MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2015 Regular Session
To: Education; Appropriations
By: Representative Young
AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO STUDY THE ISSUE OF PROVIDING HOLISTIC EDUCATIONAL EFFICIENCY AND OPPORTUNITIES TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THOSE COUNTIES HAVING TWO OR MORE SCHOOL DISTRICTS; TO SPECIFY CERTAIN DATA THAT MUST BE COMPILED IN A REPORT ON THE STUDY WHICH MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE LEGISLATURE BEFORE NOVEMBER 1, 2015; TO PROVIDE FOR THE ADMINISTRATIVE REORGANIZATION OF PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN MISSISSIPPI TO PROVIDE HOLISTIC EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO ALL STUDENTS; TO AMEND SECTION 37-7-103, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT FROM AND AFTER JULY 1, 2016, ALL MUNICIPAL SEPARATE, CONSOLIDATED, LINE CONSOLIDATED AND SPECIAL MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN EACH COUNTY SHALL BE ABOLISHED AND JOINED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE EFFICIENCY INTO A COUNTYWIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT WITH ONE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION AND ONE APPOINTED COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION; TO DIRECT THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO PUBLISH AN EFFICIENCY JOINDER LIST OF DISTRICTS AFFECTED IN ORDER TO CREATE A COUNTYWIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN EACH COUNTY AND TO REQUIRE ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO COMPLY WITH ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS ISSUED BY THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION; TO PROVIDE FOR THE TRANSFER OF REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY OF AFFECTED SCHOOL DISTRICTS; TO PROVIDE FOR EMPLOYEE CONTRACTS IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS SUBJECT TO ADMINISTRATIVE EFFICIENCY JOINDER; TO PROVIDE FOR THE DUTY TO PAY THE OUTSTANDING DEBT OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS AFFECTED BY THAT EFFICIENCY JOINDER; TO PROVIDE THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE EFFICIENCY JOINDER SHALL NOT REQUIRE THE CLOSING OF ANY SCHOOL OR FACILITY; TO PROVIDE FOR THE RULEMAKING AUTHORITY OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION REGARDING THE ADMINISTRATIVE EFFICIENCY JOINDER; TO AMEND SECTION 37-15-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT NO CHANGE IN THE ATTENDANCE ZONE OF ANY SCHOOL SHALL BE MADE BY A NEWLY ELECTED COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION; TO AMEND SECTIONS 37-5-1, 37-5-7, 37-5-9 AND 37-5-19, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE FOR THE SPECIAL ELECTION OF MEMBERS OF ALL COUNTY BOARDS OF EDUCATION IN NOVEMBER 2016 FOR A TERM OF THREE YEARS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE ELECTION OF SUBSEQUENT MEMBERS OF ALL COUNTY BOARDS OF EDUCATION IN NOVEMBER 2019 AND EVERY FOUR YEARS THEREAFTER FOR FOUR-YEAR TERMS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE ELECTION IS BY SUPERVISORS DISTRICT WITH ALL ELECTORS RESIDING THEREIN ELIGIBLE TO VOTE IN THE ELECTION; TO PROVIDE FOR THE ELECTION OF A MEMBER AT LARGE FROM ANY COUNTY HAVING NO HIGH SCHOOL ATTENDANCE CENTER; TO PROVIDE FOR FILLING VACANCIES TO THE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION; TO AMEND SECTIONS 37-9-13, 37-5-61 AND 37-9-25, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE NEWLY ELECTED COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION IN ALL COUNTIES SHALL APPOINT A COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION TO SUPERVISE ALL SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTY; TO PROVIDE FOR A CONTRACT WITH THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION FOR UP TO FOUR SCHOLASTIC YEARS; TO AMEND SECTIONS 37-6-3, 37-6-5, 37-6-7, 37-6-9, 37-6-11, 37-6-13, 37-6-15 AND 37-7-301, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY THERETO; TO AMEND SECTION 37-57-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS SHALL BE THE LEVYING AUTHORITY FOR ALL AD VALOREM TAXES FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE COUNTY; TO REPEAL SECTIONS 37-7-105 THROUGH 37-7-115, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDE PROCEDURES FOR THE ABOLITION, ALTERATION AND CREATION OF PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS BY LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS AND BY PETITION OF THE ELECTORATE; TO REPEAL SECTION 37-5-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDES CERTAIN RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERS OF COUNTY BOARDS OF EDUCATION; TO REPEAL SECTION 37-5-18, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE ELECTION OF MEMBERS OF COUNTY BOARDS OF EDUCATION FROM SPECIAL DISTRICTS; TO REPEAL SECTION 37-9-12, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDES FOR A REFERENDUM ON THE QUESTION OF RETAINING THE ELECTIVE METHOD OF CHOOSING THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION; TO REPEAL SECTIONS 37-5-63 THROUGH 37-5-75, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDE FOR THE ELECTION OF COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS OF EDUCATION; TO REPEAL SECTIONS 37-7-201 THROUGH 37-7-229 AND 37-7-701 THROUGH 37-7-725, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDE QUALIFICATIONS, ELECTION PROCEDURES, TERMS OF OFFICE, PETITION PROCEDURES, VACANCY PROCEDURES AND OPTIONAL SELECTION METHODS FOR BOARDS OF TRUSTEES OF MUNICIPAL SEPARATE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICTS, LINE CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND SPECIAL MUNICIPAL SEPARATE SCHOOL DISTRICTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) The State Department of Education shall conduct a study on providing holistic educational efficiency and opportunities to school districts in those counties in the State of Mississippi which have two (2) or more school districts situated in such counties. Using existing staff, the department shall compile the most recent data available which reflects the following:
(a) The total number of students enrolled in the public school system in each county;
(b) The name of the school districts situated within each county and the number of students enrolled in those school districts;
(c) The total and per pupil administrative cost of each school district, using the same funds, functions and objects that the department is required to use under Section 37-151-7(1)(b) in the annual determination of the base student cost under the Adequate Education Program;
(d) The accreditation level of each school district; and
(e) Such other objective information that may be deemed relevant by the department in addressing the issue of the holistic educational efficiency and opportunities of school districts.
The information gathered under this subsection shall be compiled and presented, by county, in a user friendly format that easily allows for comparisons to be made between school districts under each category of information.
