Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-31 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 23-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-31
Status: in_force

(1)(a) When five (5) or more children under twenty-one (21) years of age who, because of significant developmental disabilities, complex communication needs, significant language or learning deficits or any combination of either, are unable to have their educational needs met appropriately in a regular or special education public school program within their local public school districts, a state-supported university or college shall be authorized and empowered, in its discretion, to provide a program of education, instruction and training to such children, provided that such program shall operate under rules, regulations, policies and standards adopted by the State Department of Education, as provided for in Section 37-23-33 . The opinion of a parent or guardian in regard to the provision of an appropriate special education program in or by their respective local public school district shall be considered before a placement decision is finalized. Parents of students enrolled in a local education agency (LEA) shall have any and all rights as provided in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, including, but not limited to, the right to equal participation in their child's Individualized Education Program (IEP), the right to require review of their child's IEP, and the right to appeal an IEP Committee decision immediately. 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.

(b) Instructors, including speech-language pathologists, educational audiologists and special and early childhood educators are qualified and empowered to serve as the lead teacher for children enrolled within the state-supported university's or college's university-based program (UBP) through the IDEA-Part C and IDEA-Part B eligibility and placement process upon completing instructional licensure requirements for the purposes of funding MAEP special education teacher units.

(c) Due to the significance of the needs of the children served through the UBP, general education setting requirements may not be applicable as the least restrictive environment. Students enrolled in a UBP by a LEA shall meet all state educational requirements, including participation in statewide assessments. Justification for placement decisions is determined in conjunction with the LEA through each child's IEP for ages three (3) to twenty-one (21). The UBP shall submit to the local education agency and the parents of the student in the program a progress report each semester on all IEP goals and objectives. The UBP and local education agency shall confer annually to develop the IEP for each student enrolled in the UBP.

(2) Any state-supported university or college conducting a full-time medical teaching program acceptable to the State Board of Education may, at its discretion, enter into such contracts or agreements with any private school or nonprofit corporation-supported institution, the Mississippi School for the Deaf, or any state-supported institution, providing the special education contemplated by this section for such services, provided the private school or institution offering such services shall have conducted a program of such services at standards acceptable to the State Department of Education for a period of at least one (1) year prior to the date at which the university or college proposes to enter into an agreement or contract for special educational services as described above.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-31 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 28-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-31
Status: in_force

(1) The authorizer shall monitor annually the performance and legal compliance of each charter school it oversees, including collecting and analyzing data to support the school's evaluation according to the charter contract. The authorizer may conduct or require oversight activities that enable the authorizer to fulfill its responsibilities under this chapter, including conducting appropriate inquiries and investigations, so long as those activities are consistent with the intent of this chapter, adhere to the terms of the charter contract and do not unduly inhibit the autonomy granted to charter schools.

(2) As part of its annual report to the Legislature, the authorizer shall publish and provide a performance report for each charter school it oversees in accordance with the performance framework set forth in the charter contract. The report must be made available to the public at the same time as it is submitted to the Legislature. The authorizer may require each charter school it oversees to submit an annual report to assist the authorizer in gathering complete information about each school, consistent with the performance framework.

(3) If a charter school's performance or legal compliance is unsatisfactory, the authorizer shall notify promptly the charter school of the problem and provide reasonable opportunity for the school to remedy the problem unless the problem warrants revocation, in which case the revocation timeframes will apply.

(4) The authorizer may take appropriate corrective actions or exercise sanctions in response to apparent deficiencies in a charter school's performance or legal compliance. If warranted, the actions or sanctions may include requiring a charter school to develop and execute a corrective action plan within a specified timeframe.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-211 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 31-211
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-211
Status: in_force

The Legislature shall appropriate to the State Board of Education those state funds to be expended by the board through the Division of Vocational and Technical Education of the State Department of Education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-61-27 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 61-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-61-27
Status: in_force

If any member of the school board or the superintendent of schools disbursing and handling school funds shall fail, refuse or neglect to comply with the provisions of Section 37-61-9 , he shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for such failure, refusal or neglect for each offense. In addition thereto, he shall be liable to a penalty of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) recoverable on his official bond by suit filed by any county or district attorney or any interested citizen, upon his official bond.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-17 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 104-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-17
Status: in_force

Having determined that the private institution of higher learning reasonably can be expected to produce sufficient revenue over a period of twenty-five (25) years to pay the revenue bonds issued for the financing or refinancing of the educational facility project, as well as the interest on the revenue bonds and a reasonable sum for maintenance, renewal and replacement as aforesaid, the Authority shall have the power and is hereby authorized, at one (1) time or from time to time, to provide by resolution for the issuance of negotiable revenue bonds to provide funds for the purpose of financing or refinancing all or any part of the cost of the educational facility project, but in no event shall the amount of the revenue bonds issued for the financing or refinancing of any educational facility project exceed the estimated cost of the educational facility project. The principal of and the interest on the revenue bonds shall be payable solely from a special fund to be provided for that purpose in the manner hereinafter set forth. The revenue bonds shall bear date or dates, be in such denomination or denominations, bear interest at such rate or rates, not to exceed that rate authorized in Section 75-17-103, Mississippi Code of 1972 , 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 the bond loan agreement and the resolution of the Authority. However, the revenue bonds shall mature in annual installments beginning not more than three (3) years from date thereof and extending not more than twenty-five (25) years from date thereof. The revenue bonds shall be signed by the president of the Authority, or by his facsimile signature, attested by the secretary of the Authority, and the official seal of the Authority shall be affixed thereto. The interest coupons, if any, to be attached to the revenue bonds may be executed by the facsimile signature of the president of the Authority. Whenever any revenue bonds shall have been signed by the president of the Authority who was in office at the time of such signing but who may have ceased to be president of the Authority prior to the sale and delivery of the revenue bonds or who may have not been in office on the date the revenue bonds may bear, the signatures of such president of the Authority upon the revenue bonds and coupons shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes and have the same effect as if the president of the Authority so officially signing the revenue bonds had remained in office until the delivery of the revenue bonds to the purchaser or had been in office on the date the revenue bonds may bear.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 11-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-1
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

(d) For purposes of this section, the term “ higher order multiples ” means triplets, quadruplets, quintuplets or more.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-81 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 151-81
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-81
Status: in_force

(1) For each student with a disability who is being educated by a public school district or is placed in accord with Section 37-23-77 , and whose individualized educational program (IEP) requires an extended school year in accord with the State Department of Education criteria, a sufficient amount of funds shall be allocated for the purpose of providing the educational services the student requires. The State Board of Education shall promulgate such regulations as are required to ensure the equitable distribution of these funds. All costs for the extended school year for a particular summer shall be reimbursed from funds appropriated for the fiscal year beginning July 1 of that summer. If sufficient funds are not made available to finance all of the required educational services, the State Department of Education shall expend available funds in such a manner that it does not limit the availability of appropriate education to students with disabilities more severely than it does to students without disabilities.

(2) The State Department of Education is hereby authorized to match the total funding formula funds provided in Sections 37-151-200 through 37-151-215 and other funds allocated for provision of services to students with disabilities with Division of Medicaid funds to provide language-speech services, physical therapy and occupational therapy to students with disabilities who meet State Department of Education or Division of Medicaid standards and who are Medicaid eligible. Provided further, that the State Department of Education is authorized to pay such funds as may be required as a match directly to the Division of Medicaid pursuant to an agreement to be developed between the State Department of Education and the Division of Medicaid.

(3) When any children who are residents of the State of Mississippi and qualify under the provisions of Section 37-23-31 shall be provided a program of education, instruction and training within a school under the provisions of said section, the State Department of Education shall allocate funds equivalent to the full base student cost and all qualifying weighted adjustments as prescribed in Section 37-151-205 . The university or college shall be eligible for state and federal funds for such programs on the same basis as local school districts. The university or college shall be responsible for providing for the additional costs of the program.

(4) A school district may provide a program of education and instruction to children ages five (5) years through twenty-one (21) years, who are resident citizens of the State of Mississippi, who cannot have their educational needs met in a regular public school program and who have not finished or graduated from high school, if those children are determined by competent medical authorities and psychologists to need placement in a state licensed facility for inpatient treatment, day treatment or residential treatment or a therapeutic group home. Such program shall operate under rules, regulations, policies and standards of school districts as determined by the State Board of Education. If a private school approved by the State Board of Education is operated as an integral part of the state licensed facility that provides for the treatment of such children, the private school within the facility may provide a program of education, instruction and training to such children by requesting the State Department of Education to allocate funds equivalent to the full base student cost and all qualifying weighted adjustments as prescribed in Section 37-151-205 for each student placed in such facility for each approved class. The facility shall be responsible for providing any additional costs of the program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-47-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 47-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-47-9
Status: in_force

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

The grant to which each public school is entitled under the provisions of this section shall be credited to the school district of which such school is part. If any change is made in the operation or boundaries of any such school district, equitable reallocations shall be made by the department of all balances to the credit of such school district, and all debits charged against the districts affected by the change in the boundaries or system of operation. The obligation of the state to make remittance of the sums appropriated or otherwise provided to make the annual grants provided by this section shall be subordinate to the pledge made to secure the state school bonds authorized under this chapter and the sinking fund created for their retirement. The grants shall be computed annually as soon as practicable after the end of the school year, and shall be based on the net enrollment for such school year in all of the public schools operated by each school district as determined by the State Department of Education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-31 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 115-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-31
Status: in_force

The teaching hospital and related facilities shall be utilized to serve the people of Mississippi generally. The teaching hospital and related facilities shall have the power necessary to enter into group purchasing arrangements as deemed reasonable and necessary, and such powers as are necessary to establish and operate health maintenance organizations, preferred provider organizations, prepaid health benefit plans and other managed care entities regulated by Section 83-41-301 et seq. , and the power to establish rates and charges for health care services, either on a fee for service, discounted, capitated or other risk based payment basis, and provided that any such entity shall primarily provide care and services to indigent persons or qualified beneficiaries of the State Medicaid Program; and further provided, however, any entity, or any affiliate of any such entity, that now or in the future provides management services to the University of Mississippi Medical Center or any of its facilities, shall not be affiliated in any manner with any managed care product established by the University of Mississippi Medical Center under the authority of this section. There shall be a reasonable volume of free work; however, said volume shall never be less than one-half of its bed capacity for indigent patients who are eligible and qualified under the state charity fund for charity hospitalization of indigent persons, or qualified beneficiaries of the State Medicaid Program. The income derived from the operations of said hospital, including all facilities thereof, shall be utilized toward the payment of the operating expenses of said hospital, including all facilities thereof.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-57 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 41-57
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-57
Status: in_force

The State Board of Education shall adopt and enforce regulations not inconsistent with the traffic laws and regulations of this state to govern the design and operation of all school buses used for the transportation of school children when owned and operated by any school board or privately owned and operated under contract with any school board in this state. Such regulations shall by reference be made a part of any such contract with a school board. Every school board, its officers and employees, and every person employed under contract by a school board shall be subject to said regulations.

Any officer or employee of any school board who violates any of said regulations or fails to include the obligation to comply with said regulations in any contract executed by them on behalf of a school board shall be guilty of misconduct and subject to removal from office or employment. Any person operating a school bus under a contract with a school board who fails to comply with any of said regulations shall be guilty of breach of contract and such contract shall be cancelled after notice and hearing by the responsible officers of such school board.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-177-13 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 177-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-177-13
Status: in_force

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

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

(i) Small group instruction;

(ii) Reduced teacher-student ratios;

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

(iv) The option of transition classes;

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

(vi) Summer reading camps.

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

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

(d) Provide parents and legal guardians of Third-Grade students with a “Read at Home” plan outlined in a parental contract, including participation in regular parent-guided home reading.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-15-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 15-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-15-9
Status: in_force

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) and subject to the provisions of subsection (3) of this section, no child shall be enrolled or admitted to any kindergarten which is a part of a public school during any school year unless such child will reach his fifth birthday on or before September 1 of said school year, and no child shall be enrolled or admitted to the first grade in any public school during any school year unless such child will reach his sixth birthday on or before September 1 of said school year. No pupil shall be permanently enrolled in a public school in the State of Mississippi who formerly was enrolled in another public or private school within the state until the cumulative record of the pupil shall have been received from the school from which he transferred. Should such record have become lost or destroyed, then it shall be the duty of the superintendent or principal of the school where the pupil last attended school to initiate a new record.

(2) Subject to the provisions of subsection (3) of this section, any child who transfers from an out-of-state public or private school in which that state's law provides for a first-grade or kindergarten enrollment date subsequent to September 1, shall be allowed to enroll in the public schools of Mississippi, at the same grade level as their prior out-of-state enrollment, if:

(a) The parent, legal guardian or custodian of such child was a legal resident of the state from which the child is transferring;

(b) The out-of-state school from which the child is transferring is duly accredited by that state's appropriate accrediting authority;

(c) Such child was legally enrolled in a public or private school for a minimum of four (4) weeks in the previous state; and

(d) The superintendent of schools in the applicable Mississippi school district or the principal of a charter school, as the case may be, has determined that the child was making satisfactory educational progress in the previous state.

