House Bill 240

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-13-61, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROHIBIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS FROM OPENING THEIR ANNUAL SCHOOL TERM BEFORE AUGUST FIFTEENTH; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 37-13-61, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-13-61. The State Board of Education shall have the power and authority to fix the date for the opening of the school term in all schools in the state, which date may not be before the fifteenth day of August. The State Board of Education shall promulgate guidelines for an annual school calendar to be observed by all public school districts. * * * However, * * * local school boards are authorized to keep school in session in excess of the minimum number of days prescribed in this chapter.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2004.