided, the governing authorities of said hospital shall enter into a contract with the board of trustees of the school district which stipulates that said hospital agrees to furnish the necessary classroom space, furniture and facilities and provide for their upkeep, fuel and such other things as may be necessary for the successful operation of the program of education, instruction and training.

(4) In cases when children who are residents of school districts other than the school district providing such education program may participate in the program prescribed in this section. The boards of trustees of the districts of which such children are residents shall pay to the board of trustees of the school district furnishing such school program the pro rata part of the expenses of furnishing such school program within such hospital, which payments may be made from any funds available for the operation and maintenance of the schools of the district in which such child is a resident. The amount so paid shall be based upon, but shall not exceed, the current per pupil cost of education in the school district of the child's residence, and the amount to be so paid by the school district of the child's residence shall be fixed by the State Board of Education. If the amount to be paid which has been so fixed shall not be paid upon due demand made by the school district providing a program therefor, then the State Board of Education shall deduct any such amounts from the next allocation of total funding formula funds as provided in Sections 37-151-200 through 37-151-215 attributable to any such district and shall remit the same to the board of trustees of such school district which is furnishing such school program. If the amounts so paid by such school districts of the child's residence shall not be sufficient to pay the expenses of furnishing such program, then the remainder of such expenses over and above that so paid by such school districts shall be paid by the State Board of Education to the school district providing such school program out of any funds available to the State Board of Education, including total funding formula funds. However, such payments shall not exceed Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) per child in net enrollment in such program. Provided, however, the State Board of Education shall in its discretion be authorized and empowered to exceed the said Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) per pupil limitation where such limitation would make it impractical to operate such a program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-102-15 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 102-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-102-15
Status: in_force

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

(2) The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and the Bureau of Buildings, Grounds and Real Property Management is specifically authorized to expend any funds available to it from private sources, from the proceeds of the sale of any property and improvements currently on the site of Mississippi State University off-campus instructional program at Meridian and from the proceeds of funds designated to the Mississippi State University system for “repair, renovation and new construction” in Chapter 2, Section 2, General Laws, First Extraordinary Session of 1989, for the construction, equipping and furnishing and new building, and/or for the repair, renovation, equipping and furnishing of any existing building at the Mississippi State University off-campus instructional program site at Meridian, Mississippi. The board of trustees is hereby authorized to receive and expend matching funds from the local, county and municipal governments for such construction, equipping, furnishing, repair or renovation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-211 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 33-211
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-211
Status: in_force

(1) The Office of Special Disability Programs shall assist individuals with the most severe disabilities determined to be eligible and in carrying out the purposes of the Rehabilitation Act is authorized among other things:

(a) To cooperate with other departments, agencies and institutions, both public and private, in providing rehabilitation services, in studying the problems involved therein, and in establishing, programs and services as may be necessary or desirable; and

(b) To conduct research and compile statistics relating to the provision of rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities.

(2) The Office of Special Disability Programs shall utilize federal grant money through Title VII of the most current amendment of the federal Rehabilitation Act to assist those individuals with the most severe disabilities. The office will work to provide medical equipment, home modifications, vehicle modifications and other independent living services to assist those individuals determined to be eligible according to the regulations of Title VII of the most current amendment of the Rehabilitation Act to remain in or return to mainstream society.

(3) The State Attendant Care Program created by the Mississippi Legislature in 1985 to provide personal care services for people who are severely disabled may function under the Office of Special Disability Programs. Personal care services will be provided to those individuals determined to be eligible by the office in accordance with policies established by the department.

(4) The Office of Special Disability Programs shall provide special disability services through programs developed with other state and federal agencies. The individuals and services provided shall be in conformity with any program policies and eligibility categories established by the programs.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-133 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 13-133
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-133
Status: in_force

Under the provisions of Section 37-13-131 , the State Department of Education may provide for the services of a School Health Services Coordinator, School Instruction Coordinator, School Environmental Specialist, and such other professional and nonprofessional staff as may be needed and as funds available to the department will permit. The State Department of Education, subject to the availability of funds specifically for such purpose, shall employ a physical activity coordinator K-12 not later than sixty (60) days after receipt of such funds, in accordance with the provisions of Section 37-13-134 . It shall be the responsibility of that professional staff to coordinate efforts of the personnel of the State Department of Education, the state's colleges and universities, local public schools and other appropriate agencies to provide the comprehensive health education curriculum.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-235 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 29-235
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-235
Status: in_force

A public junior college fraternity, sorority or secret society, as contemplated by Sections 37-29-235 through 37-29-243 is hereby defined to be any organization composed wholly, or in part, of public junior college pupils, which seeks to perpetuate itself by taking in additional members from the pupils enrolled in such junior college on the basis of the decision of the membership of such fraternity, sorority or secret society, rather than upon the free choice of any pupil in the junior college. However, this does not apply to the Order of DeMolay or a similar organization sponsored by any branch of the Masonic Orders or like adult fraternal organization.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-13 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 151-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-13
Status: in_force

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

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

The State Board of Education shall utilize such awards to bring the best administrative practices to the attention of other schools. The awards shall include public recognition by the local school board and the State Board of Education and the awarding of plaques, certificates and the monetary award for administrators that perform well.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-37 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 145-37
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-37
Status: in_force

All bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 37-145-23 through 37-145-41 shall be legal investments for trustees and other fiduciaries, and for savings banks, trust companies and insurance companies organized under the laws of the State of Mississippi, and such bonds shall be legal securities which may be deposited with and shall be received by all public officers and bodies of this state and all municipalities and political subdivisions for the purpose of securing the deposit of public funds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-263 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 29-263
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-263
Status: in_force

Any other provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, the various junior colleges of the state are authorized to defray the cost of providing electronic data processing equipment out of any available funds acquired from taxes levied within the junior college district, whether designated for capital expenditures or operating costs, whether such equipment is acquired by purchase, lease or under any other form of contract. However, no such funds shall be expended unless the acquisition of such equipment has been approved by the central data processing authority.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-71-11 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 71-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-71-11
Status: in_force

(1) Beginning with July 1, 2020, a licensing authority shall grant a license to any student applicant who participates in an alternative learning course, program or opportunity or apprenticeship program, and who meets the following criteria:

(a) Completed an apprenticeship in the licensed occupation or profession;

(b) Attained a satisfactory industry certification score on the WorkKeys assessment, if such assessment is a required component of the alternative course or apprenticeship;

(c) Passed an examination, if one is deemed to be necessary by the licensing authority; and

(d) Paid any fees deemed necessary by the licensing authority.

(2) Licensing authorities shall establish a passing score for their respective examinations which shall not exceed the passing score that is required under the standard licensing processes. If the relevant licensing authority or provision of law does not require an examination for the standard licensing process for an occupation, no examination may be required for applicants who complete an apprenticeship in that occupation.