(3) When any child applies for admission or enrollment in any public school in the state, the parent, guardian or child, in the absence of an accompanying parent or guardian, shall indicate on the school registration form if the enrolling child has been expelled from any public or private school or is currently a party to an expulsion proceeding. If it is determined from the child's cumulative record or application for admission or enrollment that the child has been expelled, the school district or charter school may deny the student admission and enrollment until the superintendent of the school, or his designee, or principal of the charter school, as the case may be, has reviewed the child's cumulative record and determined that the child has participated in successful rehabilitative efforts including, but not limited to, progress in an alternative school or similar program. If the child is a party to an expulsion proceeding, the child may be admitted to a public school pending final disposition of the expulsion proceeding. If the expulsion proceeding results in the expulsion of the child, the public school may revoke such admission to school. If the child was expelled or is a party to an expulsion proceeding for an act involving violence, weapons, alcohol, illegal drugs or other activity that may result in expulsion, the school district or charter school shall not be required to grant admission or enrollment to the child before one (1) calendar year after the date of the expulsion.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-107 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 13-107
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-107
Status: in_force

(1) Every school attendance officer shall be required annually to attend and complete a comprehensive course of training and education which is provided or approved by the Office of Compulsory School Attendance Enforcement of the State Department of Education. Attendance shall be required beginning with the first training seminar conducted after the school attendance officer is employed as a school attendance officer.

(2) The Office of Compulsory School Attendance Enforcement shall provide or approve a course of training and education for school attendance officers of the state. The course shall consist of at least twelve (12) hours of training per year. The content of the course of training and when and where it is to be conducted shall be approved by the office. A certificate of completion shall be furnished by the State Department of Education to those school attendance officers who complete the course. Each certificate shall be made a permanent record of the school attendance officer supervisor's office where the school attendance officer is employed.

(3) Upon the failure of any person employed as a school attendance officer to receive the certificate of completion from the State Department of Education within the first year of his employment, the person shall not be allowed to carry out any of the duties of a school attendance officer and shall not be entitled to compensation for the period of time during which the certificate has not been obtained.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-13 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 31-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-13
Status: in_force

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

(2) Subject to annual approval by the State Board of Education, extended contracts for vocational agriculture education services and other related vocational education services which contribute to economic development may be conducted by local school districts, and state appropriations may be used for payments to school districts providing such services. The board of trustees of each school district shall determine whether any proposed services contribute to the economic development of the area. Local districts may apply to the Division of Vocational and Technical Education of the State Department of Education for any state funds available for these extended contracts. The State Board of Education shall establish the application process and the selection criteria for this program. The number of state funded extended contracts approved by the State Board of Education will be determined by the availability of funds specified for this purpose. The State Board of Education's decision shall be final. Payments under this subsection shall only be available to those high schools whose teachers of vocational programs are responsible for the following programs of instruction during those months between the academic years: (a) supervision and instruction of students in agricultural or other vocational experience programs; (b) group and individual instruction of farmers and agribusinessmen; (c) supervision of student members of youth groups who are involved in leadership training or other activity required by state or federal law; or (d) any program of vocational agriculture or other vocational-related services established by the Division of Vocational and Technical Education of the State Department of Education that contribute to the economic development of the geographic area.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 101-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-5
Status: in_force

There shall be appointed only men or women to membership on the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning as shall be qualified electors residing in the district from which each is appointed and at least twenty-five years of age and of the highest order of intelligence, character, learning and fitness for the performance of such duties to the end that such board shall perform the high and honorable duties thereof to the greatest advantage of the people of the state and of such institutions, uninfluenced by any political considerations.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-97-105 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 97-105
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-97-105
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

Student-athlete agreements, proposed agreements and any documents that compile, summarize or disclose any of the terms of such agreements shall be exempt from the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983. Postsecondary educational institutions and student-athletes shall not be compelled to disclose student-athlete agreements, proposed agreements and any documents that compile, summarize or disclose any of the terms of such agreements to a national association, a conference or any other group or organization with authority over the sport, that promotes or regulates collegiate athletics.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-63 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 23-63
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-63
Status: in_force

Every child who is a resident citizen of the State of Mississippi under twenty-one (21) years of age, who cannot pursue all regular class work due to reasons of defective hearing, vision, speech, intellectual disability or other mental or physical conditions as determined by competent medical authorities and psychologists, who has not finished or graduated from high school, and who is in attendance in a private school, parochial school or speech, hearing and/or language clinic that is accredited by a state or regional accrediting agency or approved/licensed by the State Department of Education, shall be eligible and entitled to receive state financial assistance in the amount set forth in Section 37-23-69 . Exceptional children as defined in Section 37-23-3(1) and who are certified by the designated state authority as requiring inpatient care in a private intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities or psychiatric residential treatment facility, with Medicaid reimbursement, shall be eligible and entitled to receive state and federal financial assistance under the provisions of Section 37-23-69 , as allowable and available, if an approved private school is operated as an integral part of the facility that provides twenty-four (24) hours a day monitoring, treatment and education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 106-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-106-7
Status: in_force

Any student desiring to study for the ministry or priesthood may attend a college, university or seminary outside the state provided there is no college, university or seminary serving his faith or doctrine in which he can study for the ministry in the State of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-39 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 45-39
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-39
Status: in_force

The reporter shall act in the same capacity as an official court reporter of the chancery courts of this state. His shorthand notes and the transcription thereof shall be preserved in the same manner and accorded the same verity as those of chancery court reporters.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-3-8 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 3-8
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-3-8
Status: in_force

The State Department of Education shall conduct the following studies and shall report its findings to the State Board of Education on July 1, 1984, and the board shall submit these reports to the next regular session of the Legislature together with any corrective action taken and with recommendations for any further corrective action that might be required:

(a) Teaching out of field. A study shall be conducted to determine the extent to which teachers are teaching out of their fields of certification; the conditions that promote such a practice; and the most appropriate remedies to the problem.

(b) Mastery of subject matter and learning skills. A study shall be conducted to determine the extent to which children master one level of course work before being advanced to the next level; what may be done to assure that progression from one level to another is properly sequenced; and what steps are now being taken to assure that children are progressing satisfactorily toward mastery of the material under study.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-49 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 11-49
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-49
Status: in_force

(1) Each student and teacher in schools, colleges, universities, or other educational institutions, while participating in or observing any of the following courses of instruction:

(a) Vocational, technical, industrial arts, chemical, or chemical-physical, involving exposure to:

(i) Hot molten metals, or other molten materials;

(ii) Milling, sawing, turning, shaping, cutting, grinding, or stamping of any solid materials;

(iii) Heat treatment, tempering, or kiln firing of any metal or other materials;

(iv) Gas or electric arc welding, or other forms of welding processes;

(v) Caustic or explosive materials; or

(b) Chemical, physical, or combined chemical-physical laboratories involving caustic or explosive materials, hot liquids or solids, injurious radiations, or other hazards not enumerated; is required to wear an appropriate industrial quality eye protective device at all times.

(2) For purposes of this section unless the context indicates otherwise “Industrial quality eye protective device” shall mean a device meeting the standards of the American National Standard Practice for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection, Z 87.1-1968, and subsequent revisions thereof, approved by the American National Standards Institute, Inc.

(3) Such devices may, at the discretion of the individual school, be

(a) furnished for all students and teachers;

(b) purchased and sold at cost to students and teachers; or

(c) made available for a moderate rental fee.

Such devices shall be furnished to all visitors to such shops and laboratories.

(4) The state superintendent of education shall prepare and circulate to each public and private educational institution in this state instructions and recommendations for implementing the eye safety provisions of this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-47-51 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 47-51
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-47-51
Status: in_force

All bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter and all interim certificates issued under the provisions of this chapter, except those fully registered, shall be fully negotiable within the meaning and for all the purposes of the Uniform Commercial Code.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-183-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 183-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-183-7
Status: in_force

(1) Any eligible postsecondary educational institution desiring to participate in the program shall make application for a grant to the department in a form satisfactory to the department. The application shall include verified documentation, signed under penalty of perjury.

(2) The department shall use the funds appropriated by the Legislature from the Budget Contingency Fund to make grants to eligible postsecondary educational institutions pursuant to applications submitted under subsection (1) of this section, to cover future COVID-19-eligible expenses or provide reimbursement for previously incurred COVID-19-eligible expenses.

(3) The use of grants shall be subject to audit by the United States Department of the Treasury's Office of Inspector General and the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor. An eligible postsecondary educational institution found to be fully or partially noncompliant with grant requirements shall return to the state all of the grant monies received and used for unallowable expenditures. Applicants shall confirm their understanding of these terms.

(4) The program shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:

(a) The aggregate amount of grant funds which may be awarded to any single postsecondary educational institution under the provisions of this chapter shall not exceed the dollar amount specified for such postsecondary educational institution authorized under subsections (3)(b) and (4)(b) of Section 37-183-5 ;

(b) Grant funds shall only be awarded in the amount indicated in the eligible postsecondary educational institution's application as itemized eligible expenses, subject to approval by the department; and

(c) An eligible postsecondary educational institution is not limited to submitting only one (1) application for grant funds, but may submit new applications for grant funds, following the guidelines required by the department, until such time that it has received the aggregate amount of funds for which it is eligible to be awarded.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-401 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 7-401
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-401
Status: in_force

In all cases where the same shall be necessary, advantageous or desirable from the standpoint of transportation, the efficiency of operating schools, or other pertinent considerations, any school district which has been reconstituted, reorganized or created under the provisions of Article 1 of this chapter may, with the prior consent and approval of the State Board of Education, acquire land outside of the boundaries of said school district and thereon construct, erect and equip any needed school building or other school facility of such school district. Any available state public school building funds, or any available funds derived from bonds issued by the school district for such purpose, or any other funds which are available to said school district for such purpose, may be expended for the construction, erecting and equipping of such a school building or school facility, all, however, subject to the prior consent and approval of the State Board of Education. Any school building or school facility so constructed outside of the boundaries of the school district owning same shall be operated, managed and supervised by the school board of the school district owning same in the same manner as though the building or facility were located within the school district, and all the laws of this state concerning the operation of schools shall be fully applicable thereto, and the school board shall have the power to specify the grades which shall be taught therein.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-55 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 45-55
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-55
Status: in_force

Any school board is authorized to pay the premium on any appeal bond entered into under the provisions of Section 37-45-51 . The said school board may pay same from the administrative fund provided by Section 37-19-31 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-103-11 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 103-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-103-11
Status: in_force

If the parents of a minor who is enrolled as a student in a junior college or in an institution of higher learning move their legal residence from the State of Mississippi, the minor shall be immediately classified as a nonresident student.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-123-3 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / 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. § 37-27-49 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 27-49
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-49
Status: in_force

All conveyances of property under the authority of Section 37-27-47 shall be for a cash consideration and the proceeds of such sale shall be placed in the maintenance fund of the agricultural high school. If any sale embraces realty, and the agricultural high school selling same owes outstanding bonds or notes, then in that event the proceeds of such sale shall be placed to the credit of the bond and interest sinking fund of such agricultural high school, or used to construct, renovate or purchase, under provisions elsewhere provided by law, similar type property or property of comparable value at attendance centers to be used for the same or other reasonably necessary purposes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-209 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 33-209
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-209
Status: in_force

The director, with the approval of the executive director, may accept and use gifts and donations made unconditionally or otherwise for carrying out the purposes of the Rehabilitation Law, from either public or private sources. Gifts made under such conditions as in the judgment of the director, with the approval of the executive director, are proper and consistent with the provisions of that law may be so accepted and shall be held, invested, reinvested and used in accordance with the conditions of the gift. All monies received as gifts or donations, except conditional gifts requiring other treatments, shall be deposited in the State Treasury and shall constitute a permanent fund to be called the “Special Fund for the Rehabilitation of Individuals with Disabilities through Special Disability Services” and shall be used by the office for such purposes. The director shall prepare and submit a report annually to the Legislature, through the executive director, setting forth the condition of rehabilitation of disabled persons in Mississippi, the expenditures made from state and federal funds in carrying out the provisions of that law or its purpose, and a detailed statement of all gifts and donations offered and accepted, together with the names of donors and the respective amounts prescribed by each and all the disbursements made therefrom.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 28-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Mississippi Charter Schools Act of 2013.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-83 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 27-83
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-83
Status: in_force

The board of trustees of any agricultural high school in the state, which on account of loss or destruction of school property by fire, storm, or other like unforeseen disaster, can no longer be maintained and operated successfully, is, with the approval of the board of supervisors, hereby authorized to sell and dispose of the lands, buildings, and other property belonging to such school, and place the proceeds derived from the sale of same to the credit of the county common school fund.

Sale of said property may be made at public or private sale on such terms as the board of trustees may elect, subject to the approval of the board of supervisors. In case of sale on credit, the deferred payments shall be evidenced by notes payable to the county, for the benefit of the county common school fund and shall bear interest at a rate of not less than six percent (6%) per annum, and the county shall have a lien on the property for the purchase-money, as against all persons, until paid.

