SB2713_S_(Cmte_Sub)_Amend

SECTION 1. (1) There is created a Task Force to Study the Administrative Consolidation of School Districts in Mississippi. The task force shall, at a minimum, study and report on the following factors related to school consolidation:

(a) Administrative costs of school districts;

(b) Local contributions to MAEP;

(d) Methods of selecting school boards and school superintendents;

(e) High growth districts; and

(f) Related issues.

(2) The State Board of Education shall contract with a consulting firm that has expertise in public school administration to assist the task force with the study, or may contract for services to be provided by the Stennis Institute for Government. The task force shall make a report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by November 1, 2005, including any recommended legislation.

(3) The task force shall be composed of the following twelve (14) members:

(a) The Chairmen of the House and Senate Education Committees;

(b) The Chairmen of the House and Senate Appropriation Committees;

(c) Two (2) representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House, at least one (1) of which shall be a member of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee;

(d) Two (2) Senators to be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor, at least one (1) of which shall be a member of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee;

(e) The State Superintendent of Education, or his designee;

(f) An appointed and elected school superintendent appointed by the Governor;

(g) An appointed and elected local school board member approved by the Governor; and

(h) A member of the State Board of Education appointed by the Chairman of the board.

(4) Appointments shall be made within thirty (30) days after the effective date of this act. The task force shall hold its first meeting before August 1, 2005. The Chairman of the House Education Committee and the Chairman of the Senate Education Committee shall serve as cochairmen of the task force.

(5) A majority of the members of the task force shall constitute a quorum. In the adoption of rules, resolutions and reports, an affirmative vote of a majority of the task force shall be required. All members shall be notified in writing of all meetings, such notices to be mailed at least five (5) days prior to the date on which a meeting is to be held.

(6) Members of the task force may not be compensated for the performance of their duties. Any incidental costs associated with conducting the study shall be paid by the State Department of Education.

(7) The task force is authorized to accept money from any source, public or private, to be expended in implementing its duties under this section.

(8) To effectuate the purposes of this section, any department, division, board, bureau, commission or agency of the state or of any political subdivision thereof shall, at the request of the chairperson of the task force, provide to the task force such facilities, assistance and data as will enable the task force to properly carry out its duties.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2005.