|
|
AA |
The public schools of
The
official name of the school system shall be the
The
The
Mississippi Early Childhood Education Program shall be the kindergarten program
implemented by local school districts under the provisions of the minimum
education program. §37-21-6(1996)
There
shall be maintained a uniform system of free public schools consisting of
grades one through twelve, which may be divided among elementary schools,
middle schools, junior high schools and high schools or any combination
thereof, on such basis and in such grades as the Board of Trustees of the
school district involved, in its discretion, shall deem necessary and
desirable. §37-13-1(1954)
All
school districts in the state (countywide, municipal separate, consolidated or
line consolidated) have the same prerogatives, powers, duties and privileges.
§37-6-3(1987)
|
|
AAA |
A school district and its employees acting within the course and scope of their employment or duties shall not be liable for any claim:
a.
Arising out of a legislative or judicial action or inaction, or
administrative action or inaction of a legislative or judicial nature;
b.
Arising out of any act or omission of an employee of a governmental
entity exercising ordinary care in reliance upon, or in the execution or
performance of, or in the failure to execute or perform, a statute, ordinance
or regulation, whether or not the statute, ordinance or regulation be valid;
c.
Arising out of any act or omission of an employee of a governmental
entity engaged in the performance or execution of duties or activities relating
to police or fire protection unless the employee acted in reckless disregard of
the safety and well-being of any person not engaged in criminal activity at the
time of injury;
d.
Based upon the exercise or performance or the failure to exercise or
perform a discretionary function or duty on the part of a governmental entity
or employee thereof, whether or not the discretion is abused;
e.
Arising out of an injury caused by adopting or failing to adopt a
statute, ordinance or regulation;
f.
Which is limited or barred by the provisions of any other law;
g.
Arising out of the exercise of discretion in determining whether or not
to seek or provide the resources necessary for the purchase of equipment, the
construction or maintenance of facilities, the hiring of personnel and, in
general, the provision of adequate government services;
h.
Arising out of the issuance, denial, suspension or revocation of, or
the failure or refusal to issue, deny, suspend or revoke any privilege, ticket,
pass, permit, license, certificate, approval, order or similar authorization
where the governmental entity or its employee is authorized by law to determine
whether or not such authorization should be issued, denied, suspended or
revoked unless such issuance, denial suspension or revocation or refusal
thereof, is of a malicious or arbitrary and capricious nature;
i.
Arising out of the assessment or collection of any tax or fee;
j.
Arising out of the detention of any goods or merchandise by any law
enforcement officer, unless such detention is of a malicious or arbitrary and capricious nature;
k.
Arising out of the imposition or establishment of a quarantine, whether
such quarantine relates to persons or property;
l.
Of any claimant who is an employee of a governmental entity and whose
injury is covered by the Workers’ Compensation Law of this state by benefits
furnished by the governmental entity by which he is employed;
m.
Of any claimant who at the time the claim arises is an inmate of any
detention center, jail, workhouse, penal farm, penitentiary or other such
institution, regardless of whether such claimant is or is not an inmate of any
detention center, jail, workhouse, penal farm, penitentiary or other such
institution when the claim is filed;
n.
Arising out of any work performed by a person convicted of a crime when
the work is performed pursuant to any sentence or order of any court or
pursuant to laws of the State of
o.
Under circumstances where liability has been or is hereafter assumed by
the United States, to the extent of such assumption of liability, including but
not limited to any claim based on activities of the Mississippi National Guard
when such claim is cognizable under the National Guard Tort Claims Act of the
United States, 32 USC 715 (32 USCS 715), or when such claim accrues as a result
of active federal service or state service at the call of the Governor for
quelling riots and civil disturbances;
p.
Arising out of a plan or design for construction or improvements to
public property, including but not limited to, public buildings, highways,
roads, streets, bridges, levees, dikes, dams, impoundments, drainage channels,
diversion channels, harbors, ports, wharfs or docks, where such plan or design
has been approved in advance of the construction or improvement by the
legislative body or governing authority of a governmental entity or by some
other body or administrative agency, exercising discretion by authority to give
such approval, and where such plan or design is in conformity with engineering
or design standards in effect at the time of preparation of the plan or design;
q.
Arising out of an injury caused solely by the effect of weather
conditions on the use of streets and highways;
r.
Arising out of the lack of adequate personnel or facilities at a state
hospital or state corrections facility if reasonable use of available
appropriations has been made to provide such personnel or facilities;
s.
Arising out of loss, damage or destruction of property of a patient or
inmate of a state institution;
t.
Arising out of any loss of benefits or compensation due under a program
of public assistance or public welfare;
u.
Arising out of or resulting from riots, unlawful assemblies, unlawful
public demonstrations, mob violence or civil disturbances;
v.
Arising out of an injury caused by a dangerous condition on property of
the governmental entity that was not caused by the negligent or other wrongful
conduct of an employee of the governmental entity or of which the governmental
entity did not have notice, either actual or constructive, and adequate
opportunity to protect or warn against; provided, however, that a governmental
entity shall not be liable for the failure to warn of a dangerous condition
which is obvious to one exercising due care;
w.
Arising out of absence, condition, malfunction or removal by third
parties of any sign, signal, warning device, illumination device, guardrail or
median barrier, unless the absence, condition, malfunction or removal is not
corrected by the governmental entity responsible for its maintenance within a
reasonable time after actual or constructive notice.
x.