The deed or deeds of conveyance shall be executed by the president or chairman and the secretary of the board of trustees, pursuant to an order of the board of trustees, entered on its minutes, and pursuant to an order of approval by the board of supervisors entered on its minutes, and when so executed shall be fully effective to convey title to said property.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-49 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 27-49
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-49
Status: in_force

All conveyances of property under the authority of Section 37-27-47 shall be for a cash consideration and the proceeds of such sale shall be placed in the maintenance fund of the agricultural high school. If any sale embraces realty, and the agricultural high school selling same owes outstanding bonds or notes, then in that event the proceeds of such sale shall be placed to the credit of the bond and interest sinking fund of such agricultural high school, or used to construct, renovate or purchase, under provisions elsewhere provided by law, similar type property or property of comparable value at attendance centers to be used for the same or other reasonably necessary purposes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-61-33 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / 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. § 37-113-23 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 113-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-23
Status: in_force

(1) There is hereby authorized a branch experiment station, to be known as the “Pontotoc Ridge-Flatwoods Soil Experiment Station,” to be located on a suitable tract of approximately six hundred acres of land in Pontotoc County, Mississippi, the site of which is to be selected by the director of the agricultural and forestry experimental station at the Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science. Said acreage shall be divided equally, as nearly as practicable, between the Pontotoc Ridge and Flatwoods soil types, for the purpose of experimentation with said two types of soil in forestry, pasture-improvement, horticulture, soil conservation, truck crops, forage crops, poultry, disease and insect control and general farm products. The said experiment station shall be supplied with the necessary buildings, equipment, and other facilities.

(2) The purpose of this section is to provide for increased efficiency in agriculture research for the farmers in the Pontotoc Ridge and Flatwoods soil types, who have been denied this service for all these years. Said branch experiment station shall serve the following named counties, to-wit: The Pontotoc Ridge soil begins at the Tennessee line and traverses the counties of Alcorn, Prentiss, Union, Pontotoc, Chickasaw and Clay. The Flatwoods soil which joins the Pontotoc Ridge soil on the west, begins at the Tennessee line and traverses the counties of Tippah, Benton, Union, Pontotoc, Calhoun, Chickasaw, Webster, Clay, Choctaw, Oktibbeha, Winston, Neshoba, Kemper and Lauderdale County or other counties applicable to these conditions.

(3) The governing authorities of any municipality, town, or county in the state, or any person, firm or corporation may contribute or donate land, money or other property to the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning in furtherance of the purpose of this section.

(4) The board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning is hereby authorized, upon the recommendation of the director of the agricultural and forestry experimental station at Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science, which recommendation is approved by and transmitted to said board by the president of said university, to establish said Pontotoc Ridge-Flatwoods soil experiment station, to receive and accept title to any land or money or property herein authorized or to be authorized, made available or to be made available by the state legislature, to purchase land, let contracts for the construction of necessary buildings, to equip same, and to further equip said experiment station with farm equipment and any and all other equipment, and to do all things necessary to effectuate the purposes of this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-203 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 13-203
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-203
Status: in_force

The Mississippi Legislature finds that:

(a) Education in computer science is a critical need for the students of Mississippi for the twenty-first century;

(b) More than half of high schools in Mississippi do not teach a computer science course; and

(c) The logical thinking skills taught by computer science are very valuable in many noncomputer science jobs, as technology has become embedded in most professions.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-219 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 7-219
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-219
Status: in_force

(1) For the purpose of holding such an election, it shall be the duty of the county election commissioners to prepare from the records in the office of the county registrar a list of the qualified electors of the school district who are eligible to participate in the election. The list shall be furnished to the election managers in each precinct, together with the ballots and other election supplies.

(2) In the event that any election precinct embraces parts of two (2) or more school districts it shall be the duty of the county election commissioners to prepare from the records in the office of the county registrar separate lists of the qualified electors of each school district who reside in the precinct and who are eligible to participate in the election. The election commissioners shall furnish to the election managers in the precinct separate ballots and separate ballot boxes and separate voting lists for each school district.

(3) For each day spent in carrying out the provisions of Sections 37-7-211 through 37-7-219 , the county election commissioners shall be paid at the rate prescribed by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-20-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 20-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-20-5
Status: in_force

The funds which may be appropriated annually for this chapter shall be based on a formula developed by the State Department of Education and allocated to each school district on the basis of (a) the number of students whose scores on the Basic Skills Assessment Program (BSAP) tests are at the twenty-fifth percentile or below, and (b) the number of students identified as failing any section of the Functional Literacy Exam (FLE).
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-59 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 27-59
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-59
Status: in_force

Except as provided in Sections 37-27-51 through 37-27-57 , all laws of the State of Mississippi relative to the operation and government of schools shall be applicable to pupils attending agricultural high schools or junior colleges under the provisions of said sections.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-61-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 61-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-61-5
Status: in_force

If in any year there should remain a balance in the total funding formula funds of any school district on June 30 which amount is not to be used or is not needed in the payment of expenses for the preceding fiscal year properly payable out of such total funding formula funds, then such balance on hand to the credit of such funds of the school district shall be carried forward as a part of such total funding formula funds for the next succeeding fiscal year. The proper pro rata part of the amount so carried forward, to be determined by the percentage which the state total funding formula funds during the year bore to the entire amount of the school district's total funding formula funds, shall be charged against and deducted from the amount which the school district is allotted from state total funding formula funds for the succeeding fiscal year, in a manner prescribed by the State Auditor. The remainder of the amount so carried forward may be deducted from the amount which the school district is required to produce as its local minimum ad valorem tax effort for the support of the total funding formula for the succeeding fiscal year.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-25-8 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 25-8
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-25-8
Status: in_force

Upon satisfactory completion of the State Driver Education and Training Program, a driver's education student shall be issued a Certificate of Completion. A copy of said certificate shall be delivered by the school to the Driver Service Bureau of the Department of Public Safety.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-6-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 6-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-6-9
Status: in_force

The school board of all school districts shall organize by the election of a president and a secretary from its membership whose duty it shall be to make reports and to perform all other duties required by law. A majority of the members of the school board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Minutes shall be kept of all meetings of the school board showing (a) the members present and absent; (b) the date, time and place of the meeting; (c) an accurate recording of any final actions taken at such meeting; (d) a record by individual member of any votes taken at such meeting; and (e) any other information that the school board requests to be reflected in the minutes. Each member of the school board present shall either vote or abstain on every question upon which a vote is taken at such meeting. All action taken by a school board shall become official at the time it is taken. All minutes of the school board shall be signed by the president of the board, shall be attested by the secretary of the board and shall be adopted by the board at the next regular meeting, or within thirty (30) working days, whichever occurs later.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-19-10 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 19-10
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-19-10
Status: in_force

(1) The Legislature finds that there is a need for a performance incentive program for outstanding teachers and staff in highly productive schools.

(2) Beginning with the 2016-2017 school year, the School Recognition Program is created to provide financial awards to public schools that:

(a) Sustain high performance by earning a school accountability rating of “A” which shall be funded at One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) per pupil in average daily attendance;

(b) Sustain high performance by earning a school accountability rating of “B” which shall be funded at Seventy-five Dollars ($75.00) per pupil in average daily attendance; or

(c) Demonstrate exemplary performance by improving at least one (1) letter grade, which shall be funded at One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) per pupil in average daily attendance.

(3) All public schools, including charter schools, earning the appropriate school rating are eligible to participate in the program.

(4) School recognition awards must be used for nonrecurring salary supplements to the teachers and staff employed in the school receiving the financial award. Any nonrecurring salary supplements paid to teachers and staff shall be prospective, shall be paid over the remainder of the year, and shall not be considered part of the local supplement. For contracted individuals, there shall be an amendment to the existing contract.

(5) School recognition awards shall not be used for administrators.

(6) There is hereby created in the State Treasury, the School Recognition Program Fund which shall be used by the State Department of Education, depending on the availability of funds as appropriated, to provide financial awards to schools under this section. It shall be the duty of the State Department of Education to file with the State Treasurer and the State Fiscal Officer such data and information as may be required to enable the said State Treasurer and State Fiscal Officer to distribute the School Recognition Program Funds by electronic funds transfer to the several school districts at the time required and provided under the provisions of this section. Such data and information so filed shall show in detail the amount of funds to which each school district is entitled from the School Recognition Program Fund. Such data and information so filed may be revised from time to time as necessitated by law. At the time provided by law, the State Treasurer and the State Fiscal Officer shall distribute to the several school districts the amounts to which they are entitled from the School Recognition Program Fund as provided by this section. Such distribution shall be made by electronic funds transfer to the depositories of the several school districts designated in writing to the State Treasurer based upon the data and information supplied by the State Department of Education for such distribution. In such instances, the State Treasurer shall submit a request for an electronic funds transfer to the State Fiscal Officer, which shall set forth the purpose, amount and payees, and shall be in such form as may be approved by the State Fiscal Officer so as to provide the necessary information as would be required for a requisition and issuance of a warrant. A copy of the record of said electronic funds transfers shall be transmitted by the school district depositories to the Treasurer, who shall file duplicates with the State Fiscal Officer. The Treasurer and State Fiscal Officer shall jointly promulgate regulations for the utilization of electronic funds transfers to school districts from the School Recognition Program Fund.

(7) It is the intent of the Legislature to develop a plan to reward high-performing teachers in schools with an accountability rating of “C,” “D” and “F” by July 1, 2016.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-101 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 31-101
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-101
Status: in_force

Sections 37-31-101 through 37-31-111 shall be called the “Mississippi Manpower Development and Training Act of 1974.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-3-105 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 3-105
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-3-105
Status: in_force

Beginning with the 2009-2010 school year, the State Department of Education shall require that in-service training shall include an emphasis on intensive, comprehensive and researched-based reading methods for all licensed teachers teaching Grades K through 3 in a public school district. The education may be accomplished through self-review of suitable intensive, comprehensive and researched-based reading materials.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-195 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / 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. § 37-101-97 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 101-97
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-97
Status: in_force

All bonds sold under the provisions of Sections 37-101-91 through 37-101-103 shall be sold by the state bond commission. The state shall not pledge its full faith and credit to the payment of said bonds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-175-11 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 175-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-175-11
Status: in_force

A parent or legal guardian who applies for a Mississippi Speech-Language Therapy Scholarship is exercising his or her parental option to place his or her child in a nonpublic school. Each participating parent or legal guardian and student shall adhere to the following:

(a) The parent or legal guardian must select the nonpublic school and apply for the admission of his or her child;

(b) The parent or legal guardian must have requested the scholarship at least thirty (30) days before the date of the first scholarship payment;

(c) Any student participating in the Mississippi Speech-Language Therapy Scholarship for Students with Speech-Language Impairments Program must remain in attendance throughout the school year unless excused by the school for illness or other good cause; and

(d) Each parent or legal guardian and each student has an obligation to the nonpublic special purpose school to comply with the nonpublic special purpose school's published policies.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-35 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 31-35
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-35
Status: in_force

Sections 37-31-31 through 37-31-41 , together with funds made available through that section of those sections of the federal social security act which relates to crippled children, together with any and all available state and federal appropriations, shall be administered by the state board of education, and shall be used in the further development of the state's program of physical restoration of crippled children. The state board of education is hereby authorized to accept donations, gifts and bequests and to expend same on approval of the executive officer of the board, for purposes approved under regulations of the state board of education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-109 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 29-109
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-109
Status: in_force

The loans authorized by Section 37-29-107 and Sections 37-29-401 through 37-29-437 , shall be evidenced by bonds, which shall be authorized by resolution of the boards of trustees. Each such resolution shall describe the land to be acquired, if any, and the said dormitories, dwellings or apartments to be erected, repaired, remodeled, maintained, added to, extended, improved, equipped, or acquired, together with the equipment therefor. A majority vote of all of the members of such boards, respectively, shall be necessary to the adoption of any such resolution. All votes cast on such resolutions shall be by yea and nay vote, duly recorded on the minutes of the proceedings of such boards, respectively.

Such bonds may be issued in one or more series, may bear such date or dates, may be in such denomination or denominations, may mature at such time or times, not exceeding twenty-five (25) years from the respective dates thereof, may mature in such amount or amounts, may bear interest at such rate or rates, not exceeding that allowed in Section 75-17-101, Mississippi Code of 1972 , payable semiannually, may be in such forms, either coupon or registered, may carry such registration privileges, may be executed in such manner, may be payable in such medium of payment, at such place or places, and may be subject to such terms of redemption, with or without premium, all as such resolution or other resolutions may provide.

All such bonds shall be sold at public sale pursuant to such notice as such boards shall prescribe by resolution. All such bonds shall be fully negotiable within the meaning and for the purposes of the Uniform Commercial Code. Incidental costs in connection with the issuance of said bonds, the printing thereof, costs of validation proceedings if required by bond resolution, including attorney's fees and other costs directly attributable to the issuance of said bonds, either in one or more series or at one (1) time or various times, may be paid out of the proceeds of the sale of said bonds. In agreements or commitments by or between the boards of trustees and private lenders and/or the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or its successor to make loans or grants in which bonds are to be issued under the provisions of this section, and in which part or all of the principal and/or interest on said bonds is to be paid or guaranteed by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or its successor, said bonds shall mature at such time or times, not to exceed (40) years, as shall be prescribed in the resolution of the board of trustees authorizing their issuance and shall bear a net interest rate not in excess of that allowed in Section 75-17-101, Mississippi Code of 1972 .