(3) Licensing authorities shall establish a licensing fee, which shall not exceed the licensing fee that is required under the standard licensing processes. If the relevant licensing authority or state does not require a fee for the standard licensing process for an occupation, no fee can be required for applicants who complete an apprenticeship in that occupation.

(4) Except as otherwise required by federal law, apprenticeships for an occupation shall not be required to exceed the number of hours required by the relevant licensing authority or statute for that occupation.

(5) Licensing authorities shall adopt necessary rules for the implementation of this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-63 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 27-63
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-63
Status: in_force

The municipalities of Mississippi and the municipal separate school districts in Mississippi are hereby authorized and empowered to issue municipal bonds or municipal separate school district bonds to aid in procuring the establishment, location, and maintenance of agricultural high schools which have been or may hereafter be established. Such bonds shall be issued as provided by law. The proceeds of the sale of said bonds may be used for the purchase of lands, buildings or for erecting buildings, or in any way to aid in the establishment and maintenance of county agricultural high schools.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-223 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 153-223
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-223
Status: in_force

(1) There is established the Individual Training Account Workforce Reinforcement Assistance (ITA-WRAP) Program, which shall be directed by the Office of Workforce Development for the purpose of providing education and training to citizens seeking employment in high-wage, high-demand industries with documented workforce shortages prioritized by the office. This program shall be subject to the availability of funds appropriated by the Legislature.

(2) As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings as defined herein unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) “ Recipient ” means a community college, institution of higher learning, local workforce development area or other eligible recipient of grant funding under this section.

(b) “ Trainee ” means an individual receiving training or other services through programs under this section with the goal of becoming employed in a high-wage, high-demand industry.

(c) “ High-wage, high-demand industry ” means those industries paying above Mississippi's median annual income and prioritized by the office and the four (4) local workforce areas.

(d) “ Eligible expenses ” means a cost incurred by a recipient, pursuant to this section, to include trainee support, including tuition or registration expenses and supportive services such as childcare or transportation assistance.

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

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

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

(i) A description of the high-wage, high-demand field or workforce shortage area the program is intended to address;

(ii) The number of trainees who will be served by the program and how each will be tracked for reporting; and

(iii) The average wage rate for trainees receiving employment before and after completing the program;

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

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

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

(5) The office shall:

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

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

(6) The office may use a minimal amount of funds allocated for this section for the administration of the grant program, to be approved by the State Workforce Investment Board Executive Committee.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-162 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 33-162
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-162
Status: in_force

(1) If medical or rehabilitation assistance is provided to a client under this article for injury, loss or damage caused under circumstances creating a cause of action in favor of the client against any person, firm or corporation, then the department shall be entitled to recover the proceeds that may result from the exercise of any rights of recovery which the client may have against any such person, firm or corporation to the extent of the actual amount of the medical or rehabilitation assistance made by the department on behalf of the client. The client shall execute and deliver instruments and papers to do whatever is necessary to secure such rights and shall do nothing after said medical and/or rehabilitation assistance is provided to prejudice the subrogation rights of the department.

Pursuant to Section 31-19-29, Mississippi Code of 1972 , the department may compromise or settle any such claim and execute a release of any claim it has by virtue of this section.

(2) The acceptance of medical and/or rehabilitation assistance under this article or the making of a claim thereunder shall not affect the right of client or his legal representative to recover the medical and/or rehabilitation payments made by the department as an element of damages in any action at law; provided, however, that a copy of the pleadings shall be certified to the department at the time of the institution of suit, and proof of such notice shall be filed of record in such action. The department may, at any time before the trial on the facts, join in such action or may intervene therein. Any amount recovered by a client or his legal representative shall be applied as follows:

(a) The reasonable costs of the collection, including attorney's fees, as approved and allowed by the court in which such action is pending, or in case of settlement without suit, by the legal representative of the department;

(b) The actual amount of the medical and/or rehabilitation payments made by the department on behalf of the client; or such pro rata amount as may be arrived at by compromise settlement pursuant to Section 37-33-162(1) , or as set by the court having jurisdiction; and

(c) Any excess shall be awarded to the client.

(3) No compromise of any claim by the client or his legal representative shall be binding upon or affect the rights of the department against the third party unless, pursuant to Section 37-33-162(1) , the department has entered into the compromise. Any compromise effected by the client or his legal representative with the third party in the absence of advance notification to and approved by the department shall constitute conclusive evidence of the liability of the third party, and the department, in litigating its claim against said third party, shall be required only to prove the amount and correctness of its claim relating to such injury, loss or damage. It is further provided that should the client or his legal representative fail to notify the department of the institution of legal proceedings against a third party for which the department has a cause of action, the facts relating to negligence and the liability of the third party, if judgment is rendered for the client, shall constitute conclusive evidence of liability in a subsequent action maintained by the department and only the amount and correctness of the department's claim relating to injury, loss or damage shall be tried before the court. The department shall be authorized in bringing such action against the third party and his insurer jointly or against the insurer alone.

(4) By accepting medical and/or rehabilitation payments from the department, the client shall, to the extent of the payment of medical expenses by the department, be deemed to have made an assignment to the department of any and all rights and interests in any third-party benefits, hospitalization or indemnity contract or any cause of action, past, present or future, against any person, firm or corporation for benefits provided to the client by the department for loss, injury or damage caused or suffered under circumstances creating a cause of action in favor of the client against such person, firm or corporation as set out in Section 37-33-162(1) .

(5) Nothing herein shall be construed to diminish or otherwise restrict the subrogation rights of the department against a third party for medical and/or rehabilitation payment paid by the department in behalf of the client as a result of injury, loss or damage caused under circumstances creating a cause of action in favor of the client against such a third party.

(6) Any person, firm or corporation who fails or refuses to honor the subrogation rights of the department and specifically, without limitation, hospital insurance and indemnity benefits accruing to a client, shall be subject, should suit become necessary and liability be established, to an assessment of double the amount of medical/rehabilitation payments paid by the department, or double the amount of the insurance policy limits, whichever is the lesser, inclusive of the assessment of a reasonable attorney's fee and all costs of court.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-355 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 7-355
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-355
Status: in_force

(1) Any school district by resolution of the school board is hereby empowered, without public or competitive bidding, to sell, lease, lend, grant or convey to a corporation, individual or partnership pursuant to Sections 37-7-351 through 37-7-359 or to permit such corporation, individual or partnership to use, maintain or operate as part of any public school facility, any real or personal property which may be necessary, useful or convenient for the purposes of the school district. Any such conveyances may include sale-leaseback or lease-leaseback arrangements, without the necessity of complying with the requirements of Article 9 of Chapter 7 of Title 37, Mississippi Code of 1972, or any other general laws which might be applicable thereto, with regard to disposal of surplus property. Any such sale, lease, loan, grant, conveyance or permit may be made or given with or without consideration and for a period of time not to exceed twenty (20) years for agreements entered into under any agreement and on any terms and conditions which may be approved by such school district. Provided, however, that any such sale, lease, loan, grant, conveyance or permit executed under authority of this section shall provide that title to any real property transferred by a local school district shall revert to the school district at the expiration of the term.

