Senate Bill 2361

(As Passed the Senate)

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE MISSISSIPPI MODIFIED SCHOOL CALENDAR GRANT PROGRAM TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF INCENTIVIZING PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO MAINTAIN OR CONSIDER ADOPTING A MODIFIED SCHOOL CALENDAR BY OFFSETTING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH ADOPTING A MODIFIED SCHOOL CALENDAR THROUGH A TIME-LIMITED GRANT; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO DEVELOP REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES TO GOVERN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE GRANT PROGRAM, INCLUDING APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA; TO PROVIDE THAT GRANTS AWARDED SHALL BE USED FOR EXPENSES INCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE ADOPTION OF A MODIFIED SCHOOL CALENDAR; TO PROVIDE THAT SCHOOL DISTRICTS SHALL BE ELIGIBLE FOR A MAXIMUM AWARD OF $200,000.00 PER YEAR FOR A MAXIMUM OF (3) YEARS; TO CREATE A SPECIAL FUND IN THE STATE TREASURY, TO BE KNOWN AS THE "MISSISSIPPI MODIFIED SCHOOL CALENDAR GRANT FUND; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT ON THE USE OF FUNDS DISTRIBUTED UNDER THIS GRANT PROGRAM TO THE GOVERNOR, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND CHAIRS OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS AND EDUCATION COMMITTEES BY OCTOBER 1, 2023, AND OCTOBER 1 OF EACH YEAR THEREAFTER; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Mississippi Modified School Calendar Grant Program."

SECTION 2. The Mississippi Legislature finds the following:

(a) Whereas, a modified school calendar apportioning required instructional days throughout the year can increase student achievement and engagement and provide staff with a more flexible schedule.

(b) Therefore, it is the intent of the Mississippi Legislature to incentivize public school districts to maintain or consider adopting a modified school calendar by offsetting costs associated with adopting a modified school calendar through a time-limited grant.

SECTION 3. For purposes of this act, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context requires otherwise:

(a) "Grant program" means the Mississippi Modified School Calendar Grant Program established in this act.

(b) "Department" means the Mississippi Department of Education.

(c) "Modified school calendar" means a non-traditional school calendar in which the length of summer break is shortened, there are breaks dispersed throughout the school year, and required instructional days are evenly distributed across the calendar year.

(d) "School district" means all public school districts.

SECTION 4. (1) There is established the Mississippi Modified School Calendar Grant Program which shall be administered by the department for the purpose of offsetting initial costs incurred by school districts which have implemented or intend to implement a modified school calendar.

(2) Subject to the provisions of this act and any other applicable state law and regulation, school districts receiving a grant shall have the authority to use the funds provided in this grant program in a way that best facilitates their plan to transition to and maintain a modified school calendar and maximize student achievement and engagement.

SECTION 5. (1) The department shall:

(a) Inform all school districts about the grant program;

(b) Develop regulations and procedures to govern the administration of the grant program, including application requirements, within two (2) months after enactment; and

(c) Subject to appropriation, award school districts meeting the requirements of the program a grant for expenses related to the adoption or maintenance of a modified school calendar beginning in the 2023-2024 academic year. Initial grant awards shall be made by July 1, 2023, and July 1 of each year thereafter.

(2) The department shall administer this program with existing personnel and resources and shall not contract for external support.

(3) An application for an award from the grant program shall include:

(a) The rationale for adopting a modified school calendar, including relevant short- and long-term goals of the school district which a modified calendar may help achieve;

(b) Evidence of community support and engagement to move to a modified school calendar;

(d) A detailed calendar, including plans for any intercession activities.

(4) Grants awarded shall be used for expenses incurred as a result of the adoption of a modified school calendar, including, but not limited to:

(a) Transportation;

(b) Certified and noncertified staffing during intercessions;

(d) Utilities.

SECTION 6. (1) School districts shall be eligible for a maximum award of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00) per year for a maximum of three (3) years.

(2) Eligible school districts shall include those which implement a modified school calendar by the beginning of the 2023-2024 academic year. Any school district which implemented a modified school calendar in the 2020-2021, 2021-2022 or 2022-2023 academic years shall also be eligible.

(3) The amount awarded each year shall be based on the actual budget and plan submitted by the school district, the number of students in the school district, and other factors which may increase the cost of delivery of services, including the rural nature of the school district.

(4) The amount of the award shall not exceed the actual budget submitted by the school district related to modified school calendar costs.

(5) Grants received by school districts under this chapter shall not be used to purchase land, construct new facilities or to finance or satisfy any existing debt.

SECTION 7. There is created a special fund in the State Treasury, to be known as the "Mississippi Modified School Calendar Grant Fund," from which the grants authorized by this act shall be disbursed by the department. The fund shall be maintained by the State Treasurer as a separate and special fund, separate and apart from the General Fund of the state. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall remain in the fund and shall not lapse into the State General Fund. Any interest earned or investment earnings or interest earned on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund.

SECTION 8. The department shall provide a comprehensive report on the use of funds distributed under this grant program and the effectiveness of modified calendar school districts to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Chairs of the Senate and House Appropriations and Education Committees by October 1, 2023, and October 1 of each year thereafter.

SECTION 9. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.