House Bill 1413

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 37-3-59 AND 37-7-339, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE A SUMMER KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS TO ENROLL IN BEFORE AND AFTER THE BEGINNING OF THE REGULAR KINDERGARTEN SCHOOL YEAR; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 37-3-59, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-3-59. (1) The school boards of all school districts may establish, maintain and operate, in connection with the kindergarten program of the district, a summer kindergarten program that begins two (2) months before the beginning of the regular school year, and a summer kindergarten program for Grade 1 readiness for those pupils making unsatisfactory progress during the regular kindergarten session that will continue for two (2) months after the regular school year. The summer kindergarten program may be held within that school district or may be operated by two (2) or more adjacent school districts, or may be operated by a community/junior college or by a public or private university or college, pursuant to a contract approved by the State Board of Education. Transportation for students attending the summer kindergarten program shall be the responsibility of the local school district. The expense of establishing, maintaining and operating the summer kindergarten program may be paid from funds contributed or otherwise made available to the school district for that purpose from state appropriation, or otherwise, or from local district maintenance funds.

(2) The school boards of all school districts are authorized to establish, maintain and operate a summer developmental program for those students making unsatisfactory progress in Grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, during the first two (2) semesters. Such summer programs shall be open to those students who are not required to attend summer classes, but have had difficulty in the first two (2) trimesters, and shall be open to those students who desire enrichment. Said summer developmental programs may be held within such school district or may be operated by two (2) or more adjacent school districts, or may be operated by a community/junior college or by a public or private university or college, pursuant to a contract approved by the State Board of Education. Transportation for students required to attend the summer program for Grades 1-6 shall be the responsibility of the local school district(s). The expense of establishing, maintaining and operating such summer program may be paid from funds contributed or made available to the school district for such purpose from state appropriation, or otherwise, or from local district maintenance funds.

(3) The school boards of all school districts are authorized to establish, maintain and operate a summer developmental program for those students making unsatisfactory progress in core curriculum courses in Grades 7 and 8, during the preceding school year. Said summer developmental programs may be held within such school district or may be operated by two (2) or more adjacent school districts, or may be operated by a community/junior college or by a public or private university or college, pursuant to a contract approved by the State Board of Education. Transportation for students required to attend the summer program for Grades 7 and 8 shall be the responsibility of the local school district. The expense of establishing, maintaining and operating such summer program may be paid from funds contributed or made available to the school district for such purpose from state appropriation, or otherwise, or from local district maintenance funds.

SECTION 2. Section 37-7-339, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-7-339. (1) The school board of any * * * school district * * * may provide extended day programs, and may provide extended school year programs for kindergarten students as provided in Section 37-3-59, or compulsory-school-age students, or both, and may expend any funds for these purposes which are available from sources other than the adequate education program. It is not the intent of the Legislature, in enacting this section, to interfere with the Headstart program. School boards, in their discretion, may charge participants a reasonable fee for such programs.

(2) The school board of any school district may adopt any orders, policies, rules or regulations with respect to instruction within that school district for which no specific provision has been made by general law and which are not inconsistent with the Mississippi Constitution of 1890, the Mississippi Code of 1972, or any order, policy, rule or regulation of the State Board of Education; those school boards also may alter, modify and repeal any orders, policies, rules or regulations enacted under this subsection. Any such program pertaining to reading must further the goal that Mississippi students will demonstrate a growing proficiency in reading and will reach or exceed the national average within the next decade.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2003.