House Bill 721

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-151-77, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE FOR A MAXIMUM PUPIL-TEACHER RATIO FOR KINDERGARTEN THROUGH GRADE 3 IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 37-151-77, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-151-77. To qualify for funds provided in this chapter, each school district shall not exceed a pupil-teacher ratio based on enrollment in kindergarten through Grades 1, 2 and 3 * * * as follows: 19:1 by the beginning of the school year 2005-2006 and 16:1 by the beginning of the school year 2007-2008 and every school year thereafter.

For Grades 4 through 12, pupil-teacher ratio shall be determined based on appropriate accreditation standards developed by the Mississippi Commission on School Accreditation.

* * * If a school district violates the provisions of this section, the state aid for the ensuing fiscal year to such school district shall be reduced by the percentage variance that the actual pupil-teacher ratios in such school district has to the required pupil-teacher ratios mandated in this section. * * *

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after January 1, 2004, provided that House Concurrent Resolution No. ___, 2003 Regular Session, is ratified by the electorate.