MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Representative Weathersby

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-13-61, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ESTABLISH THE OPENING AND CLOSING DATES OF THE SCHOOL YEAR IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS; TO AMEND SECTION 37-9-24, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REDUCE THE REQUIRED NUMBER OF IN-SERVICE TRAINING DAYS FOR TEACHERS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 37-13-61, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-13-61. The * * * date for the opening of the school term in all public schools in the state shall be the first Tuesday immediately succeeding the first Monday of September (Labor Day), and the date for the closing of the school term in the public schools shall be the second Tuesday of June. The State Board of Education shall promulgate guidelines for an annual school calendar to be observed by all public school districts. * * *

SECTION 2. Section 37-9-24, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-9-24. (1)  * * * Beginning with the 1998-1999 school year, no school district shall contract with any licensed personnel for less than one hundred eighty-four (184) employment days.

(2) Licensed personnel may be employed for less than a full school year if the contract states the exact period of time for which the licensed person is to be employed.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1998.