(2) The resolution adopted by the school board or governing authority shall be published once each week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper having a general circulation in the school district involved, with the first publication thereof to be made not less than thirty (30) days prior to the date upon which the school board or governing authority is to take final action upon the question of sale, lease, loan, grant or conveyance to an authority. If no petition requesting an election is filed prior to such meeting as hereinafter provided, then the school board or governing authority may, in its discretion, at said meeting, by resolution spread upon its minutes, give final approval to such sale, lease, loan, grant or conveyance. If at any time prior to such meeting a petition signed by not less than twenty percent (20%) or fifteen hundred (1500), whichever is less, of the qualified electors of the school district involved shall be filed with the school board or governing authority requesting that an election be called on the question, then the school board or governing authority shall, not later than the next regular meeting, adopt a resolution calling an election to be held within such school district upon the question of authorizing such sale, lease, loan, grant or conveyance to an authority. Such election shall be called and held, and notice thereof shall be given, in the same manner as for elections upon the question of issuing bonds of school districts, and the results thereof shall be certified to the school board or governing authority. If at least three-fifths ( 3 / 5 ) of the qualified electors of the school district who voted in such election shall vote in favor of authorizing said action, then the school board or governing authority shall proceed to sell, lease, lend, grant or convey such property as prayed for in the original resolution of the school board or governing authority; however, unless at least three-fifths ( 3 / 5 ) of the qualified electors voting in an election vote in favor of such action, then no sale, lease, loan, grant or conveyance shall be made.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-201 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 9-201
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-201
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(e) “ Teacher ” means a licensed employee of a local school district who has direct responsibility for instruction, coordination of educational programs or supervision of teachers and who is compensated for services from public funds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-13 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 153-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-13
Status: in_force

The Mississippi Community College Board, in collaboration with the Office of Workforce Development, is designated as the primary support agency to the workforce development centers. The Mississippi Community College Board, in collaboration with the Office of Workforce Development, may exercise the following powers:

(a) To provide the workforce development centers the assistance necessary to accomplish the purposes of this article;

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

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

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

(ii) Establishing rigorous and comprehensive local preemployment training programs;

(iii) Developing local institutional capacity to deliver total quality management training;

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

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

(vi) Developing data for strategic planning;

(d) To collaborate with the Mississippi Development Authority, Office of Workforce Development, individual community and junior colleges, and other economic development and educational organizations and political subdivisions to increase the economic development potential and the state's labor force participation rate;

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

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

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

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

(i) To develop and hire staff and purchase equipment necessary to accomplish the goals set forth in this section; and

(j) To collaborate, partner and contract for services with community-based organizations and disadvantaged businesses in the delivery of workforce training and career information especially to youth, as defined by the federal Workforce Investment Act, and to those adults who are in low income jobs or whose individual skill levels are so low as to be unable initially to be aided by a workforce development center. Community-based organizations and disadvantaged businesses must meet performance-based certification requirements set by the Mississippi Community College Board, in collaboration with the Office of Workforce Development.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-469 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 29-469
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-469
Status: in_force

The board of trustees of the Copiah-Lincoln Junior College District shall have the general borrowing and bonding authority provided in Sections 37-29-101 through 37-29-127 . The said board of trustees shall have the taxation authority provided in Sections 37-29-141 through 37-29-145 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-155-115 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 155-115
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-155-115
Status: in_force

(1) The board has authority to establish a comprehensive investment plan for the purposes of this article, to invest any funds of the MACS Trust Fund in any instrument, obligation, security or property that constitutes legal investments for public funds in the state, and to name and use depositories for its investments and holdings. The comprehensive investment plan shall specify the investment policies to be utilized by the board in its administration of the funds. The board may authorize investments in any investment vehicle authorized for the Mississippi Prepaid Affordable College Tuition (MPACT) Program under Section 37-155-9 . However, the restrictions in Section 37-155-9 as to percentages of the total fund that may be invested in any category of authorized investment shall not apply to the MACS Trust Fund. The program account, in its discretion, may invest in obligations of the state or any political subdivision of the state or in any business entity in the state.

Notwithstanding any state law to the contrary, the board shall invest or cause to be invested amounts on deposit in the MACS Trust Fund, including the program account, in a manner reasonable and appropriate to achieve the objectives of the program, exercising the discretion and care of a prudent investor in similar circumstances with similar objectives. The board shall give due consideration to the risk, expected rate of return, term or maturity, diversification of total investments, liquidity and anticipated investments in and withdrawals from the MACS Trust Fund.

(2) All investments shall be acquired by the board at prices not exceeding the prevailing market values for such securities.

(3) Any limitations set forth in this section shall be applicable only at the time of purchase and shall not require the liquidation of any investment at any time. All investments shall be marked clearly to indicate ownership by the system and, to the extent possible, shall be registered in the name of the system.

(4) Subject to the terms, conditions, limitations and restrictions set forth in this section, the board may sell, assign, transfer and dispose of any of the securities and investments of the system if the sale, assignment or transfer has the majority approval of the entire board. The board may employ or contract with investment managers, evaluation services, or other such services as determined by the board to be necessary for the effective and efficient operation of the system.

(5) Except as otherwise provided in this section, no trustee or employee of the board may have any direct or indirect interest in the income, gains or profits of any investment made by the board, and such person may not receive any pay or emolument for his services in connection with any investment made by the board. No trustee or employee of the board may become an endorser or surety or in any manner an obligor for money loaned by or borrowed from the system.

(6) Under the authority granted in Section 37-155-107 , the board may establish criteria for investment managers, mutual funds or other such entities to act as contractors or consultants to the board. The board may contract, either directly or through such contractors or consultants, to provide such services as may be a part of the comprehensive investment plan or as may be deemed necessary or proper by the board, including, but not limited to, providing consolidated billing, individual and collective record keeping and accounting, and asset purchase, control and safekeeping.

(7) No account owner, contributor, payor or beneficiary may directly or indirectly direct the investment of any account except as may be permitted under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 , as amended.

(8) The board may approve different investment plans and options to be offered to participants to the extent permitted under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 , as amended, and consistent with the objectives of this article and may require the assistance of investment counseling before participation in different options.

