House Bill 537

AN ACT TO REQUIRE A REFERENDUM ON THE QUESTION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE CONSOLIDATION OF THE EXISTING PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN COUNTIES WITH TWO OR MORE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, ONE OF WHICH HAS SMALL STUDENT ATTENDANCE; TO PROVIDE THAT ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN SUCH COUNTY SHALL BE ABOLISHED AND MERGED INTO A COUNTYWIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT WITH ONE NEWLY ELECTED COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION AND ONE APPOINTED COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION IN THE EVENT THE REFERENDUM IS APPROVED; TO REQUIRE ALL SUCH SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO COMPLY WITH ADMINISTRATIVE CONSOLIDATION ORDERS ISSUED BY THE SUCCESSOR COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION IN SUCH COUNTIES; TO PROVIDE FOR THE TRANSFER OF REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY OF AFFECTED SCHOOL DISTRICTS; TO PROVIDE FOR EMPLOYEE CONTRACTS IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS SUBJECT TO SUCH ADMINISTRATIVE CONSOLIDATION; TO PROVIDE FOR THE DUTY TO PAY THE OUTSTANDING DEBT OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS AFFECTED BY SUCH CONSOLIDATION; TO PROVIDE THAT SUCH ADMINISTRATIVE CONSOLIDATION SHALL NOT REQUIRE THE CLOSING OF ANY SCHOOL OR FACILITY EXCEPT FOR ABOLISHED ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES; TO REQUIRE THE CONTINUED FUNDING OF THE INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS FROM LOCAL AD VALOREM TAXES IN THE ABOLISHED DISTRICTS IN SUCH COUNTIES AT THE SAME LEVEL AS PRIOR TO THE REQUIRED CONSOLIDATION; TO PROVIDE FOR THE RULEMAKING AUTHORITY OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION REGARDING SUCH CONSOLIDATION AND THE SUBMISSION OF THE REORGANIZATION TO THE UNITED STATES JUSTICE DEPARTMENT; TO PROVIDE FOR AN ADMINISTRATIVE CONSOLIDATION LIST PREPARED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION; TO AMEND SECTION 37-7-103, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY THERETO; TO AMEND SECTION 37-5-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE FOR THE NEW ELECTION OF MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION IN THE NOVEMBER ELECTION FOLLOWING THE PASSAGE OF THE REFERENDUM; TO AMEND SECTION 37-5-67, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE FOR AN APPOINTED COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION IN SUCH ADMINISTRATIVELY CONSOLIDATED COUNTY; TO AMEND SECTION 37-15-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT NO CHANGE IN THE ATTENDANCE ZONE OF ANY SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL BE MADE BY A NEWLY ELECTED COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION WHICH SUCCEEDS TO THE TERRITORY OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT WHICH IS ADMINISTRATIVELY CONSOLIDATED; TO AMEND SECTION 37-57-105, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY THERETO; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

In the House of Representatives

• Jeffrey C. Smith

  Sponsor

l9n doesn't hold this bill's text yet.

In the House of Representatives Feb 13 – Mar 6

1. Feb 13Referred to the House committees on Education and on Appropriations
2. Mar 6Died in committee in the House