Senate Bill 3002

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 37-139-9 AND 37-140-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DIRECT THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO CHARGE FEES FOR ROOM AND BOARD AT THE MISSISSIPPI SCHOOL FOR MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE AND THE MISSISSIPPI SCHOOL OF THE ARTS, BASED ON A SLIDING SCALE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 37-139-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-139-9. The board shall be the exclusive governing body of the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science and is hereby authorized and empowered to promulgate rules and regulations required to carry out the provisions of this chapter. The emphasis of this school shall be dedicated to the academic teaching of mathematics and the sciences, but shall not preclude some emphasis being placed on the arts and humanities as deemed appropriate by the board. The board shall promulgate rules and regulations to charge fees for room and board for students attending this school, with a sliding scale based upon ability to pay.

SECTION 2. Section 37-140-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-140-9. The board shall be the exclusive governing body of the school and shall promulgate rules and regulations required for the administration and operation of the school. The emphasis of the school shall be on the education and training of students in the performing, visual and literary arts and in the humanities, but this emphasis shall not preclude the teaching of those liberal arts and science courses, math and science deemed necessary by the board to provide students with a well-rounded education. The board shall promulgate rules and regulations to charge fees for room and board for students attending this school, with a sliding scale based upon ability to pay.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2004.