(9) Interests or accounts in the MACS Trust Fund and transactions in such interests or accounts shall be exempt from Sections 75-71-113 and 75-71-401 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-35 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 113-35
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-35
Status: in_force

Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science is hereby authorized and directed, through its agricultural extension service or other appropriate divisions or services of the institution, to make a survey of all farms and farm lands operated by the various state institutions, and to prepare for each of the said institutions a five-year plan of land use based on good husbandry and the particular needs of each institution. Separate plans shall be made for each institution and shall be submitted to the governing authorities of the institution affected. The governing authorities of such institutions shall put such plan into effect as soon as may be practicable. The university shall also cause to be made a detailed report and compilation of the survey made at each institution, and the plan prepared for each, which report shall be printed and bound in book or pamphlet form and distributed as follows: ten (10) copies each to the governor and the legislative budget office, and one (1) copy to each member of the legislature, or state official or institution requesting the same.

Each year after submitting the aforesaid plan to the several institutions, the university, through its agricultural extension service or other appropriate divisions or services of the institution, shall make a semiannual inspection of each institution for which a plan was submitted, and determine what progress has been made by the institution in adopting and carrying into effect or to completion the plan prepared for it. A report of each inspection made hereunder shall be made to the governor and the legislative budget office.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-173-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 173-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-173-1
Status: in_force

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

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

(b) “ Department ” means the State Department of Education.

(c) “ Dyslexia ” means a specific learning disability that is neurological in origin, characterized by difficulties with accurate and fluent word recognition and poor spelling and decoding abilities, which typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction, and secondary consequences which may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.

(d) “ Dyslexia therapy ” means an appropriate specialized dyslexia instructional program that is delivered by a Mississippi Department of Education licensed dyslexia therapist which is scientific, research-based, Orton-Gillingham based, and is offered in a small group setting to teach students the components of reading instruction which include:

(i) Phonemic awareness to enable students to detect, segment, blend and manipulate sounds in spoken language;

(ii) Graphophonemic knowledge (phonics) for teaching the letter-sound plan of English;

(iii) The entire structure of the English language that encompasses morphology, semantics, syntax and pragmatics;

(iv) Linguistic instruction directed toward proficiency and fluency with the patterns of language so that words and sentences are carriers of meaning; and

(v) Strategies that students use for decoding, encoding, word recognition, fluency and comprehension.

These components shall be taught using instructional approaches that include explicit, direct instruction which is systematic, sequential and cumulative, following a logical plan of presenting the alphabetic principle commensurate with the students' needs, with no assumption of prior skills or language knowledge; individualized to meet the specific learning needs of each individual student in a small group setting; intensive, highly concentrated instruction that maximizes student engagement and uses specialized methods and materials; meaning-based instruction directed toward purposeful reading and writing, with an emphasis on comprehension and composition; and multisensory instruction that incorporates the simultaneous use of two (2) or more sensory pathways during teacher presentations and student practice.

(e) “ AA license ” means a certification issued by the department to educators who hold a master's degree, indicating their eligibility to teach in specific academic settings within the State of Mississippi.

(f) “ Qualified Instructor of Certified Academic Language Therapists ” means a professional who is certified in instructor competency through a nationally recognized Orton-Gillingham based dyslexia therapy organization or Orton-Gillingham based academic language therapy organization and has:

(i) Experience in Orton-Gillingham based dyslexia therapy situations that include remediating students of various severity levels, ages and group sizes not exceeding six (6) students;

(ii) Completed a minimum of fourteen hundred (1400) clinical therapy hours;

(iii) Completed a minimum of two (2) curriculum therapy cycles remediating students;

(iv) Trained in a minimum of two (2) Orton-Gillingham based dyslexia therapy curriculum programs;

(v) Assisted in training educators through an Orton-Gillingham based dyslexia therapy program under a Qualified Instructor of Certified Academic Language Therapists; and

(vi) A master's degree or higher level of education.

(g) “ Department of Education licensed dyslexia therapist ” means a professional:

(i) Who has completed training in a department approved Orton-Gillingham based dyslexia therapy training program attaining a AA license in dyslexia therapy; or

(ii) Holding or currently participating in a master's degree that leads to an AA license and a department-approved Orton-Gillingham based dyslexia therapy training program; or

(iii) Holding a standard five-year license or administrator license and a master's degree having completed a department-approved Orton-Gillingham based dyslexia training program; or

(iv) Holding:

1. A national certification for Orton-Gillingham based dyslexia therapy or Orton-Gillingham based academic language therapy from a nationally recognized professional organization;

2. College transcripts as proof of a master's degree or greater level of graduate education; and

3. Current membership in a national certifying organization for Orton-Gillingham based dyslexia therapy or Orton-Gillingham based academic language therapy as proof of maintenance of professional continuing education standards.

(h) “ Approved dyslexia therapy training program ” means a program accredited by the International Multisensory Structured Language Education Council (IMSLEC) and includes:

(i) A minimum of two hundred (200) hours of coursework and seven hundred (700) hours of clinical work, observed and monitored by a Qualified Instructor of Certified Academic Language Therapists; and

(ii) A reading-science competency examination, including multisensory structured language, administered by a nationally recognized organization with authority to issue national certification.

(i) “ Mississippi Dyslexia Therapy Scholarship for Students with Dyslexia Program ” means a scholarship to provide the option to attend a public school other than the one to which assigned, or to provide a scholarship to a nonpublic school of choice, for students in Grade 1 through Grade 12 diagnosed with dyslexia in order to receive comprehensive multisensory dyslexia therapy delivered by holders of an appropriate license in dyslexia therapy issued by the department.

(j) “ School ” means any public or state-accredited nonpublic special purpose school that provides a specific learning environment that provides comprehensive dyslexia therapy instruction delivered by dyslexia therapists licensed by the department providing highly qualified education and intervention services to children diagnosed with the primary learning disability of dyslexia.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-11 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 27-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-11
Status: in_force

The government of an agricultural high school established by two counties shall be vested in the board of trustees, six to be selected by each county in the same manner designated in Section 37-27-7 and the thirteenth to be chosen by the twelve so selected. In case no one receives a majority of all the votes of the twelve members the thirteenth trustee shall be selected by lot from the two highest in voting. The terms of the six trustees from each of the said counties shall be as provided in Section 37-27-7 , and the thirteenth trustee shall serve for a term of four years. The government of an agricultural high school established by more than two counties shall be vested in a board of trustees composed of six trustees from each county selected in the manner provided by law. A majority of the board of trustees of an agricultural high school shall constitute a quorum. A county or counties co-operating with an established agricultural high school may be represented on the board of trustees of such school by the county superintendent of education and one trustee chosen by the board of supervisors of such county.

