MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Senator(s) Farris

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL FOR VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS UNDER THE GOVERNING AUTHORITY OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, TO BE LOCATED IN HATTIESBURG, MISSISSIPPI; TO EMPOWER THE BOARD TO APPOINT A DIRECTOR AND PROVIDE RULEMAKING AUTHORITY FOR THE OPERATION OF THE SCHOOL; TO AUTHORIZE THE SCHOOL TO RECEIVE CONTRIBUTIONS AND MAKE EXPENDITURES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed herein, except when the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

(a) "Board" means the State Board of Education.

(b) "School" means the Mississippi High School for Visual and Performing Arts.

(2) (a) There is hereby created the Mississippi High School for Visual and Performing Arts which shall be a residential school for eleventh and twelfth grade high school students located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

(b) The school shall be governed by the State Board of Education.

(c) The board shall develop a plan relating to the opening, the operation and the funding of the school. Such plan shall be presented to the Legislature during the 2000 Regular Session and shall include an equitable and reasonable plan for student recruitment without regard to race, creed or color.

(d) The purpose of the school shall be to educate the students of the state gifted and talented in the visual and performing arts, and its curriculum and admissions policies shall reflect such purpose.

(e) The board shall prepare the annual budget for the school.

(3) The board may hire a director when it so deems one necessary and when sufficient funds have been appropriated. The director shall serve at the board's will and pleasure. He shall be the chief administrative officer of the school and shall administer the school in accordance with policies established by the board. The director shall be responsible for such administrative duties and functions as the board shall so prescribe. The board shall be authorized, in its discretion, to delegate to the director such of its powers and duties as it deems appropriate.

(4) The board shall be authorized to solicit and utilize the staff of the State Department of Education, staff of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and other state agencies as required for the implementation of this chapter. In addition, the board shall be authorized to contract or enter into agreements with other agencies and/or private research centers that it may deem necessary to carry out its duties and functions.

(5) The board shall be the exclusive governing body of the Mississippi High School for Visual and Performing Arts and is hereby authorized and empowered to promulgate rules and regulations required to carry out the provisions of this chapter. The emphasis of this school shall be dedicated to the teaching of music, art, theater and dance to those students who are selected by the appropriate methods to attend the school. The music area would consist of instruction in the following areas: instrumental, and vocal applied music, individual and ensemble performance, and music theory and history. In the area of theater, students would receive instruction in all areas appropriate to their individual development as actors, directors and designers; also, in the area of theater history. In visual arts, students would receive instruction in the following areas: painting, drawing, sculpture, as well as technology-based courses, such as computer and graphic design; also, in the area of art history. In the area of dance, students would receive instruction in the following areas: basic movement, ballet, modern dance, period dance, and other appropriate styles of dance, such as jazz and tap, and dance history. It is understood that students at the Mississippi High School for Visual and Performing Arts would receive instruction necessary for the completion of their high school degree in all other general academic areas.

(6) For the operation and support of the Mississippi High School for Visual and Performing Arts, the board is authorized and empowered to receive contributions, donations, gifts, bequests of money, other forms of financial assistance and/or property, equipment, materials or manpower from persons, foundations, trust funds, corporations, organizations and other sources, private or public, to be expended and utilized by said board in carrying out the provisions of this chapter.

(7) All expenditures shall be authorized by the board. Such expenditures shall be paid therefrom by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the State Fiscal Officer. Said State Fiscal Officer shall issue his warrant upon requisition signed by the proper person, officer or officers in the manner provided by law.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.