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in any resolution authorizing the issuance of bonds hereunder, including refunding bonds, the boards of trustees, may provide for the initial issuance of one or more bonds (hereinafter sometimes collectively called “bond”), may make such provision for installment payments of the principal amount of any such bond as they may consider desirable, and may provide for the making of any such bond registerable as to principal or as to both principal and interest and, where interest accruing thereon is not represented by interest coupons, for the endorsing of payments of interest on such bond. Such boards may further make provision in any such resolution for the manner and circumstances in and under which any such bond may in the future, at the request of the holder thereof, be converted into bonds of smaller denominations, which bonds of smaller denominations may in turn be either coupon bonds or bonds registerable as to principal or as to principal and interest.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-103 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 59-103
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-103
Status: in_force

Before any money shall be borrowed under the provisions of this article, the school board of the school district shall adopt a resolution declaring the necessity for and its intention of borrowing such money, specifying the amount to be so borrowed, the date or dates of the maturity thereof, and how such indebtedness is to be evidenced. Such resolution shall also set forth the nature and approximate cost of the alterations, additions, and repairs to be made, or of the erections contemplated, or of the heating plant, fixtures and equipment necessary to be purchased, or of the land to be purchased, improved or equipped, or of the school buses and transportation equipment to be purchased, as the case may be, and shall declare in said resolution that no funds are available in the school funds of the district or from any other source with which to make such repairs, alterations, additions, purchases, erections or improvements.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-140-17 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 140-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-140-17
Status: in_force

From and after July 1, 2003, the “Y Hut,” located on the campus of the Mississippi School of the Arts, shall be renamed the “Helen Furlow Scruggs Y Hut.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-39 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 145-39
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-39
Status: in_force

Sections 37-145-23 through 37-145-41 shall be deemed to be full and complete authority for the exercise of the powers therein granted.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-155-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 155-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-155-5
Status: in_force

As used in this article, the following terms have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) Prepaid Tuition Contract. A contract entered into between the Board of Directors of the College Savings Plans of Mississippi Trust Funds and a purchaser pursuant to this article.

(b) Trust fund. There is created a special fund in the State of Mississippi Treasury Department to be designated as the “Mississippi Prepaid Affordable College Tuition Trust Fund” (hereinafter referred to as the trust fund or fund) and to be administered by the State of Mississippi Treasury Department. The fund shall consist of state appropriations, monies acquired from other governmental or private sources, and money remitted in accordance with prepaid tuition contracts. In the event that dividends, interest and gains exceed the amount necessary for program administration and disbursements, the board may designate a percentage of the fund to serve as a contingency fund.

(c) Purchaser. A person, corporation, trust, charitable organization or other such entity that makes or is obligated to make advance payments in accordance with a prepaid tuition contract entered into pursuant to this article. However, no purchaser may request or accept any form of compensation, fee, commission, service charge or any other form of payment or remuneration for entering into a contract for the benefit of a nonresident beneficiary.

(d) Beneficiary. (i) The beneficiary of a prepaid tuition contract must be eighteen (18) years of age or younger at the time the purchaser enters into the contract and must be: (A) a resident of this state at the time the purchaser enters into the contract; or (B) a nonresident if the purchaser is a resident of this state at the time that the contract is entered into.

(ii) The board may require a reasonable period of residence in this state for a beneficiary or the purchaser.

(iii) A beneficiary is considered a resident for purposes of tuition regardless of the beneficiary's residence on the date of enrollment. However, for contracts entered into after July 1, 2003, this provision only applies to nonresident beneficiaries if (A) the original purchaser was the parent, grandparent or legal guardian of the beneficiary; or (B) the beneficiary was a resident of Mississippi at the time the contract was purchased.

(e) Institution of higher education. Any public institution of higher learning or public community or junior college located in Mississippi.

(f) Tuition. The quarter, semester or term charges and all required fees imposed by an institution of higher education as a condition of enrollment by all students.

(g) Board or board of directors. The Board of Directors of the College Savings Plans of Mississippi Trust Funds as provided in Section 37-155-7 .

(h) Legislature. The Legislature of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-69 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 13-69
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-69
Status: in_force

All public schools of this state may observe such legal holidays as may be designated by the local school board, and no sessions of school shall be held on holidays so designated and observed. However, all schools shall operate for the full minimum term required by law exclusive of the holidays authorized by this section. The holidays thus observed shall not be deducted from the reports of the superintendents, principals and teachers, and such superintendents, principals and teachers shall be allowed pay for full time as though they had taught on those holidays. However, such holidays shall not be counted or included in any way in determining the net enrollment of the school.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-25-11 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 25-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-25-11
Status: in_force

A determination of the cost of a driver education and training program in a secondary school shall include, but by no means is limited to, the cost of the replacement of the automobile or machinery used in the instruction of pupils, the cost of the instructor's salary, the upkeep and maintenance of said automobile, and the cost of such other equipment and classroom data as may be required in a driver education and training program operated in compliance with the rules and regulations of the state board of education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 11-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-9
Status: in_force

The board of trustees of any school district is authorized and empowered to pay out of the athletic fund or funds obtained from athletic activities all of the actual medical expenses evidenced by itemized bills of account, for injuries sustained by any regularly enrolled student while participating in athletic activities considered a part of any sport that said school engages in as a part of any regularly scheduled athletic contest with other schools, to include any injury sustained in any contest scheduled by the proper school authorities and any required training preparatory thereto.

In lieu of the payment set out in the first paragraph above, and in the discretion of the board of trustees, the board is authorized and empowered to contract for hospitalization insurance designed to fully compensate students for actual medical expenses in such cases. The payment of such hospitalization insurance shall be made from funds available as set out in the first paragraph above.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-140-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 140-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-140-5
Status: in_force

(1) The school shall be governed by the State Board of Education. The board shall develop a plan relating to the opening, operation and funding of the school to be presented to the Legislature during the 2000 Regular Session. The plan shall include an equitable and reasonable plan for student recruitment without regard to race, creed or color.

(2) The State Superintendent of Public Education shall appoint an advisory panel to assist the board in developing the plan relating to the school. The advisory panel shall consist of the following twelve (12) appointed or designated members:

(a) Three (3) licensed school teachers or administrators, one (1) to be appointed from each of the three (3) Mississippi Supreme Court Districts;

(b) Three (3) citizens or professionals representing the areas of dance, creative writing, literature, music, theater arts or visual arts, one (1) to be appointed from each of the three (3) Mississippi Supreme Court Districts;

(c) Three (3) citizens knowledgeable in business, personnel management or public administration, with at least three (3) years' actual experience therein, one (1) to be appointed from each of the three (3) Mississippi Supreme Court Districts.

(d) One (1) member shall be a representative of the Mississippi Arts Commission to be designated by the commission, one (1) member shall be a representative of the Mississippi Humanities Council to be designated by the council, and one (1) member shall be a representative of the state institutions of higher learning in Mississippi which offer degrees in visual, fine and performing arts, to be designated by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning.

Appointments to the advisory panel shall be made within ninety (90) days of April 23, 1999. The advisory panel shall meet upon the call of the State Superintendent of Public Education and shall organize for business by selecting a chairman and vice chairman/secretary for keeping records of the panel. Members of the advisory panel shall receive no compensation but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses and mileage for attending meetings and necessary business of the panel, in the amount authorized for state employees under Section 25-3-41 .

(3) The board may utilize the staff of the State Department of Education and other state agencies as may be required for the implementation of this chapter. The department may employ any personnel deemed necessary by the board for assisting in the development and implementation of the plan relating to the opening, operation and funding of the school. The board also may contract or enter into agreements with other agencies or private entities which it deems necessary to carry out its duties and functions relating to the opening and operation of the school.

(4) To the extent possible, the board shall enter into agreements with the Board of Trustees of the Brookhaven Municipal Separate School District for the dual enrollment of students for the purpose of teaching academic courses to students attending the school, and the local school board shall be fully authorized to offer any such courses to students attending the school. The State Board of Education may develop and issue necessary regulations for the coordination of such courses for these students, the preparation and transfer of transcripts, and the reimbursement of any costs incurred by the school district for providing such services.

(5) The board may enter into agreements with public school districts to authorize students enrolled in such school districts to participate in the fine arts programs at the school to the extent that adequate space is available. The parent or guardian of any student participating in fine arts programs at the school under this subsection shall be responsible for transporting the student to and from the school.

(6) Effective July 1, 2020, all administrative, instructional and noninstructional employees of the Mississippi School of the Arts shall be transferred from state service and the authority of the State Personnel Board to employment status as employees of the Mississippi School of the Arts. All administrative and instructional employees at the said school shall enter into written contracts of employment to indicate and cover the period for which they are respectively employed. All such contracts for administrative and instructional employees shall be exempt from the requirements of the Public Procurement Review Board for state agency employment contracts. The State Board of Education may set and determine qualifications necessary for such employees and may appoint a subcommittee of the board for the purpose of authorizing the execution of such employment contracts on a timely basis. Such administrators and employees shall be offered contracts by the Superintendent/Executive Director of the MSA and all such contracts and employment rights prescribed thereunder shall be awarded and governed in accordance with Sections 37-9-1 et seq. , as applicable, and Section 37-7-307 . Any and all references within Section 37-9-1 et seq. , to a “local school district” shall apply to MSA and any and all references to a “local school board” shall apply to the State Board of Education's role as defined in Section 37-140-1 . The MSA may renew employment or nonrenew employment with such administrative and instructional employees in accordance with the provisions of said sections relating to school district employment. Noninstructional employees of the MSA shall be full-time employees of the MSA and shall serve at the will and pleasure of the Superintendent of the MSA. All salaries and contracts shall be subject to the approval of the State Board of Education, and the MSA may continue to use the teacher salary scale for its instructional employees which is in effect on January 1, 2019. Any unused leave accumulated at the Mississippi School of the Arts shall be transferred in accordance with the provisions of Section 37-7-307 . There shall be no interruption of service with the Public Employees' Retirement System and the State and School Employees' Health Insurance Plan for administrative, instructional and noninstructional employees due to an employee's employment status under this subsection. The MSA shall not be considered a local educational agency for the same purposes and to the same extent that all other school districts in the state are deemed local educational agencies under applicable federal law. The MSA may receive donations or grants from any public or private source, including any federal funding that may be available to the schools within the MSA.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-2 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 41-2
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-2
Status: in_force

(a) It shall be unlawful for any individual, other than a student scheduled to be a passenger upon that particular bus, a member of the public school administration or faculty, or a law enforcement official, to directly or indirectly interfere in any way with passenger ingress and egress or the operation, including unauthorized boarding thereof, of a bus used in public school student transportation unless permission has been obtained as prescribed by pertinent rules and regulations promulgated by the state board of education or the local school authorities.

(b) Upon conviction of violation of any provision of this section, such individual shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be subject to a fine of not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00), imprisonment in the county jail for a period not to exceed six (6) months, or both. Any person under the age of seventeen (17) who violates any provision of this section shall be treated as delinquent within the jurisdiction of the youth court.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-25-21 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 25-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-25-21
Status: in_force

In any case where any person, convicted of any violation punishable by fine and the levy of the penalty assessment specified in this chapter, is imprisoned until the fine is satisfied, the judge may waive all or any part of the penalty assessment where, in his opinion, the payment of said penalty assessment would work a hardship on the person convicted or his immediate family.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-15-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 15-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-15-9
Status: in_force

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) and subject to the provisions of subsection (3) of this section, no child shall be enrolled or admitted to any kindergarten which is a part of a public school during any school year unless such child will reach his fifth birthday on or before September 1 of said school year, and no child shall be enrolled or admitted to the first grade in any public school during any school year unless such child will reach his sixth birthday on or before September 1 of said school year. No pupil shall be permanently enrolled in a public school in the State of Mississippi who formerly was enrolled in another public or private school within the state until the cumulative record of the pupil shall have been received from the school from which he transferred. Should such record have become lost or destroyed, then it shall be the duty of the superintendent or principal of the school where the pupil last attended school to initiate a new record.

(2) Subject to the provisions of subsection (3) of this section, any child who transfers from an out-of-state public or private school in which that state's law provides for a first-grade or kindergarten enrollment date subsequent to September 1, shall be allowed to enroll in the public schools of Mississippi, at the same grade level as their prior out-of-state enrollment, if:

(a) The parent, legal guardian or custodian of such child was a legal resident of the state from which the child is transferring;

(b) The out-of-state school from which the child is transferring is duly accredited by that state's appropriate accrediting authority;

(c) Such child was legally enrolled in a public or private school for a minimum of four (4) weeks in the previous state; and

(d) The superintendent of schools in the applicable Mississippi school district or the principal of a charter school, as the case may be, has determined that the child was making satisfactory educational progress in the previous state.

(3) When any child applies for admission or enrollment in any public school in the state, the parent, guardian or child, in the absence of an accompanying parent or guardian, shall indicate on the school registration form if the enrolling child has been expelled from any public or private school or is currently a party to an expulsion proceeding. If it is determined from the child's cumulative record or application for admission or enrollment that the child has been expelled, the school district or charter school may deny the student admission and enrollment until the superintendent of the school, or his designee, or principal of the charter school, as the case may be, has reviewed the child's cumulative record and determined that the child has participated in successful rehabilitative efforts including, but not limited to, progress in an alternative school or similar program. If the child is a party to an expulsion proceeding, the child may be admitted to a public school pending final disposition of the expulsion proceeding. If the expulsion proceeding results in the expulsion of the child, the public school may revoke such admission to school. If the child was expelled or is a party to an expulsion proceeding for an act involving violence, weapons, alcohol, illegal drugs or other activity that may result in expulsion, the school district or charter school shall not be required to grant admission or enrollment to the child before one (1) calendar year after the date of the expulsion.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-23 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 141-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-141-23
Status: in_force

The Attorney General of the state shall be legal counsel to the University Research Center.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-73 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 115-73
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-73
Status: in_force

The proceeds of any contribution made by any county under the provisions of Section 37-115-69 , including the proceeds from the sale of any bonds issued for such purposes, shall be paid by the board of supervisors of such county into the state treasury into a special fund to the credit of the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning, and shall thereafter be utilized and expended by said board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning in the construction, erection and equipping of educational facilities in such county to be utilized by the University of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-12-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 12-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-12-7
Status: in_force

Students in public schools may pray or engage in religious activities or religious expression before, during and after the school day in the same manner and to the same extent that students may engage in nonreligious activities or expression. Students may organize prayer groups, religious clubs, “see you at the pole” gatherings, or 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 students' expression. If student groups that meet for nonreligious activities are permitted to advertise or announce meetings of the groups, the school district may not discriminate against groups that meet for prayer or other religious speech. A school district may disclaim school sponsorship of noncurricular groups and events in a manner that neither favors nor disfavors groups that meet to engage in prayer or religious speech.

