Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-91 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 13-91
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-91
Status: in_force

(1) This section shall be referred to as the “Mississippi Compulsory School Attendance Law.”

(2) The following terms as used in this section are defined as follows:

(a) “ Parent ” means the father or mother to whom a child has been born, or the father or mother by whom a child has been legally adopted.

(b) “ Guardian ” means a guardian of the person of a child, other than a parent, who is legally appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction.

(c) “ Custodian ” means any person having the present care or custody of a child, other than a parent or guardian of the child.

(d) “ School day ” means not less than five and one-half (5- 1 / 2 ) and not more than eight (8) hours of actual teaching in which both teachers and pupils are in regular attendance for scheduled schoolwork.

(e) “ School ” means any public school, including a charter school, in this state or any nonpublic school in this state which is in session each school year for at least one hundred eighty (180) school days, except that the “nonpublic” school term shall be the number of days that each school shall require for promotion from grade to grade.

(f) “ Compulsory-school-age child ” means a child who has attained or will attain the age of six (6) years on or before September 1 of the calendar year and who has not attained the age of seventeen (17) years on or before September 1 of the calendar year; and shall include any child who has attained or will attain the age of five (5) years on or before September 1 and has enrolled in a full-day public school kindergarten program.

(g) “ School attendance officer ” means a person employed by the State Department of Education pursuant to Section 37-13-89 .

(h) “ Appropriate school official ” means the superintendent of the school district, or his designee, or, in the case of a nonpublic school, the principal or the headmaster.

(i) “ Nonpublic school ” means an institution for the teaching of children, consisting of a physical plant, whether owned or leased, including a home, instructional staff members and students, and which is in session each school year. This definition shall include, but not be limited to, private, church, parochial and home instruction programs.

(3) A parent, guardian or custodian of a compulsory-school-age child in this state shall cause the child to enroll in and attend a public school or legitimate nonpublic school for the period of time that the child is of compulsory school age, except under the following circumstances:

(a) When a compulsory-school-age child is physically, mentally or emotionally incapable of attending school as determined by the appropriate school official based upon sufficient medical documentation.

(b) When a compulsory-school-age child is enrolled in and pursuing a course of special education, remedial education or education for children with physical or mental disadvantages or disabilities.

(c) When a compulsory-school-age child is being educated in a legitimate home instruction program.

The parent, guardian or custodian of a compulsory-school-age child described in this subsection, or the parent, guardian or custodian of a compulsory-school-age child attending any charter school or nonpublic school, or the appropriate school official for any or all children attending a charter school or nonpublic school shall complete a “certificate of enrollment” in order to facilitate the administration of this section.

The form of the certificate of enrollment shall be prepared by the Office of Compulsory School Attendance Enforcement of the State Department of Education and shall be designed to obtain the following information only:

(i) The name, address, telephone number and date of birth of the compulsory-school-age child;

(ii) The name, address and telephone number of the parent, guardian or custodian of the compulsory-school-age child;

(iii) A simple description of the type of education the compulsory-school-age child is receiving and, if the child is enrolled in a nonpublic school, the name and address of the school; and

(iv) The signature of the parent, guardian or custodian of the compulsory-school-age child or, for any or all compulsory-school-age child or children attending a charter school or nonpublic school, the signature of the appropriate school official and the date signed.

The certificate of enrollment shall be returned to the school attendance officer where the child resides on or before September 15 of each year. Any parent, guardian or custodian found by the school attendance officer to be in noncompliance with this section shall comply, after written notice of the noncompliance by the school attendance officer, with this subsection within ten (10) days after the notice or be in violation of this section. However, in the event the child has been enrolled in a public school within fifteen (15) calendar days after the first day of the school year as required in subsection (6), the parent or custodian may, at a later date, enroll the child in a legitimate nonpublic school or legitimate home instruction program and send the certificate of enrollment to the school attendance officer and be in compliance with this subsection.

For the purposes of this subsection, a legitimate nonpublic school or legitimate home instruction program shall be those not operated or instituted for the purpose of avoiding or circumventing the compulsory attendance law.

(4) An “ unlawful absence ” is an absence for an entire school day or during part of a school day by a compulsory-school-age child, which absence is not due to a valid excuse for temporary nonattendance. For purposes of reporting absenteeism under subsection (6) of this section, if a compulsory-school-age child has an absence that is more than thirty-seven percent (37%) of the instructional day, as fixed by the school board for the school at which the compulsory-school-age child is enrolled, the child must be considered absent the entire school day. Days missed from school due to disciplinary suspension shall not be considered an “excused” absence under this section. This subsection shall not apply to children enrolled in a nonpublic school.

Each of the following shall constitute a valid excuse for temporary nonattendance of a compulsory-school-age child enrolled in a noncharter public school, provided satisfactory evidence of the excuse is provided to the superintendent of the school district, or his designee:

(a) An absence is excused when the absence results from the compulsory-school-age child's attendance at an authorized school activity with the prior approval of the superintendent of the school district, or his designee. These activities may include field trips, athletic contests, student conventions, musical festivals and any similar activity.

(b) An absence is excused when the absence results from illness or injury which prevents the compulsory-school-age child from being physically able to attend school.

(c) An absence is excused when isolation of a compulsory-school-age child is ordered by the county health officer, by the State Board of Health or appropriate school official.

(d) An absence is excused when it results from the death or serious illness of a member of the immediate family of a compulsory-school-age child. The immediate family members of a compulsory-school-age child shall include children, spouse, grandparents, parents, brothers and sisters, including stepbrothers and stepsisters.

(e) An absence is excused when it results from a medical or dental appointment of a compulsory-school-age child.

(f) An absence is excused when it results from the attendance of a compulsory-school-age child at the proceedings of a court or an administrative tribunal if the child is a party to the action or under subpoena as a witness.

(g) An absence may be excused if the religion to which the compulsory-school-age child or the child's parents adheres, requires or suggests the observance of a religious event. The approval of the absence is within the discretion of the superintendent of the school district, or his designee, but approval should be granted unless the religion's observance is of such duration as to interfere with the education of the child.

(h) An absence may be excused when it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the superintendent of the school district, or his designee, that the purpose of the absence is to take advantage of a valid educational opportunity such as travel, including vacations or other family travel. Approval of the absence must be gained from the superintendent of the school district, or his designee, before the absence, but the approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.

(i) An absence may be excused when it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the superintendent of the school district, or his designee, that conditions are sufficient to warrant the compulsory-school-age child's nonattendance. However, no absences shall be excused by the school district superintendent, or his designee, when any student suspensions or expulsions circumvent the intent and spirit of the compulsory attendance law.

(j) An absence is excused when it results from the attendance of a compulsory-school-age child participating in official organized events sponsored by the 4-H or Future Farmers of America (FFA). The excuse for the 4-H or FFA event must be provided in writing to the appropriate school superintendent by the Extension Agent or High School Agricultural Instructor/FFA Advisor.

(k) An absence is excused when it results from the compulsory-school-age child officially being employed to serve as a page at the State Capitol for the Mississippi House of Representatives or Senate.

(5) Any parent, guardian or custodian of a compulsory-school-age child subject to this section who refuses or willfully fails to perform any of the duties imposed upon him or her under this section or who intentionally falsifies any information required to be contained in a certificate of enrollment, shall be guilty of contributing to the neglect of a child and, upon conviction, shall be punished in accordance with Section 97-5-39 .

Upon prosecution of a parent, guardian or custodian of a compulsory-school-age child for violation of this section, the presentation of evidence by the prosecutor that shows that the child has not been enrolled in school within eighteen (18) calendar days after the first day of the school year of the public school which the child is eligible to attend, or that the child has accumulated twelve (12) unlawful absences during the school year at the public school in which the child has been enrolled, shall establish a prima facie case that the child's parent, guardian or custodian is responsible for the absences and has refused or willfully failed to perform the duties imposed upon him or her under this section. However, no proceedings under this section shall be brought against a parent, guardian or custodian of a compulsory-school-age child unless the school attendance officer has contacted promptly the home of the child and has provided written notice to the parent, guardian or custodian of the requirement for the child's enrollment or attendance.

(6) If a compulsory-school-age child has not been enrolled in a school within fifteen (15) calendar days after the first day of the school year of the school which the child is eligible to attend or the child has accumulated five (5) unlawful absences during the school year of the public school in which the child is enrolled, the school district superintendent, or his designee, shall report, within two (2) school days or within five (5) calendar days, whichever is less, the absences to the school attendance officer. The State Department of Education shall prescribe a uniform method for schools to utilize in reporting the unlawful absences to the school attendance officer. The superintendent, or his designee, also shall report any student suspensions or student expulsions to the school attendance officer when they occur.

(7) When a school attendance officer has made all attempts to secure enrollment and/or attendance of a compulsory-school-age child and is unable to effect the enrollment and/or attendance, the attendance officer shall file a petition with the youth court under Section 43-21-451 or shall file a petition in a court of competent jurisdiction as it pertains to parent or child. Sheriffs, deputy sheriffs and municipal law enforcement officers shall be fully authorized to investigate all cases of nonattendance and unlawful absences by compulsory-school-age children, and shall be authorized to file a petition with the youth court under Section 43-21-451 or file a petition or information in the court of competent jurisdiction as it pertains to parent or child for violation of this section. The youth court shall expedite a hearing to make an appropriate adjudication and a disposition to ensure compliance with the Compulsory School Attendance Law, and may order the child to enroll or re-enroll in school. The superintendent of the school district to which the child is ordered may assign, in his discretion, the child to the alternative school program of the school established pursuant to Section 37-13-92 .

(8) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules and regulations for the purpose of reprimanding any school superintendents who fail to timely report unexcused absences under the provisions of this section.

(9) Notwithstanding any provision or implication herein to the contrary, it is not the intention of this section to impair the primary right and the obligation of the parent or parents, or person or persons in loco parentis to a child, to choose the proper education and training for such child, and nothing in this section shall ever be construed to grant, by implication or otherwise, to the State of Mississippi, any of its officers, agencies or subdivisions any right or authority to control, manage, supervise or make any suggestion as to the control, management or supervision of any private or parochial school or institution for the education or training of children, of any kind whatsoever that is not a public school according to the laws of this state; and this section shall never be construed so as to grant, by implication or otherwise, any right or authority to any state agency or other entity to control, manage, supervise, provide for or affect the operation, management, program, curriculum, admissions policy or discipline of any such school or home instruction program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-203 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / 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. § 37-23-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 23-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-5
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise provided in Laws, 1999, Chapter 582, 1 the State Department of Education is empowered to foster, inspect, approve and administer a program of education for exceptional children. The State Department of Education shall make the necessary rules and regulations in keeping with the provisions of Sections 37-23-1 through 37-23-9 and applicable federal laws and regulations which are not in conflict with Mississippi law for its proper administration and shall employ such personnel as may be necessary to administer such program.

The department shall require that the program of education for exceptional children be designed to provide individualized appropriate special education and related services that enable a child to reach his or her appropriate and uniquely designed goals for success.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-181-13 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 181-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-181-13
Status: in_force

(1) The Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review (PEER) shall prepare a biannual report, beginning in 2018 and every two (2) years thereafter, assessing efficacy of Education Scholarship Accounts, to include the sufficiency of funding, and recommending any suggested changes in state law or policy necessary to improve the ESA program.

