Senate Bill 2878

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-7-103, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT ANY TERRITORY ANNEXED BY A MUNICIPALITY WHERE EACH SCHOOL IN THE MUNICIPAL SEPARATE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS ACCREDITED LEVEL 3 OR HIGHER SHALL AUTOMATICALLY BE ADDED TO SUCH MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DISTRICT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 37-7-103, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-7-103. From and after July 1, 1987, the school board of any school district shall have full jurisdiction, power and authority, at any regular meeting thereof or at any special meeting called for that purpose, to abolish such existing district, or to reorganize, change or alter the boundaries of any such district. Except as otherwise provided herein, with the consent of the school board of the school district involved, the school board may add to such school district any part of the school district adjoining same, and with the consent of the school board of the school district involved, may detach territory from such school district and annex same to an adjoining district. Provided, however, that from and after July 1, 2004, any future changes in the boundaries of a presently existing municipality which extend into a county shall automatically include such added territory within the boundaries of the municipal separate school district embraced by the municipality if each school located in such municipal separate school district is accredited a Level 3 school or higher by the State Board of Education.

SECTION 2. The Attorney General of the State of Mississippi shall submit this act, immediately upon approval by the Governor, or upon approval by the Legislature subsequent to a veto, to the Attorney General of the United States or to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in accordance with the provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended and extended.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after the date it is effectuated under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended and extended.