Students in public schools may wear clothing, accessories and jewelry that display religious messages or religious symbols in the same manner and to the same extent that other types of clothing, accessories and jewelry that display messages or symbols are permitted.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-221 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 153-221
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-221
Status: in_force

(1) The Office of Workforce Development shall establish and administer the Mississippi K-12 Workforce Development Grant Program for the purpose of constructing, remodeling, purchasing or upgrading equipment or otherwise providing support to career technical centers at the K-12 education level. The grant program shall be funded from any funds available to the Office of Workforce Development.

(2) The Office of Workforce Development shall prescribe the terms and conditions of the grant program. To be eligible to receive a grant from the Office of Workforce Development under the grant program, a school at the K-12 education level shall provide the following information:

(a) The number of students enrolled in the workforce development program for which the funds will be used;

(b) The purpose of the program;

(c) Whether the program fits into the ecosystem for the training needs in the area;

(d) Evidence of the school's local involvement with industry partners in the area; and

(e) Any other information that the office determines is necessary.

(3) The Office of Workforce Development may use a maximum of five percent (5%) of funds for the program for the administration of the program.

(4) The Office of Workforce Development shall comply with the reporting requirements provided in Section 37-153-7 . Each school that received grants from the program shall assist the office in completing the reporting requirement.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-13 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 65-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-13
Status: in_force

Upon or during any closure of any school in accordance with the provisions of this article, any and all transportation routes or transportation facilities may be changed or adjusted by the interested board or boards of trustees to accommodate the transportation of children who would be otherwise entitled to transportation had such closure not occurred.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-159-11 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 159-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-159-11
Status: in_force

(1) There is established the Mississippi Employer-Assisted Housing Teacher Program, which shall be a special home loan program for eligible licensed teachers who render service to the state in a geographical area of the state where there exists a critical shortage of teachers, as designated by the State Board of Education. The home loan program shall be administered by the State Department of Education. The department may contract with one or more public or private entities to provide assistance in implementing and administering the program. The State Board of Education shall adopt rules and regulations regarding the implementation and administration of the program.

(2) Participation in the loan program shall be available to any licensed teacher who renders service in a geographical area of the state where there exists a critical shortage of teachers, as designated by the State Board of Education. Any person who receives a loan under the program shall be required to purchase a house and reside in a county in which the school district for which the teacher is rendering service, or any portion of the school district, is located. The maximum amount of a loan that may be made under the program to any person shall be Six Thousand Dollars ($6,000.00).

(3) Any loan made under the program to a person who actually renders service as a teacher in a geographical area of the state where there exists a critical shortage of teachers, as designated by the State Board of Education, shall be converted to an interest-free grant on the basis of one (1) year's service for one-third ( 1 / 3 ) of the amount of the loan. Any person who does not render three (3) years' service as a teacher in a geographical area of the state where there exists a critical shortage of teachers, as designated by the State Board of Education, shall be liable to the State Department of Education for one-third ( 1 / 3 ) of the amount of the loan for each year that he does not render such service, plus interest accruing at the current Stafford Loan rate at the time the person discontinues his service. If a claim for repayment under this subsection is placed in the hands of an attorney for collection, the obligor shall be liable for an additional amount equal to a reasonable attorney's fee.

(4) All funds received by the State Department of Education as repayment of loans by program participants shall be deposited in the Mississippi Critical Teacher Shortage Fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-161-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 161-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-161-5
Status: in_force

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

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

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

(b) The State Superintendent of Public Education;

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

(d) The Commissioner of Higher Education.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(5) The commission members shall meet at those times and places deemed necessary by the commission. The commission may use any available resources to fulfill its mission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-177 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 23-177
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-177
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(i) To withhold funds from any school district which refuses or fails to comply with the provisions of Sections 37-23-171 through 37-23-181 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-111-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 111-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-111-1
Status: in_force

For the purpose of promoting higher standards of scholarship, a greater degree of culture, closer social fellowship and a stronger college spirit among the students of the state universities and colleges, any group of students in such institutions shall be permitted to organize themselves into such societies as academic, professional, honorary, Masonic, or so-called Greek letter fraternities or sororities, or similar organizations whether of a local or connectional character as provided in this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-51 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 145-51
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-51
Status: in_force

Any pledge made by the company shall be valid and binding from the time when the pledge was made. The revenues or properties so pledged and thereafter received by the company shall immediately be subject to the lien of such pledge without any physical delivery thereof or further act, and the lien of any such pledge shall be valid and binding as against all parties having claims of any kind in tort, contract or otherwise against the company, irrespective of whether the parties have notice thereof. Neither the resolution nor any other instrument by which a pledge is created need be recorded.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-33 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 23-33
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-33
Status: in_force

(1) Such program of education, instruction and training as is provided for in Section 37-23-31 shall be furnished in such manner as shall be provided by rules and regulations adopted by the State Board of Education, which for such purposes shall have the full power to adopt such rules, regulations, policies and standards as it may deem necessary to carry out the purpose of Sections 37-23-31 through 37-23-35 , including the establishment of qualifications consistent with the requirements of subsection (2) of this section for any teachers employed under the provisions thereof. It is expressly provided, however, that no program of education, instruction and training shall be furnished except in a university or college supported by the State of Mississippi and only in cases where such university or college shall consent thereto and shall provide any classroom space, furniture and facilities which may be deemed necessary in carrying out the provisions of those sections.

(2) Speech-language pathologists, educational audiologists, and special and early childhood educators are qualified and authorized to serve as the lead teacher for children enrolled in a university or college-based program through the IDEA-Part C and IDEA-Part B eligibility and placement process. Whenever communication is a primary area of concern on a child's Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or Individualized Education Program (IEP), a speech-language pathologist or educational audiologist may serve as the lead instructor with an educator serving as a related service provider as necessary to meet the educational needs of the child. Speech-language pathologists and educational audiologists must undergo extensive college coursework in communication-based disorders impacting multiple areas of development, including cognition. The content of the college coursework must include typical and atypical development for ages birth through death. In addition to completing the college coursework, these instructional providers must meet all instructional licensure requirements as set forth by the State Department of Education for the purpose of funding MAEP special education teacher units.

(3) The State Department of Education through its general supervision responsibilities set forth by the Office of Special Education Programs at the United States Department of Education, shall require that the program of education, instruction and training 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.

(4) A university- or college-based program must submit all reports and data required by the State Department of Education on the same or similar time schedule and in the same or similar manner that same or similar reports and data must be submitted to the department by local educational agencies.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-75 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 115-75
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-75
Status: in_force

If any such county makes the contribution or donation as provided for in Section 37-115-69 , neither such donation nor any provisions of Sections 37-115-69 through 37-115-75 shall be held to give rise to any right of title, lien, encumbrance or other right in the buildings, facilities or equipment so constructed or acquired and installed by means of or with the aid of such contribution or donation or upon the site on which they are located. Neither shall such donation nor any provision of said sections give rise to any right or obligation on the part of such county with respect to the operation or maintenance of said educational facilities and equipment.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-61 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 11-61
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-11-61
Status: in_force

(1) Local school boards shall ensure that all public schools and agricultural high schools provide parents and guardians with information about meningococcal disease and the effectiveness of vaccination against meningococcal disease. Such information may be provided through the school district Web site, student handbook or other appropriate means of dissemination of information. Such information shall be updated annually if new information on such disease is available. This information shall include the causes, symptoms and means by which meningococcal disease is spread and the places where parents and guardians may obtain additional information and vaccinations for their children. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a local school board or school to provide or purchase vaccine against meningococcal disease.

(2) The State Board of Health shall develop and make available educational materials appropriate for distribution so that the information required by this section can be provided to parents and guardians. The Department of Health may provide this information, at its discretion, electronically, on its Web site. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the Department of Health to provide or purchase vaccine against meningococcal disease.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 31-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-1
Status: in_force

The State of Mississippi hereby accepts all the provisions and benefits of an act passed by the senate and house of representatives of the United States of America, in congress assembled, entitled: “An act to provide for the promotion of vocational education; to provide for co-operation with the state in the promotion of such education in agriculture, trades and industries, home economics and distributive education; to provide for co-operation with the states in the preparation of teachers of vocational subjects, and to appropriate money and regulate its expenditure,” approved February 23, nineteen hundred seventeen, and known as the “Smith-Hughes Act.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-41 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 145-41
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-41
Status: in_force

The State Bond Commission shall select an attorney or attorneys to represent the State Bond Commission in issuing, selling and validating bonds provided for in Sections 37-145-23 through 37-145-41 , and the bond commission is hereby authorized and empowered to expend from the proceeds derived from the sale of the bonds authorized hereunder all necessary administrative, legal and other expenses incidental and related to the issuance of bonds authorized under Sections 37-145-23 through 37-145-41 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-103-5 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / 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. § 37-171-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 171-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-171-7
Status: in_force

(1) School districts are encouraged strongly to enter into shared use agreements with community organizations and local governmental agencies.

(2) Local government entities are expressly authorized to enter into such shared use agreements and/or expend public funds and/or to use public labor and/or equipment and/or commodities in furtherance of the purpose of such agreements.

(3) The State Department of Education, in consultation with the State Department of Health, shall develop a best practices tool kit relating to shared use agreements for school districts. This tool kit must include:

(a) Information outlining liability protections for both the school district and school district employees for injuries resulting from community use of school property or facilities for purposes of recreation or sport during nonschool hours;

(b) Model shared use agreement language;

(c) A list of technical assistance resources available for the school district to promote community recreational use of school property or facilities during nonschool hours;

(d) A list of potential community partners for shared use agreements; and

(e) A list of any grants or funding opportunities available to school districts to promote community recreational use of school property or facilities during nonschool hours.

The tool kit must be posted on the State Department of Education and State Department of Health websites. The State Department of Education shall review the information required by this section no less than every two (2) years and shall update the information as necessary.

(4) The State Department of Education shall provide a link on the department's website to any school district policies or procedures that promote community recreational use of school property or facilities in order to encourage information sharing among the school districts.

(5) Each school district, in consultation with the school health council, must address community recreational use of school property or facilities during nonschool hours.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-409 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 29-409
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-409
Status: in_force

The operation and control of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College District and the college or colleges operated therein shall be vested in a board of trustees representing each of the four (4) counties lying within the district. The board of trustees shall consist of twenty-three (23) members. Of the said number Harrison County shall be entitled to eight (8) members, Stone County shall be entitled to three (3) members, George County shall be entitled to three (3) members and Jackson County shall be entitled to eight (8) members. In no event in the future shall any of the counties have more than the number hereinabove established. The members of the board of trustees from each county shall be elected by the board of supervisors of the county. Except as hereinafter specified the term of office of each trustee shall be five (5) years. The members of the board of trustees serving on July 1, 1989, shall continue to serve until their terms expire. All shall be appointed for a term of five (5) years each. There shall be one (1) additional member of the board who shall be selected by the members of the board of trustees who shall reside alternatively in Jackson and Harrison Counties, with the initial appointment to be made from Jackson County for a term of five (5) years.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-323 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 7-323
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-323
Status: in_force

Any act which, if committed within the limits of a city, town or village, or in any public place, would be a violation of the general laws of this state, shall be criminal and punishable if done on the campus, grounds or roads of any of the public schools of this state. The peace officers duly appointed by the school board of any school district are vested with the powers and subjected to the duties of a constable for the purpose of preventing all violations of law on school property within the district, and for preserving order and decorum thereon. The peace officers duly appointed by the school board of any school district are also vested with the powers and subjected to the duties of a constable for the purpose of preventing all violations of law that occur within five hundred (500) feet of any property owned by the school district, if reasonably determined to have a possible impact on the safety of students, faculty or staff of the school district while on said property. Provided, however, that nothing in this section shall be interpreted to require action by any such peace officer appointed by a school district to events occurring outside the boundaries of school property, nor shall any such school district or its employees be liable for any failure to act to any event occurring outside the boundaries of property owned by the school district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-26-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 26-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-26-1
Status: in_force

(1) The purpose of this chapter is to provide funds for use by:

(a) The University of Mississippi Law Center in providing: (i) education and training for the courts of Mississippi and related personnel; (ii) technical assistance for the courts of Mississippi and related personnel; and (iii) current and accurate information for the Mississippi Legislature pertaining to the needs of the courts of Mississippi and related personnel; and

(b) The Attorney General of the State of Mississippi in providing: (i) education and training for district attorneys, county prosecuting attorneys and municipal prosecuting attorneys; (ii) technical assistance for district attorneys, county prosecuting attorneys and municipal prosecuting attorneys; and (iii) current and accurate information for the Mississippi Legislature pertaining to the needs of district attorneys, county prosecuting attorneys and municipal prosecuting attorneys.

