Bill > HB1260

This bill updates and consolidates various provisions related to student funding and school operations in Mississippi. It establishes a "student base amount" for educational costs, which will be adjusted for inflation and recalculated every four years based on instructional, administrative, and maintenance costs. The bill details how "net enrollment" is calculated, which is a key factor in determining funding. It also outlines various "weights" or multipliers applied to this enrollment to account for students with specific needs, such as those who are low-income, English Language Learners, or require special education services, with different tiers of support for special education based on the severity of the disability. The bill also introduces weights for gifted students and career and technical education courses, and provides additional weight for low-income students exceeding a certain threshold. It clarifies how "final weighted enrollment" is calculated, including adjustments for "sparsely populated districts" (those with fewer than eight students per square mile). The bill also addresses local contributions to school funding, specifying minimum tax efforts and how these contributions are calculated, particularly in relation to charter schools. It includes provisions for school accreditation, teacher salaries, school safety grants, dual enrollment programs, statewide assessment testing, and the use of technology in education. Furthermore, it addresses the funding and operation of various educational programs, including those for students with disabilities, vocational education, and early childhood education, and outlines rules for school district finances, including budgeting, audits, and the use of various funds. The bill also includes provisions for charter schools, community colleges, and agricultural high schools, as well as details on school transportation, employee benefits, and the management of school property. Finally, it sets forth the effective date and repeal date for these provisions.

Education

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB1260.xml