MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2007 Regular Session
To: Education; Appropriations
By: Senator(s) Turner
AN ACT TO CREATE A COMMISSION TO DETERMINE A LEVEL OF "LIVING WAGE" FOR EDUCATION SUPPORT PERSONNEL IN MISSISSIPPI AND TO DEVELOP A REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR AND 2008 REGULAR SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) There is created the Commission to Determine A Level of "Living Wage" for Education Support Personnel in Mississippi, which shall be composed of the following members:
(a) Two (2) education support personnel employed in the Mississippi public schools appointed by the Governor;
(b) One (1) certified teacher employed in the Mississippi public schools appointed by the Governor;
(c) One (1) school superintendent appointed by the State Board of Education;
(d) One (1) local school board member appointed by the State Board of Education;
(e) The Chairman of the Senate Education Committee;
(f) The Chairman of the House Education Committee;
(g) The Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee;
(h) The Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee; and
(i) The State Superintendent of Education.
(2) All members of the commission shall be designated or appointed in sufficient time to allow for all members of the commission to be identified prior to the first meeting of the commission. The first meeting of the commission shall be not later than July 1, 2007, on the call of the State Superintendent of Education who shall serve as chairman of the commission in order to organize and elect a chairman and vice chairman from its membership and adopt rules for transacting its business.
(3) The duties of the commission shall be to determine the status of education support personnel in the public schools of Mississippi, and determine a basic living wage for the various classifications of education support personnel. The commission shall make appropriate findings and recommendations regarding adequate funding requirements for the appropriate wage for education support personnel, and develop a report with necessary legislation to be developed and presented to the Governor and to the Legislature for consideration during the 2008 Regular Session.
(4) The State Department of Education shall provide appropriate staff support to the commission. All agencies, departments, offices and institutions of the state shall cooperate with the commission and provide such assistance as requested by the commission.
(5) Upon presentation of its report required herein, the commission shall be dissolved.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2007.