Arising out of the administration of corporal punishment or the taking
of any action to maintain control and discipline of students, as defined in
Section 37-11-57, by a teacher, assistant teacher, principal, or assistant
principal of a public school district in the state unless the teacher,
assistant teacher, principal, or assistant principal acted in bad faith or with
malicious purpose or in a manner exhibiting a wanton and willful disregard of
human rights or safety. §11-46-9
|
LEGAL STATUS OF BOARD OF
TRUSTEES |
AB |
The
School District Board of Trustees derives its legal status from the State
Legislature which is subject to the Constitution of the State of
The
Constitution of the State of
|
POWERS AND DUTIES – BOARD OF EDUCATION |
ABB |
This School Board shall have the following powers,
authority and duties in addition to all others imposed or granted by law, to
wit:
(a) To organize and operate the schools of
this district and to make such division between the high school grades and
elementary grades as, in their judgment, will serve the best interests of the
school;
(b) To introduce public school music, art, manual training and other special subjects into either the elementary
or high school grades, as the Board shall deem proper;
(c) To be the custodians of real and
personal school property and to manage, control and care for same, both during
the school term and during vacation;
(d)
To have responsibility for the erection, repairing and equipping of
school facilities and the making of necessary school improvements;
(e)
To expel a student or to change placement to an alternative school or a
homebound program for misconduct in the school; on the road to and from school;
at any school related activity or event; or on property other than school
property or other than at a school related event (Authority exists when the
superintendent or principal determines that such misconduct renders the pupil’s
presence in the classroom a disruption to the educational environment or a
detriment to the best interest and welfare of the students and teacher of such
class as a whole);
(f) To visit schools in the district, in their discretion, in a
body for the purpose of determining what can be done for the improvement of the
school in a general way;
(g) To support, within reasonable limits, the superintendent,
assistant superintendent, principal and teachers where necessary for the proper
discipline of the school;
(h) To exclude from the schools students with what appears to be
infectious or contagious diseases; provided, however, such student may be
allowed to return to school upon presenting a certificate from a public health
officer or duly licensed physician or nurse practitioner that the student is
free from such disease;
(i) To require those vaccinations specified by the State Health
Officer as provided in Section 41‑23‑37, Mississippi Code of 1972;
(j)
To see that all necessary utilities and services are provided in the
schools at all times when same are needed;
(k) To
authorize the use of the school buildings and grounds for the holding of public
meetings and gatherings of the people under such regulations as may be
prescribed by said Board;
(l)
To prescribe and enforce rules and regulations not inconsistent with
law or with the regulations of the State Board of Education for their own
government and for the government of the schools, and to transact their
business at regular and special meetings called and held in the manner provided
by law;
(m) To maintain and operate all of the schools under their control
for such length of time during the year as may be required;
(n) To enforce in the schools the courses of study and the use of
the textbooks prescribed by the proper authorities;
(o) To make orders directed to the Superintendent of Schools or
Assistant superintendent for the issuance of pay certificates for lawful
purposes on any available funds of the district and to have full control of the
receipt, distribution, allotment and disbursement of all funds provided for the
support and operation of the schools of such school district whether such funds
be derived from state appropriations, local ad valorem tax collections, or
otherwise;
(p) To select all school district personnel in the manner
provided by law, and to provide such employee fringe benefit programs,
including accident reimbursement plans, as may be deemed necessary and
appropriate by this Board;
(q) To provide athletic programs and other school activities and
to regulate the establishment and operation of such programs and activities;
(r) To join, in their discretion, any association of school boards and other public school related
organizations, and to pay from local funds other than minimum foundation funds,
any membership dues;
(s)
To expend local school activity funds, or other available school
district funds, other than minimum education program funds, for the purposes
prescribed under this paragraph.
"Activity funds"
shall mean all funds received by school officials of this school district paid
or collected to participate in any school activity, such activity being part of
the school program and partially financed with public funds or supplemented by
public funds. The term "activity
funds" shall not include any funds raised and/or expended by any
organization unless commingled in a bank account with existing activity funds,
regardless of whether the funds were raised by school employees or received by
school employees during school hours or using school facilities, and regardless
of whether a school employee exercises influence over the expenditure or
disposition of such funds. Organizations
shall not be required to make any payment to any school for the use of any
school facility if, in the discretion of the School Board, the organization's
function shall be deemed to be beneficial to the official or extracurricular
programs of the school. For the purposes
of this provision, the term "organization" shall not include any
organization subject to the control of the School Board. Activity funds may only be expended for any
necessary expenses or travel costs, including advances, incurred by students
and their chaperons in attending any in‑state or out‑of‑state
school‑related programs, conventions or seminars and/or any commodities,
equipment, travel expenses, purchased services or school supplies which the
School Board, in its discretion, shall deem beneficial to the official or
extracurricular programs of the district, including items which may subsequently
become the personal property of individuals, including yearbooks, athletic
apparel, book covers and trophies.
