Senate Bill 2136

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE AND DIRECT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO DISTRIBUTE SCHOOL DISTRICT CONSOLIDATION INCENTIVE GRANTS TO NORTH BOLIVAR CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT, WEST BOLIVAR CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT, SUNFLOWER COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND TO ANY SCHOOL DISTRICT WHICH CONSOLIDATES AFTER JULY 1, 2013, TO DEFRAY CERTAIN TRANSITIONAL COSTS RELATING TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE CONSOLIDATION; TO PROVIDE STANDARDS FOR CALCULATING THE AMOUNT OF THE GRANTS; TO PROVIDE THAT SUCH GRANT FUNDS SHALL BE DISTRIBUTED AT THE SAME TIME AND IN THE SAME MANNER AS ADEQUATE EDUCATION PROGRAM FUNDS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) Effective July 1, 2013, the State Department of Education is authorized and directed to provide and distribute school district consolidation incentive grant funds to the school districts identified in subsection (2) of this section to defray the transitional costs relating to the administrative consolidation of school districts. It is the intent of the Legislature that the purpose of school district consolidation is to afford school districts greater flexibility in the services they offer students, increased administrative efficiency, and a means to address underlying financial deficiencies.

(2) The following school districts are eligible for incentive grants from the State Department of Education:

(a) North Bolivar Consolidated School District;

(b) West Bolivar Consolidated School District;

(d) Any school district which consolidates with another school district after July 1, 2013, and accepts school district territory and students from a former adjoining school district.

(3) School districts that consolidate as identified in subsection (2) of this section are eligible for the following grants from the State Department of Education:

(a) For four (4) years, the consolidated school district receives Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP) funding at the per-student level of the school district receiving the most adequate education funding prior to the consolidation.

(b) For four (4) years, the consolidated district receives a grant to pay the difference in teacher salaries, in order to allow salaries in the combined districts to be increased to the same level.

(c) The consolidated school district receives a one-time grant to defray the cost of any negative fund balance that the former school district transfers to the newly consolidated district.

(d) The consolidated school district receives a one-time grant of Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000.00) per certified teacher, certified administrator and superintendent office staff person.

(4) School district consolidation incentive grant funds shall be distributed to each eligible school district at the time and in the manner provided for the payment of adequate education funds under Section 37-151-103.

(5) School district consolidation incentive grant funds shall be subject to the availability of specific appropriation therefor by the Legislature.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2013.