Senate Bill 2428

AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 37-179-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CREATE THE DISTRICT OF INNOVATION TASK FORCE OF 2022; TO PROVIDE THAT THE TASK FORCE SHALL STUDY AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON DISTRICTS OF INNOVATION, INCLUDING WHETHER THE DISTRICTS ACHIEVED STATE GOALS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE TASK FORCE SHALL STUDY VARIOUS OTHER STATISTICS AND INFORMATION RELATED TO DISTRICTS OF INNOVATION; TO PROVIDE FOR THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE TASK FORCE; TO REQUIRE THE TASK FORCE TO MAKE A REPORT OF ITS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS, INCLUDING ANY RECOMMENDED LEGISLATION, TO THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND THE CHAIRS OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATE ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 1, 2022, AT WHICH TIME THE TASK FORCE WILL BE DISSOLVED; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. The following shall be codified as Section 37-179-5, Mississippi Code of 1972:

37-179-5. (1) There is created the "District of Innovation Task Force of 2022" to study and make recommendations on:

(a) The establishment and current operation of the Districts and Schools of Innovation program, as described in Section 37-179-1, including information about waivers requested by public school districts and schools and waivers granted and denied by the Mississippi Department of Education;

(b) Whether Districts and Schools of Innovation in the state have achieved stated goals, including enhanced learning opportunities, innovative instruction, the implementation of rigorous standards, the reduction of achievement gaps, the reduction of student remediation postgraduation and increased student engagement;

(c) Whether the specific solutions utilized in Districts and Schools of Innovation, including modified calendar school years, unique curricula or testing, early college and dual enrollment opportunities and the use of technology, to address staffing shortages or enhance in-person classroom learning have been successful in increasing student achievement;

(d) Whether modification of general laws or State Board of Education regulation governing the Districts and Schools of Innovation program is necessary to better achieve stated goals of the program;

(e) Whether granting waivers to Districts and Schools of Innovation has resulted in meeting the program's stated goals to other public schools and districts statewide; and

(f) The effectiveness of the accountability system for elementary and secondary public schools as it applies to measuring the achievement of Districts and Schools of Innovation.

(2) The task force shall be composed of the following members:

(a) The State Superintendent of Public Education or the superintendent's designee;

(b) The Director of the Office of Educational Accountability;

(c) Two (2) public school superintendents designated by the Mississippi Association of School Superintendents, with at least one (1) from a current District of Innovation;

(d) Two (2) public school administrators, other than superintendents, designated by the Mississippi Association of School Administrators, with at least one (1) from a current District or School of Innovation;

(e) A public school business administrator designated by the Mississippi Association of School Business Officials;

(f) A member of the State Board of Education appointed by the chair of the board; and

(g) Three (3) teachers who have been recognized as a Teacher of the Year in their respective public school districts, with the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the House each appointing one (1) teacher respectively.

(3) Appointments shall be made no later than forty-five (45) days after the effective date of this act. The State Superintendent of Education shall convene the members of the task force for an organizational meeting within thirty (30) days after all appointments have been made, at which time the members of the task force shall select a chairman and a vice chairman from its membership. The vice chairman shall also serve as secretary and be responsible for keeping all records of the task force. A majority of the members of the task force constitutes a quorum. In the selection of its officers and the adoption of rules, resolutions and reports, an affirmative vote of a majority of the task force shall be required to be recorded in the official minutes of the meeting in which the vote occurred. Meetings of the task force shall be held at the State Department of Education; however, if it is not feasible for the task force to hold an in-person meeting, the task force may convene utilizing an online meeting platform that is accessible for viewing by the public.

(4) The State Department of Education shall provide, using existing resources, administrative and clerical support to the task force. The State Superintendent shall designate appropriate staff to assist the task force in carrying out its duties.

(5) Subject to appropriation, members of the task force who are not state employees may be compensated at the per diem rate authorized by Section 25-3-69 and reimbursed in accordance with Section 25-3-41 for mileage and actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. However, task force members may not incur per diem, travel or other expenses unless previously authorized by vote, at a meeting of the task force, which action must be recorded in the official minutes of the meeting. Per diem and expense payments made pursuant to this subsection may be paid from any funds made available to the task force for that purpose.

(6) The task force shall make a report of its findings and recommendations, including any recommended legislation, to the Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Chairs of the Education Committees of the House of Representatives and Senate on or before November 1, 2022, at which time the task force will be dissolved.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2022.