(2) In addition to the data compiled under subsection (1) of this section, the department shall include the following information in the study:
(a) An in-depth analysis of all matters that must be considered in determining whether or not reducing the number of school districts in the state would be feasible or advantageous;
(b) A list of pros and cons to reducing or not reducing the number of school districts in each specific county having two (2) or more school districts;
(c) A projection of the most feasible minimum size of a school district that is capable of promoting a wholesome educational experience, completed with advanced placement courses, athletics and other extracurricular activities;
(d) A projection of the savings in state and local funding which would be achieved through the consolidation of school districts in each specific county having two (2) or more school districts; and
(e) A recommended procedure to accomplish the consolidation of school districts in each specific county having two (2) or more school districts and a reasonable time frame in which the consolidation could be achieved;
(3) In order to quantify and affirm the number of school districts necessary within the state, if determined that single county school districts are not in the best interest of the children and families of this state, the department shall use the following criterion:
(a) An assessment of the largest school districts in the state;
(b) An assessment of the smallest school districts in the state;
(c) The administrative, operational and programs of instruction and curriculum of those schools accredited at the highest and lowest levels of performance on the accreditation rating scale;
(d) The socio-economic demographics of each district with greater populations of at-risk students; and
(e) Levels of social, economic, academic and cultural exposure.
(4) The department shall prepare a written report on the study which includes, at a minimum, the data and information specified under subsections (1) and (2) of this section. The report must be presented to the Chairmen of the House and Senate Education Committees, Speaker of the House, Lieutenant Governor and the Governor before November 1, 2015.
SECTION 2. Section 37-7-103, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-7-103. (1) From and
after July 1, * * * 2016, * * * each
county in the State of Mississippi shall constitute a school district and shall
be known as the "School District of _______________County,
Mississippi." Each school district shall constitute a unit for the
control, organization and administration of schools. The responsibility for
the actual operation and administration of all schools within the districts in
conformity with rules and minimum standards prescribed by the state, and also
the responsibility for the provision of any desirable and practicable
opportunities authorized by the law beyond those required by the state, are
delegated by law to the members of the county boards of education, with an
appointed county superintendent of education as executive officer for the
board.
(2) For purposes of this section, the term "administrative efficiency joinder" means the joining of two (2) or more school districts to create a new single school district in the county with one (1) administrative unit, one (1) school board and one (1) school superintendent, and which is not required to close school facilities. An administratively efficiently joined school district may not have more than one (1) superintendent of schools. Before February 1, 2016, the State Department of Education shall publish an efficiency joinder list that includes all school districts in the state that are not countywide school districts embracing an entire county. The county board of education shall provide for the administrative efficiency joinder of all school districts in the county into one (1) countywide school district embracing the entire county before July 1, 2016. Any school district on the efficiency joinder list that does not voluntarily join with the countywide school district shall be joined for administrative efficiency by the State Board of Education with the countywide school district in which that district is located before June 1, 2016, to be effective on July 1, 2016. The State Board of Education shall move promptly on its own motion to join for administrative efficiency a school district on the efficiency joinder list in order to enable the affected school districts to reasonably accomplish the resulting administrative efficiency joinder into a countywide school district before July 1, 2016. All school districts on the efficiency joinder list must comply with any order issued by the county board of education or the State Board of Education, as the case may be, before July 1, 2016.
(3) On July 1, 2016, the board of trustees of any municipal separate, special municipal separate, consolidated or line consolidated school district on the efficiency joinder list issued by the State Board of Education shall be abolished. All real and personal property owned or titled in the name of a school district on the efficiency joinder list shall be transferred to the countywide school district of the county in which that school district is located. If a school district is located in two (2) or more counties, the State Board of Education shall issue an order directing the transfer of real and personal property to the appropriate countywide school district. Each school board shall be responsible for establishing the contracts for teachers and principals for the next school year with the consultation of the county board of education. The selection of the county superintendent of education in the successor countywide school district shall be the responsibility of the county board of education. The county board of education shall prepare and approve the budget of the new countywide district, and the county board of education may use staff from the existing districts to prepare the budget. Any proposed order of a county board of education directing the transfer of the assets or real or personal property of a school district on the efficiency joinder list must be submitted and approved by the State Board of Education. The determination of the State Board of Education shall be final and conclusive for the purposes of the transfer of property required by an administrative efficiency joinder. Any person or school district aggrieved by an order of a school board adopted under the requirements of this section may appeal to the State Board of Education within ten (10) days from the date of the adjournment of the meeting at which the order is entered. The appeal shall be de novo, and the findings of the State Board of Education upon that question shall be final and conclusive for the purpose of the approval or disapproval of the action by the board. Any special municipal school district embracing the territory of an entire county shall be abolished on July 1, 2016, and reconstituted as a countywide school district with a county board of education.
(4) When any school district on the efficiency joinder list issued by the State Board of Education is abolished under this section, the abolition shall not impair or release the property of that school district from liability for the payment of the bonds or other indebtedness of the district. The board of supervisors of the county shall continue to levy taxes on the property of the abolished district from year to year according to the terms of that indebtedness until same shall be fully paid.
(5) This section may not be construed to require the closing of any school or school facility, unless the facility is an unneeded administrative office. All joinders of administrative efficiency under this section shall be accomplished so as not to delay or in any manner negatively affect the desegregation of another school district in the county under court order.
(6) In the administratively efficiently joined countywide school district created under this section, the ad valorem tax rate shall be determined as set forth under Sections 37-57-1 through 37-57-133. No school district joined for administrative efficiency with a school district designated by the State Board of Education as being in academic or fiscal distress or under state conservatorship shall be subject to academic or fiscal distress sanctions for a period of three (3) years from the effective date of the required administrative efficiency joinder.
(7) The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules and regulations to facilitate the administrative efficiency joinder of school districts required under this section. The State Board of Education formally shall declare the boundary lines of the counties as the new boundaries of the school districts in the State of Mississippi.
SECTION 3. Section 37-15-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-15-13. When any child
qualified under the requirements of Section 37-15-9 * * * applies or presents
himself for enrollment in or admission to the public schools of any school
district of this state, the * * * county board of education of * * *
the school district * * *
has the power and
authority to designate the particular school or attendance center of the
district in which * * * the child * * * must be enrolled and which he * * *
must attend; no
enrollment of a child in a school shall be final or permanent until * * *
that designation * * *
is made by * * *
the county
board of education. No child shall be entitled to attend any school or
attendance center except that to which he has been assigned by the * * *
county board of
education; however, the principal of a school or superintendent of the
district may, in proper cases, permit a child to attend a school temporarily until
a permanent assignment is made by the * * * county board of education. No
change in the attendance zone of any school or attendance center may be made by
a newly elected county board of education which succeeds to the territory of a
school district that is joined for administrative efficiency under the
requirements of Section 37-7-103.
