Senate Bill 2177

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-31-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT PAYMENTS OUT OF STATE APPROPRIATIONS TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS FOR EXTENDED CONTRACTS FOR VOCATIONAL AGRICULTURE EDUCATION SERVICES AND OTHER RELATED VOCATIONAL EDUCATION SERVICES CONTRIBUTING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SHALL BE AVAILABLE ONLY TO THOSE HIGH SCHOOLS WHOSE TEACHERS OF VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CERTAIN PROGRAMS OF INSTRUCTION DURING THOSE DAYS OR WEEKS BETWEEN ACADEMIC YEARS OR, FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVING ADOPTED THE EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR, BETWEEN ACADEMIC QUARTERS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 37-31-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-31-13. (1) Any appropriation that may be made under the provisions of Sections 37-31-1 through 37-31-15 shall be used by the board for the promotion of vocational education as provided for in the "Smith-Hughes Act" and for the purpose set forth in Sections 37-31-1 through 37-31-15. The state appropriation shall not be used for payments to high schools which are now receiving other state funds, except in lieu of not more than one-half (1/2) the amount that may be due such high schools from federal funds. Only such portion of the state appropriation shall be used as may be absolutely necessary to carry out the provisions of Sections 37-31-1 through 37-31-15, and to meet the federal requirements. Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, the state appropriation shall not be used for payments to high schools for conducting vocational programs for more than ten (10) months in any school year, and only funds other than total funding formula funds may be expended for such purpose.

(2) Subject to annual approval by the State Board of Education, extended contracts for vocational agriculture education services and other related vocational education services which contribute to economic development may be conducted by local school districts, and state appropriations may be used for payments to school districts providing such services. The board of trustees of each school district shall determine whether any proposed services contribute to the economic development of the area. Local districts may apply to the Division of Vocational and Technical Education of the State Department of Education for any state funds available for these extended contracts. The State Board of Education shall establish the application process and the selection criteria for this program. The number of state-funded extended contracts approved by the State Board of Education will be determined by the availability of funds specified for this purpose. The State Board of Education's decision shall be final. Payments under this subsection shall only be available to those high schools whose teachers of vocational programs are responsible for the following programs of instruction during those * * * ~~months between the academic years~~ days or weeks between academic years or, for school districts having adopted the extended school year calendar, between academic quarters: (a) supervision and instruction of students in agricultural or other vocational experience programs; (b) group and individual instruction of farmers and agribusinessmen; (c) supervision of student members of youth groups who are involved in leadership training or other activity required by state or federal law; or (d) any program of vocational agriculture or other vocational-related services established by the Division of Vocational and Technical Education of the State Department of Education that contribute to the economic development of the geographic area.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2025.