Activity funds may be used to pay travel expenses of school district
personnel. The School Board shall be
authorized and empowered to promulgate rules and regulations specifically
designating for what purposes school activity funds may be expended. The School Board shall provide (a) that such
school activity funds shall be maintained and expended by the principal of the
school generating the funds in individual bank accounts, or (b) that such
school activity funds shall be maintained and expended by the Superintendent of
Schools in a central depository approved by the board. The School Board shall provide that such
school activity funds be audited as part of the annual audit in Section 37‑9‑18. The State Auditor shall prescribe a uniform
system of accounting and financial reporting for all school activity fund
transactions;
(t) To contract, on a shared savings, lease or lease purchase basis,
for energy efficiency services and/or equipment as provided for in Section 31‑7‑14,
not to exceed ten (10) years;
(u)
To maintain accounts and issue pay certificates on school food service
bank accounts;
(v) ( i) To
lease a school building from an individual, partnership, nonprofit corporation
or a private for‑profit corporation for the use of such school district,
and to expend funds therefor as may be available from any non‑minimum
program sources. The School Board of the
school district desiring to lease a school building shall declare by resolution
that a need exists for a school building and that the school district cannot
provide the necessary funds to pay the cost or its proportionate share of the
cost of a school building required to meet the present needs. The resolution so adopted by the School Board
shall be published once each week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a
newspaper having a general circulation in the school district involved, with
the first publication thereof to be made not less than thirty (30) days prior
to the date upon which the School Board is to act on the question of leasing a
school building. If no petition
requesting an election is filed prior to such meeting as hereinafter provided,
then the School Board may, by resolution spread upon its minutes, proceed to
lease a school building. If at any time
prior to said meeting a petition signed by not less than twenty percent (20%)
or fifteen hundred (1500) whichever is less, of the qualified electors of the
school district involved shall be filed with the School Board requesting that
an election be called on the question, then the School Board shall, not later
than the next regular meeting, adopt a resolution calling an election to be
held within such school district upon the question of authorizing the School
Board to lease a school building. Such
election shall be called and held, and notice thereof shall be given, in the
same manner for elections upon the questions of the issuance of the bonds of
school districts, and the results thereof shall be certified to the School
Board. If at least three‑fifths
(3/5) of the qualified electors of the school district who voted in such
election shall vote in favor of the leasing of a school building, then the
School Board shall proceed to lease a school building. The term of the lease shall not exceed twenty
(20) years, and the total cost of such lease shall be either the amount of the
lowest and best bid accepted by the School Board after advertisement for bids
or an amount not to exceed the current fair market value of the lease as
determined by the averaging of at least two (2) appraisals by members of the
American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers or the Society of Real Estate
Appraisers. The term "school
building" as used in this item (v) shall be construed to mean any building
or buildings used for classroom purposes in connection with the operation of
schools and shall include the site therefor, necessary support facilities, and
the equipment thereof and appurtenances thereto such as heating facilities,
water supply, sewage disposal, landscaping, walks, drives, and
playgrounds. The term "lease"
as used in this item (v)(I) may include a lease/purchase contract;
(ii) If two (2) or more school districts
propose to enter into a lease contract jointly, then joint meetings of the
School Boards having control may be held but no action taken shall be binding
on any such school district unless the question of leasing a school building is
approved in each participating school district under the procedure hereinabove
set forth in item (v)(I). All of the
provisions of item (v)(I) regarding the term and amount of the lease contract
shall apply to the School Boards of school districts acting jointly. Any lease contract executed by two (2) or
more school districts as joint lessees shall set out the amount of the
aggregate lease rental to be paid by each, which may be agreed upon, but there
shall be no right of occupancy by any lessee unless the aggregate rental is
paid as stipulated in the lease contract.
All rights of joint or leases under the lease contract shall be in
proportion to the amount of lease rental paid by each;
(w)
To employ all noninstructional and non-licensed employees and fix the
duties and compensation of such personnel deemed necessary pursuant to the
recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools or the administrative
superintendent;
(x)
To employ and fix the duties and compensation of such legal counsel as
deemed necessary;
(y)
Subject to rules and regulations of the State Board of Education, to
purchase, own and operate trucks, vans and other motor vehicles, which shall
bear the proper identification required by law;
(z)
To expend funds for the payment of substitute teachers and to adopt
reasonable regulations for the employment and compensation of such substitute
teachers;
(aa) To acquire in its own
name by purchase all real property which shall be necessary and desirable in
connection with the construction, renovation or improvement of any public
school building or structure. If the
Board shall be unable to agree with the owner of any such real property in
connection with any such project, the Board shall have the power and authority
to acquire any such real property by condemnation proceedings pursuant to Sections
11‑27‑1 et seq., Mississippi Code of 1972, and for such purpose,
the right of eminent domain is hereby conferred upon and vested in said
Board. Provided further, that the local
School Board is authorized to grant an easement for ingress and egress over
sixteenth section land or lieu land in exchange for a similar easement upon
adjoining land where the exchange of easements affords substantial benefit to
the sixteenth section land; provided, however, the exchange must be based upon
values as determined by a competent appraiser, with any differential in value
to be adjusted by cash payment. Any
easement rights granted over sixteenth section land under such authority shall
terminate when the easement ceases to be used for its stated purpose. No sixteenth section or lieu land which is
subject to an existing lease shall be burdened by any such easement except by
consent of the lessee or unless the school district shall acquire the unexpired
leasehold interest affected by the easement;
(bb) To charge reasonable fees related to the educational programs
of the district, in the manner prescribed in Section 37-7-335;
(cc) Subject to rules and regulations of the State Board of
Education, to purchase relocatable classrooms for the use of such school district,
in the manner prescribed in Section 37-1-13;
(dd) Enter into contracts or agreements with
other districts, political subdivisions or governmental entities to carry out
one or more of the powers or duties of the School Board, or to allow more
efficient utilization of limited resources for providing services to the
public;
(ee) To
provide for in-service training for employees of the district. Until
(ff) The School Boards of all school districts
as part of their duties to prescribe the use of textbooks, may provide that
parents and legal guardians shall be responsible for the textbooks and for the
compensation to the school district for any books which are not returned to the
proper schools upon the withdrawal of their dependent child. If a textbook is lost or not returned by any
student who drops out of the public school district, the parent or legal
guardian shall also compensate the school district for the fair market value of
the textbooks;
(gg) To conduct fund-raising activities on
behalf of the school district that the School Board, in its discretion, deems
appropriate or beneficial to the official or extracurricular programs of the
district; provided that:
(i) Any proceeds of the fund-raising
activities shall be treated as "activity funds" and shall be
accounted for as are other activity funds under this section; and
(ii) Fund-raising activities conducted or
authorized by the Board for the sale of school pictures, the rental of caps and
gowns or the sale of graduation invitations for which the School Board receives
a commission, rebate or fee shall contain a disclosure statement advising that
a portion of the proceeds of the sales or rentals shall be contributed to the
student activity fund;
(hh) To allow individual lessons for music,
art and other curriculum-related activities for academic credit or nonacademic
credit during school hours and using school equipment and facilities, subject
to uniform rules and regulations adopted by the School Board;
(ii) To charge reasonable fees for
participating in an extracurricular activity for academic or nonacademic credit
for necessary and required equipment such as safety equipment, band instruments
and uniforms;
(jj) To conduct or participate in any
fund-raising activities on behalf of or in connection with a tax-exempt
charitable organization;
(kk)
To exercise such powers as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the
provisions of this section; and
(ll)
To expend funds for the services of nonprofit arts organizations or
other such nonprofit organizations who provide performances or other services
for the students of the school district.
