MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2021 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Representative Bennett

House Bill 504

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-17-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THE COMPOSITION OF THE COMMISSION ON SCHOOL ACCREDITATION TO REFLECT THE FOUR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS AND APPOINTMENT OF THREE MEMBERS FROM THE STATE AT LARGE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 37-17-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     37-17-3.  The Commission on School Accreditation created under this section is hereby continued and reconstituted as follows:

     The State Board of Education shall appoint a "Commission on School Accreditation" to be composed of fifteen (15) qualified members.  The membership of said commission shall be composed of the following:  two (2) classroom teachers, two (2) principals of schools, one (1) administrator with expertise in special education representing exceptional schools and students, one (1) superintendent of a separate school district, one (1) superintendent of a county or other school district, one (1) local school board member from a separate school district; one (1) local school board member from a county or other school district; and * * * seven (7) six (6) members who are not actively engaged in the education profession.  Members of the commission serving on July 1, 1994, shall continue to serve until their term of office expires.  No new appointments shall be made until such time as the expiration of a member's term has reduced the commission to less than fifteen (15) members, at which time new appointments shall be made from the categories specified hereinabove.  The membership of said commission shall be appointed by the board upon recommendation of the State Superintendent of Public Education.  In making the first appointments, five (5) members shall be appointed for a term of one (1) year, five (5) members shall be appointed for a term of two (2) years, five (5) members shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years, and five (5) members shall be appointed for a term of four (4) years.  Thereafter, all members shall be appointed for a term of four (4) years.  Said commission shall meet upon call of the State Superintendent of Public Education. * * *  There shall be  The commission shall consist of three (3) members * * * of said commission from each of the four (4) congressional districts, and three (3) members from the state at large.  Each member of said commission shall receive the per diem authorized by Section 25-3-69, Mississippi Code of 1972, plus actual and necessary expenses and mileage as authorized by Section 25-3-41, Mississippi Code of 1972, for each day actually spent in attending the meetings of the commission.  The expenses of said commission shall be paid out of any funds available for the operation of the central office of the State Department of Education.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.