(2) The report shall assess:

(a) The degree to which eligible schools are meeting the needs of participating students as defined by the participating students' IEPs;

(b) The level of participating students' satisfaction with the ESA program;

(c) The level of parental or guardian satisfaction with the ESA program;

(d) Participating students' performance, both pre-assessment and post-assessment, on the eligible school's current assessment used to demonstrate academic progress, a nationally standardized norm-referenced achievement test, or a current state board-approved screener, as required in Section 37-181-15(f) ;

(e) Participating students' performance on Advanced Placement examinations or similar courses and any examinations related to college or university admission; provided that eligible schools must report participating students' performance on Advance Placement examinations and any examinations related to college or university admission;

(f) The four-year high school graduation rates and college acceptance rates of participating students; provided that eligible schools must report participating students' high school graduation rates and, if known, college acceptance rates;

(g) The percentage of funds used for each qualifying expense identified in Section 37-181-5(2) ; and

(h) The fiscal impact to the state and home school districts of the ESA program, which must consider both the impact on revenue and the impact on expenses. Furthermore, the fiscal savings associated with students departing public schools must be explicitly quantified, even if the public school losing the student(s) does not reduce its spending accordingly.

(3) The report shall:

(a) Apply appropriate analytical and behavioral science methodologies to ensure public confidence in the study; and

(b) Protect the identity of participating students and schools by, among other things, keeping anonymous all disaggregated data.

(4) PEER shall provide the Legislature with a final copy of the report of the ESA program before December 31 each year the report is due. At the same time, the study shall also be placed in a prominent location on the PEER website.

(5) PEER must make its data and methodology available for public review while complying with the requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ( 20 USCS Section 1232(g) ).
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 59-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-7
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(c) The election is held and the proposed bond issue receives the requisite voter approval as set forth in Section 37-59-17 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-292 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 101-292
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-292
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(h) Rules and regulations governing this program and other applicable matters may be promulgated by the sponsoring agency.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-31 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 27-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-31
Status: in_force

The board of trustees of any agricultural high school is hereby authorized to lease the buildings and equipment thereof to any responsible individual for the purpose of carrying on a private school when there are no funds available for running said institution, and to lease the lands of said institution to some responsible person for agricultural purposes. Said leases shall not extend for any greater length of time than a period of three years from date of granting said lease.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-51 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 141-51
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-51
Status: in_force

(1) There is hereby created the Regional Initiatives Program within the University Research Center as created by Section 37-141-1 et seq.

(2) The program shall provide financial assistance to counties through grants to substate economic development organizations or an aggregate of such organizations to carry out specific projects that will augment the objectives and strategies of the statewide economic development plan in accordance with the Statewide Planning Act of 1987.

(3) Counties may designate substate economic development organizations to include but not limited to economic development organizations such as local chambers of commerce, local economic development authorities, planning development districts, multicounty organizations funded by local governing authorities and the federal government or other organization deemed appropriate.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-175 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 33-175
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-175
Status: in_force

(1) Within the limits of the funds available to the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services for such purpose, the Executive Director may grant a paid internship to students pursuing junior or senior undergraduate-level year coursework toward a bachelor's degree in a program that qualifies the individual to qualify to become a rehabilitation specialist or a benefit program specialist within the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services. Those applicants deemed qualified shall receive funds that may be used to pay for tuition, books and related fees to pursue their degree. It is the intent of the Legislature that the paid internship program (hereinafter referred to as the “program”) shall be used as an incentive for students to develop job-related skills and to encourage careers as rehabilitation specialists or benefits programs specialists at the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services.

(2) In order to be eligible for the program, an applicant must:

(a) Attend any college or school approved and designated by the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services.

(b) Have successfully obtained a minimum of fifty-eight (58) semester hours toward a bachelor's degree in an eligible field as determined by the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services from a Mississippi institution of higher learning. Applicants must have achieved a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) on these semester hours of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. If accepted into the internship program, participants shall maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all coursework counted toward a bachelor's degree in an eligible field as determined by the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services.

(c) Work at least a total of three hundred (300) hours each summer at a Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services' (MDRS) offices that is mutually agreed upon between MDRS and the respective intern.

(d) Agree to work as a rehabilitation specialist or a benefit program specialist at the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services upon graduation for a period of time equivalent to one (1) year for each semester the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services remits payment for tuition, books and/or related fees towards a bachelors degree in an eligible field as determined by the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services.

(3)(a) Before being placed into the program, each applicant shall enter into a contract with the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services, which shall be deemed a contract with the State of Mississippi, agreeing to the terms and conditions upon which the internship shall be granted to him or her. The contract shall include such terms and provisions necessary to carry out the full purpose and intent of this section. The form of such contract shall be prepared and approved by the Attorney General of this state, and shall be signed by the Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services and the participant.

(b) Upon entry into the program, participants will become employees of the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services during their time in the program and shall be eligible for benefits such as medical insurance paid by the agency for the participant; however, in accordance with Section 25-11-105II.(b), those participants shall not become members of the Public Employees' Retirement System while participating in the program. Participants shall not accrue personal or major medical leave while they are in the program.

(c) The Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services shall have the authority to cancel any contract made between it and any program participant upon such cause being deemed sufficient by the Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services.

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

(4)(a) Any recipient who is accepted into the program by the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services and who fails to complete undergraduate level coursework toward an approved degree, or withdraws from school at any time before completing his or her education, shall be liable to repay the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services for all monies received during the time the recipient was in the program, at the rate of pay received by the employee while in the program, including benefits paid by the agency for the participant, and monies received for tuition, books and related fees used to pursue their degree with interest accruing at ten percent (10%) per annum from the date the recipient failed or withdrew from school. The recipient also shall not be liable for repayment for any money earned during the required summer hours. This money shall be considered earned by the recipient at the federal minimum wage rate.

(b) All paid internship compensation received by the recipient while in school shall be considered earned conditioned upon the fulfillment of the terms and obligations of the paid internship contract and this section. However, no recipient of the paid internship shall accrue personal or major medical leave while the recipient is pursuing junior or senior undergraduate-level year coursework toward a bachelor's degree in a program that qualifies the individual to qualify to become a rehabilitation specialist or a benefit program specialist within the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services. The recipient shall not be liable for liquidated damages.

(c) If the recipient does not work as a rehabilitation specialist or a benefit program specialist at the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services for the period required under subsection (2)(d) of this section, the recipient shall be liable for repayment on demand of the remaining portion of the compensation that the recipient was paid while in the program which has not been unconditionally earned, with interest accruing at ten percent (10%) per annum from the recipient's date of graduation or the date that the recipient last worked at the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services, whichever is the later date.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-717 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 7-717
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-717
Status: in_force

Upon complying with the terms and provisions of Section 37-7-715 , hereof, the board of supervisors of any county wherein there is a special municipal separate school district and the governing authorities of the municipality may provide that the board of trustees of such special municipal separate school district shall be organized and constituted in one of the following manners:

(a) The said board may consist of five members, all of whom shall be bona fide residents of and qualified electors of such school districts and who shall be appointed by either the board of supervisors, the governing authorities of the municipality, or by both of said bodies in such proportion as the governing bodies may agree upon. The first such board shall be appointed so that one trustee shall be appointed to serve for one year, one for one year longer, one for two years longer, one for three years longer, and one for four years longer. Upon the expiration of each such original term, each appointment shall be for five years and shall be made by the authority making the original appointment. In case of the occurrence of a vacancy, the authority which made the appointment of the trustee responsible for such vacancy shall appoint a successor to serve the remainder of the term of such trustee.

(b) In case of a special municipal separate school district which embraces the entire county, the board of trustees may be constituted and selected in accordance with the terms and provisions of Sections 37-7-707 through 37-7-711 , with the exception that one member of such board shall be elected by each supervisors district and shall be a resident and qualified elector of the district from which he is elected.

(c) In case of a special municipal separate school district embracing the entire county, the board of trustees may be constituted and selected in accordance with the terms and provisions of Section 37-7-713 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-61-33 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 61-33
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-61-33
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(6) Any funds appropriated from the Education Enhancement Fund that are unexpended at the end of a fiscal year shall lapse into the Education Enhancement Fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-61 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 33-61
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-61
Status: in_force

The department, through the office, shall cooperate, under agreements with the federal government, in carrying out the purposes of any federal statutes pertaining to vocational rehabilitation of individuals who are blind, and is authorized to adopt such methods of administration as are found by the federal government to be necessary for the proper and efficient operation of those agreements or plans for vocational rehabilitation and to comply with such conditions as may be necessary to secure the full benefits of those federal statutes and appropriations, to administer any legislation under those federal statutes and appropriations that is enacted by the State of Mississippi, to direct the disbursement and administer the use of all funds provided by the federal government or this state for the vocational rehabilitation of individuals who are blind in this state, and to do all things necessary to insure the vocational rehabilitation of individuals who are blind.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-165 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 33-165
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-165
Status: in_force

The State Department of Rehabilitation Services, through the Office of Disability Determination Services, shall cooperate pursuant to agreements with the federal Social Security Administration or its successor in carrying out responsibilities relating to the processing and rendering decisions on all Mississippi applications for Social Security Disability Benefits and Supplemental Security Income pursuant to Title II and Title XVI of the federal Social Security Act, as amended, and is authorized to adopt such methods of administration as are found by the federal government to be necessary for the proper and efficient operation of such disability programs and to comply with such conditions and federal regulations as may be necessary to secure the full benefits of such federal statutes and appropriations. In complying with such federal administrative standards, the office shall assume the following responsibilities:

(a) Provide management needed to ensure that the office carries out the disability determination function under the various provisions of the federal Social Security Act so that disability determinations are made accurately and promptly;

(b) Provide an organizational structure, adequate facilities, qualified personnel, medical consultant services and quality assurances;

(c) Furnish reports and records relating to the administration of the disability program;

(d) Submit budgets;

(e) Cooperate with audits;

(f) Ensure that all applicants for and recipients of disability benefits are treated equally;

(g) Account for property used for disability program purposes;

(h) Provide for the advancement of travel expense funds and other services as deemed necessary;

(i) Take part in research and demonstration projects;

(j) Coordinate with other state agencies;

(k) Protect records and confidential information created by the office in performing the disability determination function;

(l) Maintain liaison with the medical profession and organizations that may facilitate performing the disability determination function; and

(m) Comply with other provisions of the federal law and regulations in performing the disability determination function in order to promote effective and uniform administration.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-71-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 71-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-71-7
Status: in_force

(1) For the 2021-2022 school term, the State Board of Education shall promulgate a rule by December 31, 2020, authorizing local school boards, in their discretion, to develop an Extended Learning Opportunity to include alternative educational opportunities available to students in Grade 9 through Grade 12, which are provided through apprenticeships, internships or pre-apprenticeships for elective course credit.