In addition to those powers granted by Section 37-7-301
listed above, this School Board may exercise general home rule authority as
provided under Section 37-17-11.
Also refer to Mississippi Public School
Accountability Standards.
PROCESS
STANDARDS
ADMINISTRATION
AND PERSONNEL
1.
School board members complete required basic and continuing education
programs. {MS Code 37-3-4(5) and 37-7-306(1-4)}
2.
School board policies that comply with state and federal statutes,
rules, and regulations serve as the basis of operation for the district, and
current copies of school board policies are published and available for public
review. {MS Code 25-61-1 through 17;
37-9-1 through 75; 37-9-101 through 113; 37-7-301(p)(w); and Federal Civil
Rights Act of 1964}
3.
The school board assigns all executive and administrative duties to the
superintendent, who is properly licensed and chosen in the manner prescribed by
law. {MS Code 37-6-3(3-4); 37-9-7, 13,
14; 37-19-1(d); and 37-61-9}
4.
The school district employs an appropriately licensed full-time
principal at each school. {MS Code
37-9-7,15}
5.
The school district employs in each school a licensed librarian or
media specialist who devotes no more than one-fourth of the workday to
library/media administrative activities.
{MS Code 37-17-6(3)(a-e)}
5.1
If the student enrollment is 499 or less, a half-time licensed
librarian or media specialist is required.
5.2
If the student enrollment is 500 or more, a full-time licensed
librarian or media specialist is required.
6.
Student support services (appraisal, academic, and/or personal
advisement, and educational and/or career planning and referral) are provided
in each high school by at least a half-time appropriately licensed guidance
counselor. Students in elementary
schools have access to student support services (as previously noted) provided
by a counselor, social worker, nurse, or other student support personnel.
7.
The school district employs a school business officer/administrator
whose qualifications meet the criteria established by the Mississippi
Department of Education and whose primary job responsibilities are conducting,
supervising, and/or directing the financial affairs and operations of the
school district.
8.
All district professional positions requiring licensed staff are filled
by staff who are properly licensed and endorsed. {MS Code 37-9-7} EXCEPTIONS:
8.1
The professional staff in each school is comprised of no more than 5%
of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) units working outside the area or areas of
endorsement. (An appropriate license is
required for superintendents, principals, librarians, and high school guidance
counselors.) {MS Code 37-3-2(6)(e-f)}
8.2
Secondary teachers endorsed in an academic subject area may teach in
their academic subject area in departmentalized elementary grades 5 and 6. (SB Policy DFB-1)
8.3
Assistant principals and administrative interns who are not properly
endorsed may be included in the 5% FTE working outside their area of
endorsement, provided that they do not act in the place of the principal.
9.
The school district implements a formal personnel appraisal system for
licensed staff that includes assessment of employee on-the-job
performance. {MS Code 37-3-46(b)}
10.
The school district operates with a financial accounting system as
prescribed by the State Auditor’s Office.
The most recent annual audit report of the school district, as conducted
under the guidelines of the State Auditor’s Office, indicates that the auditor
has issued an unqualified opinion (as defined by generally accepted auditing
standards) on the general purpose financial statements of the school
district. {MS Code 37-9-18, 37-37-1, and
37-61-23}
10.1
The board of education has implemented a fixed asset system of
accountability that complies with the standards established by the State
Auditor’s Office for the verification of fixed assets and the auditing of fixed
assets records. {MS Code 37-17-6(16)}
10.2
The financial accounting data and the corresponding annual audit report
as submitted to the Mississippi Department of Education reflect no less than a
zero fund balance (as defined by generally accepted accounting principles) for
all funds of the school district. {MS Code 37-61-9}
11.
The board of education budgets and expends from the District
Maintenance Fund (Fund #1120) a minimum of $20.00 per student for
instructional/library supplies, materials, and equipment.
12.
Funds available for classroom supplies, materials, and equipment from
the Education Enhancement Fund (Fund #2440) are allotted and expended in
compliance with Section 37-61-33, Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended, and
State Board of Education Policy DFBI.
SCHOOL
OPERATIONS AND CLIMATE
13.
The school district complies with state law and State Board of
Education policy on residency requirements {MS Code 37-15-29 and SB Policy
JBCA}, immunization requirements {MS Code 37-7-301(i), 37-15-1, and 41-23-37},
and entry requirements. {MS Code
37-15-9}
14.
Any transfer student from a school or program (correspondence,
tutorial, or home study) not accredited regionally or by a state board of
education [or its designee(s)] is given either a standardized achievement
test(s) or teacher-made special subject test(s) to determine the appropriate
classification of the student within 30 days after filing for transfer. Notice of the administering of such test(s)
shall be given to the applicant not less than five days prior to the date of
the administration of such test. {MS
Code 37-15-33}
15.
Permanent records and cumulative folders for individual students
contain all required data and are collected, maintained, and disseminated in
compliance with state law, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of
1974, and the Confidentiality Section of P.L. 94-142. (See Appendix E) {MS Code 37-15-1 through 3}
16.
The school district engages in planning to review the educational
status of the district and to address specific actions relative to
accreditation and performance separately.
17.
The school district implements procedures for monitoring and reporting
student absences as specified in the Mississippi Compulsory Attendance Law. {MS
Code 37-13-91}
18.
The school district implements programs designed to keep students in
school and to lower student dropout rates. {MS Code 37-3-46(c)}
19.
There is an organized system to encourage community involvement,
parental communication, and business partnerships in school district decision
making. {MS Code 37-7-337}
20.