SECTION 4. Section 37-5-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-5-1. (1) There is * * * established a county board of education in
each county of the State of Mississippi. * * * The county board of education shall
consist of five (5) members, one (1) of which * * *
shall be elected by the qualified electors of each * * * supervisors district
of the county. * * * Each member
so elected shall be a resident and qualified elector of the supervisors
district from which he is elected.
(2) * * *
If
an entire county is embraced by a line consolidated district on July 1, 2016,
and that county does not have a high school within its boundaries, then the
qualified electors of the county shall elect one (1) additional member at large
to the county board of education of the county in which the high school age
students of the county attend school.
* * *
SECTION 5. Section 37-5-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-5-7. * * * On the first Tuesday after the first Monday
in * * *
November 2016, a special
election shall be held in each county in this state in the same manner as
general state and county elections are held and conducted, which elections
shall be held for the purpose of electing the county boards of education
established under the provisions of this chapter. * * * All members of the * * * board elected in November 2016 * * * shall be elected for a term of * * *
three (3) years * * *. All members of the
county board of education as herein constituted, shall take office on the first
Monday of January following the date of their election.
(2) * * * On the first Tuesday after the first
Monday in November 2019, and every four (4) years thereafter, an election shall
be held in each county in this state in the same manner and at the same time as
general state and county elections are held and conducted, which elections shall
be held for the purpose of electing the county boards of education established
under the provisions of this chapter. All members of the board elected in
November 2019, shall be elected for a term of four (4) years. All members of
the county board of education as herein constituted, shall take office on the
first Monday of January following the date of their election.
SECTION 6. Section 37-5-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-5-9. (1) The
name of any qualified elector who is a candidate for the county board of
education shall be placed on the ballot used in the general elections by the
county election commissioners, provided that the candidate files with the
county election commissioners, not more than ninety (90) days and not less than
sixty (60) days * * * before the date of * * * the general election, a petition of
nomination signed by not less than fifty (50) qualified electors of the county
residing within each supervisors district. Where there are less than one
hundred (100) qualified electors in said supervisors district, it shall only be
required that said petition of nomination be signed by at least twenty percent
(20%) of the qualified electors of * * * the supervisors district. The
candidate in each supervisors district who receives the highest number of votes
cast in the district shall be declared elected. If no candidate receives
a majority of the votes cast in the general election, then the two (2)
candidates who receive the highest number of votes cast in the district shall
have their names submitted as candidates in a runoff election three (3) weeks
after the date of the general election, and the candidate who receives a
majority of the votes cast in the district in the runoff election must be declared
elected.
(2) When any member
of the county board of education is to be elected from the county at large
under the provisions of this chapter, then the petition required by the
preceding paragraph hereof shall be signed by the required number of qualified
electors residing in any part of the county * * *.
The candidate who receives the highest number of votes cast in the election
shall be declared elected. If no candidate receives a majority of
the votes cast in the general election, then the two (2) candidates who receive
the highest number of votes cast in the district shall have their names
submitted as candidates in a runoff election three (3) weeks after the date of
the general election, and the candidate who receives a majority of the votes
cast in the district in the runoff election must be declared elected.
* * *
SECTION 7. Section 37-5-19, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-5-19. Vacancies in the
membership of the county board of education shall be filled by appointment,
within sixty (60) days after the vacancy occurs, by the remaining members of
the county board of education. * * * The appointee shall be selected
from the qualified electors of the supervisors district in which the
vacancy occurs, and shall serve until the first Monday of January next
succeeding the next general election, at which general election a member shall
be elected to fill the remainder of the unexpired term in the same manner and
with the same qualifications applicable to the election of a member for the
full term. In the event the school district is under conservatorship and no
members of the county board of education remain in office, the Governor shall
call a special election to fill the vacancies and said election will be
conducted by the county election commission.
* * * If the vacancy occurs more
than five (5) months * * * before the next general election and the remaining members
of the county board of education are unable to agree upon an individual to be
appointed, any two (2) of the remaining members may certify * * *
the disagreement to
the county election commission. Upon the receipt of such a certificate by the
county election commission, or any member thereof, the commission shall hold a
special election to fill the vacancy, which * * * election, notice thereof and ballot shall
be controlled by the laws concerning special elections to fill vacancies in
county or county district offices. The person elected at * * *
that special election
shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.
SECTION 8. Section 37-9-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[Until July 1, 2016, this section shall read as follows:]
37-9-13. Each school
district shall have a superintendent of schools, selected in the manner
provided by law. No person shall be eligible to the office of superintendent
of schools unless * * * that person * * * holds a valid administrator's
license issued by the State Department of Education and * * *
has not less
than four (4) years of classroom or administrative experience.
[From and after July 1, 2016, this section shall read as follows:]
37-9-13. From and after
July 1, 2016, each county
school district shall have a county superintendent of * * *
education, * * *
appointed
by the county board of education. No person shall be eligible to the
office of county superintendent of * * * education unless * * *
that person * * * holds a valid administrator's
license issued by the State Department of Education and * * *
has not less
than four (4) years of classroom or administrative experience.
SECTION 9. Section 37-5-61, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[Until July 1, 2016, this section shall read as follows:]
37-5-61. (1) There shall be a county superintendent of education in each county.
(2) * * *
The superintendent
shall serve as the executive secretary of the county board of education, but
shall have no vote in the proceedings before the board and no voice in fixing
the policies thereof.
(3) In addition, * * *
the superintendent
shall be the director of all schools in the county school district which are
outside the municipal separate school districts.
(4) * * *
The superintendent
shall be elected at the same time and in the same manner as other county
officers are elected and shall hold office for a term of four (4) years.
[From and after July 1, 2016, this section shall read as follows:]
37-5-61. (1) There shall be a county superintendent of education in each county appointed by the county board of education, as provided in Section 37-9-25.
(2) * * *
The superintendent
shall serve as the executive secretary of the county board of education, but
shall have no vote in the proceedings before the board and no voice in fixing
the policies thereof.
(3) In addition, * * *
the superintendent
shall be the director of all schools in the county * * *.
* * *
SECTION 10. Section 37-9-25, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[Until July 1, 2016, this section shall read as follows:]
37-9-25. The school board
shall have the power and authority, in its discretion, to employ the
superintendent, unless * * * such the superintendent is elected, for a period
not exceeding four (4) scholastic years and the principals or licensed
employees for a period not exceeding three (3) scholastic years. In
such case, contracts shall be entered into with * * * the superintendents, principals and
licensed employees for the number of years for which they have been employed.