(2) Each local school board may adopt an Extended Learning Opportunities policy to include alternative educational opportunities for course credit that recognizes learning opportunities outside of the traditional classroom through apprenticeships, internships or pre-apprenticeships, and grants elective credit for those alternative learning opportunities. If adopted the policy shall:

(a) Provide for an application process for entities to submit proposals for alternative educational opportunities that will qualify for elective course credit;

(b) Define which entities are eligible to submit applications for alternative educational opportunities, which such entities shall include, but not be limited to:

(i) Nonprofit organizations;

(ii) Businesses with established locations in the state;

(iii) Trade associations;

(iv) Parents of students involved in programs that may otherwise qualify for alternative educational opportunities;

(v) Teachers involved in programs outside of the traditional classroom; and

(vi) School personnel involved in programs outside of the traditional classroom.

(c) Provide for the criteria used to evaluate the alternative educational opportunity;

(d) Describe any communication and collaboration needed with local school districts to implement alternative educational opportunities approved by the State Board of Education;

(e) Place requirements on the entity such as background checks for key personnel and minimum accountability standards; and

(f) Provide a process for student credit transfer.

(3) The local school board is authorized to approve or deny an application for an alternative educational opportunity. If an application is approved by the school board, the application shall be submitted to the State Board of Education for review as provided in Section 37-71-11 , prior to the implementation of the program within the local school district.

(4) The State Department of Education shall have the authority to audit approved alternative educational programs at any time. If the audit results in findings that an approved program is not meeting the provisions of this chapter or the policy outlined in subsection (2) of this section, then the local school board shall disqualify the program immediately.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-137 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 29-137
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-137
Status: in_force

Subject to the provisions of Sections 37-29-131 through 37-29-139 , any lease agreement shall be binding on the board of trustees of the college and any party thereto in accordance with its terms; provided, however, that any such lease shall include a provision that the lessee's obligation to pay any amounts due or perform any covenants requiring or resulting in the expenditure of money shall be contingent and expressly limited to the extent of any covenants requiring or resulting in the expenditure of money shall be contingent and expressly limited to the extent of any appropriation made to fund such lease agreement and that nothing contained in the lease agreement shall be construed as creating any monetary obligations on the part of the lessee beyond such current and specific support appropriations. Rentals payable by the community or junior college under leases pursuant to Sections 37-29-131 through 37-29-139 , shall be payable from any revenue available for the support and enlargement, improvement, and repair of the college.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-21 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 13-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-21
Status: in_force

The State Board of Health and the various county health departments are hereby authorized and empowered to establish and provide for health education programs in the public school districts of this state and to employ county health educators for such purpose. In order to effectuate such programs the county superintendents of education of counties in which such programs have been established, with the approval of the county board of education, and the board of trustees of the municipal separate school districts are authorized and empowered, in their discretion, to cooperate and join with the said State Board of Health and the county health departments in such program. For such purposes the said county superintendents of education, with the approval of the county board of education, are hereby authorized and empowered to expend such funds as may be necessary from the common school funds of the county, and the board of trustees of municipal separate school districts are hereby authorized and empowered to expend such funds as may be necessary from the maintenance funds of such districts for the purpose of defraying the expenses of such cooperative health education programs. Those students whose parents or guardians shall make written application to the proper authorities on the ground that such program is inconsistent with the tenets and practices of the known religious organization with which they are affiliated shall not be required to participate in the program.

The State Board of Health and various county health departments shall have the power and authority to enter into such agreements and joint programs with the said county superintendents of education and boards of trustees of municipal separate school districts as may be necessary, proper and desirable in carrying out the purposes of this section, and in establishing and carrying on health education programs in the public school districts of this state, and the said county superintendents of education, with the approval and consent of the county board of education, and the board of trustees of municipal separate school districts shall have the power and authority to enter into such agreements and joint programs with each other and with the State Board of Health and county health departments as may be necessary for such purpose.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-201 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 31-201
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-201
Status: in_force

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

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

(b) The word “division” shall mean and refer to the Mississippi Division of Vocational and Technical Education of the State Department of Education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-97-103 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 97-103
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-97-103
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(f) “ Third party ” means any individual or entity or group of the same other than a postsecondary educational institution, including a charitable organization that qualifies as an exempt organization under 26 USC Section 501(c)(3) , as amended.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-103 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 7-103
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-103
Status: in_force

From and after July 1, 1987, the school board of any school district shall have full jurisdiction, power and authority, at any regular meeting thereof or at any special meeting called for that purpose, to abolish such existing district, or to reorganize, change or alter the boundaries of any such district. In addition thereto, with the consent of the school board of the school district involved, the school board may add to such school district any part of the school district adjoining same, and with the consent of the school board of the school district involved, may detach territory from such school district and annex same to an adjoining district. Provided, however, that the consent of the school board of the school districts involved in implementing the provisions of Section 37-7-104 , 37-7-104.2 , 37-7-104.3 , 37-7-104.4 , 37-7-104.5 , 37-7-104.6 , 37-7-104.7 or 37-7-104.8 shall not be required for the administrative consolidation of such school districts pursuant to the order of the State Board of Education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-123-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 123-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-123-1
Status: in_force

The body politic and corporate created by Chapter 284, Laws of Mississippi 1924, by the name of “Delta State Teachers' College” is continued to have perpetual succession with power to contract and be contracted with; to receive by any legal method of transfer or conveyance, property of any description, to have, hold and employ the same; to make and use a corporate seal, with power to change the same; to adopt bylaws, rules and regulations for the government of its members, official agents and employees. However, the name of said “Delta State Teachers' College” shall be hereafter changed to “Delta State University” without interference with the rights, powers and prerogatives of said college which shall continue in all respects.

Wherever the name “Delta State Teachers' College” or “Delta State College” appears, the same shall be construed to denote Delta State University.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-20-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 20-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-20-9
Status: in_force

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

(2) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules which, in its opinion, are necessary to assure that the programs in each school district are carried out in a manner consistent with the purpose and intent of this chapter. The State Board of Education shall develop a procedure for approving or denying local program applications within sixty (60) days of their receipt by the State Department of Education. The State Department of Education shall include in its annual report the number of students participating in programs under this chapter, the extent to which student achievement has increased, the programs which appear to be most successful, and an analysis of the expenditure of funds by district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-25-17 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 25-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-25-17
Status: in_force

Such assessments as are collected under subsections (1) and (2) of Section 99-19-73 shall be deposited in the Driver Training Penalty Assessment Fund, which fund is hereby created, to be used exclusively as provided in this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-123-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 123-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-123-3
Status: in_force

The principal object of the Delta State College shall be to qualify teachers for the public schools of this state, by imparting instruction in the art and practice of teaching in all branches of study which pertain to a common school education, and such other studies as the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning may from time to time prescribe.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-25 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 145-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-25
Status: in_force

Upon the adoption of a resolution by the board of directors of the company declaring the necessity for the issuance of any part or all of the general obligation bonds authorized by Sections 37-145-23 through 37-145-43 , the board shall deliver a certified copy of its resolution to the State Bond Commission. Upon the receipt of same, the State Bond Commission shall issue and sell bonds in an amount requested, and do any and all things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. For the payment of such bonds and the interest thereon, the full faith, credit and taxing power of the State of Mississippi are hereby irrevocably pledged. If the Legislature shall find that there are funds available in the General Fund of the Treasury of the State of Mississippi in amounts sufficient to pay maturity, principal and accruing interest of such general obligation bonds and if the Legislature shall appropriate such available funds for the purpose of paying such maturity, principal and accruing interest, then the principal, maturity and accruing interest of such bonds shall be paid from appropriations made from the General Fund of the Treasury of the State of Mississippi by the Legislature thereof; but if there are not available sufficient funds in the General Fund of the Treasury of the State of Mississippi to pay the maturity, principal and accruing interest of such bonds, or if such funds are available and the Legislature should fail to appropriate a sufficient amount thereof to pay such principal and accruing interest as the same becomes due, then, and in that event, there shall annually be levied upon all taxable property within the State of Mississippi an ad valorem tax at a rate sufficient to provide the funds required to pay the bonds at maturity and the interest thereon as the same accrues. Such bonds shall bear such date or dates, be in such denomination or denominations, bear interest at such rate or rates (not to exceed that rate established in Section 75-17-101 ), be payable at such place or places within or without the State of Mississippi, shall mature absolutely at such time or times, be redeemable prior to maturity at such time or times and upon such terms, with or without premium, shall bear such registration privileges, and shall be substantially in such form, all as shall be determined by resolution of the State Bond Commission. Such bonds shall be signed by the Chairman of the State Bond Commission or by his facsimile signature, and the official seal of the State Bond Commission shall be affixed thereto, attested by the Secretary of the State Bond Commission. The interest coupons to be attached to such bonds may be executed by the facsimile signatures of such officers. Whenever any such bonds shall have been signed by the officials herein designated to sign the bonds who were in office at the time of such signing but who may have ceased to be such officers prior to the sale and delivery of such bonds, or who may not have been in office on the date such bonds may bear, the signatures of such officers upon such bonds and coupons shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes and have the same effect as if the person so officially signing such bonds had remained in office until the delivery of the same to the purchaser or had been in office on the date such bonds may bear.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-215 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 33-215
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-215
Status: in_force

The Office of Special Disability Programs shall provide services to any individual who is determined to meet the eligibility criteria for receiving services through one or more special disability programs. The services provided through the Office of Special Disability Programs shall be those defined as special disability services and independent living services.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-15 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 113-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-15
Status: in_force

The privilege of rooming in the dormitories belongs to the free students, and to the due quota of students from each county in preference to all others, on the basis of the present dormitory capacity in the Mississippi State University of Agricultural and Applied Science.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-148-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 148-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-148-3
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(m) “ Disbursement ” means a grant of funds to support research validation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-43-39 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 43-39
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-43-39
Status: in_force

No teacher in any of the schools of the state, and no county or municipal superintendent of schools, and no person officially connected with the government of or direction of any school shall, during the term of his office as said superintendent or during the time of his or her employment as teacher, act as agent or attorney for any textbook publishing company selling textbooks in this state. If, after election as county or municipal superintendent or employment as teacher, any person filling such position accepts the agency or attorneyship of any textbook publishing company, the acceptance of such agency or attorneyship shall work a forfeiture of the office or position as teacher held at the time of the acceptance of such agency or attorneyship.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-177-21 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 177-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-177-21
Status: in_force

The provisions of this chapter which include components necessary to provide for teacher training, instructional materials, remedial education training and administration of an intensive literacy curriculum shall be subject to legislative appropriation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-68-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 68-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-68-5
Status: in_force

For purposes of this chapter, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) “ Grant program ” means the Equity in Distance Learning Grant Program established in this chapter.

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

(c) “ School ” means public school districts, agricultural high schools, the Mississippi School for the Deaf and Blind, the Mississippi School of the Arts and the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science and public charter schools.

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

(e) “ State of Emergency ” means the State of Emergency declared by Executive Order of the Governor of the State of Mississippi on March 14, 2020, and any amendments thereto or subsequent orders or amendments thereto.

(f) “ Express Product List ” or “ EPL ” means the compilation of vendors and products adopted by the department for use by schools for the purchase of devices, software, online tools, and other equipment and technology necessary to support distance learning.

(g) “ Learning management system ” means a software application for the administration, documentation, tracking, reporting, automation and delivery of educational courses, training programs, or learning and development programs.