The academic year provides a minimum of 180 teaching days that meet the
following criteria: {MS Code 37-13-61 through 69 and 37-19-1(h)}
20.1
The opening date of the school year for students is scheduled no
earlier than August 1 and the closing date no later than June 15. {MS Code
37-13-61} (SB Policy AEA)
20.2 The teaching day must provide at least 330 minutes of instruction per day or 27.5 hours per five-day week. The school district must ensure that during the academic school year a minimum of 140 hours of instruction is provided for each Carnegie unit of credit offered. {MS Code 37-13-67}
20.3 Two of the 180 days may be 60% days, provided that there are 198 minutes of actual instruction or testing and the remainder of each day is used for professional development or other activities related to instruction.
20.4 The school district schedules preparation for graduation ceremonies in such manner that graduating seniors are absent from classes for no more than three days prior to the end of the school year (177 days).
20.5 The summer school/extended year program meets all applicable requirements of the regular school program. {MS Code 37-3-49}
-
Students from other schools enrolled in summer programs provide written
approval from the principal of their home schools.
-
Students enrolled in an extended year program complete all remaining
course/subject requirements/objectives before credit for the course/subject is
issued.
-
Students enrolled in a summer program are limited to earning one
Carnegie unit of credit during the summer school session.
21.
The school district requires each student, in order to receive a high
school diploma, to have met the requirements established by its local board of
education and by the State Board of Education. {MS Code 37-16-7} (SB Policy
IHF-1 and 2)
22.
Each student receiving a standard diploma has earned a minimum of 28
Carnegie units. (See Appendix A.) (SB
Policy ICFA-1)
22.1 Each student receiving a standard diploma has achieved a passing score on each of the required high school exit examinations. {MS Code-37-16-7} (SB Policy IIB-1)
22.2 Each student who has completed the
secondary curriculum for special education may be issued a special diploma or
certificate of completion which states: “This student has successfully
completed an Individualized Education Program.”
{MS Code 37-16-11}
22.3 The student who fails to meet the
graduation requirements is not permitted to participate in graduation
exercises.
Note: Carnegie units will be awarded for Algebra I
and Computer Discovery taken in the eighth grade.
23. The school district is in compliance with state and/or federal requirements for the following programs:
23.1 Early Childhood Programs (kindergarten and
teacher assistant) {MS Code 37-21-1 et
seq.} (SB Policy IDAC)
23.2 Vocational-Technical Education {MS Code
37-31-1 et seq.} (SB Policies CT,
DCK, DFBC, ECK, FJ, GBEA, IDAA, IL, JHF and Federal Code)
23.3 Special Education {MS Code 37-23-1 through 9} (SB Policies IDDF
and Federal Code)
23.4 Child Nutrition {MS Code 37-11-7} (SB
Policies EE and EEH and Federal Code)
23.5 No Child Left Behind Act: Titles I, II,
IV, and VI (IDDB 2, 3 and Federal Code)
23.6 Technology in the Classroom {MS Code 37-151-19(3)} (SB Policy
IM)
23.7 Driver
Education {MS Code 37-25-1 et seq.}
(SB Policy IDDE)
23.8 Pre-Kindergarten
(Refer to the Mississippi
Pre-Kindergarten Curriculum.)
23.9 Mississippi Curriculum Content Assessment
System (See Appendix F.) {MS Code 37-16-1 through 4} {SBE Policy IIB-1, 3-6 and
IHF-1 and 2}
23.10 Transportation Program {MS Code 37-41-53 (SB
Policies ED-3, JGG-1, and IDDE)
23.11 School Safety Plan, including facilities
that are clean, safe, and equipped to meet the instructional needs of students
and staff {MS Code 37-3-81,
37-7-301(c)(d)(j), 3711-5 and 49, 37-17-6(20), and 45-11-10}
24.
The school district meets the following requirements for library-media
services:
24.1 Each school has a library-media center
with an organized collection of materials and equipment that represents a broad
range of current learning media, including instructional technology.
24.2 The library staff offers a systematic
program of service to students and staff by providing access to the materials
and equipment, by providing instruction in the use of the materials and
equipment, and by working with teachers and other staff members to provide
learning activities for the students.
25.
The school district provides each student with appropriate equipment
and laboratory experiences to meet the instructional requirements of the
science program. (See Mississippi Science Framework, 2001.)
26.
The school district provides each student in each school with current
or otherwise appropriate textbooks that are in good condition. {MS Code 37-43-1, 37-9-14(2)(b), and
37-7-301(ff)}
27.
The school district implements an instructional management system that
has been adopted by the school board and that includes, at a minimum, the
competencies required in the curriculum
frameworks approved by the State Board
of Education {MS Code 37-3-49}
28.
The district follows an established board policy that defines criteria
for the academic promotion/progression/retention of students. *Such criteria
prohibit the retention of students for extracurricular purposes. (SB Policies CRB-2 and IHE)
*Note: This portion of the
standard will be jointly monitored and enforced by the State Board of Education
and the Mississippi High School Activities Association.
29.
The school district provides an alternative education and/or GED
program for the categories of students identified in MS Code 37-13-92, and the
program meets the guidelines established by the State Board of Education. (See Guidelines for Alternative/GED School
Programs.)
30.
Suggested teaching strategies, resources, and assessment strategies are
available to teachers in each school for selection and use in teaching the
required competencies. {MS Code 37-3-49}
31.
Each classroom teacher, excluding vocational teachers whose class
periods exceed 50 minutes, has an unencumbered period of time during the
teaching day to be used for individual or departmental planning.
31.1 If the school utilizes a traditional
six-period day schedule, the instructional planning time provided for secondary
teachers is a minimum of 225 minutes per week, exclusive of lunch period. If the school utilizes any form of a
modular/block schedule, the instructional planning time provided is a minimum
of either 225 minutes per week or an average of 225 minutes per week per
instructional cycle, exclusive of lunch period.
31.2 Instructional planning time for the
elementary school teacher is no less than 150 minutes per week, exclusive of
lunch period.
