MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2024 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Representative Roberson

House Bill 1193

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-9-57, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO IMPOSE A FINE AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO SUSPENDING THE LICENSE OF AN APPOINTED SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT, PRINCIPAL OR LICENSED EMPLOYEE WHO ABANDONS EMPLOYMENT WITHOUT BEING RELEASED FROM THE PERSON'S CONTRACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 37-9-57, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     37-9-57.  If any appointed superintendent, principal or licensed employee in any public school of this state shall arbitrarily or willfully breach his or her contract and abandon his or her employment without being released * * *therefrom from the contract as provided in Section 37-9-55, the contract of such superintendent, principal or licensed employee shall be null and void.  In addition * * * thereto, the State Board of Education may impose a fine or suspend the license of such superintendent, principal or licensed employee * * *may be suspended by the State Board of Education for a period of one (1) school year, as provided in Section * * *37‑3‑2(8)37-3-2(12), upon written recommendation of the majority of the members of the school board of the school district involved.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2024.