(h) “ Eligible expenses ” means a cost incurred by a school, pursuant to this chapter, to facilitate or enhance distance learning capabilities under its distance learning plan, including:

(i) The purchase of laptop computers, tablets, assisted learning devices or other devices which can be used personally by a student or teacher in their home or in the classroom;

(ii) The purchase of learning management systems, software and other online tools;

(iii) The purchase and installation of hardware to provide for or enhance the internet connectivity of a school's students, including the cost of establishing personal or centrally located hotspots; 1

(iv) The enhancement of security related to devices or connectivity to comply with state and federal law, and to protect students, teachers and administrators and other staff working within the school;

(v) The delivery of professional development related to use of devices, connectivity and other relevant components of distance learning for teachers, students and the wider community, including parents or guardians of students enrolled in the school; and

(vi) Materials or equipment necessary to increase health and safety precautions in classrooms or other school facilities.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-61-37 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 61-37
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-61-37
Status: in_force

There is established in the State Treasury a fund known as the “Mississippi Public Education Support Fund” (hereinafter referred to as “fund”). The fund shall consist of monies as the Legislature may authorize or direct to be deposited into the fund. Monies in the fund, upon appropriation by the Legislature, may be expended by the State Department of Education for classroom supplies, instructional materials and equipment, including computers and computer software, to be distributed to all school districts in the proportion that the net enrollment of each school district bears to the net enrollment of all school districts within the state. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of the 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 to the credit of the fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-30 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 101-30
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-30
Status: in_force

(1) The Legislature finds and declares that a compelling state interest exists in providing a retirement incentive program or encouraging the retirement of those employees of institutions of higher learning who are current and active contributing members of the Public Employees' Retirement System.

(2) As used in this section:

(a) “ Board ” means the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning.

(b) “ Program ” means the retirement incentive program established under this section.

(3)(a) The board is authorized to pay, in fiscal years selected by the board, a monetary incentive to employees who are eligible for retirement in exchange for a voluntary agreement of the employee:

(i) To retire on a specific date as set forth in subsection (6) of this section, and

(ii) To waive any and all claims, known or unknown, arising out of or related to employment or cessation of employment at institutions of higher learning.

(b) The granting of additional compensation shall be made in exchange for additional consideration given by the employee.

(c) The retirement incentive authorized by this section is a voluntary plan for institutions of higher learning faculty and staff offering an incentive for retirement. The plan shall be available to all full-time faculty and staff who meet the eligibility criteria set forth in subsection (4) of this section.

(4)(a) To be eligible to participate in the program, full-time faculty and staff of institutions of higher learning must, as of the effective date of their retirement, be eligible to retire under the laws governing the Public Employees' Retirement System by virtue of:

(i) Having twenty-five (25) years of creditable service, or

(ii) Being age sixty (60) and having at least four (4) years of creditable service.

(b) The institution of higher learning offering the program shall, in all cases, utilize the records of the Public Employees' Retirement System as the source for determining eligibility.

(c) The program is offered as an alternative to any other retirement incentive plan that may be offered by the state or the Public Employees' Retirement System in the future.

(5) In accordance with applicable law, the institution of higher learning shall provide a cash benefit to each participant in the program based upon a percentage of the participant's current salary that is subject to federal income tax, state income tax and Federal Insurance Contributions Act withholding. The participant shall be compensated for unused annual leave as otherwise provided by law. The cash benefit paid under this section shall not be subject to employer or employee contributions under the laws governing the Public Employees' Retirement System.

(6) Eligible employees shall make their election to participate in the program in the manner and at the time prescribed by the board. The date of retirement for all employees participating in this program shall be June 30 of any fiscal year in which the program is offered. Employees electing to participate in the program shall agree to waive any claims, known or unknown, arising out of or related to employment or cessation of employment at institutions of higher learning. An employee may revoke the election to participate in the program within seven (7) days after the execution of the election.

(7) The additional compensation authorized under the program is made in exchange for additional consideration given by the employee.

(8) The board shall prescribe such rules and regulations as it shall consider necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-22 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 59-22
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-22
Status: in_force

Whenever a school district lies in two (2) or more counties of the State of Mississippi before any money shall be borrowed under the provisions of this chapter, the school board of the school district shall adopt a resolution declaring the necessity for borrowing such money, declaring its intention to borrow such money and to issue the negotiable bonds of the school district as evidence of same, specifying the approximate amount to be so borrowed, 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, 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.

Whenever a resolution is adopted by the school board as provided in this paragraph, or a petition signed by not less than ten percent (10%) of the qualified electors of a school district, fixing the maximum amount of such school bonds and the purpose or purposes for which they are to be issued, the school board shall adopt a resolution calling an election to be held within such school district for the purpose of submitting to the qualified electors thereof the question of the issuance of bonds in the amount and for the purpose or purposes as set forth in such resolution or petition. The resolution calling such election shall designate the date upon which the election shall be held and the place or places within such district at which such election shall be held, which place or places may or may not be the schoolhouse or schoolhouses in such district.

The board of supervisors of the county which authorizes the issuance of the bonds shall annually levy upon all the taxable property within such district, without regard to county lines, a special tax, which shall be sufficient to provide for the payment of the principal of and interest on such bonds according to the terms thereof. Such board shall annually certify to the board of supervisors of the other county or counties in which a portion of the district is situated, the rate of taxation so fixed, and it shall be the duty of such other board or boards to cause such rate of taxation to be levied upon all the taxable property within the boundaries of such district situated within their respective counties. The taxes shall be collected and deposited as other taxes are collected and deposited in such county or counties, and the board of supervisors thereof shall thereupon cause such taxes to be remitted to the county depository for the county in which the bonds were issued.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-173-16 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / 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. § 37-57-115 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 57-115
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-57-115
Status: in_force

In addition to mobile home ad valorem taxes assessed and collected under authority of Chapter 53 of Title 27, Mississippi Code of 1972 , the boards of supervisors are hereby authorized and empowered to levy a ten dollar ($10.00) ad valorem tax upon each mobile home or house trailer used as a family dwelling not heretofore occupied or used for residential purposes within the county as defined in Section 27-53-1, Mississippi Code of 1972 , to be collected by the county tax assessor-collector annually and deposited into a county trust fund entitled “county school building and repair fund” and expended by the county board of education for capital improvements and equipment only in such compacted areas.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-47-35 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 47-35
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-47-35
Status: in_force

Before any state school bonds are issued as authorized by this chapter, the state educational finance commission shall transmit to the state bond commission a request for the issuance thereof in the form of a resolution adopted by said state educational finance commission. Said request shall embody the following:

(a) A schedule showing the aggregate of bonds issued pursuant to previous requests, the purposes for which the same were issued, the annual payments required to retire such bonds and the interest thereon, and the amount of sinking fund applicable to the retirement of such outstanding bonds;

(b) The amount of bonds sought to be issued, the purpose or purposes for which such bonds are to be issued, and the amount intended for each purpose;

(c) A schedule showing future annual principal requirements and estimated annual interest requirements on the bonds requested to be issued;

(d) The estimated amount of the advances which the commission intends to make within the then current fiscal year;

(e) The aggregate amount for which advances have been approved, but which await completion because the funds necessary to make the same are not available;

(f) The aggregate amount of certificates of credit issued to school districts which are to be paid or redeemed by the commission with the proceeds of such bonds and for which no funds are otherwise available.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-25 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 145-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-25
Status: in_force

Upon the adoption of a resolution by the board of directors of the company declaring the necessity for the issuance of any part or all of the general obligation bonds authorized by Sections 37-145-23 through 37-145-43 , the board shall deliver a certified copy of its resolution to the State Bond Commission. Upon the receipt of same, the State Bond Commission shall issue and sell bonds in an amount requested, and do any and all things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. For the payment of such bonds and the interest thereon, the full faith, credit and taxing power of the State of Mississippi are hereby irrevocably pledged. If the Legislature shall find that there are funds available in the General Fund of the Treasury of the State of Mississippi in amounts sufficient to pay maturity, principal and accruing interest of such general obligation bonds and if the Legislature shall appropriate such available funds for the purpose of paying such maturity, principal and accruing interest, then the principal, maturity and accruing interest of such bonds shall be paid from appropriations made from the General Fund of the Treasury of the State of Mississippi by the Legislature thereof; but if there are not available sufficient funds in the General Fund of the Treasury of the State of Mississippi to pay the maturity, principal and accruing interest of such bonds, or if such funds are available and the Legislature should fail to appropriate a sufficient amount thereof to pay such principal and accruing interest as the same becomes due, then, and in that event, there shall annually be levied upon all taxable property within the State of Mississippi an ad valorem tax at a rate sufficient to provide the funds required to pay the bonds at maturity and the interest thereon as the same accrues. Such bonds shall bear such date or dates, be in such denomination or denominations, bear interest at such rate or rates (not to exceed that rate established in Section 75-17-101 ), be payable at such place or places within or without the State of Mississippi, shall mature absolutely at such time or times, be redeemable prior to maturity at such time or times and upon such terms, with or without premium, shall bear such registration privileges, and shall be substantially in such form, all as shall be determined by resolution of the State Bond Commission. Such bonds shall be signed by the Chairman of the State Bond Commission or by his facsimile signature, and the official seal of the State Bond Commission shall be affixed thereto, attested by the Secretary of the State Bond Commission. The interest coupons to be attached to such bonds may be executed by the facsimile signatures of such officers. Whenever any such bonds shall have been signed by the officials herein designated to sign the bonds who were in office at the time of such signing but who may have ceased to be such officers prior to the sale and delivery of such bonds, or who may not have been in office on the date such bonds may bear, the signatures of such officers upon such bonds and coupons shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes and have the same effect as if the person so officially signing such bonds had remained in office until the delivery of the same to the purchaser or had been in office on the date such bonds may bear.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-121-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 121-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-121-9
Status: in_force

The Marks Vegetable Processing Facility located at 1300 Killebrew Road in Marks, Mississippi, and operated by Alcorn State University, shall be named the Clayton P. Henderson Vegetable Processing Facility. Alcorn State University shall prepare a distinctive plaque to be placed in a prominent place within the Clayton P. Henderson Vegetable Processing Facility, which states the background, accomplishments and service to the state of the Honorable Clayton P. Henderson.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-233 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 29-233
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-233
Status: in_force

When a student has successfully completed the course prescribed for the freshman and sophomore years, any junior college which has been properly accredited may issue a diploma to such student, bearing the title of AN ASSOCIATE OF ARTS, AN ASSOCIATE OF AGRICULTURE, or any other appropriate title as testimonial of the completion of two years of college work.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-102-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 102-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-102-9
Status: in_force

It is the intention of this chapter that the political subdivision or the people of the area may assist in providing facilities for the establishment of such off-campus sites.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-181-19 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 181-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-181-19
Status: in_force

The State Department of Education may receive and expend contributions from any public or private source to fund ESAs for participating students.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-141 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 23-141
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-141
Status: in_force

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

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

(a) Voluntary on the part of the parties;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(8) Discussions that occur during the mediation process shall be confidential and may not be used as evidence in any subsequent due process hearings or civil proceedings and the parties to the mediation process may be required to sign a confidentiality pledge prior to the commencement of such process.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-16-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 16-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-16-5
Status: in_force

The school board of every district in this state shall periodically assess student performance and achievement in each school. Such assessment programs shall be based upon local goals and objectives which are compatible with the state's plan for education and which supplement the minimum performance standards approved by the state board of education. Data from district assessment programs shall be provided to the state department of education when such data is required in order to evaluate specific instructional programs or processes or when the data is needed for other research or evaluation projects. Each district may provide acceptable, compatible district assessment data to substitute for any assessment data needed at the state level when the state department of education certifies that such data is acceptable for the purposes of Section 37-16-3 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-75 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 29-75
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-75
Status: in_force

When any land or other property owned by a junior college/community college district shall cease to be used or needed by the district, the same may be sold by the board of trustees upon sealed bids or at public auction after three (3) weeks' advertisement in a newspaper in the county where the said property is located. Personal property having a value determined by the board of less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) may be sold without such advertisement; however, in such event, notice shall be posted in at least three public places in the county where such property is situated or where it is to be sold, giving notice of the time and place of such sale, and such property shall be sold to the highest and best bidder for cash. Such notice shall be posted for ten (10) days before the sale.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-195 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 23-195
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-195
Status: in_force

(1) Each appropriate educational entity shall provide for the development of an IEP or 504 Plan for each blind or visually impaired student eligible for educational services or equipment, or both, under Sections 37-23-1 through 37-23-157 . In developing the written IEP or 504 Plan for each blind or visually impaired student, there shall be a presumption that proficiency in Braille reading and writing is essential for the student to achieve satisfactory educational progress.