32.
Individual teachers (grades 9-12) are limited to three course
preparations per day or four at the discretion of the teacher.
33.
The basic curriculum of each high school consists of required and
approved courses that generate at least 32 Carnegie units annually. (See
Appendices B and C.) {MS Code 37-1-3(2)} (SB Policy ICF.)
Note: Any request for exemption
from teaching the courses listed in Appendix B must be approved by the
Commission on School Accreditation.
34.
The basic curriculum of each elementary or middle school (any
configuration of grades K-8) consists of reading/language arts, mathematics,
science, social studies, the arts, and physical education, which may be taught
by a regular classroom teacher. {MS Code 37-1-3(2)}
35.
In kindergarten through grade 4 student teacher ratios do not exceed
the following:
35.1 Student teacher ratios do not exceed 22 to
1 in kindergarten, except in instances in which a full-time assistant teacher
is in the classroom. If a full-time assistant
teacher is employed, 27 may be enrolled.
35.2 Student teacher ratios do not exceed 27 to
1 in classrooms serving grades 1 through 4 unless approved by the State Board
of Education. {MS Code 37-19-5(1)} (SB Policy IEC)
36.
Student teacher ratios do not exceed 30 to 1 in self-contained classes
serving grades 5-8.
37.
Student teacher ratios do not exceed 33 to 1 in departmentalized
academic core classes serving grades 5-12.
38.
The total number of students taught by an individual teacher in
academic core subjects at any time during the school year shall not exceed 150,
unless approved by the State Board of Education. {MS Code 37-19-5(1)} (SB Policy IEC)
Note: A teacher who provides instruction through intra-district or inter-district
distance learning will be exempt from the 150-student limitation. A lab facilitator or principal designee will
be responsible for the assignment of grades and related activities at the
receiving school.
|
NUMBER OF BOARD MEMBERS |
ABCA |
This
school district shall be governed by a School Board consisting of five (5)
members, selected in the manner provided by law.
MS CODE §37-6-7 (1987)
Also see ABCD.
|
BOARD MEMBERS QUALIFICATIONS |
ABCB |
In order for a person to be
eligible to hold the office of trustee of any school district, such person must
be a bona fide resident and a qualified elector of such school district, and,
in the case of a school district lying in two or more counties, but not
including municipal separate school districts, such person must be a bona fide resident
and a qualified elector of the territory entitled to such representation on the
board §37-7-201 (1968)
No person who is a member of
the appointing body, or who is an employee of the municipality, or who is a
member of the county board of education, or who is a trustee of any public,
private or sectarian school or college located in the county, inclusive of the
municipal separate school district, or who is a teacher in or a trustee of said
school district shall be eligible for appointment to a municipal separate
school district board of trustees.
§37-7-203 (1985)
(1)
Every school board member selected after July 1, 2002, shall have a
high school diploma or its equivalent.
(2)
Every school board member selected after July 1, 1993, shall be
required to complete a basic course of training and education for local school
board members, in order for board members to carry out their duties more
effectively and be exposed to new ideas involving school restructuring. Such basic course of training, approved by
the State Board of Education, shall be conducted by the School Executive
Management Institute of the State Department of Education or the Mississippi
School Boards Association. Upon
completion of the basic course of training, the School Executive Management Institute
shall file a certificate of completion for the school board member with the
office of the local school board. In the
event that a board member fails to complete such training within six (6) months
of his selection, or six (6) months from April 15, 1993, such board member
shall no longer be qualified to serve and shall be removed from office.
(3)
In addition to meeting the requirements of subsection (2) of this
section, after taking office, each school board member shall be required to
file annually in the office of the school board a certificate of completion of
a course of continuing education conducted by the Mississippi School Boards
Association, the community/junior colleges, the state institutions of higher
learning or other organizations approved by the State Board of Education.
(4)
Every school board member selected after July 1, 2002, shall spend at
least one (1) full day in a school in the district they represent, without
compensation.
(5)
Upon the failure of any school board member to file with the school
board the certificate of completion of the basic or continuing course of
training as provided in subsection (2) or (3) of this section, the school board
member shall be removed from office by the Attorney General. In the event of a medical or other
catastrophic hardship that prevents such school board member from obtaining the
required training or filing such certificate, as may be defined by the State
Board of Education by rule and regulation, an additional period of three (3)
months may be allowed to satisfy the requirement of subsection (2) or (3). §37-7-306 (2000)
No person who is a resident
of the territory embraced within a municipal separate school district or a
special municipal separate school district shall be eligible to be a member of
the county board of education. Qualified
electors residing within a municipal separate school district or special
municipal separate school district shall not be eligible to vote or participate
in the election of members of the county board of education.
The provisions of this
section shall be applicable in the case of a special municipal separate school
district and a line consolidated school district of which another county is the
home county which together occupy all of the territory of a supervisor’s district
of the county. §37-5-3 (1962)
School board members should
consult Title 37, Chapters 5 and 7 of the Mississippi Code for all
qualifications and procedures.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
School board members are not
relieved of their responsibility to seek preclearance by the Attorney General
of the United States, or the District Court for the District of Columbia,
pursuant to Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, prior to making any
changes affecting voting. For
example: making changes in voting precinct
lines, relocating voting places, setting the dates for special elections, and
voting procedures, boundary changes, etc.
LEGAL REF.: MS CODE as cited
CROSS REF.: Policies ABB – Board Powers and Duties
ABCD – Method of Election
BBBC – Board Member Development Opportunity
|
BOARD MEMBERS TERM OF OFFICE |
ABCC |
Each Board member is chosen for a term of five (5)
years, but so chosen that the term of office of one member shall expire each
year. The term of office shall commence
on March 1.
The Board shall be composed of five (5) members.
MS CODE §37-7-203.
|
BOARD MEMBER METHOD OF SELECTION |
ABCD |
Board members shall be
appointed by the Long Beach Board of Aldermen.