In levying the taxes provided by law, each county shall act independently, but if one county joining another or others in establishing a school, shall decline to levy the tax, the other county or counties may nevertheless do so, in which event the joint plan shall thereby be abandoned in so far as the county failing to levy the tax is concerned, and the county or counties levying the tax may proceed in the management and control of the school. In case two or more counties join in establishing or maintaining a joint school, and each county levies a special tax as provided by law, the tax collector of each county shall collect the tax in his county and pay the same into the county depository of his county. In paying the expenses of either school, the trustees shall draw on the funds of each county provided for that school, equitably as near as may be in proportion to the amount of tax collected for that school by each county; if no tax is levied, the trustees shall draw on any fund in the depository of the respective counties provided by law for the support of that school in proportion to the number of educable children attending such school for each county.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-403 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 29-403
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-403
Status: in_force

All of the property belonging to the board of trustees of Perkinston Junior College and all of the property belonging to either or all of the counties prior to and as of May 10, 1962, cooperating in the Perkinston Junior College or the agricultural high school-junior college located at Perkinston, Mississippi and utilized or held for the present or future use and benefit of said junior college and/or agricultural high school-junior college shall be and the same is hereby transferred to and vested in the Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College District.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-105-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 105-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-105-3
Status: in_force

(1) The traffic officers duly appointed by the president of any state institution of higher learning, or any peace officer or highway patrolman of this state, are vested with the powers and authority to perform all duties incident to enforcing such rules and regulations as may be enacted under the authority granted in Section 37-105-1 , including the arrest of violators.

(2) The peace officers duly appointed by the president of any state institution of higher learning are also vested with the powers and subjected to the duties of a constable for the purpose of preventing all violations of law that occur within five hundred (500) feet of any property owned by the university, if such universities determine that they want such peace officers to exercise such powers and if reasonably determined to have a possible impact on the safety of students, faculty or staff of the university while on said property. If a university determines that it wants such peace officers to exercise such powers, the university may enter into an interlocal agreement with other law enforcement entities specifying the individual and joint duties to be exercised on property within the peace officers' jurisdiction. Provided, however, that nothing in this section shall be interpreted to require action by any such peace officer appointed by such universities to events occurring outside the boundaries of university property, nor shall any such university or its employees be liable for any failure to act to any event occurring outside the boundaries of property owned by the university.

With approval from the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, the university may enter into an interlocal agreement with other law enforcement entities for the provision of equipment or traffic control duties, however, the duty to enforce traffic regulations and to enforce the laws of the state or municipality off of university property lies with the local police or sheriff's department which cannot withhold its services solely because of the lack of such an agreement.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-19 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 13-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-19
Status: in_force

In addition to the curriculum otherwise required by law or the State Board of Education to be taught in the public schools of this state, the school board of a local school district may allow course credit to any high school student, who is a member of the National Guard and attends basic training camp during the summer between the end of the student's junior year and the start of the student's senior year of academic instruction. At the conclusion of the student's basic training, the commanding officer of the National Guard unit of which the student is a reserve member shall provide evidence of the student's completion of training to the local school district where the student is in attendance. Upon receipt of the evidence provided by the National Guard, the school district may award one (1) Carnegie unit of elective credit to the student. This elective credit may be applied along with the total number of Carnegie units required for the student to graduate.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-27 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 41-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-27
Status: in_force

(1) The local school boards, subject to rules and regulations promulgated by the State Board of Education, may permit the use of publicly owned school buses for the transportation of participating students, teachers, coaches and sponsors in connection with athletic events, events of boys' and girls' clubs, events of Future Farmers of America or 4-H Clubs and special events in connection with the schools which the boards may consider a part of the educational program. The local school boards, subject to rules and regulations promulgated by the State Board of Education, may permit the use of publicly owned school buses for the transportation of citizens for grand jury and other jury functions upon order of the court or as considered necessary by the school board during natural or man-made emergencies, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and other acts of God. The local school boards, subject to rules and regulations promulgated by the State Board of Education, may permit the use of publicly owned school buses for the transportation of citizens attending an air show or historic commemorative event held on a military base or military park located in the school district; provided that such determination shall be made upon the minutes of the school board and shall include an agreement with the military base or military park that it will indemnify and hold the school district harmless in any action regarding such transportation.

(2)(a) Local school boards may regularly permit the use of motor vehicles other than school buses when the transportation is for trips to and from school sites or for school-related functions and activities; however, motor vehicles other than school buses may not be used for customary transportation between a student's residence and such sites.

(b) When the transportation of students is provided, as authorized in this subsection, in a vehicle other than a school bus that is owned, operated, rented, contracted, or leased by a school district or charter school, the following provisions shall apply:

(i) The vehicle must be a passenger car or multipurpose passenger vehicle or truck, as defined in 49 CFR Part 571 , designed to transport fewer than sixteen (16) students and which does not require a commercial driver's license with passenger endorsement. Students must be transported in designated seating positions and must use the occupant crash protection system provided by the manufacturer unless the student's physical condition prohibits such use.

(ii) An authorized vehicle may not be driven by a student on a public right-of-way. An authorized vehicle may be driven by a student on school or private property as part of the student's educational curriculum if no other student is in the vehicle.

(iii) The driver of an authorized vehicle transporting students must maintain a valid driver's license and must comply with the requirements of the school district's locally adopted safe driver plan, which includes review of driving records for disqualifying violations.

(iv) The local school board must adopt a policy that addresses procedures and liability for trips under this paragraph, including a provision that school buses are to be used whenever practical and specifying consequences for violation of the policy.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-76 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 29-76
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-76
Status: in_force

When any junior college district in which the junior college campus is located in a county having a population in excess of two hundred thousand (200,000) according to the 1970 federal decennial census, owns lands adjacent to lands owned by any county forming a part of such district, the board of trustees of any such district and the board of supervisors of any such county may make such exchanges of land and may execute such instruments perfecting the title of the county and that of the district as they, by appropriate resolutions, may find proper, all without the necessity of advertisement for or receiving bids.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 65-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-9
Status: in_force

Upon and during the closure in accordance with the provisions of this article of any school, the educable children or enrolled students affected thereby may be assigned or transferred, as the case may be, to another school or district, as the case may be, in accordance with the laws of this state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-121-21 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 121-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-121-21
Status: in_force

Subject to approval by the Institutions of Higher Learning, the Alcorn State University Extension and Research Complex, located at 1000 ASU Drive 479 in Lorman, Jefferson County, Mississippi, shall be named the “Dr. Jesse Harness, Sr., Extension and Research Center.” The Department of Finance and Administration shall prepare or have prepared a distinctive plaque, to be placed in a prominent place within the building, that states the background, accomplishments and service of Dr. Jesse Harness, Sr., to Alcorn State University and to the State of Mississippi. The Department of Finance and Administration in conjunction with the Alcorn State University shall erect or cause to be erected proper lettering or signage on the outdoor facade of the building displaying the official name of the building as the “Dr. Jesse Harness, Sr., Extension and Research Center.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-131 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 115-131
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-131
Status: in_force