(2) Each appropriate educational entity, in compliance with 20 USCS Section 1414(d)(3)(B)(iii) , the Individuals with Disability Education Act, as reauthorized in 2004, shall provide for instruction in Braille and the use of Braille unless the IEP Committee determines, after an evaluation of the child's reading and writing skills, needs, and appropriate reading and writing media, including an evaluation of the child's future needs for instruction in Braille or the use of Braille, that instruction in Braille or the use of Braille is not appropriate for the child.

(3) The assessment required for each student shall be conducted by a TVI and shall include, at a minimum, a research based learning media assessment and functional vision assessment, and if necessary in the determination of the IEP Committee, a comprehensive assistive technology evaluation. The assessment shall include a statement of the student's academic and functional strengths, deficits and future needs. If, in the course of developing a student's IEP or 504 Plan or in the review of the research based assessment and consideration of a student's future needs, the majority of the members of the team concur that the student's visual impairment and future needs do not affect reading and writing performance commensurate with ability, then Braille instruction and its use shall not be required by this section for that student. Nothing in this section shall require the exclusive use of Braille when other specialized educational services and assistive technology devices are determined more appropriate by the IEP Committee for the student's educational needs.

(4) No student shall be denied the opportunity for instruction in Braille reading and writing only because the student has some residual vision.

(5) The parent or guardian or local educational agency shall have the right to audio record the proceedings of individualized education program team meetings. The parent or guardian or local educational agency shall notify the members of the individualized education program team of his, her, or its intent to audio record a meeting at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the meeting.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-121-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 121-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-121-5
Status: in_force

The Mississippi agricultural and forestry experimental station is authorized to establish a branch at Alcorn State University, Lorman, Mississippi, for the purpose of providing an organization for cooperative effort between the two land grant institutions in furthering a unified agricultural research program for the State of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-3-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 3-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-3-3
Status: in_force

The office of the State Department of Education shall be in the City of Jackson, Mississippi. The state capitol commission shall provide suitable quarters therefor.

The state superintendent of public education shall provide and keep a seal having around the margin thereof the words “State Department of Education” with the coat of arms of the state in the center. All official acts of the department shall be certified under said seal.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 45-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-5
Status: in_force

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

One (1) member shall be appointed from each congressional district of the state as presently existing. In making the original appointments, two (2) members shall be appointed for a term expiring April 1st, 1956; two (2) members shall be appointed for a term expiring April 1st, 1958; and two (2) members shall be appointed for a term expiring April 1st, 1960. Thereafter all appointments shall be for terms of six (6) years commencing on April 1st of the year in which the appointments are made. New members of the commission shall be appointed from the same district as their predecessor. Any vacancy in the membership of the commission occurring before the expiration of a term shall be filled in the manner hereinabove provided for, but only for the unexpired term.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-71 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 113-71
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-71
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

(c) Annually award scholarships to an average of two (2) scholars, whose scholarship assistance may be funded annually for a period not to exceed four (4) years.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-22 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 59-22
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-22
Status: in_force

Whenever a school district lies in two (2) or more counties of the State of Mississippi before any money shall be borrowed under the provisions of this chapter, the school board of the school district shall adopt a resolution declaring the necessity for borrowing such money, declaring its intention to borrow such money and to issue the negotiable bonds of the school district as evidence of same, specifying the approximate amount to be so borrowed, 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, 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.

Whenever a resolution is adopted by the school board as provided in this paragraph, or a petition signed by not less than ten percent (10%) of the qualified electors of a school district, fixing the maximum amount of such school bonds and the purpose or purposes for which they are to be issued, the school board shall adopt a resolution calling an election to be held within such school district for the purpose of submitting to the qualified electors thereof the question of the issuance of bonds in the amount and for the purpose or purposes as set forth in such resolution or petition. The resolution calling such election shall designate the date upon which the election shall be held and the place or places within such district at which such election shall be held, which place or places may or may not be the schoolhouse or schoolhouses in such district.

The board of supervisors of the county which authorizes the issuance of the bonds shall annually levy upon all the taxable property within such district, without regard to county lines, a special tax, which shall be sufficient to provide for the payment of the principal of and interest on such bonds according to the terms thereof. Such board shall annually certify to the board of supervisors of the other county or counties in which a portion of the district is situated, the rate of taxation so fixed, and it shall be the duty of such other board or boards to cause such rate of taxation to be levied upon all the taxable property within the boundaries of such district situated within their respective counties. The taxes shall be collected and deposited as other taxes are collected and deposited in such county or counties, and the board of supervisors thereof shall thereupon cause such taxes to be remitted to the county depository for the county in which the bonds were issued.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-140-11 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 140-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-140-11
Status: in_force

The board shall prepare the annual budget for the school. For the operation and support of the school, the board may receive contributions, donations, gifts, bequests of money, other forms of financial assistance and property, equipment, materials or manpower from persons, foundations, trust funds, corporations, organizations and other sources, public or private, to be expended and utilized by the board in carrying out this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-69 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 33-69
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-69
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful, except for purposes directly connected with the administration of the vocational rehabilitation program for individuals who are blind, 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 vocational rehabilitation services, 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. § 37-13-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 13-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-1
Status: in_force

There shall be maintained a uniform system of free public schools consisting of grades one through twelve, which may be divided between grammar schools, junior high schools and high schools, or any combination thereof, on such basis and in such grades as the board of trustees of the school district involved, in its discretion, shall deem necessary and desirable.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-163 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 13-163
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-163
Status: in_force

(1) Any teacher, administrator, school council or local school board in any public school district in this state may post in a public school building, classroom or at any school event or read from any historical document or writing relating to the founding of the United States of America or this state, or both, notwithstanding the fact that such materials may include religious quotations, references or illustrations. There shall be no content-based censorship of American or Mississippi History, heritage or culture based on any religious references contained in such documents, writings or records.

(2) Principals and teachers in each public elementary and secondary school of each school district in this state shall display on an appropriately framed background with minimum dimensions of eleven (11) inches by fourteen (14) inches, the following motto of the United States of America in each classroom, school auditorium and school cafeteria under his or her supervision: “IN GOD WE TRUST.” For purposes of this provision, “ classroom ” shall mean any room of a public school where instruction takes place.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-138-17 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 138-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-138-17
Status: in_force

(1) It is unlawful for an individual who does not possess a valid supervisor certificate to direct an asbestos project.

(2) To qualify for an asbestos abatement supervisor certificate, an applicant shall:

(a) Have earned a high school diploma or its equivalent;

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

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

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

(4) Applicants for a supervisor certificate shall submit to the commission, on forms prepared by the commission, an application for issuance or renewal of this certificate, whichever is applicable, and a certificate that shows satisfactory completion of the training course(s) specified in subsection (2)(b) above and shall pay the applicable annual fee.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-39-25 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 39-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-39-25
Status: in_force

(1) The school boards which choose to act jointly as authorized by Section 37-39-23 shall adopt resolutions to that effect which shall be recorded on the minutes of the school boards and copies of which shall be filed with the clerk of the chancery court of the county in which such school districts are located.

(2) The school board may appoint a purchasing agent who shall be responsible, subject to the approval of the board, for all purchases of competitively priced services, materials and supplies. The purchasing agent shall be bonded in accordance with section 37-39-21 . The purchasing agent shall serve all of the school districts acting jointly. There shall not be a separate purchasing agent for the separate districts which are acting jointly.

(3) The purchasing agent for the county school boards shall arrange for purchase, storage and distribution of supplies and materials purchased jointly. The costs involved in purchase, transportation, storage, administration and any other activity regarding joint purchases by the school boards shall be shared among the participating districts on a pro rata basis.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-15-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 15-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-15-7
Status: in_force

In addition to the cumulative records provided for in Section 37-15-1 , there shall be kept a continuing census of all children below the age of nineteen within each school district. Such record shall be kept as a part of the permanent office records of the superintendent of the district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-45 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 59-45
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-45
Status: in_force

No interest-bearing indebtedness shall hereafter be incurred by any such school district except in the manner provided in this article or as may otherwise be provided by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-159-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 159-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-159-9
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(10) The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the proper administration of the University Assisted Teacher Recruitment and Retention Grant Program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-43-27 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 43-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-43-27
Status: in_force

No book or books shall be purchased from any person, firm or corporation who is a member of, or connected with, any trust. In the event that it is established that this provision has been violated, the contract shall be forfeited and monies paid out under this contract shall be returned to the state, and all books heretofore purchased under said contract shall be kept by the state or the public school district which purchased the textbooks.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-23 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 33-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-23
Status: in_force

Vocational rehabilitation services may be provided to any eligible individuals with disabilities who are present in the state at the time of filing an application therefor and whose vocational rehabilitation, the director determines after full investigation, can be satisfactorily achieved.

Except as otherwise provided by law or as specified in any agreement with the federal government with respect to classes of individuals certified to the state board under that agreement, the following rehabilitation services may be provided to eligible individuals with disabilities found to require vocational rehabilitation services to achieve an employment outcome:

(a) Physical restoration;

(b) Transportation for vocational rehabilitation services to the nature and extent of the services necessary;

(c) Occupational licenses;

(d) Placement equipment, tools, and supplies;

(e) Maintenance;

(f) Training books and materials.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-17 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 141-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-17
Status: in_force

The center, on behalf of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, shall prepare an annual report of economic development activities of those agencies and institutions subject to the Board of Trustees. The report shall describe:

(a) Economic development efforts and accomplishments of the University Research Center, each university, and each institute.

(b) Efforts and accomplishments of the center in coordinating economic development activities among the universities.

(c) Recommendations of the center for coordination and utilization of university resources in economic development, for university-based initiatives in economic development, and for funding related to economic development and plans of the universities.

(d) Assistance rendered to the Department of Economic Development by the center and each university.