Newly appointed member’s term shall begin with the first meeting in March.
MS CODE §37-7-203.
|
BOARD MEMBER UNEXPIRED TERM FULFILLMENT |
ABCDA |
Vacancies shall be filled
for the remainder of the unexpired term by the City Council.
Legal Ref.: Mississippi Code §37-7-204
|
BOARD MEMBER REMOVAL FROM OFFICE |
ABCF |
A trustee
as an officer of the state is subject to removal if judged mentally ill, fails
to discharge the duties of his/her office, fails to qualify as provided by law,
ceases to be a resident of the district in which the duties of the office are
discharged, is convicted of a felony or any offense involving moral turpitude.
|
SUPERINTENDENT LEGAL STATUS |
ABD |
This
school district shall have a Superintendent of Schools selected in the manner
provided by law. No person shall be
eligible to the office of Superintendent of Schools unless such person shall
hold a valid administrator's license issued by the State Department of
Education and shall have had not less than four (4) years of classroom or
administrative experience. §37-9-13 (1997)
It
shall be the duty of the Superintendent of Schools to administer the schools
within his/her/her district and to implement the decisions of the School Board.
§37-9-14 (1999)
In
addition to all other powers, authority, and duties imposed or granted by law,
the Superintendent of Schools shall have the powers, authority, and duties set
forth in Section 37-9-14 (1995) and other such statutes.
The Board shall appoint a qualified Superintendent who is not a member of the Board for a term of not more than four years which term shall end on the last day of June. In the event that any vacancy occurs in the office of the Superintendent, the Board shall promptly fill such vacancy. Such vacancy may either be filled by appointment of an acting superintendent until the first day of July next following such an appointment, or may be filled by appointment of a superintendent. The Superintendent shall have charge and control of the public schools of the district subject to the orders, rules and regulations of the Board, and shall receive for his services such compensations as the Board shall allow.
|
SCHOOL DISTRICT ORGANIZATION PLAN |
AC |
We believe that the Long
Beach School District should be organized around a pattern that will give all
students an opportunity to maximize their potential. We further recognize that no educational
organization should be so solidified that new organizational patterns are
difficult to implement as educational research gives us greater insights into
how children learn.
At the present time, the
general organizational plan found in the district provides that the
instructional program has been divided into three levels which are to be
known as the 6-3-4 plan. The
elementary school program includes grades kindergarten through five (K-5);
the middle school program includes grades six through eight (6-8), and
the high school program grades nine through twelve (9-12).
School Board Policy
|
SCHOOL CENSUS |
ADA |
A continuing census shall be
kept of all children below the age of nineteen within this school district. Such records shall be kept as a part of the
permanent office records of the superintendent of the district. §37-15-7 (1954)
LEGAL REF.: MS Code as cited
CROSS REF.: Policy CEB – Duties of Superintendent
|
AVERAGE DAILY ATTENDANCE |
ADB |
The
School Board of this District recognizes the importance of regular student
attendance as a means of exposure to new knowledge and increased revenues to
the School District. The superintendent
and staff are directed to encourage regular student attendance through a planned
program designed to accomplish maximum ADA for the School District.
The
goal for the District, as a minimum, shall be to maintain or exceed the average
daily attendance of the two (2) previous years.
As used in Section 37-151-3,
37-151-5 and 17-151-7 (Mississippi Accountability and Adequate Education
Program), after July 1, 2002:
The term “average daily
attendance” shall be the figure which results when the total aggregate
attendance during the period or months counted is divided by the number of days
during the period or months counted upon which both teachers and pupils are in
regular attendance for scheduled classroom instruction less the average daily
attendance for self-contained special education classes, and prior to full
implementation of the adequate education program the department shall deduct
the average daily attendance for the alternative school program provided for in
Section 37-19-22. §37-151-5 (n) (1997)
LEGAL REF.: MS CODE as cited
CROSS REF.: “Minimum Program of Education,” MS Code
Section 37, Chapter 19
“State Funds for School Districts,” MS Code
Section 37, Chapter 22
“Mississippi Accountability and Adequate Education Program,” MS Code Section 37, Chapter 151
|
SCHOOL YEAR (ACADEMIC YEAR) |
AE |
All
public schools in the state shall be kept in session for at least one hundred
eighty (180) days in each scholastic year.
§37-13-63 (1992)
“Minimum
school term” shall mean a term of at least one hundred eighty (180) days of
school in which both teachers and pupils are in regular attendance for
scheduled classroom instruction for not less than sixty percent (60%) of the
normal school day. It is the intent of
the Legislature that any tax levies generated to produce additional local funds
required by any school district to operate school terms in excess of one
hundred seventy-five (175) days shall not be construed to constitute a new
program for the purposes of exemption from the limitation on tax revenues as
allowed under Sections 27-39-321 and 37-57-107 for new programs mandated by the
Legislature. §37-19-1 (h) 1991
Standard
20 is as follows:
The
academic year provides a minimum of 180 teaching days that meet the following
criteria: {MS Code 37-13-61 through 69
and 37-19-1(h)}
20.1 The opening date of the school year for
students is scheduled no earlier than August 1 and the closing date no later
than June 15. {MS Code 37-13-61} (SB Policy AEA)
20.2 The teaching day must provide at least 330 minutes of
instruction per day or 27.5 hours per five-day week. The school district must ensure that during
the academic school year a minimum of 140 hours of instruction is provided for
each Carnegie unit of credit offered.
{MS Code 37-13-67}
20.3 Two of the 180 days may be 60% days,
provided that there are 198 minutes of actual instruction or testing and the
remainder of each day is used for professional development or other activities
related to instruction.
20.4 The school district schedules preparation for graduation
ceremonies in such manner that graduating seniors are absent from classes for
no more than three days prior to the end of the school year (177 days).
20.5 The summer school/extended year program meets all applicable
requirements of the regular school program.
