House Bill 572

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A COMMISSION ON HOLMES-DURANT CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT STRUCTURE TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE 2016 REGULAR SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE REGARDING THE METHOD FOR CONSOLIDATING THE COUNTY INTO ONE SCHOOL DISTRICT WITH ONE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 37-7-103, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FOR PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) There is hereby created and established an advisory council to be known as the Commission on Holmes-Durant Consolidated School District Structure. It shall be the responsibility of the Commission on Holmes-Durant Consolidated School District Structure to review the current structure of the school districts and schools in Durant, Mississippi, and in Holmes County, Mississippi, and make recommendations on future actions of the provision and transition of service of the newly consolidated school district in order to improve both the quality of education and the efficiency with which it is delivered. The commission shall be composed of nine (9) members as follows:

(a) The State Superintendent of Education, or his designee, who shall serve as Chairman of the Commission;

(b) Two (2) representatives of the Holmes County School District appointed by the Board of Education of the Holmes County School District and who may be members of the board;

(c) Two (2) representatives of the former Durant Public School District to be appointed by the State Superintendent of Education who may be members of the former school board;

(d) The Superintendents of Schools of the Holmes County School District and the Durant Public School District;

(e) The Mayor of the City of Durant, or his designee; and

(f) One (1) member of the Holmes County Board of Supervisors.

The Commission on Holmes-Durant Consolidated School District Structure shall meet within thirty (30) days of passage of this act upon the call of the State Superintendent of Education and shall hold hearings and meet as necessary and develop a report to the Legislature, the Governor and the State Board of Education on or before January 1, 2016, with recommendations to accomplish the following:

(a) Review the current structure of school districts and the location of schools in Durant, Mississippi, and Holmes County, Mississippi, and recommend how they can be consolidated into one (1) school district in order to improve both the quality of education and the efficiency at which it is delivered.

(b) Review the capital facility needs of both school districts and recommend methods of financing necessary improvements, including the possibility of pledging Mississippi Adequate Education Program funds for capital improvement purposes.

(c) Detail in the report how best to implement consolidation and make any other recommendations on how to maximize education quality in Durant and Holmes County while eliminating duplicative and wasteful administrative spending.

The commission shall have the authority to raise and to expend nonstate funds. The State Department of Education shall provide staff and such other support as the commission deems appropriate. After submitting its report on or before January 1, 2016, the commission shall be dissolved.

SECTION 2. Section 37-7-103, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

37-7-103. From and after July 1, 1987, the school board of any school district shall have full jurisdiction, power and authority, at any regular meeting thereof or at any special meeting called for that purpose, to abolish such existing district, or to reorganize, change or alter the boundaries of any such district. In addition thereto, with the consent of the school board of the school district involved, the school board may add to such school district any part of the school district adjoining same, and with the consent of the school board of the school district involved, may detach territory from such school district and annex same to an adjoining district. Provided, however, that the consent of the school board of the school districts involved in implementing the provisions of Section 37-7-104 or Section 37-7-104.2 or Section 37-7-104.3 shall not be required for the administrative consolidation of such school districts pursuant to the order of the State Board of Education.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2015.