(e) Activities and accomplishments of staff assigned to planning and development districts pursuant to Section 37-141-19 .

(f) Any other information which the center wishes to present.

The annual report shall be submitted to the Governor and the Joint Legislative Budget Committee not later than July 1 of each year.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-333 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 7-333
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-333
Status: in_force

The school boards of all school districts shall have full control of the receipt, distribution, allotment and disbursement of all funds which may be provided for the support and maintenance of the schools of such district whether such funds be allotments from the total funding formula as provided for in Sections 37-151-200 through 37-151-215 , funds derived from supplementary tax levies as authorized by law, or funds derived from any other source whatsoever except as may otherwise be provided by law for control of the proceeds from school bonds or notes and the taxes levied to pay the principal of and interest on such bonds or notes. The tax collector of each county shall make reports, in writing, verified by his affidavit, on or before the twentieth day of each month to the superintendent of schools of each school district within such county reflecting all school district taxes collected by him for the support of said school district during the preceding month. He shall at the same time pay over all such school district taxes collected by him for the support of said school district directly to said superintendent of schools.

All such allotments or funds shall be placed in the depository or depositories selected by the school board in the same manner as provided in Section 27-105-305 for the selection of county depositories. Provided, however, the annual notice to be given by the school board to financial institutions may be given by the school board at any regular meeting subsequent to the board's regular December meeting but prior to the regular May meeting. The bids of financial institutions for the privilege of keeping school funds may be received by the school board at some subsequent meeting, but no later than the regular June meeting; and the selection by the school board of the depository or depositories shall be effective on July 1 of each year. School boards shall advertise and accept bids for depositories, no less than once every three (3) years, when such board determines that it can obtain a more favorable rate of interest and less administrative processing. Such depository shall place on deposit with the superintendent of schools the same securities as required in Section 27-105-315 .

In the event a bank submits a bid or offer to a school district to act as a depository for the district and such bid or offer, if accepted, would result in a contract in which a member of the school board would have a direct or indirect interest, the school board should not open or consider any bids received. The superintendent of schools shall submit the matter to the State Treasurer, who shall have the authority to solicit bids, select a depository or depositories, make all decisions and take any action within the authority of the school board under this section relating to the selection of a depository or depositories.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-355 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / 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. § 37-113-71 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 113-71
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-71
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

(c) Annually award scholarships to an average of two (2) scholars, whose scholarship assistance may be funded annually for a period not to exceed four (4) years.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-47 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 115-47
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-47
Status: in_force

(1) The University of Mississippi Medical Center is authorized to dispose of food that has been frozen or properly preserved for human consumption through donation to charitable facilities, charitable organizations and/or individuals providing charitable services as the Medical Center deems appropriate.

(2) The executive director of the charitable facility or organization, receiving such food, or his authorized designee, shall agree to a waiver of liability in favor of the State of Mississippi and the University of Mississippi Medical Center stating that such donations are being provided in the condition used by the State of Mississippi and the University Medical Center, and without warranty of any nature.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-12-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 12-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-12-9
Status: in_force

(1) To ensure that the school district does not discriminate against a student's publicly stated voluntary expression of a religious viewpoint, if any, and to eliminate any actual or perceived affirmative school sponsorship or attribution to the district of a student's expression of a religious viewpoint, if any, a school district shall adopt a policy, which must include the establishment of a limited public forum for student speakers at all school events at which a student is to publicly speak. The policy regarding the limited public forum must also require the school district to:

(a) Provide the forum in a manner that does not discriminate against a student's voluntary expression of a religious viewpoint, if any, on an otherwise permissible subject;

(b) Provide a method, based on neutral criteria, for the selection of student speakers at school events and graduation ceremonies;

(c) Ensure that a student speaker does not engage in obscene, vulgar, offensively lewd or indecent speech; and

(d) State, in writing, orally, or both, that the student's speech does not reflect the endorsement, sponsorship, position or expression of the district.

(2) The school district disclaimer required by subsection (1)(d) of this section must be provided at all graduation ceremonies. The school district must also continue to provide the disclaimer at any other event in which a student speaks publicly for as long as a need exists to dispel confusion over the district's nonsponsorship of the student's speech.

(3) Student expression on an otherwise permissible subject may not be excluded from the limited public forum because the subject is expressed from a religious viewpoint.

(4) All school districts shall adopt and implement a local policy regarding a limited public forum and voluntary student expression of religious viewpoints. If a school district voluntarily adopts and follows the model policy governing voluntary religious expression in public schools as provided by subsection (5) of this section, the district is in compliance with the provisions of this chapter covered by the model policy.

(5) Model policy governing voluntary religious expression in public schools. In this section, “ model policy ” means a local policy adopted by the school district that is substantially similar to the following:

ARTICLE I

STUDENT EXPRESSION OF RELIGIOUS VIEWPOINTS

The school district shall treat a student's voluntary expression of a religious viewpoint, if any, on an otherwise permissible subject in the same manner the district treats a student's voluntary expression of a secular or other viewpoint on an otherwise permissible subject and may not discriminate against the student based on a religious viewpoint expressed by the student on an otherwise permissible subject.

ARTICLE II

STUDENT SPEAKERS AT NONGRADUATION EVENTS

The school district hereby creates a limited public forum for student speakers at all school events at which a student is to publicly speak. For each speaker, the district shall set a maximum time limit reasonable and appropriate to the occasion. Student speakers shall introduce:

(a) Football games;

(b) Any other athletic events designated by the district;

(c) Opening announcements and greetings for the school day; and

(d) Any additional events designated by the district, which may include, without limitation, assemblies and pep rallies.

The forum shall be limited in the manner provided by this article.

Only those students in the highest two (2) grade levels of the school and who hold one (1) of the following positions of honor based on neutral criteria are eligible to use the limited public forum: student council officers, class officers of the highest grade level in the school, captains of the football team, and other students holding positions of honor as the school district may designate.

An eligible student shall be notified of the student's eligibility, and a student who wishes to participate as an introducing speaker shall submit the student's name to the student council or other designated body during an announced period of not less than three (3) days. The announced period may be at the beginning of the school year, at the end of the preceding school year so student speakers are in place for the new year, or, if the selection process will be repeated each semester, at the beginning of each semester or at the end of the preceding semester so speakers are in place for the next semester. The names of the volunteering student speakers shall be randomly drawn until all names have been selected, and the names shall be listed in the order drawn. Each selected student will be matched chronologically to the event for which the student will be giving the introduction. Each student may speak for one (1) week at a time for all introductions of events that week, or rotate after each speaking event, or otherwise as determined by the district. The list of student speakers shall be chronologically repeated as needed, in the same order. The district may repeat the selection process each semester rather than once a year.

The subject of the student introductions must be related to the purpose of the event and to the purpose of marking the opening of the event, honoring the occasion, the participants, and those in attendance, bringing the audience to order, and focusing the audience on the purpose of the event. The subject must be designated, a student must stay on the subject, and the student may not engage in obscene, vulgar, offensively lewd or indecent speech. The school district shall treat a student's voluntary expression of a religious viewpoint, if any, on an otherwise permissible subject in the same manner the district treats a student's voluntary expression of a secular or other viewpoint on an otherwise permissible subject and may not discriminate against the student based on a religious viewpoint expressed by the student on an otherwise permissible subject.

For as long as there is a need to dispel confusion over the nonsponsorship of the student's speech at each event in which a student will deliver an introduction, a disclaimer shall be stated in written or oral form, or both, such as, “The student giving the introduction for this event is a volunteering student selected on neutral criteria to introduce the event. The content of the introduction is the private expression of the student and does not reflect the endorsement, sponsorship, position or expression of the school district.”

Certain students who have attained special positions of honor in the school have traditionally addressed school audiences from time to time as a tangential component of their achieved positions of honor, such as the captains of various sports teams, student council officers, class officers, homecoming kings and queens, prom kings and queens, and the like, and have attained their positions based on neutral criteria. Nothing in this policy eliminates the continuation of the practice of having these students, irrespective of grade level, address school audiences in the normal course of their respective positions. The school district shall create a limited public forum for the speakers and shall treat a student's voluntary expression of a religious viewpoint, if any, on an otherwise permissible subject in the same manner the district treats a student's voluntary expression of a secular or other viewpoint on an otherwise permissible subject and may not discriminate against the student based on a religious viewpoint expressed by the student on an otherwise permissible subject.

ARTICLE III

STUDENT SPEAKERS AT GRADUATION CEREMONIES

The school district hereby creates a limited public forum consisting of an opportunity for a student to speak to begin graduation ceremonies and another student to speak to end graduation ceremonies. For each speaker, the district shall set a maximum time limit reasonable and appropriate to the occasion.

The forum shall be limited in the manner provided by this article.

Only students who are graduating and who hold one (1) of the following neutral criteria positions of honor shall be eligible to use the limited public forum: student council officers, class officers of the graduating class, the top three (3) academically ranked graduates, or a shorter or longer list of student leaders as the school district may designate. A student who will otherwise have a speaking role in the graduation ceremonies is ineligible to give the opening and closing remarks. The names of the eligible volunteering students will be randomly drawn. The first name drawn will give the opening and the second name drawn will give the closing.

The topic of the opening and closing remarks must be related to the purpose of the graduation ceremony and to the purpose of marking the opening and closing of the event, honoring the occasion, the participants, and those in attendance, bringing the audience to order, and focusing the audience on the purpose of the event.

In addition to the students giving the opening and closing remarks, certain other students who have attained special positions of honor based on neutral criteria, including, without limitation, the valedictorian, will have speaking roles at graduation ceremonies. For each speaker, the school district shall set a maximum time limit reasonable and appropriate to the occasion and to the position held by the speaker. For this purpose, the district creates a limited public forum for these students to deliver the addresses. The subject of the addresses must be related to the purpose of the graduation ceremony, marking and honoring the occasion, honoring the participants and those in attendance, and the student's perspective on purpose, achievement, life, school, graduation, and looking forward to the future.

The subject must be designated for each student speaker, the student must stay on the subject, and the student may not engage in obscene, vulgar, offensively lewd or indecent speech. The school district shall treat a student's voluntary expression of a religious viewpoint, if any, on an otherwise permissible subject in the same manner the district treats a student's voluntary expression of a secular or other viewpoint on an otherwise permissible subject and may not discriminate against the student based on a religious viewpoint expressed by the student on an otherwise permissible subject.

A written disclaimer shall be printed in the graduation program that states, “The students who will be speaking at the graduation ceremony were selected based on neutral criteria to deliver messages of the students' own choices. The content of each student speaker's message is the private expression of the individual student and does not reflect any position or expression of the school district or the board of trustees, or the district's administration, or employees of the district, or the views of any other graduate. The contents of these messages were prepared by the student volunteers, and the district refrained from any interaction with student speakers regarding the student speakers' viewpoints on permissible subjects.”

ARTICLE IV

RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION IN CLASS ASSIGNMENTS

Students may express the students' beliefs about religion in homework, artwork, and other written and oral assignments free from discrimination based on the religious content of the students' submission. Homework and classroom work shall be judged by ordinary academic standards of substance and relevance and against other legitimate pedagogical concerns identified by the school. Students may not be penalized or rewarded on account of religious content. If a teacher's assignment involves writing a poem, the work of a student who submits a poem in the form of a prayer (for example, a psalm) should be judged on the basis of academic standards, including literary quality, and not penalized or rewarded on account of its religious content.