{MS Code 37-3-49}
-
Students from other schools enrolled in summer programs provide written
approval from the principal of their home schools.
-
Students enrolled in an extended year program complete all remaining
course/subject requirements/objectives before credit for the course/subject is
issued.
-
Students enrolled in a summer program are limited to earning one
Carnegie unit of credit during the summer school session.
LEGAL REF.: MS CODE as cited
Mississippi
Public School Accountability Standards (2001)
CROSS REF.: Policy CEB – Duties of Superintendent
|
SCHOOL CALENDAR |
AEA |
The
State Board of Education shall have the power and authority to fix the date for
the opening of the school term in all schools in the state, and shall
promulgate guidelines for an annual school calendar to be observed by all
public school districts. Provided,
however, that local School Boards are authorized to keep school in session in
excess of the minimum number of days prescribed herein. Opening and closing dates shall be in
conformance with state regulations. §37-13-67 (1987)
The
opening date of the school year for students is scheduled no earlier than
August 1 and the closing date no later than June 15. MS CODE §37-13-61
The
Minimum Program of Education defines a "minimum school term" as
"a term of at least one hundred eighty (180) days of school in which both
teachers and students are in regular attendance for scheduled classroom
instruction for not less than sixty percent (60%) of the normal school
day." §37-19-1 (h)
|
HOLIDAYS |
AEAB |
All
public schools of this state may observe such legal holidays as may be
designated by the State Board of Education, and no sessions of school shall be
held on holidays so designated and observed.
However, all schools shall operate for the full minimum term required by
the law exclusive of the holidays authorized by this section. The holidays thus observed shall not be
deducted from the reports of the superintendents, principals and teachers, and
such superintendents, principals and teachers shall be allowed pay for full
time as though they had taught on said holidays. However, such holidays shall not be counted
or included in any way in determining the average daily attendance of the
school. §37-13-69(1954)
|
EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR/SUMMER SCHOOL |
AEBA |
This school board shall
maintain and operate all of the schools under their control for such length of
time during the year as may be required.
§37-7-301(m) (1994).
Standard 20.5 is as follows:
20.5
The summer school/extended year program meets all applicable
requirements of the regular school program.
{§MS Code 37-3-49} {MS Code 37-7-339}
-
Students from other schools enrolled in summer programs provide written
approval from the principal of their home schools.
-
Students enrolled in an extended year program complete all remaining
course/subject requirements/objectives before credit for the course/subject is
issued.
-
Students enrolled in a summer program are limited to earning one
Carnegie unit of credit during the summer school session.
LEGAL REF.: MS CODE as cited
Mississippi
Public School Accountability Standards (2001)
CROSS REF.: Policy CEB – Duties of Superintendent
It shall be the policy of
the Long Beach School District to operate an Extended School Year Program
and/or a Summer School Program which complies with the State Department of
Education’s requirements as stated in current Mississippi Public School
Accountability Standards and other State Department of Education regulations.
|
SCHOOL DAY |
AF |
It shall be the policy of
this school district to provide sufficient instructional time to give students
the opportunity to master specific learning objectives at all instructional
levels.
1. The number of hours of
actual teaching which shall constitute a school day shall be determined and
fixed by the school board of this school district at not less than five (5)
hours nor more than eight (8) hours.
§37-13-67 (1954)
2. School Day: That portion of the calendar day that
includes the teaching day, intermissions, and any additional time included in
the employee contract. School day
defines the normal working day for employees.
Glossary, Mississippi Public
School Accountability Standards (2001)
3. Teaching Day: A day in which a minimum of 330 minutes of
instruction and/or evaluation and/or district approved group testing is
provided. Exceptions are days with fewer
than 330 instructional minutes that are part of an instructional week of at
least 27.5 hours. Glossary, Mississippi Public School Accountability
Standards (2001)
4. Standard 20.3 is as follows:
Two of the 180 days may be 60% days, provided that there are 198 minutes of
actual instruction or testing and the remainder of each day is used for
professional development or other activities related to instruction.
5. Standard 33 is as follows:
The basic curriculum of each high school consists of required and approved
courses that generate at least 32 Carnegie units annually. (See Appendices B and C.) {MS Code 37-1-3(2)} (SB Policy ICFA-1)
Note: Any request for exemption
from teaching the courses listed in Appendix B must be approved by the
Commission on School Accreditation.
6. Standard 34 is as
follows: The basic curriculum of each
elementary or middle school (any configuration of grades K-8) consists of
reading/language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, the arts, and
physical education, which may be taught by a regular classroom teacher. {MS
Code 37-1-3(2)}
LEGAL REF.: MS CODE as cited
Mississippi
Public School Accountability Standards (2001)
CROSS REF.: Policies ABB – Board Powers and Duties
CEB – Duties of Superintendent
|
EMERGENCY CLOSINGS |
AFC |
Hurricane
The Long Beach School
District will operate on a normal basis until a hurricane warning is issued and
then the following steps will be taken.
A. Students will be dismissed
from school immediately.
B. Students will be transported
home by Long Beach buses.
C. All records will be stored
in a safe place.
D. All windows will be closed
in the classrooms.
E. Designated schools in Long
Beach will be prepared for civil defense officials.
F. The cafeteria supervisor
will secure information from civil defense officials concerning foods that
should be available for use in the shelters.
G. Disposable plates and
utensils should be secured.
H. The cafeteria managers shall
have inventories of all equipment and food in her cafeterias.
All Emergencies
School buses may be used
during emergencies. The Board of Trustees of the Long Beach School District,
subject to rules and regulations promulgated by the State Board of Education,
may permit the use of publicly owned school buses for the transportation of
citizens to evacuation shelters during natural or man-made emergencies,
hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and other acts of God. However, no trip shall be authorized for more
than two hundred (200) miles beyond the territorial limits of the State of
Mississippi.
REF: MS Code 37-13-65; 37-41-27