(2) The provisions of this chapter are applicable to all courts of Mississippi, now or hereafter created, including, but not limited to, the supreme, circuit, chancery, county, youth, family, justice and municipal courts, other provisions to the contrary notwithstanding.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-16 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 23-16
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-16
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

(4) The requirements of this section shall be effective beginning with the 2008-2009 school year and compliance with the mandates of this section shall be subject to appropriation by the Legislature.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-24 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 59-24
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-59-24
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any school district having outstanding school debt which is repaid at least in part from local ad valorem tax receipts may, for the remaining term of such debt, irrevocably instruct the appropriate local tax collector/assessor in writing to deposit a portion of the monthly ad valorem tax collections for district purposes directly with any state or federally chartered bank serving as trustee or paying agent on such district debt. The district's instructions to the tax collector/assessor shall specify the amount of tax receipts to be so deposited with the trustee or paying agent and shall be binding on the district and local tax collector/assessor during the term of such debt.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-63-1 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 13 / Section 63-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-63-1
Status: in_force

It is declared to be the legislative purpose of this chapter, and the public policy of the State of Mississippi, that there be established and developed in the public interest an educational television and radio system which shall provide educational and instructional, professional growth, and public service programs for the students and citizens of Mississippi, such system to be known as Mississippi Educational Television. The legislature therefore declares and determines that for these and other related purposes there is hereby established an agency of state government to be known as the Mississippi authority for educational television which shall have the responsibility for the administration, operation, control and supervision of educational television and radio in Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-41 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 31-41
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-41
Status: in_force

All funds made available for carrying out the provisions of Sections 37-31-31 through 37-31-41 shall be paid by the state treasurer on warrants drawn therefor by the state auditor on requisitions of the state superintendent of public education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-53 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 153-53
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-53
Status: in_force

(1) The Mississippi Legislature finds the following:

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

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

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

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

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

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

(c) To gauge the effectiveness of these programs by gathering data related to participation and wage and employment outcomes in order to replicate successful efforts in future workforce development programs.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-119 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 65-119
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-119
Status: in_force

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

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

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

Within three days after the board of trustees shall have determined whether said petition or petitions do or do not contain the requisite number of signatures to re-open any school or schools therein designated, it shall hold a regular or special meeting at the place where its regular meetings are held, if the building containing same be then in existence, or, otherwise, in some other public place within the district to be selected by the president of said board of trustees, and there make the official announcement and determination of the sufficiency or insufficiency of the said petition or petitions to cause a re-opening of any school or schools which have been closed in accord with the terms of this article and enter an order evidencing its determination. If it finds that said petition or petitions are insufficient to cause such a re-opening of any such school, it shall so state in its order, but if it finds that the petition or petitions are sufficient in accord with the terms of this article to cause a re-opening of any school or schools previously closed, it shall order that the school or schools be re-opened and go into operation within one week from the date of such meeting; the day of the entry of such order shall be included in such computation of time. Upon the entry of such order all students which have been transferred to other schools and all employees who have been working in other schools and all other employees and all other students who were enrolled in any school or schools which were closed shall, on the day appointed for the re-opening of said school or schools, report for classes and duty in the school or schools where they were attending or working when such school or schools were closed, and such order shall automatically be a re-transfer of such students and employees.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-138-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 138-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-138-7
Status: in_force

The commission is authorized and directed to adopt regulations for certification of contractors, inspectors, management planners, project designers, air monitors, supervisors and workers. The regulations shall include an accreditation plan which shall be equivalent to paragraphs 1 through 3 of the Model Plan. The accreditation plan shall be no more stringent than the Model Plan, except as provided herein. The regulations and accreditation plan shall include the requirements for all training courses for accreditation of contractors, inspectors, management planners, project designers, air monitors, supervisors and workers. All regulations promulgated by the commission pursuant to this chapter shall not be effective until November 1, 1990. By October 1, 1989, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning shall designate a university which may offer all training courses set forth in the regulations and accreditation plan and such university may charge reasonable fees to offset costs of the courses offered. The commission shall not approve any training courses offered in Mississippi other than those courses offered at the designated university and those certified abatement worker courses that have received Environmental Protection Agency approval pursuant to Section III of Appendix C to Title 40, Part 763 , Subpart E, of the Code of Federal Regulations.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 145-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-145-7
Status: in_force

(1) There is hereby created a special fund of the company to be known as the “Mississippi Opportunity Loan Fund.” The fund shall consist of amounts paid into the fund by donations from private sources, by legislative appropriation, from the proceeds of the issuance of bonds or from any other source. All of the earnings on the investment of monies in the fund shall be credited to the fund.

(2) The monies in the fund shall be used to increase the educational opportunities of students by providing low interest rate loans to assist Mississippi students in furthering their higher education goals.

(3) The Mississippi Opportunity Loan Fund shall be maintained by the company. The company is authorized to maintain such fund in an official state depository, and, in accordance with Section 27-105-21 , shall invest such funds at interests as required by said section, said depository so selected shall be capable of serving as Trustee for the Mississippi Opportunity Loan Fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-427 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 29-427
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-427
Status: in_force

In the event that bonds shall have been authorized for projects determined by the board of trustees of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College District and such bonds validated, the board of trustees is authorized to utilize any available funds for the immediate commencement of such project and to reimburse the funds from which any such expenditures are made from the proceeds of the bonds when the same are received.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-45 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 104-45
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-104-45
Status: in_force

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

The powers and duties conferred upon the State Bond Commission, and its members, the Governor, the Attorney General and the State Treasurer, acting as the Authority, are supplemental to and not to conflict with the duties and powers conferred upon the State Bond Commission, the Governor, the Attorney General, and State Treasurer by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-25 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 113-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-113-25
Status: in_force

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

In the establishment of such special retirement system, the board of trustees of state institutions of higher learning shall have full authority to make all needful rules and regulations, to carry into effect the provisions of this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-125 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 65-125
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-65-125
Status: in_force

No person shall sign any such petition or petitions provided for in Section 37-65-119 who is not a qualified elector. All petitions shall be signed in person. Opposite or under his name, every signer shall, in a manner readily identifiable with his name, give the following information: his post office and street address, if any; the name in or by which he is registered upon the county registration books; his occupation; where employed, if employed; the voting precinct where he last voted if he has voted within the last three years; if the school district includes part of two judicial districts and has two offices of the circuit clerk and registrar, he shall specify the municipality in which is located the circuit clerk's office where he is registered; and whether he is parent, natural or adoptive, or guardian, as the case may be, of a child or children enrolled in a school of the district and if so, the name of the child or children and the school in which said child or children may be enrolled. Any name signed to such a petition which does not give all information required above shall not constitute a valid signature to any such petition and shall be disregarded in computing the number of qualified electors who may have signed any such petition.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-47 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 27-47
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-47
Status: reserved

All such land, buildings or other property to be sold pursuant to the authority granted in Section 37-27-43 , shall be sold only after the receipt of sealed bids therefor after the time and place of making such sale shall have been duly advertised in some newspaper having a general circulation in the county in which the property is located once each week for three consecutive weeks with the first publication to be made not less than fifteen days prior to the date upon which such bids are to be received and opened. The property shall be sold to the highest and best bidder for cash, but the board of trustees shall have the right to reject any and all bids. If the property be not sold pursuant to such advertisement, the board of trustees may, by resolution, set a date for an open meeting of said board of trustees to be held within sixty days after the date upon which the bids were opened. At the meeting held pursuant to such resolution the board of trustees may sell by auction the said property for a consideration not less than the highest sealed bid previously received pursuant to said advertisement. At the meeting called pursuant to said resolution any interested party may bid for cash and the property shall be sold to the highest and best bidder for cash, but the board of trustees shall have the right to reject any and all bids. The board of trustees may require a written confirmation of bids received at such called meeting before selling the property at auction, but it shall not be necessary that sealed bids be received before conducting the auction. When the sale of such property shall be authorized and approved by the board of trustees the president of the board of trustees shall be authorized and empowered to execute a conveyance of said property upon the terms and for the consideration fixed by the board. Said board of trustees shall reserve unto said agricultural high school at least an undivided one-half nonparticipating royalty interest in all oil, gas and minerals in, on or under said land, and all proceeds derived from royalties upon said reserved mineral interests shall be used as provided by Section 37-27-49 . If the mineral interests of the school shall be less than the full and undivided ownership, the undivided royalty interest reserved shall be reduced proportionately.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-93 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 41-93
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-93
Status: in_force

All notes or bonds issued under the authority of Section 37-41-89 shall mature in approximately equal annual installments over a period of not exceeding six (6) years from the date of the issuance of such notes or bonds. Such notes or bonds may bear interest at a rate not exceeding that allowed in Section 75-17-105 , and such interest may be payable annually or semiannually.

In the event the funds borrowed under the authority of Section 37-41-89 are to be expended for the purchase of used transportation equipment, then all notes or bonds evidencing such loans shall be made to mature within two (2) years from the date of the issuance of such notes or bonds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-9 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 28-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-28-9
Status: in_force

(1) The authorizer is responsible for exercising, in accordance with this chapter, the following powers and duties:

(a) Developing chartering policies and maintaining practices consistent with nationally recognized principles and standards for quality charter authorizing in all major areas of authorizing responsibility, including:

(i) Organizational capacity and infrastructure;

(ii) Solicitation and evaluation of charter applications;

(iii) Performance contracting;

(iv) Ongoing charter school oversight and evaluation; and

(v) Charter renewal decision-making;

(b) Approving quality charter applications that meet identified educational needs and promote a diversity of educational choices;

(c) Declining to approve weak or inadequate charter applications;

(d) Negotiating and executing charter contracts with approved charter schools;

(e) Monitoring, in accordance with charter contract terms, the performance and legal compliance of charter schools;

(f) Determining whether each charter contract merits renewal, nonrenewal or revocation; and

(g) Applying for any federal funds that may be available for the implementation of charter school programs.

(2) The authorizer shall carry out all its duties under this chapter in a manner consistent with nationally recognized principles and standards and with the spirit and intent of this chapter.

(3) The authorizer may delegate its duties to the executive director and general counsel.

(4) Regulation by the authorizer shall be limited to those powers and duties prescribed in this section and all others prescribed by law, consistent with the spirit and intent of this chapter.

(5) Except in the case of gross negligence or reckless disregard of the safety and well-being of another person, the authorizer, members of the authorizer board in their official capacity, and employees of the authorizer in their official capacity are immune from civil liability with respect to all activities related to a charter school approved by the authorizer.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-31 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 41-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-31
Status: in_force

(1) In each case where pupils are transported to and from the public schools in the school districts of this state in privately owned vehicles, the contract for such transportation shall be let to the lowest responsible bidder who is able to furnish a solvent bond for the faithful performance of his contract. This shall be done after each route over which such pupils are to be transported has been laid out and established as provided in this chapter. Such contracts shall be awarded upon receipt of sealed bids or proposals after the time and place of letting such contracts and the manner of bidding have been duly advertised in some newspaper published in the county in accordance with the procedures provided in Section 31-7-13(c) . If no newspaper is published in the county, then the advertisement shall be made by publication for the required time in some newspaper having a general circulation therein, and, in addition, by posting a copy thereof for that time in at least three (3) public places in the county, one (1) of which shall be at the county courthouse in each judicial district of the county. The awarding of all such contracts shall, however, in all respects be subject to the provisions of Section 37-41-29 .

(2) Private contracts for the transportation of exceptional children, as defined in Section 37-23-3 , may be negotiated by the local school board without the necessity of the advertising for or taking of bids. The same may apply under extraordinary circumstances where regular transportation is considered to be impractical. The local school board may negotiate and contract for the transportation described in this paragraph so long as the local school board complies with the school transportation regulations promulgated by the State Board of Education.

(3) Contracts shall be made for four (4) years, at the discretion of the local school board and shall include the stipulation for the placement of district-identifying signage on all buses under contract, as required under Section 37-41-43 . Any and all bids may be rejected. At the expiration of any transportation contract, if the school board believes a route should remain substantially as established and finds that the carrier thereon has rendered efficient and satisfactory services it may extend the contract for not more than four (4) years, subject, however, to the provisions of Section 37-41-29 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-53 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 45-53
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-45-53
Status: in_force

The beneficiary in all appeal bonds shall be the State of Mississippi. Said bonds shall secure the payment of the cost accruing in the proceeding, including the cost of appeal and the performance of any other acts required by the chancellor in granting of supersedeas appeal from any final rule, regulation or order of the commission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-205 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 153-205
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-205
Status: reserved

(1) There is established the Accelerate Mississippi Nursing/Allied Health Grant Program, which shall be directed by the office for the purpose of increasing capacity in nursing and allied health training programs, including accredited paramedic programs, job sectors which were severely impacted by the disruption to the economy and workforce caused by COVID-19.

(2) For purposes of this section, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context requires otherwise:

(a) “ Grant program ” means the program established in this section, which provides funding, as determined by the office, from federal COVID-19 relief funds to sustain and increase capacity in nursing and allied health education and training programs, including accredited paramedic programs, or to help retain and graduate nursing and allied health students, at community and junior colleges or other entities facilitating healthcare-focused training programs as determined by the office.

(b) “ Recipient ” means a community or junior college or other entities facilitating healthcare-focused training programs as determined by the office.