ARTICLE V

FREEDOM TO ORGANIZE RELIGIOUS GROUPS AND ACTIVITIES

Students may organize prayer groups, religious clubs, “see you at the pole” gatherings, and other religious gatherings before, during and after school to the same extent that students are permitted to organize other noncurricular student activities and groups. Religious groups must be given the same access to school facilities for assembling as is given to other noncurricular groups, without discrimination based on the religious content of the group's expression. If student groups that meet for nonreligious activities are permitted to advertise or announce the groups' meetings, for example, by advertising in a student newspaper, putting up posters, making announcements on a student activities bulletin board or public address system, or handing out leaflets, school authorities may not discriminate against groups that meet for prayer or other religious speech. School authorities may disclaim sponsorship of noncurricular groups and events, provided they administer the disclaimer in a manner that does not favor or disfavor groups that meet to engage in prayer or other religious speech.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-208 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 7-208
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-208
Status: in_force

The board of trustees of any consolidated school district may pay from funds other than total funding formula funds the cost and expense of litigation involved by or resulting from the creation of or litigation to create single member school board trustee election districts, and pay from funds other than the total funding formula funds the cost or expense to implement any plan, decree or reorganization as approved by the court. Said payments by the board of trustees shall be deemed a “new program” under the provisions of Section 37-57-107 , and any additional millage levied for such purpose and the revenue generated therefrom shall be excluded from the tax increase limitation prescribed in Sections 37-57-105 and 37-57-107 . The board of supervisors of any county in which there is located such consolidated school district may, in its discretion, contribute out of county general funds to the cost and expense of such litigation and/or the cost of implementing such redistricting plan.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-143 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 101-143
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-143
Status: reserved

The board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning is also authorized and empowered to lease those lands referred to in Section 37-101-141 , or any part thereof, for oil, gas and mineral development, or for any other purpose, for such consideration, upon such terms and conditions as said board of trustees shall deem proper, and for the best advantage of the respective institutions. Any such oil, gas or mineral lease shall not be for a primary term of more than six years and so long thereafter as oil, gas or other minerals are produced from said lands. The royalties reserved in such lease or leases shall be not less than the following:

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

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

(c) On all other minerals mined and marketed, one-eighth part in kind or value at the well or mine except sulphur on which the royalty shall be two dollars ($2.00) per long ton.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-173-15 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 173-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-173-15
Status: in_force

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

(i) Phonological awareness and phonemic awareness;

(ii) Sound symbol recognition;

(iii) Alphabet knowledge;

(iv) Decoding skills;

(v) Encoding skills; and

(vi) Rapid naming.

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

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

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

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

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

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

(2) The screening of all compulsory-school-age children enrolled in each local public school district for dyslexia required by subsection (1)(a) of this section shall in no manner nullify or defeat the requirements of the pilot programs adopted by the State Department of Education to test certain students enrolled or enrolling in public schools for dyslexia under Section 37-23-15 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-79 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 9-79
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-79
Status: in_force

(1) Beginning with the 2014-2015 school year, the assignment of K-12 Professional School Counselors to the particular schools within the district shall be at the discretion of the local school board with the following restrictions:

(a) No individual shall be employed as a professional school counselor without a minimum of a Master's Degree in Guidance and Counseling, or in an emergency situation, an appropriate certification as determined by the Commission on Teacher and Administrator Education, Certification and Licensure and Development; and

(b) Professional school counselors shall provide the following comprehensive counseling services:

(i) Academic and personal/social counseling;

(ii) Use multiple student data sources to help students make informed academic and career choices;

(iii) Career and educational counseling;

(iv) Individual and group counseling (large/small);

(v) Crisis intervention and preventive counseling;

(vi) Referrals to community agencies;

(vii) Educational consultations and collaboration with teachers, administrators, parents and community leaders;

(viii) Educational and career placement services;

(ix) Follow-up counseling services;

(x) Conflict resolution; and

(xi) Professional school counselors must spend a minimum of eighty percent (80%) of their contractual time to the delivery of services to students as outlined by the American School Counselor Association. Delivery of services is the direct service provided to students, parents, school staff and the community which are interaction between professional school counselors and students. These direct services may include the delivery of the following:

1. School counseling core curriculum: This curriculum is designed to help students attain the desired competencies and to provide all students with the knowledge, attitudes and skills appropriate for their developmental level. The school counseling core curriculum is delivered throughout the school's overall curriculum and may be presented by professional school counselors in collaboration with other professional educators and other resources. Collaborative efforts may be implemented to enhance the services provided.

2. Individual student planning: Professional school counselors coordinate ongoing systemic activities or individual/group sessions designed to assist students in establishing personal/social goals and developing future career plans.

3. Responsive services: Responsive services are designed to meet students' immediate needs and concerns in regard to social/personal issues. Responsive services may include counseling in individual, small-group settings, or crisis responses.

4. Indirect Student Services: Indirect services are provided on behalf of students as a result of the school counselors' interactions with others including referrals for additional assistance, consultation and collaboration with parents, teachers, other educators and community organizations.

(2) Professional school counselors shall abide by the American School Counselor Association Code of Ethics.

(3) The State Department of Education may adopt regulations regarding the activities of the professional school counselor as are not inconsistent with this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-173-21 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 173-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-173-21
Status: in_force

(1) The State Board of Education in conjunction with each nonpublic school and local school board operating under the provisions of this chapter, may:

(a) Extend the school day or length of the scholastic year;

(b) Develop and establish a curriculum that is consistent with the Mississippi Curriculum Framework in the subject areas of mathematics, social studies, science, music, art and physical education; and

(c) Select, purchase and use textbooks, literature and other instructional materials that would improve educational attainment by students in the school, subject to the approval of the board.

(2) The qualified personnel to facilitate the educational process of learning and instruction for children with dyslexia who attend the schools shall consist of the following:

(a) An administrator or director with additional training in the characteristics of dyslexia;

(b) A dyslexia therapist licensed by the department in dyslexia therapy;

(c) Dyslexia therapists in training participating in a department approved dyslexia therapy graduate internship program; and

(d) Licensed elementary teachers under the supervision of a state department licensed dyslexia therapist.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-103-29 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 103-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-103-29
Status: in_force

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to provide that the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning or the board of trustees of any junior college is required to consider for admission the application of a nonresident.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-79 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 27-79
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-79
Status: in_force

(1) The State Board of Education shall review and develop a report relating to the need for a separate board of trustees and separate administrative office for the Coahoma Agricultural High School, the Forrest Agricultural High School and the Hinds Agricultural High School and shall submit this finding with recommendations for any necessary legislation to the Chairmen of the Senate and House Education Committees on or before December 1, 2012, for consideration in the 2013 Regular Session. Said report shall include any necessary recommendations for the consolidation and transfer of administrative offices, transfer of real and personal property, and transfer of students from such agricultural high school to the appropriate school district.

(2) Any agricultural high school in this state (whether maintained by one (1) county or more than one (1) county) may be abolished when twenty percent (20%) of the qualified electors residing in such county or counties shall file a petition with the board of supervisors or boards of supervisors of such county or counties, and request that such school be abolished. Thereupon, the question shall be submitted to an election of the qualified electors of the county or counties within not less than thirty (30) days nor more than sixty (60) days after the next meeting of the board of supervisors or boards of supervisors after the filing of the petition. At such election said electors may vote for abolishing the agricultural high school or against abolishing the agricultural high school. If a majority of the votes cast in such election be in favor of abolishing such school, then such school shall be abolished. If less than a majority of those voting fail to vote for abolishing such school then it shall not be abolished but shall be supported and maintained as now provided by law. When an election is called under this section and the school is not abolished, then another election cannot be held for a period of two (2) years.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-43 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 106-43
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-43
Status: in_force

(1) There is hereby established an intern educational program to be designated as the Mississippi Public Management Graduate Intern Program to be administered by the board through a program coordinator. The program shall consist of not more than thirty-six (36) positions in the general fields of public management, program analysis and public administration. These positions shall not be included in the number of employees allowed by law within a particular state agency. Graduate intern students shall be temporarily assigned by the program coordinator to specific state or local agencies and offices, including offices of the Legislature. Each participating agency or office shall not employ more than four (4) graduate intern students per year. To qualify for the program, a student must (a) be enrolled as a graduate student in a state university masters program in public administration, public policy and administration, or criminal justice administration; and (b) have committed himself to a field of graduate study directly related to a state or local government public managerial position.

(2) There is hereby created the Mississippi Intern Public Management Education Council to consist of the following members: The chairmen of the various departments of Mississippi institutions of higher learning that offer graduate programs in one of the following: public administration, public policy and administration, and criminal justice administration. The council shall elect from its membership a chairman, which shall be a rotating, one-year appointment. The council shall meet at the place and time designated by the chairman at least twice but no more than six (6) times per year.

(3) The council shall adopt, amend and repeal the rules and regulations as it deems necessary to establish standards and ensure the orderly execution of the objectives of the intern educational program, not inconsistent with the provisions of this section. The regulations shall be submitted to the board for implementation by the program coordinator. The council shall review and evaluate the program on a yearly basis and submit its findings to the program coordinator.

(4) There is hereby created the position of Program Coordinator who shall be the Chief Administrative Officer of the Mississippi Public Management Graduate Intern Program. The program coordinator shall be appointed by and be an employee of the agency.

(5) The program coordinator shall administer the policies of the council and supervise and direct all technical activities of the program. The coordinator shall select students to participate in the program based upon the nominees of the participating state institutions of higher learning. No participating university shall be allotted less than three (3) intern students per year unless the university nominates less than three (3) students. The coordinator shall place the intern students in state or local agencies which agree in writing to participate in the program.

(6) The program coordinator shall prepare and deliver to the Legislature and to the Governor an annual report describing the operation and progress of the Mississippi Public Management Graduate Intern Program, including a detailed statement of expenditures and any recommendations the board may have.

(7) It shall be the duty and responsibility of universities participating in the intern program to nominate qualified graduate students to the program and to keep the program coordinator fully apprised of the academic development of the intern student, including any change in the student's educational status.

(8) State or local agencies participating in the intern program shall employ intern students with the expectation that they shall contribute to agency policy decisions, participate in managerial activities, and deliver agency services. Intern graduate students shall receive compensation on the basis of their professional work experience, but shall receive no less than Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00) per month or Four Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($4,500.00) for a six-month work period. In addition to the salary, students shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses and mileage authorized by law for travel to seminars, workshops and training sessions, as well as other related professional travel expenses. When the student has received his graduate degree, the agency may offer him a permanent position with the state or local agency or office, assuming funding and position openings are available.

