MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Senator(s) Ferris

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 37-3-81 AND 37-3-83, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DIRECT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH A SCHOOL SAFETY CENTER TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL AND CRISIS ASSISTANCE TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND TO AUTHORIZE SCHOOL SAFETY GRANTS TO LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO FINANCE CERTAIN PROGRAMS TO PROVIDE SCHOOL SAFETY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 37-3-81, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-3-81. The Department of Education shall establish and maintain a School Safety Center, which shall operate a statewide information clearinghouse that (a) provides assistance to school districts and communities during school crisis; and (b) provides technical assistance to public school officials and parents who need assistance in developing school safety plans and in maintaining a safe school environment.

SECTION 2. Section 37-3-83, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-3-83. (1) There is established within the State Department of Education a School Safety Grant Program, available to all eligible public school districts, to assist in financing programs to provide school safety.

(2) Subject to the extent of appropriations available, the School Safety Grant Program shall offer any of the following specific preventive services, and other additional services appropriate to school safety, to be provided through the School Safety Center:

(a) Metal detectors;

(b) Video surveillance cameras, communication equipment and monitoring equipment for classrooms, school buildings and school buses;

(c) Crisis management/action teams responding to school violence; and

(d) Violence prevention training, conflict resolution training, and other appropriate training designated by the State Department of Education for faculty and staff.

(3) Each local school district of this state may annually apply for * * * school safety grant funds subject to appropriations by the Legislature. In order to be eligible for such program, each local school board desiring to participate shall apply to the State Department of Education by May 31 before the beginning of the applicable fiscal year on forms provided by the department, and shall be required to establish a local School Safety Task Force to involve members of the community in the school safety effort. The State Department of Education shall determine by July 1 of each succeeding year which local school districts have submitted approved applications for school safety grants.

(4) As part of the school safety grant program, the State Department of Education may conduct a pilot program to research the feasibility of using video camera equipment in the classroom to address the following:

(a) Determine if video cameras in the classroom reduces student disciplinary problems;

(b) Enable teachers to present clear and convincing evidence of a student's disruptive behavior to the student, the principal, the superintendent and the student's parents; and

(c) Enable teachers to review teaching performance and receive diagnostic feedback for developmental purposes.

The results of any such pilot program shall be reported to the Chairmen of the Education Committees in the House of Representatives and Senate by December 15 of the year following implementation of the pilot program. Any funds appropriated by the Legislature for the support of the pilot program shall be used only for the purchase of equipment and supplies necessary for implementation of the pilot program.

(5) Any local school district may use video camera equipment in classrooms for the purpose of monitoring school disciplinary problems.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.