A special fund, to be designated as the “2023 Declaration of Independence Center for the Study of American Freedom Fund”, is created within the State Treasury. The fund shall be maintained by the State Treasurer as a separate and special fund, separate and apart from the General Fund of the state. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited into such fund. Monies deposited into the fund shall be expended by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to support the operations of the Declaration of Independence Center for the Study of American Freedom (“Center”) at the University of Mississippi, subject to the conditions that the Center shall:

(a) Promote scholarly research and civic education by exploring the principles of freedom expressed in our country's founding documents;

(b) Support individual faculty members at institutions of higher learning who have been named Declaration Fellows and who actively participate in the Center's network of scholars and further the mission and principles of the Center;

(c) Support classes, activities, and internships that advance students' understanding of American freedom at both the secondary and post-secondary level of education, including support for the operation of any Freedom Studies minor that may be available for academic credit at the University of Mississippi, as well as support for all Freedom Studies courses belonging to this minor; and

(d) Continue to be governed and advised in accordance with the Center governing structure described in the last paragraph of the Center mission statement signed by the Chancellor, Provost and founding Director of the Center and received in the Office of the Chancellor on March 1, 2023.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-319 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 101-319
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-319
Status: in_force

Such general obligation bonds may be issued without any other proceedings or the happening of any other conditions or things other than those proceedings, conditions and things which are specified or required by Sections 37-101-301 through 37-101-331 . Any resolution providing for the issuance of general obligation bonds under the provisions of Sections 37-101-301 through 37-101-331 shall become effective immediately upon its adoption by the State Bond Commission, and any such resolution may be adopted at any regular or special meeting of the State Bond Commission by a majority of its members.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-173-27 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 173-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-173-27
Status: in_force

No liability shall arise on the part of the state based on the award or use of a Mississippi Dyslexia Therapy Scholarship.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-138-21 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 138-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-138-21
Status: in_force

(1) It shall be unlawful for an individual who does not possess a valid worker certificate to work as a worker on an asbestos project.

(2) It shall be unlawful for a contractor to employ a person as a worker on an asbestos project who does not possess a valid worker certificate in accordance with this section.

(3) To qualify for a worker certificate an individual shall:

(a) Satisfactorily complete a commission-approved training course for abatement workers, except that a worker training course approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency satisfactorily completed shall be sufficient to meet this requirement;

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

(c) Provide written proof satisfactory to the commission, on forms prepared by the commission, of a physical examination by a physician licensed by the State Board of Medical Licensure or by a physician licensed to practice medicine in any other state approving the applicant to work on an asbestos project. Requirement (c) of subsection (3) shall be renewed every three (3) years. A chest X-ray is not required for either the initial or any renewal application.

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

(5) Applicants for a worker certificate shall submit to the commission, on forms prepared by the commission, an application for issuance or renewal of the certificate, whichever is applicable, and a certificate that shows satisfactory completion of training course(s) specified in subsection (3)(a) above and shall pay the applicable annual fee.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-22-25 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 22-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-22-25
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(7) After any state funds in the fund are no longer needed for the particular purpose for which they were appropriated, deposited or transferred into the fund, the Department of Finance and Administration shall transfer those state funds back to the particular fund or funds in the State Treasury from which they were appropriated or transferred into the fund, upon certification of the State Superintendent of Public Education that the state funds currently are not needed.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-144-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 144-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-144-9
Status: in_force

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

(2) Students in the program may receive tuition or other financial support that may be provided by the commission. If a student in the program is admitted to and completes medical or osteopathic school, any tuition or other educational and living support provided to the student by the commission will be forgiven. However, if the student is not successful in being accepted into medical or osteopathic school within three (3) years of entry into the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program, or if the student otherwise breaches his or her agreement with the commission, all financial assistance provided to the student must be repaid according to policies adopted by the board.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-17 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 59-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-17
Status: in_force

When the results of the election on the question of the issuance of such bonds shall have been canvassed by the election commissioners of such county or municipality, and certified by them to the school board of the school district, it shall be the duty of such school board to determine and adjudicate whether or not three-fifths ( 3 / 5 ) of the qualified electors who voted in such election voted in favor of the issuance of such bonds. Unless three-fifths ( 3 / 5 ) of the qualified electors who voted in such election shall have voted in favor of the issuance of such bonds, then such bonds shall not be issued. Should three-fifths ( 3 / 5 ) of the qualified electors who vote in such election vote in favor of the issuance of such bonds, then the school board of such school district shall issue such bonds, either in whole or in part, within two (2) years from the date of such election, or within two (2) years after the final favorable termination of any litigation affecting the issuance of such bonds, as such school board shall deem best.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-103-15 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 103-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-103-15
Status: in_force

A married person may claim the residence status of his or her spouse, or he or she may claim independent residence status under the same regulations set forth in Section 37-103-13 as any other adult.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-71 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 29-71
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-71
Status: in_force

The board of trustees shall annually prepare a budget which shall contain a detailed estimate of the revenues and expenses anticipated for the ensuing year for general operation and maintenance and which shall set forth the reasonable requirements for anticipated needs for capital outlays for land, buildings, initial equipment for new buildings and major repairs, a reasonable accumulation for such purposes being hereby expressly authorized.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-355 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 101-355
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-355
Status: in_force

State agencies, political subdivisions and local governmental entities of the State of Mississippi are authorized to pay from available funds reasonable fees and tuition for their executives, officials and employees to attend an authorized executive institute pursuant to Section 37-101-351 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 59-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-3
Status: in_force

The school board of any school district is authorized to issue negotiable bonds of such school district to raise money for the following purposes:

(a) Purchasing, erecting, repairing, equipping, remodeling and enlarging school buildings and related facilities, including gymnasiums, auditoriums, lunch rooms, vocational training buildings, libraries, teachers' homes, school barns, 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) Paying part of the costs to be incurred in erecting, repairing, equipping, remodeling and enlarging school buildings and related facilities which are owned and operated by state-supported institutions of higher education as a demonstration or practice school attended by pupils, grades, or one or more, or parts of grades from the educable children of such school district pursuant to a contract or agreement between said institution and said school district.