(c) “ Trainee ” means an individual receiving training or other services through the grant program under this article with the goal of becoming employed in the nursing or allied health field, including as a licensed paramedic.

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

(e) “ Federal COVID-19 relief funds ” means funds allocated to the State of Mississippi from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund in Section 9901 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 ( Public Law No. 117-2 ).

(f) “ High-wage, high-demand industry ” means those nursing or allied health jobs, including paramedics, paying above Mississippi's median annual income and prioritized by the office.

(g) “ Eligible expenses ” means a cost incurred by a recipient under this article, to include:

(i) Necessary equipment or other supplies to sustain or increase capacity in nursing or allied health training programs, including accredited paramedic programs;

(ii) Necessary infrastructure, including building renovation or construction, for increasing capacity in nursing or allied health training programs, including accredited paramedic programs;

(iii) Curricula or other academic or training materials to sustain or increase capacity in nursing or allied health training programs, including accredited paramedic programs;

(iv) Remote learning or other classroom technology to sustain or increase capacity in nursing or allied health training programs, including accredited paramedic programs;

(v) Job placement services for nursing or allied health students and graduates, including those in accredited paramedic programs;

(vi) Recruitment programs for nursing or allied health students and graduates, including those in accredited paramedic programs;

(vii) Other services aimed at helping retain and graduate current nursing and allied health students, including those in accredited paramedic programs.

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

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

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

(i) A description of the nursing or allied health workforce shortage the program is intended to address, including specific information from hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities or other health care providers in the region;

(ii) Any relevant waitlist or other information demonstrating high demand for graduates from the relevant nursing or allied health program;

(iii) The number of nursing or allied health students who will be served by the program; and

(iv) The average wage rate for nursing or allied health students receiving employment after completing the program;

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

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

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

(5) Applicants agreeing to commit a portion of their federal COVID-19 relief funds, if they received federal COVID-19 relief funds directly, or other state, federal or private funds as supplemental matching funds to offset the total cost of the approved program will be prioritized for approval.

(6) The office shall:

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

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

(c) Prioritize jobs within the nursing or allied health fields which are currently experiencing staffing shortages in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities and other health care providers across the state; and

(d) Prioritize jobs which are high-wage, high-demand jobs within the nursing and allied health fields, including the paramedic field.

(7) Seventy-five percent (75%) of the funds provided through the appropriations process for this program shall be reserved for community and junior colleges. A maximum of twenty-five percent (25%) of the funds provided through the appropriations process for this program may be awarded to recipients other than a community or junior college which facilitate healthcare-focused training programs as determined by the office.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-121-21 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 121-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-121-21
Status: in_force

Subject to approval by the Institutions of Higher Learning, the Alcorn State University Extension and Research Complex, located at 1000 ASU Drive 479 in Lorman, Jefferson County, Mississippi, shall be named the “Dr. Jesse Harness, Sr., Extension and Research Center.” The Department of Finance and Administration shall prepare or have prepared a distinctive plaque, to be placed in a prominent place within the building, that states the background, accomplishments and service of Dr. Jesse Harness, Sr., to Alcorn State University and to the State of Mississippi. The Department of Finance and Administration in conjunction with the Alcorn State University shall erect or cause to be erected proper lettering or signage on the outdoor facade of the building displaying the official name of the building as the “Dr. Jesse Harness, Sr., Extension and Research Center.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-97 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 151-97
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-151-97
Status: in_force

The State Department of Education shall develop an annual reporting process to inform the Legislature, local district personnel and the general public as to the ongoing and future plans for the state's educational programs. The annual reporting process will include those vital statistics that are commonly reported by schools and districts and that can provide clear demographic, strategic and educational information to constituencies such as, but not limited to, the following information:

(a) Student enrollment and attendance reported in the aggregate and specifically for each student population that is subject to weighting under Sections 37-151-200 through 37-151-215 , and drop-out and graduation data;

(b) Overall student and district achievement;

(c) Budget, administrative costs and other pertinent fiscal information, including:

(i) The receipts and disbursements of all school funds handled by the board;

(ii) Reports of expenditures for public schools, which, upon request must be made available on an individual district basis by the State Department of Education;

1. Total Student Expenditures:

a. Instruction (1000s);

b. Other Student Instructional Expenditures (2100s, 2200s);

2. General Administration (2300s and 2500s);

3. School Administration (2400s);

4. Other Expenditures (2600s, 2700s, 2800s, 3100s, 3200s); and

5. Nonoperational Expenditures (4000s, 5000s, 6000s);

(iii) The number of school districts, school teachers employed, school administrators employed, pupils taught and the attendance record of pupils therein;

(iv) County and district levies for each school district and agricultural high school;

(v) The condition of vocational education, a list of schools to which federal and state aid has been given, and a detailed statement of the expenditures of federal funds and the state funds that may be provided, and the ranking of subjects taught as compared with the state's needs.

(d) Other as directed by the State Board of Education.

Further, the reporting process will include an annual report developed specifically to relate the mission and goals of the State Board of Education, state superintendent and departments. This document will become the method through which the strategic planning and management process of the department is articulated to the public. It will explain and inform the public of the major initiatives of the department and clearly identify rationale for program development and/or elimination. The report will establish benchmarks, future plans and discuss the effectiveness of educational programs.

In addition to the information specified herein, the State Board of Education shall have full and plenary authority and power to require the furnishing of such further, additional and supplementary information as it may deem necessary for the purpose of determining the cost of the total funding formula in such school district for the succeeding fiscal year, the amount of the total funding formula funds to be allotted to each school district for the succeeding fiscal year, and for any other purpose authorized by law or deemed necessary by said State Board of Education.

It shall be the duty of the State Department of Education to prescribe the forms for the reports provided for in this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-146-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 146-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-146-7
Status: in_force

(1) The commission shall develop and implement policies and procedures designed to recruit, identify and enroll undergraduate students who demonstrate necessary interest, commitment, aptitude and academic achievement to pursue careers as dentists in rural or dentally underserved areas of Mississippi, and to develop and implement the programs designed to foster successful entry of participants into dental school, completion of dental school, and establishment and maintenance of a career in dentistry in a rural or underserved area of Mississippi.

(2) The commission shall have the authority through use of generally applicable definitions, to designate an area of the state as underserved or rural.

(3) The commission, in conjunction with the University of Mississippi Medical Center, shall have the authority to provide students selected for scholarship funding with faculty mentors and other programs designed to enhance the students' likelihood of admission to the dental school. The commission and the University of Mississippi Medical Center will develop coursework that will help provide scholarship students with the skills necessary for sustained and successful dental practice in rural Mississippi.

(4) Each applicant for admission to the program must submit an application to the commission that conforms to requirements established by the commission.

(5) In selecting participants for the program, the board may only accept an applicant if his or her academic record and other characteristics, if given consideration by the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry Admissions Committee, would be considered credible and competitive.

(6) An applicant for the program may be admitted only upon a majority vote of the members of the commission.

(7) Up to three (3) students will be admitted to the Mississippi Rural Dentists Scholarship Program each year.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-413 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 101-413
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-101-413
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(3) All institutions of higher learning desiring to purchase, lease or lease-purchase equipment involving an expenditure or expenditures of more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) must procure that equipment under the equipment leasing and purchase program unless funds for the procurement of the equipment under the program are unavailable or the equipment can be procured elsewhere at an overall cost lower than that for which the equipment can be procured under the program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-65 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 13-65
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-65
Status: in_force

Upon application from the school board, the superintendent of schools may close any school because of an epidemic prevailing in the school district or because of the death, resignation, sickness or dismissal of a teacher or teachers or because of any other emergency necessitating the closing of the school. However, all such schools so closed shall operate for the required full time after being reopened during the scholastic year, unless the school board of the local school district submits a plan to alter the school term that is approved by the State Board of Education under the authority of Section 37-13-63(2) .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-21-11 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 21-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-21-11
Status: in_force

(1) There is hereby established the “Kindergarten Readiness Assessment Program,” authorizing the Mississippi Department of Education to establish a common statewide Kindergarten readiness assessment, the purpose of which is to provide teachers, administrators and parents baseline data on students at the beginning of their Kindergarten year. It is the intent of the Legislature, in establishing this program, to ensure that the Mississippi Department of Education shall:

(a) Select a readiness assessment that provides data on each Kindergarten student's performance to inform deployment of resources and instructional supports;

(b) Establish a policy to ensure each student's parent or guardian is informed of the student's performance on the assessment;

(c) Establish a policy to ensure that districts report results to the State Superintendent of Education; and

(d) Require this assessment be given to all students enrolled in a public Kindergarten in Mississippi.

(2) The Kindergarten readiness assessment may be given prior to the beginning of Kindergarten or during the first thirty (30) days of the Kindergarten year.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-221 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 153-221
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-153-221
Status: in_force

(1) The Office of Workforce Development shall establish and administer the Mississippi K-12 Workforce Development Grant Program for the purpose of constructing, remodeling, purchasing or upgrading equipment or otherwise providing support to career technical centers at the K-12 education level. The grant program shall be funded from any funds available to the Office of Workforce Development.

(2) The Office of Workforce Development shall prescribe the terms and conditions of the grant program. To be eligible to receive a grant from the Office of Workforce Development under the grant program, a school at the K-12 education level shall provide the following information:

(a) The number of students enrolled in the workforce development program for which the funds will be used;

(b) The purpose of the program;

(c) Whether the program fits into the ecosystem for the training needs in the area;

(d) Evidence of the school's local involvement with industry partners in the area; and

(e) Any other information that the office determines is necessary.

(3) The Office of Workforce Development may use a maximum of five percent (5%) of funds for the program for the administration of the program.

(4) The Office of Workforce Development shall comply with the reporting requirements provided in Section 37-153-7 . Each school that received grants from the program shall assist the office in completing the reporting requirement.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-155-27 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 155-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-155-27
Status: in_force

The provisions of this article are severable. If any part of this article is declared invalid or unconstitutional, such declaration shall not affect the part which remains.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-16-11 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 9 / Section 16-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-16-11
Status: in_force

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

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

(3) The special Mississippi Occupational Diploma for students with disabilities shall not be available to any student entering the Ninth Grade in the 2017-2018 school year or thereafter, pending State Board of Education approval of new graduation options.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-111 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 29-111
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-111
Status: in_force

Bonds issued under the provisions of Section 37-29-109 , may be refunded, in whole or in part, in any of the following circumstances, to wit:

(a) When any such bonds by their terms become due and payable and there are not sufficient sums in the fund established for their payment to pay such bonds and the interest thereon;

(b) When any such bonds are by their terms callable for payment and redemption in advance of their date of maturity and shall have been duly called for payment and redemption;

(c) When any such bonds are voluntarily surrendered by the holder or holders thereof in exchange for refunding bonds; and

(d) When, in connection with the issuance of any additional bonds under the provisions of Section 37-29-109 for the purpose of financing any additional construction authorized under the provisions of Section 37-29-107 , any such board shall determine to combine such new issue of bonds with any issue or issues of bonds of the same board then outstanding, for the purpose of unifying such indebtedness and utilizing the income and revenues derived from all projects or facilities operated by such board to the payment of such indebtedness, and such board shall determine that such outstanding bonds are by their terms then callable for redemption or are obtainable by and through the voluntary surrender thereof by the holder or holders thereof.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-43-25 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 43-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-43-25
Status: in_force

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

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

An original of each bid, whether accepted or rejected, shall be filed and preserved in the office of the State Superintendent of Public Education for at least five (5) years.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-31 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 9-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-9-31
Status: in_force

All school principals and attendance center principals shall furnish good and sufficient surety bonds in like manner as required of superintendents. The amount of such bonds shall be not less than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), with sufficient surety.

The premium upon said bond shall be paid from the maintenance funds of the district served by such principal. Such bond shall be payable, conditioned and approved in the manner provided by law.

All such bonds shall be filed and recorded in the office of the clerk of the chancery court of the county in which the school district is located.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-15-29 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 15-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-15-29
Status: in_force

(1) Except as provided in subsections (2), (3), (4) and (5) of this section, no minor child may enroll in or attend any school except in the school district of his residence, unless such child be lawfully transferred from the school district of his residence to a school in another school district in accord with the statutes of this state now in effect or which may be hereafter enacted.

(2) Those children whose parent(s) or legal guardian(s) are instructional personnel or certificated employees of a school district may at such employee's discretion enroll and attend the school or schools of their parent's or legal guardian's employment regardless of the residence of the child.

(3) No child shall be required to be transported in excess of thirty (30) miles on a school bus from his or her home to school, or in excess of thirty (30) miles from school to his or her home, if there is another school in an adjacent school district located on a shorter school bus transportation route by the nearest traveled road. Those children residing in such geographical situations may, at the discretion of their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), enroll and attend the nearer school, regardless of the residence of the child. In the event the parent or legal guardian of such child and the school board are unable to agree on the school bus mileage required to transport the child from his or her home to school, an appeal shall lie to the State Board of Education, or its designee, whose decision shall be final. The school districts involved in the appeal shall provide the Mississippi Department of Education with any school bus route information requested, including riding the buses as necessary, in order to measure the bus routes in question, as needed by the State Board of Education in considering the appeal.

