Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill to establish the Mississippi Achievement School District to oversee administration of certain failing schools with a "F" rating for two consecutive years.

Highlights:

• Establishes the Mississippi Achievement School District, a statewide school district that is not confined to any specific geographic boundaries and is comprised of all public school districts in the state that have been given an “F” rating by the State Board of Education for 2 consecutive years (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the school board of the Mississippi Achievement School District to decide who is employed in an absorbed school district with an “F” rating (Sec. 1).

• Requires school districts that are absorbed into the Mississippi Achievement School District to transfer all governance to the Mississippi Achievement School District and abolish their local school board and office of the superintendent (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that ratings prior to the 2015-2016 school year will not be considered in determining whether a school district will be absorbed (Sec. 1).

• Requires absorbed school districts that receive higher than an “F” following absorption to remain with the Mississippi Achievement School District unless it is determined that it is in the district’s best interest to be reverted back (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes absorbed school districts that are rated “C” or better for 5 consecutive years to petition the board of the Mississippi Achievement School District to revert back to local governance (Sec. 1).

• Requires the legislature to appropriate at least $250,000 to the Department of Education for the 2018 fiscal year to fund the startup, operational and other costs of the Mississippi Achievement School District (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the Mississippi Achievement School District to use facilities of absorbed school districts free of charge (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Mississippi Achievement School District to provide routine maintenance and repairs and pay all utilities for absorbed facilities (Sec. 1).

• Requires all fixtures, improvements, and tangible assets added to a school building or facility by the Mississippi Achievement School District to remain at the building or facility if the school district is returned to local governance (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text