All * * * those
contracts with licensed employees shall, for the years after the
first year thereof, be subject to the contingency that the licensed
employee may be released if, during the life of the contract, the average daily
attendance should decrease from that existing during the previous year and thus
necessitate a reduction in the number of licensed employees during any year
after the first year of the contract. However, in all * * * those cases the licensed employee
must be released before July 1 or at least thirty (30) days * * *
before the
beginning of the school term, whichever date * * * occurs earlier. The salary to be
paid for the years after the first year of * * * the contract shall be subject to
revision, either upward or downward, in the event of an increase or decrease in
the funds available for the payment thereof, but, unless * * *
the salary is revised * * *
before the
beginning of a school year, it shall remain for * * * that school year at the amount
fixed in * * * the
contract. However, where school district funds, other than * * *
adequate education
program funds, are available during the school year in excess of the amount
anticipated at the beginning of the school year the salary to be paid for * * *
the year may be
increased to the extent that * * * those additional funds are
available, and nothing * * * in this section shall be
construed to prohibit same.
[From and after July 1, 2016, this section shall read as follows:]
37-9-25. The * * *
county board of
education shall have the power and authority, in its discretion, to employ
the county superintendent * * * of education for a period
not exceeding four (4) scholastic years and the principals or licensed
employees for a period not exceeding three (3) scholastic years. In
such case, contracts shall be entered into with the superintendents, principals
and licensed employees for the number of years for which they have been
employed. All * * * those
contracts with licensed employees shall, for the years after the first
year thereof, be subject to the contingency that the licensed employee
may be released if, during the life of the contract, the average daily
attendance should decrease from that existing during the previous year and thus
necessitate a reduction in the number of licensed employees during any year
after the first year of the contract. However, in all * * * those cases the licensed employee
must be released before July 1 or at least thirty (30) days * * *
before the
beginning of the school term, whichever date * * * occurs earlier. The salary to be
paid for the years after the first year of * * * the contract shall be subject to
revision, either upward or downward, in the event of an increase or decrease in
the funds available for the payment thereof, but, unless * * *
the salary is revised * * *
before the
beginning of a school year, it shall remain for * * * that school year at the amount fixed
in * * * the
contract. However, where school district funds, other than * * *
adequate education
program funds, are available during the school year in excess of the amount
anticipated at the beginning of the school year the salary to be paid for * * *
the year may be
increased to the extent that * * * those additional funds are
available, and nothing * * * herein in this section shall be construed to prohibit
same.
SECTION 11. Section 37-6-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-6-3. (1) From and after July 1, 1987, all school districts in the State of Mississippi shall have the same prerogatives, powers, duties and privileges as provided in this chapter. From and after July 1, 2016, each county shall constitute a school district for the control, organization and administration of schools, and all other school districts shall be abolished as provided in Section 37-7-103.
(2) As used in this chapter
and the laws of this state, the term "school board" or
"local school board" * * * means * * * the county board of education of any
countywide school district in this state * * *.
(3) As used in this chapter
and the laws of this state, the term "superintendent" or
"superintendent of schools" * * * means * * * the county superintendent of education of
any countywide school district in this state whose duties require the
supervision of students * * *; and (b) the superintendent of any municipal separate, special municipal
separate, consolidated or line consolidated school district in this state.
* * *
SECTION 12. Section 37-6-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-6-5. Each * * *
county in
the state shall * * * constitute
a school district and shall be known as the "School District of
__________________ County, Mississippi."
SECTION 13. Section 37-6-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-6-7. Each county
school district shall be governed by a * * * county board of education
consisting of five (5) members, selected in the manner provided by law.
SECTION 14. Section 37-6-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-6-9. The * * *
county
board of education 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 * * * board shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business. Minutes shall be kept of all meetings of the * * * 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 * * * board present shall either vote or
abstain on every question upon which a vote is taken at * * *
any meeting. All
action taken by a * * *
board shall become official at the time it is taken. All minutes of the * * * 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.
SECTION 15. Section 37-6-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-6-11. The * * *
county
board of education shall meet regularly at * * * the time and at * * *
the place as * * * designated by an order entered upon
the minutes thereof. Special meetings of * * * county boards of education
shall be held upon the call of the president thereof, or upon the call of a
majority of the members thereof.
SECTION 16. Section 37-6-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-6-13. (1) Each person
serving as a member of the * * * county board of education of
any school district shall receive per diem in the amount of Sixty-seven Dollars
($67.00) for no more than thirty-six (36) meetings of the school board during
any one (1) fiscal year or, in his or her discretion, irrevocably may choose to
receive as compensation for his or her services an annual salary in the amount
of Two Thousand Four Hundred Dollars ($2,400.00), which choice shall remain in
force for all successive terms or periods of service of that member. The
receipt of the compensation shall not entitle any member of a * * * board to receive or be eligible for any
state employee group insurance, retirement or other fringe benefits. Each
member shall be reimbursed for the necessary expenses and mileage in attending
meetings of the * * *
board. In addition to the foregoing, all members may be reimbursed for mileage
and actual expenses incurred in the further performance of their duties,
including attendance at any mandatory * * * board training session or at regional
and national education meetings, when * * * the mileage and other expenses are
authorized by the board * * * prior tobefore the date on which they occur. Detailed
vouchers shall be submitted for reimbursement for all expenses authorized by
this section. * * * The
reimbursement shall be in accordance with Section 25-3-41.
* * * Those expenses shall be paid on
order of the school board by pay certificates issued by the county
superintendent of * * * education involved against the funds available
for payment of the administrative expense of the district.
(2) (a) If a member of a * * * board misses twenty percent (20%) or
more of the meetings of the * * * board during a calendar year, except for
absences caused by required military duty, the member must reimburse the school
district that portion of the total salary paid to the member that year which is
proportionate to the number of meetings missed by the member in relation to the
total number of * * *
board meetings held during that year. For purposes of this subsection,
consideration may be given only to meetings of which public notice is required.
(b) Before February 1
of each year, the president of each * * * county board of education
shall submit a report to the State Board of Education containing the names of
any members of the * * *
board who missed twenty percent (20%) or more of the * * * board meetings during the preceding
calendar year.
SECTION 17. Section 37-6-15, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-6-15. (1) Before
entering upon the discharge of the duties of his office, each member of the * * *
county board of
education shall give a surety bond in the penal sum of Fifty Thousand
Dollars ($50,000.00), with sufficient surety, to be payable, conditioned and
approved in the manner provided by law.
