MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Local and Private Legislation

By: Representative Martinson

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF MADISON COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, TO ESTABLISH THE MADISON COUNTY EDUCATION AUTHORITY; TO PROVIDE FOR THE MEMBERSHIP OF SUCH AUTHORITY; TO REQUIRE SUCH AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH AN INTERACTIVE TECHNOLOGY-ENHANCED, EDUCATION CENTER TO SERVE AS A NETWORK TO LINK PUBLIC, PRIVATE AND PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS AND RESOURCE CENTERS THROUGH THE USE OF SPECIALLY MODIFIED PHONE LINES OR OTHER TECHNOLOGY IN ORDER TO ENHANCE COURSE OFFERINGS AT SUCH SCHOOLS; TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF MADISON COUNTY TO CONTRIBUTE FUNDS TO SUCH AUTHORITY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. If the Board of Supervisors of Madison County, Mississippi, finds and determines that the public convenience and necessity require the same, as evidenced by a resolution duly adopted and entered on the official minutes of the board, it may establish the Madison County Education Authority, hereinafter "Authority." The Authority shall be composed of seven (7) resident citizens of Madison County, one (1) from each supervisor's district, who must be qualified electors therein, and two (2) appointed from the county-at-large by the Board of Supervisors of Madison County for a term of five (5) years. The initial members of the Authority shall serve terms as follows: two (2) members shall be appointed for terms of one (1) year; two (2) members for terms of two (2) years; one (1) member for a term of three (3) years; one (1) member for a term of four (4) years; and one (1) member for a term of five (5) years. Thereafter, all members shall serve for a term of five (5) years.

SECTION 2. Before entering upon the duties of the office, each member of the Authority shall take and subscribe the oath of office required by Section 268, Mississippi Constitution of 1890, and shall give bond in the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), conditioned upon the faithful performance of his duties, such bond to be made payable to Madison County and to be approved by the board of supervisors of such county. The members of the Authority shall meet at the regular meeting place of the Board of Supervisors of Madison County within five (5) days after the members are initially appointed and shall elect from among their number a chairman, vice chairman and secretary-treasurer of the Authority and shall adopt a seal and such bylaws, rules and regulations as may be necessary to govern the time, place and manner for holding subsequent meetings of the Authority and for conduct of its business, not inconsistent with the provisions of this act. The members of the Authority shall serve without salary or compensation; however, their actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties may be reimbursed, including mileage as authorized by law for county employees.

SECTION 3. The Authority shall develop an interactive, technology-enhanced, education center to serve as a network to link public, private and parochial schools and resource centers by using specially modified phone lines or other technology. The center shall provide a technical and academic partnership with all public, private and parochial schools in order to enhance the course offerings at such schools. The Authority may conduct activities regarding other matters to support and enhance public, private and parochial education.

SECTION 4. (1) The Authority shall have the following powers and duties:

(a) To acquire by gift, purchase or otherwise, and to own, hold, maintain, control and develop property within the county for development, use and operation as an education center;

(b) To acquire, purchase, install, lease, finance, construct, own, hold, equip, control, maintain, use, operate and repair structures, facilities and equipment necessary and convenient for the development and operation of an education center;

(c) To fix and prescribe fees and charges for the use of the services of the Authority and to collect fees and charges from the users of such services;

(d) To employ such personnel as shall be reasonably necessary to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the Authority as authorized by this act;

(e) To seek and receive financial assistance from any source;

(f) To contract with any public, private or parochial school for the use of the services of the Authority; and

(g) To contract with public and private entities for the use of the services of the Authority.

(2) The enumeration of any specific powers and duties contained in this act shall not be construed in a restrictive sense but shall be construed in as broad and comprehensive a sense as possible to effectuate the purposes of this act.

SECTION 5. The Board of Supervisors of Madison County, Mississippi, in its discretion, is authorized to contribute funds, from any available source, to the Madison County Education Authority.

SECTION 6. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.