AN ACT TO REQUIRE THAT THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON PERFORMANCE EVALUATION AND EXPENDITURE REVIEW (PEER) PREPARE A REPORT ON SCHOOL DISTRICT IMPLEMENTATION OF EFFICIENCY MEASURES RECOMMENDED BY PEER, TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE LEGISLATURE BY DECEMBER 31, 2026; TO AMEND SECTION 37-3-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PROVIDE CONSULTING TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS REGARDING THE EFFICIENT USE OF TECHNOLOGY AND THE CREATION OF DISASTER RECOVERY PLANS; TO AMEND SECTION 37-13-137, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THAT THE DEPARTMENT PROVIDE CONSULTING TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS REGARDING NUTRITIONAL PROGRAMS; TO AMEND SECTION 37-37-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THAT THE DEPARTMENT ANNUALLY REVIEW ITS ACCOUNTING MANUALS FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND MAKE PROPOSED CHANGES TO ENSURE MORE PRECISE REPORTING OF DISTRICT ACCOUNTING FOR FUNDS BUDGETED AND EXPENDED; TO AMEND SECTION 37-41-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THAT THE DEPARTMENT PROVIDE CONSULTING TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS REGARDING STUDENT TRANSPORTATION ROUTE PLANNING; TO AMEND SECTION 37-28-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ESTABLISH STAGGERED TERMS OF OFFICE FOR THE MISSISSIPPI CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORIZER BOARD; TO AMEND SECTION 37-28-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ALLOW THE BOARD TO RECEIVE UP TO 3% OF ANNUAL PER-PUPIL ALLOCATIONS RECEIVED BY A CHARTER SCHOOL FROM STATE AND LOCAL FUNDS FOR EACH CHARTER SCHOOL IT AUTHORIZES; TO AMEND SECTION 37-151-211, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE ENROLLMENT FIGURES USED IN THE REQUIRED LOCAL CONTRIBUTION OF EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT OR CHARTER SCHOOL TOWARD THE COST OF LOCAL SCHOOL FUNDING; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
Impact
Furthermore, SB2295 mandates the Mississippi Department of Education to provide technical assistance regarding the efficient use of technology in school districts, as well as disaster recovery planning. This includes the development of templates and guidance documents to help schools create effective technology plans and ensure they can respond appropriately in the event of emergencies. These changes are anticipated to not only improve operational efficiency but also enhance overall educational outcomes for students by better equipping districts to manage unforeseen disruptions.
Summary
Senate Bill 2295 aims to enhance the efficiency and functionality of schools within Mississippi through multiple amendments to existing laws. One of the major provisions is the requirement for the Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review (PEER) to compile a report detailing how school districts implement recommended efficiency measures, which is set to be submitted to the legislature by December 31, 2026. This bill seeks to establish a systematic approach for assessing and improving educational expenditures at local levels by emphasizing efficiency.
Contention
The bill also introduces provisions concerning charter school oversight by establishing staggered terms for members of the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board and authorizing the board to receive a percentage of per-pupil allocations for funding their activities. This aspect has potential implications for how charter schools are funded and regulated, thereby stirring debate among educators and policymakers regarding the equity and effectiveness of funding strategies across various school types. By revising local funding contribution calculations, the bill introduces complexities in budgeting that some stakeholders may find contentious.