(2) The * * * board may execute a blanket surety bond
for each school district official and employee (including school business
managers and any other employee who receipts and/or disburses school district
funds) in the penalty of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), unless a
different penalty is prescribed by statute, to be payable, conditioned and
approved in the manner provided by law. The premium on * * *
the bond shall be paid
out of the school district maintenance fund.
SECTION 18. Section 37-7-301, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-7-301. The * * *
county boards of * * *
education
shall have the following powers, authority and duties in addition to all others
imposed or granted by law, to wit:
(a) To organize and operate the schools of the district and to make such division between the high school grades and elementary grades as, in their judgment, will serve the best interests of the school;
(b) To introduce public school music, art, manual training and other special subjects into either the elementary or high school grades, as the board shall deem proper;
(c) To be the custodians of real and personal school property and to manage, control and care for same, both during the school term and during vacation;
(d) To have responsibility for the erection, repairing and equipping of school facilities and the making of necessary school improvements;
(e) To suspend or to
expel a pupil or to change the placement of a pupil to the school district's
alternative school or homebound program for misconduct in the school or on
school property, as defined in Section 37-11-29, on the road to and from
school, or at any school-related activity or event, or for conduct occurring on
property other than school property or other than at a school-related activity
or event when such conduct by a pupil, in the determination of the * * *
county
superintendent or principal, renders that pupil's presence in the classroom a
disruption to the educational environment of the school or a detriment to the
best interest and welfare of the pupils and teacher of such class as a whole,
and to delegate such authority to the appropriate officials of the school
district;
(f) To visit schools in the district, in their discretion, in a body for the purpose of determining what can be done for the improvement of the school in a general way;
(g) To support, within reasonable limits, the superintendent, principal and teachers where necessary for the proper discipline of the school;
(h) To exclude from
the schools students with what appears to be infectious or contagious diseases; * * * however, * * * the student may be allowed to
return to school upon presenting a certificate from a public health officer,
duly licensed physician or nurse practitioner that the student is free from * * *
the disease;
(i) To require those vaccinations specified by the State Health Officer as provided in Section 41-23-37;
(j) To see that all necessary utilities and services are provided in the schools at all times when same are needed;
(k) To authorize the
use of the school buildings and grounds for the holding of public meetings and
gatherings of the people under such regulations as may be prescribed by * * *
the board;
(l) To prescribe and enforce rules and regulations not inconsistent with law or with the regulations of the State Board of Education for their own government and for the government of the schools, and to transact their business at regular and special meetings called and held in the manner provided by law;
(m) To maintain and
operate all of the schools under their control for * * * the length of time during the year
as may be required;
(n) To enforce in the schools the courses of study and the use of the textbooks prescribed by the proper authorities;
(o) To make orders
directed to the county superintendent of * * * education for the issuance of
pay certificates for lawful purposes on any available funds of the district and
to have full control of the receipt, distribution, allotment and disbursement
of all funds provided for the support and operation of the schools of * * *
the school district
whether * * * the
funds * * * are
derived from state appropriations, local ad valorem tax collections, or
otherwise. The * * * county board of education shall be authorized
and empowered to promulgate rules and regulations that specify the types of
claims and set limits of the dollar amount for payment of claims by the county
superintendent of * * * education to be ratified by the board at the next regularly
scheduled meeting after payment has been made;
(p) To select all
school district personnel in the manner provided by law, and to provide for * * *
any employee fringe
benefit programs, including accident reimbursement plans, as may be deemed
necessary and appropriate by the board;
(q) To provide
athletic programs and other school activities and to regulate the establishment
and operation of * * * those programs and activities;
(r) To join, in their
discretion, any association of school boards and other public school-related
organizations, and to pay from local funds other than * * * adequate education program
funds, any membership dues;
(s) To expend local
school activity funds, or other available school district funds, other than * * *
adequate education
program funds, for the purposes prescribed under this paragraph.
"Activity funds" * * * means all funds received by school
officials in all school districts paid or collected to participate in any
school activity, * * * that activity being part of the school program and partially
financed with public funds or supplemented by public funds. The term
"activity funds" shall not include any funds raised and/or expended
by any organization unless commingled in a bank account with existing activity
funds, regardless of whether the funds were raised by school employees or
received by school employees during school hours or using school facilities,
and regardless of whether a school employee exercises influence over the
expenditure or disposition of * * * the funds. Organizations shall not
be required to make any payment to any school for the use of any school
facility if, in the discretion of the * * * county board of
education, the organization's function * * * is deemed to be beneficial to
the official or extracurricular programs of the school. For the purposes of
this provision, the term "organization" shall not include any
organization subject to the control of the * * * board. Activity funds
may only be expended for any necessary expenses or travel costs, including
advances, incurred by students and their chaperons in attending any in-state or
out-of-state school-related programs, conventions or seminars and/or any
commodities, equipment, travel expenses, purchased services or school supplies * * *
that the * * * board, in its
discretion, shall deem beneficial to the official or extracurricular programs
of the district, including items * * * that may * * * later become the personal
property of individuals, including yearbooks, athletic apparel, book covers and
trophies. Activity funds may be used to pay travel expenses of school district
personnel. The * * * county board of education shall be
authorized and empowered to promulgate rules and regulations specifically
designating for what purposes school activity funds may be expended. The * * * board shall provide the following:
(i)
That * * * the school
activity funds shall be maintained and expended by the principal of the school
generating the funds in individual bank accounts * * *; or
(ii) That * * * the school activity funds shall be maintained and expended
by the county superintendent of * * *
education
in a central depository approved by the board * * *; and (iii) * * * That * * * the school activity funds be audited as part of the annual
audit required in Section 37-9-18.
