AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-9-79, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DELETE THE PROVISION THAT REQUIRES PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELORS TO ABIDE BY THE AMERICAN SCHOOL COUNSELOR ASSOCIATION CODE OF ETHICS; TO REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ADOPT REGULATIONS REGARDING THE ACTIVITIES OF PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELORS, INCLUDING A MODEL CODE OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS; TO AMEND SECTION 37-19-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE FOR AN INCREASE TO THE MINIMUM TEACHER SALARY SCALE; TO PROVIDE AN ANNUAL SALARY SUPPLEMENT TO LICENSED SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS EMPLOYED BY A SCHOOL DISTRICT ON A FULL-TIME BASIS TO PROVIDE SPECIAL EDUCATION INSTRUCTION, TO LICENSED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS AND TO CERTIFIED SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS; TO AMEND SECTION 37-21-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT NO SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL REDUCE THE LOCAL SUPPLEMENT OR PAY AN INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANT TEACHER LESS THAN THE STATE MINIMUM SALARY IN A YEAR IN WHICH THE STATE MINIMUM SALARY IS INCREASED; TO PROVIDE FOR A REDUCTION IN FUNDS FOR DISTRICTS THAT VIOLATE THIS SECTION; TO PROVIDE THAT NO DISTRICT SHALL PAY ANY ASSISTANT TEACHER LESS THAN THE STATE MINIMUM SALARY UNLESS DONE SO BY A PRO RATA DAILY AMOUNT WHERE THERE HAS BEEN A REDUCTION IN TOTAL FUNDING FORMULA ALLOCATIONS FOR SUCH DISTRICT IN SUCH YEAR OR IN THE AMOUNT OF FEDERAL FUNDS TO SUCH DISTRICT FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR; TO PROVIDE FOR AN INCREASE TO THE MINIMUM BASE SALARY FOR ASSISTANT TEACHERS; TO AMEND SECTION 37-151-203, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF THE BASE STUDENT COST; TO AMEND SECTIONS 37-13-89 AND 37-13-91, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE QUALIFICATIONS FOR SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OFFICERS; TO DIRECT THE STATE TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR ONE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OFFICER FOR EVERY 4,000 COMPULSORY-SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN IN ENROLLMENT IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS; TO INSTITUTE A NEW MINIMUM SALARY SCHEDULE FOR SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OFFICERS; TO PROVIDE THAT EACH SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OFFICER MAY RECEIVE AN ANNUAL SALARY SUPPLEMENT FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN WHICH HE OR SHE SERVES, AT THE DISCRETION OF THE DISTRICT; TO REFORM THE MISSISSIPPI COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAW; TO AMEND SECTIONS 37-9-39 and 37-151-103, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE TIME IN DECEMBER WHEN SCHOOL DISTRICTS SHALL PROCESS PAYROLL FOR ALL EMPLOYEES FROM THE LAST WORKING DAY TO A TIME CONSISTENT WITH OTHER MONTHLY INSTALLMENTS AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING THE 45-DAY GAP BETWEEN TEACHER PAY PERIODS FROM THE DECEMBER PAY DATE TO JANUARY PAY DATE; TO REPEAL SECTION 25-11-126, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH CONTAINS PROVISIONS FOR RETIRED TEACHERS RETURNING TO WORK WHILE CONTINUING TO DRAW RETIREMENT BENEFITS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
The legislation also seeks to address teacher compensation by increasing the minimum teacher salary scale and providing annual salary supplements for licensed special education teachers, occupational therapists, and school psychologists. Furthermore, it places restrictions on school districts regarding the pay of assistant teachers, ensuring that they cannot reduce local supplements during years when the state minimum salary is increased. The bill introduces a framework that could improve teacher retention and recruitment by enhancing financial incentives for educators in critical roles.
Senate Bill 2103 is a significant piece of legislation aimed at reforming various aspects of education in Mississippi. The bill amends the Mississippi Code of 1972, specifically targeting the requirements for professional school counselors, including repealing the necessity for them to adhere to the American School Counselor Association Code of Ethics. Instead, it mandates that the State Department of Education develop regulations for counseling practices, including a model code of professional ethics, which local school boards can adopt. This shift reflects a move towards greater state-level control over counseling ethics, potentially altering the professional landscape for school counselors in Mississippi.
Overall, the sentiment surrounding SB 2103 is mixed. Proponents argue that the reforms are essential for improving education quality and ensuring that counselors receive support tailored to the state's needs. They believe that increasing teacher salaries and providing additional funding will help address staffing shortages and empower educators. Conversely, opponents express concerns that the changes to ethical requirements for counselors may diminish the professional standards expected in educational settings, which could negatively impact students' well-being.
Noteworthy points of contention include the potential implications of the changes in ethical standards and the additional financial responsibilities placed on school districts regarding teacher and assistant teacher salaries. Critics fear that without the stringent ethical guidelines previously mandated, there could be inconsistencies in how counseling services are delivered across various districts. Additionally, the financial burden on districts to comply with new salary requirements raises issues of fiscal sustainability amid varying local revenue capacities.