by Associated Press Published: March 26,2013
Tags: COST, damage, education, elementary, natural disaster, public education, public school, school, school district, secondary, tornado
HATTIESBURG — Estimates are in on the dollar amount of the damage done to Hattiesburg Public School District property by the Feb. 10 tornado. Willie Burton, the district’s director of buildings and grounds, tells the Hattiesburg American it’s between $5 million to $6 million for cleanup and rebuilding. The district’s transportation center, transportation office, driver training [...] [...]
by Associated Press Published: March 20,2013
Tags: appointed, bill, education, elecvted, executive, governor, lawmaker, legisilature, legislation, legislative, legislator, public education, public school, school, school bo0ard, study, veto
JACKSON — Gov. Phil Bryant has vetoed a bill calling for a study of elected local school boards. Some lawmakers had wanted all local school board members to be chosen by voters, in part because boards can raise taxes. Today, county school board members are elected, while some city school boards are entirely appointed and [...] [...]
by Associated Press Published: March 15,2013
Tags: board, education, elementary education, graduate, graduation, graduation rate, public education, public school, school, school rating, secondary education
ACROSS MISSISSIPPI — Graduation rates will make a difference this year in how Mississippi high schools and school districts are rated. The state Board of Education is likely today to seek public comment on a plan to add four-year graduation rates to the numerical formula that rates high schools and school districts. The board is [...] [...]
by Associated Press Published: March 15,2013
Tags: bill, education, executive, governor, lawmaker, legislation, legislative, legislator, Legislature, prayer, public education, public school, religion, school, state government
JACKSON — Gov. Phil Bryant has signed a bill that could lead to student-led prayer over school intercoms or at graduations or sporting events. The American Civil Liberties Union said the measure, which becomes law July 1, is likely to prompt a lawsuit in the school year that begins in August. Republican Bryant was joined [...] [...]
by Associated Press Published: March 14,2013
Tags: appoint, bill, education, educator, elect, legislation, legislative, public education, public school, school, supernitendent
JACKSON — The Mississippi House has changed its mind and advanced a bill that could lead to more appointed, rather than elected, school superintendents. The House had rejected Senate Bill 2911 on a 52-65 vote Monday. It reconsidered the bill yesterday, passing it 62-55. House Education Committee Chairman John Moore says he thinks some members [...] [...]
by Associated Press Published: March 13,2013
Tags: bill, Charter school, education, elementary education, law, lawmaker, legislation, legislative, legislator, Legislature, public education, public school, school, school district, secondary education, state government
JACKSON — In their latest plan to improve Mississippi public schools, state senators are offering a compromise on requirements to become a teacher and doing away with a proposal to make it easier for the state to take over troubled schools. The Senate voted 28-23 to approve its version of House Bill 890. It includes [...] [...]
by Associated Press Published: March 13,2013
Tags: bill, educator, gun, gun control, handgun, law, legislation, legislative, legislator, Legislature, public education, public school, safety, school, school district, shooting, Staff, state government, teach, teacher
JACKSON — House members want to steer the school safety debate back toward letting school districts arm teachers and employees. The House voted 70-46 to amend Senate Bill 2659 to allow school districts to decide to allow guns in schools. The Senate bill had included a proposal by Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves to help schools [...] [...]
by Associated Press Published: March 12,2013
Tags: appointment, bill, education, educator, elecvtion, law, lawmaker, legislation, public education, public school, school, state government, superintendent, vote
JACKSON — House members want Mississippians to keep their elected school superintendents. And they don’t think would-be teachers should need to score 21 on the ACT. Senate Bill 2199, which was supposed to lead to more appointed superintendents around the state, lost on a 65-52 vote. Members then voted 60-59 to amend Senate Bill 2658 [...] [...]
by Associated Press Published: March 11,2013
Tags: damage, destruction, education, elementary education, elementary school, high school, junior high school, public education, public school, school, school district, secondary education, tornado, Weather
HATTIESBURG — Hattiesburg Public School District officials still are finding damage from the Feb.10 tornado that struck Forrest and Lamar counties. The Hattiesburg American reports an assessment of the destruction at the transportation center has revealed 90 percent of the district’s vehicles were damaged. Superintendent James Bacchus said it is estimated there was about $80,000 in [...] [...]
by Associated Press Published: March 7,2013
Tags: bill, education, lawmaker, legislation, legislative, legislator, Legislature, prayer, public education, public school, religion, school
JACKSON — The House has sent a bill to Gov. Phil Bryant that could legalize student prayer before school audiences. Senate Bill 2633 is also meant to guarantee religious freedom in Mississippi public schools, ensuring students can talk about spiritual beliefs and not be deprived of their rights. The House voted 108-6 for final passage [...] [...]