(9) Intern students shall submit an evaluation of the intern program and an assessment of its educational value to the program coordinator at the end of each work period.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-19 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 45-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-19
Status: in_force

The commission shall promulgate such reasonable rules and regulations as shall be necessary and proper to carry out the provisions of this chapter and of such other laws, the administration of which shall be vested in the commission; however, no such rule or regulation shall be in conflict with any applicable law. It shall be the duty of the commission to furnish the board of trustees or other governing body of all school districts and the attorney general certified copies of all rules and regulations prescribed by the commission, which distribution shall be made not less than thirty days prior to the effective date of all such rules or regulations.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-161 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 33-161
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-161
Status: in_force

In carrying out his duties under this chapter, the Executive Director of the State Department of Rehabilitation Services:

(a) Shall, with the approval of the board, promulgate regulations governing personnel standards, the protection of records and confidential information, the manner and form of filing applications, eligibility and investigation and determination therefor, for vocational rehabilitation and other rehabilitation services, procedures for fair hearings and such other regulations as he finds necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter and in conformity with federal law;

(b) Shall, with the approval of the board, establish appropriate subordinate administrative units within the department;

(c) Shall prepare and submit to the board and the Legislature annual reports of activities and expenditures and, before each regular session of the Legislature, coordinate budget requests required for carrying out this chapter and estimates of the amounts to be made available for this purpose from all sources;

(d) Shall be empowered to exercise executive and administrative supervision over all institutions, offices, programs and services now existing or hereafter acquired or created under the jurisdiction of the department;

(e) Shall make certification for disbursement, in accordance with regulations, of funds available, for implementing the purposes of this chapter;

(f) Shall, with the approval of the board, take such other action as he deems necessary or appropriate to effectuate the purposes of this chapter;

(g) May, with the approval of the board, delegate to any officer or employee of the department such of his powers and duties as he finds necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-77 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 113-77
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-77
Status: in_force

(1)(a) Subject to the availability of funds, the program may annually enter into agreements with up to an average of two (2) veterinary students as determined by the criteria established for the administration of the Dr. Elton Mac Huddleston Rural Veterinarians Scholarship Program.

(b) Each student entering into a program agreement under this section shall receive annual assistance in an amount not to exceed the in-state tuition rate assessed for attending the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine for a period not to exceed four (4) years for tuition and fees incurred by the student in pursuit of his or her veterinary medicine degree. Upon completion of all commitments under the provisions of the agreement and the provisions of this section, the financial obligations pursuant to this section shall be deemed satisfied and forgiven.

(2) To be eligible for program scholarship funds, recipients shall:

(a) Be a student of the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine;

(b) Agree to become licensed in the practice of veterinary medicine in the State of Mississippi upon graduation;

(c) Complete all requirements in public health, livestock biosecurity, foreign animal disease diagnosis, regulatory veterinary medicine and zoonotic disease, and an externship and mentoring requirement with a licensed, accredited veterinarian in a rural area, as required by the veterinary medical school;

(d) Enter into a contract with the program to provide full-time veterinary medicine services as a food supply animal veterinarian or as a rural mixed animal veterinarian for a minimum of four (4) years in one or more communities approved by the program; and

(e) Commence the full-time practice of veterinary medicine in a rural community within ninety (90) days after completion of the degree program or, if the scholarship recipient enters a post-degree training program, such as graduate school, internship or residency program, within ninety (90) days after completion of the post-degree training program; and

(f) Be accredited by the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services to provide services relating to food supply animals within six (6) months of graduation or passage of veterinary licensure examination.

(3) Priority shall be given to Mississippi residents. If the number of Mississippi residents applying for scholarship funds is less than the number of slots available, nonresident students may be considered. Nonresident students shall only receive scholarship funds sufficient to pay for in-state tuition rates, and they must meet the same obligations as specified in subsection (2) of this section for students who are residents of the State of Mississippi.

(4) Recipients of the scholarship must remain in good academic standing while in receipt of this scholarship, as specified in the rules and regulations promulgated by the Dean of the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine with the advice and consent of the President of Mississippi State University of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning. If a student is dismissed or withdraws from the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine, the dean shall assess the circumstances of the student's dismissal or withdrawal and make a formal recommendation regarding whether the student shall be liable for the repayment of all or a portion of the financial assistance provided to the student through the program, along with other penalties that may be prescribed in accordance with the policies adopted by the dean as prescribed in Section 37-113-81 .

(5) The dean may adopt additional provisions, requirements or conditions for participating in the program as are practicable and appropriate to accomplish the provisions of the program or which may be required for the implementation or administration of the program, and which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-329 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 101-329
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-329
Status: in_force

Sections 37-101-301 through 37-101-331 shall be deemed to be full and complete authority for the exercise of the powers herein granted, but Sections 37-101-301 through 37-101-331 shall not be deemed to repeal or to be in derogation of any existing law of this state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-477 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 7-477
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-477
Status: in_force

(1) Unless a school board retains a partial interest, or undivided interest or other ownership interest in the school property being conveyed, any instrument conveying or leasing any school property under the provisions of Sections 37-7-471 through 37-7-483 , shall provide that the title to such property shall automatically revert to the school district, if such property shall cease to be used for the purpose for which it is conveyed or leased. Said instrument shall also contain the condition that the grantee or lessee shall keep and maintain said property in a good state of repair and shall keep said property insured in a reasonable amount against loss by fire, windstorm and other hazards. Upon breach of any of said conditions, the school board shall have the right of reentry upon said property as for condition broken and shall have the power and authority to bring and maintain such actions as shall be necessary and appropriate for such purpose in its own name. However, the provisions of this section shall not be mandatory in the event that the school board retains a partial interest, or undivided interest or other ownership interest in the school property being conveyed.

(2) The provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall not be applicable to any transaction of acquisition by the United States, by purchase, condemnation, conveyance or otherwise of any school property or any other real property possessed by the state as authorized by Section 3-5-1 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-27 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 11-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-27
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful for any member of the board of trustees of any school district, any member of the county board of education, the county superintendent of education, or any superintendent, principal or other school district administrator with authority to negotiate school district contracts, to have or own any direct or indirect interest individually or as agent or employee of any person, partnership, firm, or corporation in any contract made or let by the county board of education, the county superintendent of education or the board of trustees of the school district for the construction, repair, or improvement of any school facility, the furnishing of any supplies, materials, or other articles, the doing of any public work or the transportation of children or upon any subcontract arising therefrom or connected therewith in any manner. The board of trustees of any school district shall be authorized to contract with a teacher or school district employee to perform extra work without being in violation of the provisions of this section. The board of trustees shall make a case-by-case determination of the possible conflicts of interest arising from any extra work contracts and such decision by the board shall be final. Any contract entered into in violation of the provisions of this section shall be void and of no effect. Any person who shall authorize or enter into any contract in violation of the provisions hereof, or who shall knowingly or willfully pay out or receive any money upon any such contract shall be civilly liable for the amount so paid or received, and, in the case of an official who has furnished a bond, the surety upon such bond shall likewise be liable for such amount. In addition thereto, any person who shall violate the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or by imprisonment in the county jail not less than thirty (30) days nor more than ninety (90) days, or by both such fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the court.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-103-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 103-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-103-5
Status: in_force

A person who has entered the State of Mississippi from another state and enters an educational institution is considered a nonresident. Even though he may have been legally adopted by a resident of Mississippi, or may have been a qualified voter, or a landowner, or may otherwise have sought to establish legal residence, except as otherwise provided in Section 37-103-25(2) , such a person will still be considered as being a nonresident of Mississippi if he has entered this state for the purpose of enrolling in an educational institution.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-43-43 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 43-43
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-43-43
Status: in_force

The State Superintendent of Public Education shall deposit all funds sent to him from nonpublic schools for lost books or damaged books as well as all other funds accruing under this chapter in the State Treasury to the credit of the State Textbook Fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-123-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 123-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-123-7
Status: in_force

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

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

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

(b) To transfer funds to the other and expend such funds on mutually agreeable terms and conditions for the construction, maintenance and operation of such school.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-119-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 119-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-119-1
Status: in_force

The institution incorporated by an act of the legislature, approved March 30, 1910, and established in pursuance thereof, shall continue to exist as a body-politic and corporate by the name of University of Southern Mississippi, with all its property and franchises, rights, powers and privileges conferred on it by law, or properly incident to such body and necessary to accomplish the purpose of its creation; said university may receive and hold all real estate and personal property conveyed or given it, and wherever the term of Mississippi Southern College appears in the laws of the State of Mississippi the same shall be construed to refer to the University of Southern Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-317 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / 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. § 37-155-109 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 155-109
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-155-109
Status: in_force

(1) The board shall make savings trust agreements available to the public, under which account owners or other payors may make contributions on behalf of qualified beneficiaries. Contributions and investment earnings on the contributions may be used for any qualified higher educational expenses of a designated beneficiary. The state does not guarantee that such contributions, together with the investment return on such contributions, if any, will be adequate to pay for qualified education expenses in full.

(2) Each savings trust agreement made pursuant to this article shall include the following terms and provisions:

(a) The maximum and minimum contribution allowed on behalf of each beneficiary for the payment of qualified higher education expenses at eligible institutions, both as defined in Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 , as amended, or other applicable federal law;

(b) Provisions for withdrawals, refunds, transfers and any penalties;

(c) The name, address and date of birth of the beneficiary on whose behalf the savings trust account is opened;

(d) Terms and conditions for a substitution of the beneficiary originally named;

(e) Terms and conditions for termination of the account, including any refunds, withdrawals or transfers, and applicable penalties, and the name of the person or persons entitled to terminate the account;

(f) The time period during which the beneficiary must use benefits from the savings trust account;

(g) All other rights and obligations of the account owner and the MACS Trust Fund; and

(h) Any other terms and conditions that the board deems necessary or appropriate, including those necessary to conform the savings trust account with the requirements of Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 , as amended, or other applicable federal law or regulations.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-25-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / 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. § 37-141-11 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 141-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-11
Status: in_force

The Department of Economic Development is hereby authorized to cooperate with the planning commissions and development boards, or other similar agencies of other states, and with county, municipal and regional planning commissions or other agencies thereof, for the purposes of securing coordinated community and statewide planning within this state. The Department of Economic Development is further authorized to provide services to include, but not be limited to, planning assistance to cities and other political subdivisions within the state and county; joint municipal, county, regional and metropolitan commissions in the solution of their planning problems; and to contract for, receive and expend federal, state and other funds, whether private or public, for such planning activities, and to that end, there is hereby created within the Department of Economic Development a special fund designated as the “planning fund” to be kept separate and apart from all other funds received by the Department of Economic Development and into which all funds received for planning purposes shall be deposited. Planning assistance, as used in this chapter, shall include the preparation of population, land use, traffic, parking and economic base studies, the preparation of proposed subdivision regulations and zoning ordinances, and the development of plans to guide public and private development.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-159-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 159-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-159-9
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(10) The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the proper administration of the University Assisted Teacher Recruitment and Retention Grant Program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-141 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 23-141
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-141
Status: in_force

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

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

(a) Voluntary on the part of the parties;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(8) Discussions that occur during the mediation process shall be confidential and may not be used as evidence in any subsequent due process hearings or civil proceedings and the parties to the mediation process may be required to sign a confidentiality pledge prior to the commencement of such process.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-21-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 21-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-21-5
Status: in_force

The State Department of Education of the State of Mississippi is vested with the authority to enforce the provisions of Sections 37-21-1 through 37-21-5 . The department shall have the authority to make investigations and to require such proof of qualification as may be necessary for the enforcement of Sections 37-21-1 through 37-21-5 .