MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Senator(s) Harden, Nunnelee, Jackson, Jordan, Johnson (38th), Simmons, Horhn, Walls, Gollott

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-7-306, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE ALL LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS SELECTED AFTER JULY 1, 2004, TO HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR ITS EQUIVALENT, AND TO REQUIRE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS OF SCHOOLS WHICH HAVE LOST THEIR ACCREDITATION TO COMPLETE ANNUAL TRAINING COURSES IN ORDER TO RETAIN THEIR OFFICE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 37-7-306, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-7-306. (1) Every school board member selected after July 1, 2004, shall have a high school diploma or its equivalent.

(2) Every school board member selected after July 1, 1993, shall be required to complete a basic course of training and education for local school board members, in order for board members to carry out their duties more effectively and be exposed to new ideas involving school restructuring. Such basic course of training, approved by the State Board of Education, shall be conducted by the School Executive Management Institute of the State Department of Education. Upon completion of the basic course of training, the School Executive Management Institute shall file a certificate of completion for the school board member with the office of the local school board. In the event that a board member fails to complete such training within six (6) months of his selection, or six (6) months from April 15, 1993, such board member shall no longer be qualified to serve and shall be removed from office.

(3) In addition to meeting the requirements of subsection (2) of this section, after taking office, each school board member shall be required to file annually in the office of the school board a certificate of completion of a course of continuing education conducted by the Mississippi School Boards Association.

(4) Every school board member selected after July 1, 2004 shall complete a course for substitute teachers and teach at least one (1) full day in a school in the district they represent, without compensation.

(5) Upon the failure of any local school board member to file with the school board the certificate of completion of the basic course of training as provided in subsection (2) of this section, the school board member shall be removed from office.

(6) Upon the failure of any local school board member of a school district with a school failing to meet minimum accreditation standards to file with the school board the certificate of completion of the continuing education course of training provided in subsection (3) of this section, the school board member shall be removed from office by the Attorney General.

SECTION 2. The Attorney General of the State of Mississippi shall submit this act, immediately upon approval by the Governor, or upon approval by the Legislature subsequent to a veto, to the Attorney General of the United States or to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in accordance with the provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended and extended.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after the date it is effectuated under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended and extended.