(4) Those children lawfully transferred from the school district of his residence to a school in another school district prior to July 1, 1992, may, at the discretion of their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), continue to enroll and attend school in the transferee school district. Provided further, that the brother(s) and sister(s) of said children lawfully transferred prior to July 1, 1992, may also, at the discretion of their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), enroll and attend school in the transferee school district.

(5)(a) Those children whose parent(s) or legal guardian(s) are active members of the United States Armed Forces may, at the discretion of their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), enroll and attend the school district and school campus of their parent's or legal guardian's choosing, regardless of the residence of the child.

(b) Those children whose parent(s) or legal guardian(s) are civilian military personnel and reside on a military base may, at the discretion of their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), enroll and attend the school district and school campus of their parent's or legal guardian's choosing, regardless of the residence of the child.

(c) For purposes of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection (5):

(i) A school district is not required to provide transportation to a student who enrolls in or transfers to another school district or school campus within the district of chosen attendance;

(ii) A student eligible for enrollment or transfer shall be allowed only one (1) school transfer per academic year;

(iii) Once admitted, and unless expelled, the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of students transferring under the authority of this subsection shall not be required to reapply for admission for continued enrollment in the school district or school campus of last attendance for any subsequent years of attendance therein; and

(iv) If the school district is unable to accommodate a request for enrollment for transfer due to a lack of capacity to accept the student in to the district or a specific school campus, the school board shall deny the request and spread the same upon its minutes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-15 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 31-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-15
Status: in_force

The school board may, in its discretion, cooperate with the State Board of Education in the establishment and maintenance of vocational and technical schools or classes giving instruction in vocational and technical training which does not terminate in a bachelors degree to persons in need of such instruction, and may use for paying the cost of such cooperation any monies raised by public taxation in the same manner as monies for other school purposes are used for the maintenance and support of public schools.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-73 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 6 / Section 27-73
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-27-73
Status: in_force

The board of trustees of any such agricultural high school borrowing money pursuant to the authority granted in Section 37-27-69 , is hereby authorized and empowered to fix, maintain and collect fees, rentals and other charges to be paid by students, faculty members and others using, housed in or being served by any building or other housing facility erected or established under the terms and provisions of said section. All such fees, rentals and other charges shall be paid into the debt retirement fund specified in Section 37-27-71 and shall be pledged for the prompt repayment of any and all indebtedness, whether of principal or interest, incurred under the provisions of said section. Nothing in Sections 37-27-69 through 37-27-75 shall be construed to authorize the levying or imposition of any taxes in excess of the limits and amounts which are now or may hereafter be provided by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-37-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 14 / Section 37-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-37-7
Status: in_force

(1) In making audits under the provisions of this chapter, the examiners may call the attendance rolls at the schools, make field investigations and surveys, make checks of the number of students being transported upon publicly or privately owned buses, and make other and further examinations and investigations as may be necessary to determine whether or not the students reported are actually enrolled in and attending the public schools or are actually being transported or entitled to transportation to such public schools.

(2) In addition to the powers and duties of examiners in subsection (1), the State Auditor may establish policies and procedures to ensure the accuracy and reliability of student data used to determine state funding for local school districts, which may include, but are not limited to, the following:

(a) On-site audits;

(b) An auditing process that ensures the timeliness and accuracy of reports generated by school districts of this state regarding all student transactions;

(c) An auditing process that provides for the timeliness, process and accuracy of the electronic transmission of all student data to the Mississippi Department of Education, including, but not limited to, student enrollment, attendance, transportation, absenteeism, graduation and dropouts and other student data and administrative functions as deemed necessary;

(d) An audit of the accuracy and validity of all student transactions using the Mississippi Student Information System; and

(e) An audit process that ensures the timeliness and accuracy of reports, other than student data, required for submission in accordance with state law and/or State Board of Education policies.

Reviews and audits shall be conducted with advance notice, except that unannounced audits may be made upon the determination of the State Auditor when they are necessary due to complaints or valid concerns. Examiners shall make every effort to work with school districts in scheduling audits in consideration of instructional activities such as statewide student testing days. The Department of Education and the school district shall cooperate fully with examiners in providing any related information requested in order to properly conduct the review or audit.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-181 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 23-181
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-181
Status: in_force

Sections 37-23-171 through 37-23-181 shall be in addition to and supplemental to the provisions of Sections 37-23-121 through 37-23-131 , known as the “Mississippi Learning Resources Law of 1974.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-3-84 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 3-84
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-3-84
Status: in_force

(1) Each school district in the state may pay a reward not exceeding Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) to any person who provides information that leads to the confiscation by the school district or a law enforcement agency of any illegal firearm on public school property.

(2) Each school district shall establish a policy necessary to protect the confidentiality of any person who provides such information leading to the confiscation of an illegal firearm under this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-97-107 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 97-107
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-97-107
Status: in_force

(1) An agreement for the use of a student-athlete's publicity rights which is formed after the student-athlete has announced an intention to attend a postsecondary educational institution or while the student-athlete is participating in an intercollegiate sport at a postsecondary educational institution may be terminated either by the student-athlete or any other party to the agreement when the student-athlete's participation in the sport at the institution ends.

(2) A postsecondary educational institution may impose reasonable limitations on the dates and time that a student-athlete may participate in publicity rights activities.

(3) Nothing in this chapter shall restrict a postsecondary educational institution from exercising its sole discretion to control the authorized use of its marks or logos or to determine a student-athlete's apparel, gear or other wearables while participating in an intercollegiate athletics program activity.

(4) A student-athlete may not receive or enter into a contract for compensation for the use of his or her publicity rights in a way that also uses any registered or licensed marks, logos, verbiage or designs of a postsecondary educational institution, unless the institution has provided the student-athlete with written permission to do so prior to entering into the agreement or receipt of compensation.

(5) If a student-athlete is granted permission to use the marks or logos, independently or through a third party, the postsecondary educational institution may be compensated for the use. A postsecondary educational institution may prohibit a student-athlete from wearing any item of clothing, shoes, or other gear or wearables with the name, logo or insignia of any third party while participating in an intercollegiate athletics program activity.

(6) A third party may not enter into, or offer to enter into, a publicity rights agreement with a student-athlete or otherwise compensate a student-athlete for the use of the student-athlete's publicity rights if a provision of the agreement or the use of the student-athlete's publicity rights conflicts with a provision of a contract, rule, regulation, standard or other requirement of the postsecondary educational institution where the student-athlete is enrolled or intends to enroll unless such contract or use is expressly approved in writing by the postsecondary educational institution.

(7) No student-athlete who is enrolled in a postsecondary educational institution shall enter into a publicity rights agreement or receive compensation from a third party for the endorsement or promotion of brands, products, or services involving gambling, sports betting, controlled substances, marijuana, tobacco, alternative or electronic nicotine product or delivery system, alcohol, adult entertainment or any other brand, product or service that is reasonably considered to be inconsistent with the values or mission of a postsecondary educational institution or that, in the institution's sole judgment, negatively impacts or reflects adversely on a postsecondary education institution or its athletic programs, including, without limitation, bringing about public disrepute, embarrassment, scandal, ridicule or otherwise negatively impacting the reputation or the moral or ethical standards of the postsecondary educational institution.

(8) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to qualify a student-athlete as an employee of a postsecondary educational institution.

(9) No postsecondary educational institution may use funds appropriated from the State General Fund to compensate a student-athlete for their publicity rights.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-35-7 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 35-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-35-7
Status: in_force

Any funds that may be appropriated by the State Legislature for the purpose of carrying out a program of adult education may be used to supplement local funds or to meet the minimum requirements of the federal government for a program of adult education in the state, provided such program is conducted under the rules and regulations established by the Mississippi Community College Board.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-217 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 11 / Section 33-217
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-33-217
Status: in_force

Any individual applying for or receiving services provided by the Office of Special Disability Programs who is aggrieved by any action or inaction of the office shall be entitled, in accordance with regulations promulgated by the department, to a fair hearing.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-99 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 23-99
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-23-99
Status: in_force

The county board of education shall initiate the establishment of such a center by adoption of a resolution stating its intention and shall transmit to the board of supervisors of its county a properly certified copy of such resolution stating its intention to establish a child development center, including estimated costs of land purchase, construction and operational costs per year and the proposed sources of the necessary revenues. The board of supervisors shall make an independent investigation and confirm or deny the need and practicality for such a center.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-95 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 41-95
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-41-95
Status: in_force

All such notes issued by a school district shall be signed by the president of the school board and countersigned by the superintendent of schools, and the seal of the school district shall be impressed on each note as it is issued. The interest on said notes may be evidenced by proper coupons attached thereto and such coupons may bear only the facsimile signatures of the president of the school board and the superintendent of schools. Such notes shall be issued in such form and in such denominations as the school board shall determine. All of said notes shall be registered by the superintendent of schools in a book kept by him in his office for that purpose.

Where bonds are issued by the school board the manner of issuance and the form thereof shall be in compliance with the provisions of Sections 37-59-1 through 37-59-45 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-101 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 29-101
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-29-101
Status: in_force

(1) In addition to other authority granted by Sections 37-29-1 through 37-29-273 or existing laws, the board of trustees may borrow money in anticipation of taxes, not to exceed fifty percent (50%) of the previous year's ad valorem tax receipts, for the purpose of paying any expenses authorized by law for the operation, maintenance and support of the college. The loan shall be evidenced by note or notes bearing the signatures of the chairman of the board and of the secretary of the board of trustees, and the seal of the college shall be thereon impressed. The notes shall mature not later than the thirtieth day of June next thereafter, and the notes shall not bear interest in excess of that allowed in Section 75-17-105, Mississippi Code of 1972 .

(2) The board of trustees may borrow funds from the United States federal government or any agency thereof to compensate for the loss of revenue collected or estimated to be collected on behalf of the community or junior college district from local sources during a fiscal year as a result of Hurricane Katrina, may issue its promissory note to the United States federal government or any agency thereof, and may comply with and issue the regulations of the United States federal government or agency thereof regarding the promissory note. However, this section does not authorize any levy of taxes or pledge of collateral for the security of a promissory note not otherwise allowed by law. The State of Mississippi may sign any promissory note as an equal co-obligor on any such note, and in the event the State of Mississippi signs the promissory note as a co-obligor, the full faith and credit of the State of Mississippi shall be pledged for the payment of the promissory note.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-487 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 7-487
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-7-487
Status: in_force

(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a school district may estimate the amount of revenues, as defined herein, to be generated from any parcel or parcels of any type of property within the school district and may irrevocably pledge such revenues to the repayment of any debt or other obligation which the district may issue or incur under Sections 31-7-13(e) , 31-7-14 , 37-7-351 et seq. , 37-7-471 et seq. , 37-7-485 et seq. , 37-59-1 et seq. and 37-59-101 et. seq.

(2) Any district that pledges revenues under the provisions of this section shall annually appropriate an amount of such revenues, other than the avails of any special tax otherwise levied to pay debt service on bonds or notes of the district, to pay the debt or other obligations for which the revenues are pledged. Any debt or obligation secured by a pledge of revenues under this section shall not be subject to any debt limit or annual appropriation limitation imposed by any other statute. To further secure the school district's pledge, the district may irrevocably instruct the appropriate tax assessor or collector to irrevocably transfer on behalf of the district the pledged amount from any ad valorem tax collections, other than any special tax levy specifically imposed to pay debt service on any bonds or notes of the district, directly to a paying agent, trustee or other third party responsible for paying the debt or obligation of the district. Upon receipt of such written instructions, the appropriate tax assessor or collector shall transfer the pledged revenues as directed in writing by the school district.

(3) The term revenues , as used in this section shall mean revenues of all types, including ad valorem tax collections, other than collections from special levies specifically levied to pay debt service on any bonds or notes of the school district, lease or development revenues, and any special development fees imposed by a developer of property within the school district as provided herein.

(4) Any school district may enter into an agreement with a developer pursuant to which the developer agrees to impose a development fee, in the amount and in the manner agreed to by the district and the developer, on property being developed within the district by the developer. The term of any such agreement shall not exceed fifty (50) years. Upon the agreement being recorded in the land records of the chancery clerk of the county in which the property is located, the development fee shall become a lien on the property subject to the agreement between the developer and the district and shall be payable by all owners of the subject property at the same time and in the same manner, and the payment of such fee shall be enforced by the taxing authority in the same manner as other ad valorem taxes levied on the property.

(5) Nothing in this section shall be construed as giving school districts additional debt or to levy any additional taxes other than as allowed by this section or as otherwise provided by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-213 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 13-213
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-13-213
Status: in_force

The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning shall work with its member institutions to identify preservice teacher preparation programs to allow for certification in the computer science field.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-47-53 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 15 / Section 47-53
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-47-53
Status: in_force

All bonds and interim certificates issued under the provisions of this chapter and all interest thereon and income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation, except gift, transfer, and inheritance taxes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-49 — MS Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 115-49
Miss. Code Ann. § 37-115-49
Status: in_force

(1) During fiscal year 2010, the State Fiscal Officer shall transfer the sum of Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000.00) from the State General Fund to the University of Mississippi Medical Center--ACT Center Fund created in subsection (2) of this section.

(2)(a) There is created in the State Treasury a special fund to be known as the “University of Mississippi Medical Center--ACT Center Fund,” which shall consist of monies deposited therein under subsection (1) of this section and monies from any other source designated for deposit into the fund. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the special fund.

(b) Monies in the fund may be used by the University of Mississippi Medical Center, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the purpose of providing funds for the ACT Center for Tobacco Treatment, Education and Research at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.