The State Department of Education shall prescribe a uniform system of accounting and financial reporting for all school activity fund transactions;
(t) To enter into an energy performance contract, energy services contract, on a shared-savings, lease or lease-purchase basis, for energy efficiency services and/or equipment as provided for in Section 31-7-14;
(u) To maintain accounts and issue pay certificates on school food service bank accounts;
(v) (i) To lease a
school building from an individual, partnership, nonprofit corporation or a
private for-profit corporation for the use of such school district, and to
expend funds therefor as may be available from any * * * sources other
than adequate education program funds. The * * *
county
board of * * * education
desiring to lease a school building shall declare by resolution that a need
exists for a school building and that the school district cannot provide the
necessary funds to pay the cost or its proportionate share of the cost of a
school building required to meet the present needs. The
resolution so adopted by the * * * board shall be published once each
week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper having a general
circulation in the school district involved, with the first publication thereof
to be made not less than thirty (30) days * * * before the date upon which the * * * board is to act on the question of
leasing a school building. If no petition requesting an election
is filed * * * before a meeting as hereinafter
provided, then the school board may, by resolution spread upon its minutes,
proceed to lease a school building. If at any time * * *
before
the meeting a petition signed by not less than twenty percent (20%) or
fifteen hundred (1500), whichever is less, of the qualified electors of the school district involved * * * is filed with the * * *school board requesting that an election be called
on the question, then the * * *school board shall, not later than the next regular
meeting, adopt a resolution calling an election to be held within * * *
the school
district upon the question of authorizing the * * * board to lease a school
building. * * * The election shall be called and held, and notice thereof
shall be given, in the same manner for elections upon the questions of the
issuance of the bonds of school districts, and the results thereof
shall be certified to the * * *school board. If at least three-fifths (3/5) of the
qualified electors of the school district who voted in * * *
the election * * *
vote in favor of the leasing of a school building, then the * * * board shall proceed to lease a
school building. The term of the lease contract shall not exceed twenty (20) years, and the total cost of * * * the lease
shall be either the amount of the lowest and best bid accepted by
the * * *
board after advertisement for bids or an amount not to exceed the current fair
market value of the lease as determined by the averaging of at least two (2)
appraisals by certified general appraisers licensed by the State of
Mississippi. The term "school building" as used in this paragraph
(v)(i) shall be construed to mean any building or buildings used for classroom
purposes in connection with the operation of schools and shall include the site
therefor, necessary support facilities, and the equipment thereof and
appurtenances thereto such as heating facilities, water supply, sewage
disposal, landscaping, walks, drives and playgrounds. The term
"lease" as used in this paragraph (v)(i) may include a lease-purchase
contract;
(ii) If two (2) or
more school districts propose to enter into a lease contract jointly,
then joint meetings of the * * * county boards
of education having control may be held but no action taken shall be binding on any * * * of those school
districts unless the question of leasing a school
building is approved in each participating school district under the procedure
hereinabove set forth in paragraph (v)(i). All of the provisions of paragraph
(v)(i) regarding the term and amount of the lease contract shall
apply to the * * * county boards of * * * education
acting jointly. Any lease contract executed by two (2) or more school
districts as joint lessees shall set out the amount of the aggregate lease
rental to be paid by each, which may be agreed upon, but there shall be no
right of occupancy by any lessee unless the aggregate rental is paid as
stipulated in the lease contract. All rights of joint lessees under the lease
contract shall be in proportion to the amount of lease rental paid by each;
(w) To employ
all noninstructional and * * * noncertificated nonlicensed employees
and fix the duties and compensation of * * * those personnel
deemed necessary * * * according to
the recommendation of the county superintendent
of * * * education;
(x) To employ and fix the duties and compensation of * * * any legal
counsel as deemed necessary;
(y) Subject to rules and regulations of the State Board of Education, to purchase, own and operate trucks, vans and other motor vehicles, which shall bear the proper identification required by law;
(z) To expend funds
for the payment of substitute teachers and to adopt reasonable regulations for
the employment and compensation of * * * those substitute
teachers;
(aa) To acquire in its
own name by purchase all real property * * * that is
necessary and desirable in connection with the construction, renovation or
improvement of any public school building or structure. Whenever
the purchase price for * * * such the real property is greater
than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), the * * *
county
board of education shall not purchase the property
for an amount exceeding the fair market value of * * *
that property
as determined by the average of at least two (2) independent appraisals by
certified general appraisers licensed by the State of
Mississippi. If the board * * * is unable
to agree with the owner of any * * * the real property in connection with any * * * construction,
renovation or improvement project, the board shall have the power and authority to acquire * * * the real
property by condemnation proceedings * * * under Section 11-27-1 et seq., * * * and for such
purpose, the right of eminent domain is * * * conferred upon and
vested in * * * the board. * * * The * * * county board of
education is authorized to grant an easement for ingress and egress
over sixteenth section land or lieu land in exchange for a similar easement
upon adjoining land where the exchange of easements affords substantial benefit to the sixteenth section land; * * * however, the exchange must be
based upon values as determined by a competent appraiser, with any differential
in value to be adjusted by cash payment. Any easement rights granted over sixteenth section land under * * * this authority
shall terminate when the easement ceases to be used for its stated purpose. No sixteenth section or lieu land * * * that is
subject to an existing lease shall be burdened by any * * * easement authorized
under this paragraph except by consent of the lessee or
unless the school district * * * acquires the
unexpired leasehold interest affected by the easement;
(bb) To charge reasonable fees related to the educational programs of the district, in the manner prescribed in Section 37-7-335;
(cc) Subject to rules
and regulations of the State Board of Education, to purchase relocatable classrooms for the use of * * * the school
district, in the manner prescribed in Section 37-1-13;
(dd) Enter into
contracts or agreements with other school districts, political subdivisions or
governmental entities to carry out one or more of the powers or
duties of the * * * county board of education, or to
allow more efficient utilization of limited resources for providing services to
the public;
(ee) To provide for in-service training for employees of the district;
(ff) As part of their
duties to prescribe the use of textbooks, to provide that parents and legal
guardians shall be responsible for the textbooks and for the compensation to
the school district for any books * * * that are not
returned to the proper schools upon the withdrawal of their dependent child.
