Bill Text: MS HB852 | 2015 | Regular Session | Introduced

Mississippi House Bill 852 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Adequate education program funds; require no less than 80% to be allocated to direct classroom instruction.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)

Status: (Failed) 2015-02-03 - Died In Committee [HB852 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2015-HB852-Introduced.html

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2015 Regular Session

To: Education; Appropriations

By: Representative Arnold

House Bill 852

AN ACT TO REQUIRE NOT LESS THAN EIGHTY PERCENT OF THE APPROPRIATION FOR THE MISSISSIPPI ADEQUATE EDUCATION PROGRAM TO BE ALLOCATED TO DIRECT CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION IN ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS; TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO ENSURE THAT EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT COMPLIES WITH THE MANDATORY MINIMUM ALLOCATION TO DIRECT CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION; TO DEFINE THE TERM "DIRECT CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION"; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) Beginning with the appropriation for the 2016 fiscal year, an amount equal to not less than eighty percent (80%) of the appropriation to the State Board of Education for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the Mississippi Adequate Education Program must be allocated by school districts to direct classroom instruction. In order to meet the requirements of this section, the State Board of Education shall take such steps as may be necessary to ensure that each school district allocates not less than eighty percent (80%) of that district's allotment of funds to direct classroom instruction in the fiscal year for which those funds are appropriated.

(2) For purposes of this section, the term "direct classroom instruction" means the classroom level of instruction and specifically includes the following:

(a) Salaries of classroom teachers who spend no less than sixty percent (60%) of each school day in scheduled classroom instruction;

(b) Salaries of the assistant teachers working under the teachers described under paragraph (a) of this subsection; and

(c) Instructional supplies used in the classroom by a teacher described under paragraph (a) of this subsection and any assistant teacher assigned to that classroom, including computers and technology.

(3) For purposes of this section, the term "direct classroom instruction" specifically excludes the following:

(a) Instructional staff support services, such as professional development and instruction and curriculum development;

(b) Library and media services;

(c) Student support services, including counseling, school nurses, health and psychological services, attendance services, school and school district administration, food services, transportation and operations and physical plant maintenance; and

(d) School security.

(4) A school district, in its discretion, may allocate a percentage of adequate education program funds to direct classroom instruction which is greater than the minimum percentage prescribed under subsection (1) of this section.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.