The authority to issue the bonds hereinabove set forth shall include the authority for the school board of such school district to spend the money for the purposes for which said money is raised.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-47-63 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 47-63
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-47-63
Status: in_force

In consideration of the acceptance and purchase of the bonds authorized under the provisions of this chapter, by those who shall hold the same from time to time, this chapter shall be deemed and shall constitute a contract between the State of Mississippi and such holders and shall be irrepealable until such time as all bonds and interim certificates issued under the provisions of this chapter shall have been fully paid.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-57 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 27-57
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-57
Status: in_force

Any additional or supplemental expenses incurred by the agricultural high school or community or junior college in the instruction of such pupils above that defrayed by total funding formula funds as provided in Section 37-27-55 , shall be paid either from the amounts received from the state appropriation for the support of agricultural high schools or from the tax levy for the support of such agricultural high school or community or junior college or from any other funds which such agricultural high school or community or junior college may have available for such purpose.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-303 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / 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. § 37-145-51 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 145-51
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-51
Status: in_force

Any pledge made by the company shall be valid and binding from the time when the pledge was made. The revenues or properties so pledged and thereafter received by the company shall immediately be subject to the lien of such pledge without any physical delivery thereof or further act, and the lien of any such pledge shall be valid and binding as against all parties having claims of any kind in tort, contract or otherwise against the company, irrespective of whether the parties have notice thereof. Neither the resolution nor any other instrument by which a pledge is created need be recorded.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-4-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 4-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-4-9
Status: in_force

The Mississippi Community College Board is authorized to receive income from voluntary fees, contributions, donations, other forms of financial assistance, materials or manpower from persons, corporations, organizations and other sources, private or public, to be utilized and expended by the board in carrying out the incentive certification program mandated by the Work Force and Education Act of 1994 in Sections 37-151-63 through 37-151-75 and 37-153-1 through 37-153-13 . Additionally, awards or scholarships to industry or to students or both are authorized.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-49 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 45-49
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-49
Status: in_force

Any cost or fees provided by this chapter to be paid by any county board of education or board of trustees of a municipal separate school district may be paid by the county board of education from any school funds of the district other than total funding formula funds, and by the municipal separate school district from the maintenance funds of the district, other than total funding formula funds. Any fees or costs provided by this chapter to be paid by the department may be paid from the funds appropriated for its operation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-613 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 29-613
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-613
Status: in_force

The educational building corporations authorized under Sections 37-29-601 through 37-29-613 , in connection with the issuance of the bonds in order to secure the payment of such bonds and interest thereon, shall have power by resolutions:

(a) To fix and maintain fees, rentals and other charges to be paid by students, faculty members and others using or being served by facilities for which bonds are issued under Sections 37-29-601 through 37-29-613 ; however, in fixing such fees, rentals and other charges, there may be allowed reasonable differentials based on the condition, type, location and relative convenience of the facilities in question, but the differentials shall be uniform as to all such students or faculty members and others similarly accommodated;

(b) To provide that bonds issued shall be secured by a first, exclusive and closed lien on, and shall be payable from, all or any part of the income and revenues derived from fees, rentals and other charges to be paid by students, faculty members or others using or being served by any facilities operated at the community or junior college, and erected, repaired, remodeled, maintained, added to, extended, improved or acquired under Sections 37-29-601 through 37-29-613 , or any other law, or otherwise, and not theretofore so pledged;

(c) To pledge and assign to, or in trust for the benefit of the holder or holders of any bond or bonds, coupon or coupons so issued, an amount of the income and revenues derived from fees, rentals and other charges to be paid by students, faculty members, or others using or being served by any facilities operated at any community or junior college, and erected, repaired, remodeled, maintained, added to, extended, improved or acquired under Sections 37-29-601 through 37-29-613 , or any other law, or otherwise, and not theretofore so pledged, and the rentals, fees and charges imposed and pledged pursuant to the terms of this section shall be sufficient to pay when due the bonds so issued and interest thereon, to create and maintain a reasonable reserve therefor, and to operate and maintain the project so constructed, and to create and at all times maintain an adequate reserve for contingencies and for major repairs and replacements;

(d) To covenant with or for the benefit of the holder or holders of any bond or bonds, coupon or coupons so issued to erect, repair, remodel, maintain, add to, extend, improve or acquire any facilities, that so long as any of the bonds shall remain outstanding and unpaid, the institution shall fix, maintain and collect, in installments as may be agreed upon, an amount of fees, rentals or other charges from students, faculty members and others using or being served by any facilities operated at any community or junior college and erected, repaired, remodeled, maintained, added to, extended, improved or acquired under Sections 37-29-601 through 37-29-613 , or any other law, or otherwise, which shall be sufficient to pay when due any bond or bonds, coupons or coupons so issued, and to create and maintain a reasonable reserve therefor, and to pay the cost of operation and maintenance of the facilities against loss or damage by fire and windstorm or other calamities, in such sum as may be acceptable to the purchaser or purchasers of the bonds. The rentals, fees and other charges shall at all times be sufficient to maintain an adequate bond sinking fund to provide for the payment of interest on and principal of the bonds as and when they accrue and mature, to create a reasonable reserve therein and to pay the cost of operation and maintenance and insurance as herein provided and to create and at all times maintain an adequate reserve for contingencies and for major repairs and replacements;

(e) To make and enforce and agree to make and enforce parietal rules that shall insure the use of the facility by all students in attendance at the community or junior college, and faculty members of the community or junior college, to the maximum extent the facilities are capable of serving students and faculty, so long as it does not interfere with any existing contract;

(f) To covenant that as long as any of the bonds so issued shall remain outstanding and unpaid, it will not, except upon such terms and conditions as may be determined by the resolution issuing such bonds:

(i) Voluntarily create, or cause to be created, any debt, lien, pledge, assignment, encumbrance or other charge having priority to or being on a parity with the lien of the bonds so issued upon any of the income and revenues derived from fees, rentals and other charges to be paid by students, faculty members and others using or being served by the facilities operated at any such institution and erected, repaired, remodeled, maintained, added to, extended, improved or acquired under Sections 37-29-601 through 37-29-613 , or any other law, or otherwise;

(ii) Convey or otherwise alienate the facilities, or the real estate upon which the same shall be located, except at a price sufficient to pay all the bonds then outstanding payable from the revenues derived therefrom and interest accrued on such bonds, and then only in accordance with any agreements with the holder or holders of such bonds; or

(iii) Mortgage or otherwise voluntarily create, or cause to be created, any encumbrance on the facility, or the real estate upon which it shall be located;

(g) To covenant as to the proceedings by which the terms of any contract with a holder or holders of such bonds may be amended or rescinded, the amount or percentage of bonds the holder or holders of which must consent thereto and the manner in which consent may be given;

(h) To vest in a trustee or trustees the right to receive all or any part of the income and revenue and proceeds of insurance pledged and assigned to, or for the benefit of, the holder or holders of such bonds, and to hold, apply and dispose of the income and revenue and proceeds of insurance and the right to enforce any covenant made to secure or pay or in relation to the bonds;

