Senate Bill 2003

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-151-83, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE ALLOTMENT OF FUNDS AVAILABLE TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS UNDER THE ADEQUATE EDUCATION FUNDING FORMULA TO SUPPORT ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL PROGRAMS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 37-151-83, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-151-83. (1) In addition to other funds allowed under the Adequate Education Program, each school district shall receive a grant for the support of alternative school programs established under Section 37-13-92, Mississippi Code of 1972, in accordance with the following: One and twenty-five hundredths percent (1.25%) of the school district's average daily attendance or fifteen (15) pupils, whichever is greater, multiplied by the average expenditure of public monies per pupil in the State of Mississippi, as determined by the State Board of Education.

(2) An alternative school advisory board may be created within each school district maintaining a freestanding alternative school or two (2) or more adjacent school districts operating a freestanding alternative school pursuant to a contract approved by the State Board of Education. The advisory board shall meet no less than two (2) times during each school year to study the alternative school program and to make recommendations for improvements to the superintendent of the local school board or boards, as the case may be, and the State Superintendent of Education. The alternative school advisory board shall consist of the following members: one (1) school administrator to be appointed by each local school board of the school district or districts operating the alternative school; one (1) school board member and one (1) parent to be appointed by each superintendent of the school district or districts operating the alternative school; one (1) classroom teacher to be appointed by the classroom teachers in each school district operating the alternative school; one (1) individual to be appointed by the local youth court judge, or if there is no such court the chancery court judge; and one (1) law enforcement officer to be appointed by the local sheriff. The initial members of the advisory board shall serve as follows: One-third (1/3) of the members shall serve two (2) years; one-third (1/3) of the members shall serve three (3) years; and one-third (1/3) of the members shall serve four (4) years, to be designated by the appointing authority at the time of appointment. Thereafter, the term of each member shall be for a period of four (4) years.

An alternative school advisory board shall have no governing authority over the alternative school program, and not in any manner shall an advisory board's authority supersede the authority of the school district or lead district in those alternative school programs operated jointly by two (2) or more districts. SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2003.