If a textbook is lost or not returned by any student who drops out of the
public school district, the parent or legal guardian shall also compensate the
school district for the fair market value of the textbooks;
(gg) To conduct fund-raising
activities on behalf of the school district that the * * *
county
board of education, in its discretion, deems
appropriate or beneficial to the official or extracurricular programs of the
district * * *, subject to the following
conditions:
(i) Any proceeds of the fund-raising activities shall be treated as "activity funds" and shall be accounted for as are other activity funds under this section; and
(ii) Fund-raising
activities conducted or authorized by the board for the sale of school
pictures, the rental of caps and gowns or the sale of graduation
invitations for which the * * *school board receives a commission, rebate or fee shall
contain a disclosure statement advising that a portion of the proceeds of the
sales or rentals shall be contributed to the student activity fund;
(hh) To allow
individual lessons for music, art and other curriculum-related activities for
academic credit or nonacademic credit during school hours and using school
equipment and facilities, subject to uniform rules and regulations
adopted by the * * *
board;
(ii) To charge reasonable fees for participating in an extracurricular activity for academic or nonacademic credit for necessary and required equipment such as safety equipment, band instruments and uniforms;
(jj) To conduct or participate in any fund-raising activities on behalf of or in connection with a tax-exempt charitable organization;
(kk) To
exercise * * * any powers as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the
provisions of this section;
(ll) To expend funds
for the services of nonprofit arts organizations or other * * *
similar
nonprofit organizations * * * that provide
performances or other services for the students of the school district;
(mm) To expend federal No Child Left Behind Act funds, or any other available funds that are expressly designated and authorized for that use, to pay training, educational expenses, salary incentives and salary supplements to employees of local school districts; except that incentives shall not be considered part of the local supplement as defined in Section 37-151-5(o), nor shall incentives be considered part of the local supplement paid to an individual teacher for the purposes of Section 37-19-7(1). Mississippi Adequate Education Program funds or any other state funds may not be used for salary incentives or salary supplements as provided in this paragraph (mm);
(nn) To use any
available funds, not appropriated or designated for any other purpose, for
reimbursement to the state-licensed employees from both in state and out of
state, who enter into a contract for employment in a school district, for the
expense of moving when the employment necessitates the relocation of the
licensed employee to a different geographical area than that in which the
licensed employee resides before entering into the contract. The reimbursement
shall not exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for the documented actual
expenses incurred in the course of relocating, including the expense of any
professional moving company or persons employed to assist with the move, rented
moving vehicles or equipment, mileage in the amount authorized for county and
municipal employees under Section 25-3-41 if the licensed employee used his
personal vehicle or vehicles for the move, meals and * * *
any other expenses associated with the relocation. No
licensed employee may be reimbursed for moving expenses under this section on
more than one (1) occasion by the same school district. Nothing in this
section shall be construed to require the actual residence to which the
licensed employee relocates to be within the boundaries of the school district
that has executed a contract for employment in order for the licensed employee
to be eligible for reimbursement for the moving expenses. However, the
licensed employee must relocate within the boundaries of the State of
Mississippi. Any individual receiving relocation assistance through the
Critical Teacher Shortage Act as provided in Section 37-159-5 shall not be
eligible to receive additional relocation funds as authorized in this
paragraph;
(oo) To use any available funds, not appropriated or designated for any other purpose, to reimburse persons who interview for employment as a licensed employee with the district for the mileage and other actual expenses incurred in the course of travel to and from the interview at the rate authorized for county and municipal employees under Section 25-3-41;
(pp) Consistent with
the report of the Task Force to Conduct a Best Financial Management Practices
Review, to improve school district management and use of resources and identify
cost savings as established in Section 8 of
Chapter 610, Laws of 2002, * * * county
boards of education are encouraged to
conduct independent reviews of the management and efficiency of schools and school districts. * * * The
management and efficiency reviews shall provide state and local officials
and the public with the following:
(i) An assessment of a school district's governance and organizational structure;
(ii) An assessment of the school district's financial and personnel management;
(iii) An assessment of revenue levels and sources;
(iv) An assessment of facilities utilization, planning and maintenance;
(v) An assessment of food services, transportation and safety/security systems;
(vi) An assessment of instructional and administrative technology;
(vii) A review of the instructional management and the efficiency and effectiveness of existing instructional programs; and
(viii) Recommended methods for increasing efficiency and effectiveness in providing educational services to the public;
(qq) To enter into agreements with other * * * county
boards of education for the
establishment of an educational service agency (ESA) to provide for the
cooperative needs of the region in which the school district is located, as
provided in Section 37-7-345;
(rr) To implement a
financial literacy program for students in Grades 10 and 11. The board may
review the national programs and obtain free literature from various nationally
recognized programs. After review of the different programs, the board may
certify a program that is most appropriate for the school districts' needs. If
a district implements a financial literacy program, then any student in Grade
10 or 11 may participate in the program. The financial literacy program shall
include, but is not limited to, instruction in the same areas of personal
business and finance as required under Section 37-1-3(2)(b).
The * * * county board of education may coordinate with volunteer teachers from
local community organizations, including, but not limited to, the following:
(i) United
States Department of Agriculture Rural Development * * *;
(ii) United
States Department of Housing and Urban Development * * *;
(iii) Junior
Achievement * * *;
(iv) Bankers; and
(v) Other nonprofit organizations.
Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as to require * * *
county boards of
education to implement a financial literacy program;
(ss) (i) To collaborate with the State Board of Education,
Community Action Agencies or the Department of Human Services to develop and
implement a voluntary program to provide services for a prekindergarten program
that addresses the cognitive, social, and emotional needs of four-year-old and three-year-old children. The * * *
county board of education
may utilize any source of available revenue to fund the voluntary program.
(ii) Effective with the 2013-2014 school year, to implement voluntary prekindergarten programs under the Early Learning Collaborative Act of 2013 pursuant to state funds awarded by the State Department of Education on a matching basis;
(tt) With respect to any lawful, written obligation of a school district, including, but not limited to, leases (excluding leases of sixteenth section public school trust land), bonds, notes, or other agreement, to agree in writing with the obligee that the Department of Revenue or any state agency, department or commission created under state law may:
(i) Withhold all or any
part (as agreed by the * * * school county board of education) of any monies * * * that
the local school board is entitled to receive from time to time under
any law and which is in the possession of the Department of Revenue, or any state agency, department or commission
created under state law; and
(ii) Pay the same over to any financial institution,
trustee or other obligee, as directed in writing
by the * * *
board, to satisfy all or part of such obligation of the school district.
The * * * board may make * * * the written agreement to withhold and transfer funds
irrevocable for the term of the written obligation and may include in the
written agreement any other terms and provisions acceptable to the school
board. If the * * * board
files a copy of * * * the written agreement with the Department
of Revenue, or any state agency, department or commission
created under state law then the Department of Revenue or any state agency, department or commission created
under state law shall immediately make the
withholdings provided in * * * such the agreement from the amounts due the * * *
county board of education
and shall continue to pay the same over to * * *
the financial institution, trustee or obligee for the term
of the agreement.