(i) To execute and deliver, in the name of the community or junior college for which such bonds are being issued, a trust agreement or agreements which may set forth the powers and duties of such trustee or trustees, and limiting the liabilities of the trustee or trustees, and describing what occurrences shall constitute events of default and prescribing the terms and conditions upon which such trustee or trustees or the holder or holders of bonds of any specified amount or percentage of such bonds may exercise such right and enforce any and all such covenants and resort to any remedies as may be appropriate; and

(j) To vest in a trustee or trustees or the holder or holders of any specified amount or percentage of bonds the right to apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for and have granted the appointment of a receiver or receivers of the income and revenue pledged and assigned to or for the benefit of the holder or holders of such bonds, which receiver or receivers may have and be granted powers and duties as are usually granted under the laws of the State of Mississippi to a receiver or receivers appointed in connection with the foreclosure of a mortgage made by a private corporation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-317 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 101-317
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-317
Status: in_force

The State Treasurer is hereby authorized, without further process of law, to certify to the Fiscal Management Board the necessity for warrants, and the board is hereby authorized and directed to issue such warrants payable out of any funds authorized by Sections 37-101-301 through 37-101-331 for such purpose, in such amounts as may be necessary to pay when due the principal of and interest on all bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 37-101-301 through 37-101-331 ; and the State Treasurer shall forward the necessary amount to the designated place or places of payment of such bonds in ample time to discharge such bonds, or the interest thereon, on the due dates thereof.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-173-16 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 173-16
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-173-16
Status: in_force

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

(2) The State Department of Education shall require public school districts to conduct four (4) hours of in-service training in dyslexia and related disorder awareness education every three (3) years for all licensed educators and paraprofessionals responsible for instruction. Standard 1 and Standard 2 of the International Dyslexia Association's “Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading” 2018 Edition shall be the minimum content used for the dyslexia training. Additional content of the trainings shall also include the indicators and characteristics, screening processes, evidence-based interventions and accommodations for students with dyslexia and other related disorders. The training, which may be provided through live in-person instruction, online course instruction or through a prerecorded video presentation, shall be delivered by an individual who holds a State Department of Education License No. 203 in Dyslexia Therapy and a national certificate as a Certified Academic Language Therapist.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-135 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 13-135
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-135
Status: in_force

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

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

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

(4) The Commission on School Accreditation shall encourage the development of plans of comprehensive school health education and the implementation thereof.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-221 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 33-221
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-221
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful, except for purposes directly connected with the administration of the Office of Special Disability Programs and in accordance with regulations, for any person or persons to solicit, disclose, receive, or make use of, or authorize, knowingly permit, participate in, or acquiesce in the use of any list of, or names of, or any information concerning persons applying for or receiving services under the Office of Special Disability Programs, directly or indirectly derived from the records, papers, files, or communications of the state or subdivisions or agencies thereof, or acquired in the course of the performance of official duties, except in response to summons, subpoena or other order of a court. Any violation of this section shall be a misdemeanor and punishable accordingly.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-201 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 151-201
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-201
Status: in_force

The following words and phrases have the meanings ascribed in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) “ Base amount ” or “ student base amount ” means the student base funding level that is established in the funding formula as the estimated cost of educating a student with no additional measured needs or special factors.

(b) “ Career and technical education course ” or “ CTE course ” means a credit-bearing course that has been approved and classified by the department as a career and technical education, or CTE, course.

(c) “ Charter school ” means a public school that is established and operating under the terms of a charter contract pursuant to Chapter 28, Title 37, Mississippi Code of 1972 .

(d) “ Department ” means the State Department of Education.

(e) “ English Language Learner ” or “ ELL ” means a student identified in accordance with federal law as entitled to English as a second language or bilingual services on the basis of the student's English language proficiency.

(f) “ Final weighted enrollment ” means the final product of applying weights to the net enrollment of a school district or charter school after accounting for the sparsity of a school district or charter school, as determined in Section 37-151-205 .

(g) “ Gifted student ” means a student identified as eligible to participate in a gifted education program for the instruction of intellectually or academically gifted children, as defined and provided for in Sections 37-23-171 through 37-23-181 .

(h) “ Local contribution ” means the amount of local tax money that school districts or charter schools must contribute to the cost of the funding formula for their district or charter school in a given fiscal year, as determined under Section 37-151-211 .

(i) “ Local minimum tax effort ” means the amount in taxes that the local levying authority for each school district must raise on behalf of the school districts and charter schools in its geographic boundaries, as determined under Section 37-151-211 .

(j) “ Low income student ” means a student who has been identified by the department, through inclusion in the identified student percentage, as having been approved for free meals based on documentation of:

(i) Receipt of benefits from the following federally funded programs:

1. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP);

2. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF);

3. Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR); or

4. Medicaid, where applicable, as approved by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct matching with Medicaid data to identify children eligible for free meals; or

(ii) The inclusion of students who are identified as homeless children, migrant children, runaway children or Head Start children, who are approved for free school meals without application and not subject to verification, which includes foster children certified for free meals through means other than an application for free and reduced price school meals.

(k) “ Net enrollment ” means the average of the total aggregate student enrollment of a school district or charter school on the last day of months two (2) and three (3) of the previous school year. The total aggregate student enrollment for each day may be determined by calculating the total number of students enrolled plus or minus the total number of new student enrollments or withdrawals, respectively, with the resulting amount being considered the total aggregate student enrollment on a given day. However, if a local school board or the governing board of a charter school adopts a class schedule that operates throughout the year for any or all schools in the district or the charter school, net enrollment must be computed by the State Department of Education so that the resulting net enrollment will not be higher or lower than if the local school board or the governing board had not adopted a year-round schedule.

(l) “ Preliminary weighted enrollment ” means the initial product of applying weights to the net enrollment of a school district or charter school, as determined in Section 37-151-205 .

(m) “ School board ” means a governmental board exercising management and control over a school district and the schools of that district pursuant to the Mississippi Constitution of 1890 and state statutes.

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

(o) “ Sparsely populated district or charter school ” means a school district or charter school with a density of less than eight (8) students per square mile, as determined by dividing the net enrollment of a district or charter school by the square mileage within its geographic boundaries. For the purpose of determining the sparsity of a charter school, the square mileage of a charter school is equivalent to the square mileage within the geographic boundaries of the school district in which the charter school is located.

(p) “ Special education program ” means a program that provides services for exceptional children, as defined and authorized by Chapter 23, Title 37, Mississippi Code of 1972 .

(q) “ State share ” means the amount the state contributes to the funding formula for the annual operating funding of each school district or charter school.

(r) “ Superintendent ” means the administrative head of a school district.

(s) “ Total funding formula ” means the formula used to determine annual operating funding for public schools, as prescribed in Sections 37-151-200 through 37-151-215 .

(t) “ Weight ” or “ weighting ” means a multiplier used to adjust the preliminary weighted enrollment and final weighted enrollment to support the additional costs of educating students in defined student populations or in a defined geographic context.