Senate Bill 2621

(As Passed the Senate)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 37-29-63 AND 37-29-67, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT COMMUNITY/JUNIOR COLLEGE BOARDS OF TRUSTEES MAY DESIGNATE A PERSON TO RECOMMEND TEACHERS FOR EMPLOYMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 37-29-63, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-29-63. The president of any community/junior college, or such other person designated or authorized by the board of trustees, shall have the power to recommend to the board of trustees all teachers to be employed in the district. The president may remove or suspend any member of the faculty subject to the approval of the trustees. He shall be the general manager of all fiscal and administrative affairs of the district with full authority to select, direct, employ and discharge any and all employees other than teachers; however, the board may make provisions and establish policies for leave for faculty members and other key personnel.

The president shall have the authority, subject to the provisions of Sections 37-29-1 to 37-29-273 and the approval of the trustees, to arrange and survey courses of study, fix schedules, and establish and enforce rules and discipline for the governing of teachers and students. He shall be the general custodian of the property of the district.

SECTION 2. Section 37-29-67, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-29-67. (1) The duties of the board of trustees shall be the general government of the community/junior college and directive of the administration thereof. Subject to the provisions of Sections 37-29-1 through 37-29-273, the board shall have full power to do all things necessary to the successful operation of the district and the college or colleges or attendance centers located therein to insure educational advantages and opportunities to all the enrollees within the district. The board of trustees shall be authorized to designate a personnel supervisor or other person employed by the district to recommend teachers and to transmit such recommendations to the board of trustees; however, this authorization shall be restricted to no more than two (2) positions for each employment period in the district.

(2) The delineation and enumeration of the powers and purposes set out in Sections 37-29-1 through 37-29-273 shall be deemed to be supplemental and additional, and shall not be construed to restrict the powers of the board of trustees of the district or of any college located therein so as to deny to the said district and the college or colleges therein the rights, privileges, and powers previously authorized by statute.

(3) The board of trustees shall have the power to contract, on a shared-savings, lease or lease-purchase basis, for energy efficiency services and/or equipment as prescribed in Section 31-7-14, not to exceed ten (10) years.

(4) The board of trustees shall be authorized with the approval of the State Board for Community and Junior Colleges, to change the name of the junior college to community college. The State Board for Community and Junior Colleges shall establish guidelines for the implementation of any junior college name change. Any reference to junior college district in this chapter shall hereinafter refer to the junior college district or its successor in name as changed by the board of trustees.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.