MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2013 Regular Session
To: Education
By: Representative Dixon
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-37-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THAT UNIFORM SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTING USED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR THE AUDITING OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS INCLUDE A METHOD OF ACCOUNTING FOR AND KEEPING RECORDS OF ALL LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDS RECEIVED, HANDLED AND DISBURSED BY SUCH SCHOOL DISTRICT; TO AMEND SECTION 37-61-29, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF AUDIT TO POST-AUDIT AND INVESTIGATE THE FINANCIAL AFFAIRS AND TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THE LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERALLY APPROPRIATED SCHOOL FUNDS OF EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE STATE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 37-37-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-37-1. The State Department of Education is hereby authorized and directed to prescribe and formulate for use by all school districts of this state, including municipal separate school districts, adequate accounting systems and other essential financial records which shall be uniform for all of the school districts of this state. Such uniform system shall include a method of accounting for and keeping records of all local, state and federal funds received, handled and disbursed by such school district, whether derived from taxation or otherwise, including funds derived from donations, athletic events and other special activities of the school district. The uniform system of accounts so prescribed and formulated by the State Department of Education shall be distributed and disseminated to all of the school districts of this state and it shall be mandatory that the boards of trustees of all such school districts install, utilize and follow said uniform system of accounts in keeping the financial records of the school district. At the request of the Mississippi Department of Education, the Office of the State Auditor shall provide advice for implementation of this section.
SECTION 2. Section 37-61-29, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-61-29. The State
Department of Audit * * * shall post-audit and
investigate the financial affairs and all transactions involving the local,
state and federally appropriated school funds of * * * each school district in the state
including the * * * adequate education program fund and supplementary district
school funds, and to make separate and special audits thereof, as now provided
by Sections 7-7-201 through 7-7-215, Mississippi Code of 1972.
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2013.