This paragraph (tt) shall not grant any extra
authority to a school board to issue debt in any amount exceeding statutory
limitations on assessed value of taxable property
within * * * the school district or the statutory
limitations on debt maturities, and shall not grant any extra authority to impose, levy or collect a tax * * *
that is not otherwise expressly provided for, and shall
not be construed to apply to sixteenth section public school trust land;
(uu) With respect to any matter or transaction that
is competitively bid by a school district, to accept from any bidder as a good-faith
deposit or bid bond or bid surety, the same type of good-faith deposit or bid
bond or bid surety that may be accepted by the state or any other political
subdivision on similar competitively bid matters or transactions. This
paragraph (uu) shall not be construed to apply to sixteenth section public school trust land. The * * * board may authorize the investment
of any school district funds in the same kind and manner of investments,
including pooled investments, as any other political subdivision, including
community hospitals;
(vv) To utilize the alternate method for the conveyance or exchange of unused school buildings and/or land, reserving a partial or other undivided interest in the property, as specifically authorized and provided in Section 37-7-485;
(ww) To delegate, privatize or otherwise enter into a contract with private entities for the operation of any and all functions of nonacademic school process, procedures and operations including, but not limited to, cafeteria workers, janitorial services, transportation, professional development, achievement and instructional consulting services materials and products, purchasing cooperatives, insurance, business manager services, auditing and accounting services, school safety/risk prevention, data processing and student records, and other staff services; however, the authority under this paragraph does not apply to the leasing, management or operation of sixteenth section lands. Local school districts, working through their regional education service agency, are encouraged to enter into buying consortia with other member districts for the purposes of more efficient use of state resources as described in Section 37-7-345;
(xx) To partner with entities, organizations and corporations for the purpose of benefiting the school district;
(yy) To borrow funds from the Rural Economic Development Authority for the maintenance of school buildings;
(zz)
To fund and operate voluntary early childhood education programs, defined as
programs for children less than five (5) years of age on or before September 1,
and to use any source of revenue for * * *
those early childhood
education programs. * * * Those programs shall
not conflict with the Early Learning Collaborative Act of 2013;
(aaa)
To issue and provide for the use of procurement
cards by * * *
board members, county superintendents of education and licensed school
personnel consistent with the rules and regulations of the Mississippi
Department of Finance and Administration under Section 31-7-9; and
(bbb) To conduct an annual comprehensive evaluation of the county superintendent
of * * * education consistent with the assessment
components of paragraph (pp) of this section and the assessment benchmarks
established by the Mississippi School Board Association to evaluate the success
the superintendent has attained in meeting district goals and objectives, the superintendent's leadership skill and whether
or not the superintendent has established appropriate standards for
performance, is monitoring success and is using data for improvement.
SECTION 19. Section 37-57-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-57-1. (1) (a) From and after July 1, 2016, the boards of supervisors of the counties shall levy and
collect all taxes for and on behalf of all school districts * * *. * * * The taxes shall be collected by the
county tax collector at the same time and in the same manner as county taxes
are collected by him, and the same penalties for delinquency shall be
applicable.
* * * The county * * * tax collector * * * shall pay * * * the tax collections, except for taxes collected for the
payment of the principal of and interest on school bonds or notes and except
for taxes collected to defray collection costs, into the school depository and report to the * * *
county board of * * * education at the same time and in the same manner as the
tax collector makes his payments and reports of other taxes collected by him.
(b) For the purposes
of this chapter and any other laws pertaining to taxes levied or bonds or notes
issued for and on behalf of school districts, the term "levying
authority" means the board
of supervisors of the county * * * of the particular
school district * * *.
(2) The levying authority
for the school district shall, at the same time and in the same manner as other
taxes are levied by the levying authority, levy a tax of not less than twenty-eight
(28) mills for the then current fiscal year, less the estimated amount of the
yield of the School Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund grant to the school district
as determined by the State Department of Education or twenty-seven percent
(27%) of the basic adequate
education program cost for * * * the school district, whichever is a lesser amount, upon
all of the taxable property of the county school district, as required under Section 37-151-7(2)(a).
However, in no case shall the minimum local ad valorem tax effort for any
school district be equal to an amount that would require a millage rate
exceeding fifty-five (55) mills
in that school district. * * *Provided, However, * * * if a levying authority is levying in
excess of fifty-five (55) mills on July 1, 1997, the levying authority may levy
an additional amount not exceeding three (3) mills in the aggregate for the
period beginning July 1, 1997, and ending June 30, 2003, subject to the
limitation on increased receipts from ad valorem taxes prescribed in Sections
37-57-105 and 37-57-107. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to
require any school district that is levying more than fifty-five (55) mills * * * under Sections 37-57-1 and 37-57-105 to decrease its
millage rate to fifty-five (55)
mills or less. In making * * * the levy, the levying authority shall levy an additional
amount sufficient to cover anticipated delinquencies and costs of collection so
that the net amount of money to
be produced by * * * the levy shall be equal to the amount * * *
that the school district is required to contribute as its * * * minimum local ad valorem tax effort.
The tax so levied shall be collected by the tax collector at the same time and
in the same manner as other ad valorem taxes are collected by him. The amount
of taxes so
collected as a result of * * * such the levy shall be paid into the district maintenance fund
of the school district by the tax collector at the same time and in the same
manner as reports and payments of other ad valorem taxes are made by * * *
the tax collector,
except that the amount collected to defray costs of collection may be paid into
the county general fund. The levying authority shall have the power and
authority to direct and cause warrants to be issued against * * * the fund for the purpose of refunding any
amount of taxes erroneously or illegally paid into * * * the fund where * * * the refund has been approved in the
manner provided by law.
SECTION 20. Effective July 1, 2016, Sections 37-7-105, 37-7-107, 37-7-109, 37-7-111, 37-7-113 and 37-7-115, Mississippi Code of 1972, which provide procedures for the abolition, alteration and creation of public school districts by local school boards and by petition of the electorate, are repealed.
SECTION 21. Effective July 1, 2016, Section 37-5-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, which provides certain residency restrictions for members of county boards of education, and Section 37-5-18, Mississippi Code of 1972, which provides for the election of members of county boards of education from special districts, are repealed.
SECTION 22. Effective July 1, 2016, Section 37-9-12, Mississippi Code of 1972, which provides for a referendum on the question of retaining the elective method of choosing the county superintendent of education, and Sections 37-5-63, 37-5-65, 37-5-67, 37-5-69, 37-5-71 and 37-5-75, Mississippi Code of 1972, which provide for the election of county superintendents of education, are repealed.
SECTION 23. Effective July 1, 2016, Sections 37-7-201, 37-7-203, 37-7-204, 37-7-207, 37-7-208, 37-7-209, 37-7-211, 37-7-213, 37-7-215, 37-7-217, 37-7-219, 37-7-221, 37-7-223, 37-7-225, 37-7-227, 37-7-229, 37-7-701, 37-7-703, 37-7-705, 37-7-707, 37-7-709, 37-7-711, 37-7-713, 37-7-715, 37-7-717, 37-7-723 and 37-7-725, Mississippi Code of 1972, which provide qualifications, election procedures, terms of office, petition procedures, vacancy procedures and optional selection methods for boards of trustees of municipal separate school districts, consolidated school districts, line consolidated school districts and special municipal separate school districts, are repealed.
SECTION 24. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2015.