MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2024 Regular Session
To: Education; Appropriations A
By: Representative Roberson
AN ACT TO CREATE THE STRENGTHENING ACADEMIC VICTORIES THROUGH EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AT DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY (SAVED) STUDY COMMITTEE; TO PROVIDE THAT THE COMMITTEE SHALL DETERMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING AND ADMINISTERING MODEL RURAL EDUCATION SCHOOL PROGRAMS AT DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY AND MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, TO SERVE STUDENTS IN GRADES K-12 WITHIN THE EIGHTEEN COUNTIES OF THE MISSISSIPPI DELTA ENROLLED IN "D" AND "F" SCHOOLS AND DISTRICTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) There is created the Strengthening Academic Victories through Educational Development (SAVED) Study Committee to determine the feasibility of establishing and administering model rural education school programs, to be facilitated by and located at Delta State University and Mississippi Valley State University, in conjunction with the State Board of Education, to serve students in grades K-12 within the eighteen (18) counties of the Delta region of the state who are enrolled in failing schools or failing school districts as designated by the State Board of Education with the assignment of a "D" or "F" school accountability rating.
The committee shall, at a minimum, study and report to the 2025 Regular Session of the Legislature the following:
(a) The identification of facilities on the campuses of Delta State University and Mississippi Valley State University that would be suitable for serving as the educational facilities for the program;
(b) The initial start-up costs for implementation of the program based on projected student enrollment, including capital improvement costs necessary to repair, renovate, refurbish and equip any facility identified for use as an educational facility;
(c) Long term goals and objectives;
(d) Approach to recruiting students in affected school districts in designated counties; and
(e) Curriculum develop and course offering for students at every grade level of instruction.
(2) The Study Committee shall be composed of the following nine (9) members:
(a) Two (2) members appointed by the Speaker of the House, one (1) of whom shall be the Chairman of the House Education Committee;
(b) Two (2) members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor, one (1) of whom shall be the Chairman of the Senate Education Committee;
(c) Three (3) members appointed by the Governor from the state at large;
(d) The President of Delta State University; and
(e) The President of Mississippi Valley State University.
(3) Appointments shall be made within thirty (30) days after the effective date of this act. The committee shall hold its first meeting before August 1, 2024. The Presidents of Delta State University and Mississippi Valley State University shall serve as co-chairmen of the Study Committee.
(4) A majority of the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum. In the adoption of the rules, resolutions and reports, an affirmative vote of a majority of the members shall be required. All members shall be notified in writing of all meetings, such notices shall be mailed at least five (5) days before the date on which a meeting is to be held.
(5) To effectuate the purposes of this section, any department, division, board, bureau, committee or agency of the state or any political subdivision thereof, shall, at the request of any member of the committee, provide such facilities, assistance, information and data as will enable the committee to properly carry out its duties.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2024.