MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Senator(s) Walls

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-19-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DIRECT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH AN ANNUAL SCALE OF THE AVERAGE LOCAL SUPPLEMENT PAID TO TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS BY SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT TO WITHHOLD MINIMUM PROGRAM FUNDS FROM ANY SCHOOL DISTRICT WHICH IN THE 1999-2000 SCHOOL YEAR PAYS LESS THAN THE AVERAGE SUPPLEMENTAL SALARY SCALE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 37-19-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-19-11. (1) No school district shall pay any teacher on the minimum foundation program less than the state minimum salary provided for in Section 37-19-7. No school district shall receive any funds under the provisions of this chapter for any school year during which the aggregate amount of local supplement as defined in Section 37-19-1 shall have been reduced below such amount for the previous year; however, where there has been a reduction in the number of teacher units in such district in such year, where there has been a reduction in the amount of federal funds to such district below the previous year, or where there has been a reduction in ad valorem taxes to such school district for the 1986-1987 school year below the amount for the previous year due to the exemption of nuclear generating plants from ad valorem taxation, pursuant to Section 27-35-309, the aggregate amount of local supplement in such district may be reduced proportionately without loss of funds under this chapter. No school district may receive any funds under the provisions of this chapter for any school year if the aggregate amount of support from ad valorem taxation shall be reduced during such school year below such amount for the previous year; however, where there is a loss in teacher units, or where there is or heretofore has been a decrease in the total assessed value of taxable property within a school district, the aggregate amount of such support may be reduced proportionately. Nothing herein contained shall prohibit any school district from adopting or continuing a program or plan whereby teachers are paid varying salaries according to the teaching ability, classroom performance and other similar standards.

(2) Beginning with the 1999-2000 school year, the State Department of Education shall formulate and establish a scale of supplemental pay for licensed teachers and administrators based upon the average local supplement for all public schools in Mississippi, and based upon the type of certification and experience, and shall update said salary scale on an annual basis. This average local supplement salary scale shall be distributed to all local school boards on or before July 1, 1999, and shall be approved by the State Board of Education. No school district shall receive any minimum program funds for the 1999-2000 school year and for any school years thereafter in which the school board of such school district has adopted a local supplement pay scale for its licensed teachers and administrators which is less than the average supplemental salary scale established by the State Board of Education. The State Department of Education shall annually develop and include in its report to the Legislature which lists the local supplement salary scale adopted by each school district.

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