HB 618

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-161-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE CREATION OF VIRTUAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO BE OPERATED BY LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS, REGIONAL EDUCATION SERVICE AGENCIES OR LOCALLY SPONSORED VIRTUAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS; TO DEFINE THE TERM "LOCALLY SPONSORED VIRTUAL PUBLIC SCHOOL"; TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF VIRTUAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS ESTABLISHED IN THE STATE TO THREE; TO REQUIRE ENROLLMENT IN A VIRTUAL PUBLIC SCHOOL TO BE FREE OF CHARGE AND OPEN TO STUDENTS FROM ANY SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE STATE; TO REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO TRANSFER, FOR EACH STUDENT ENROLLED IN A VIRTUAL PUBLIC SCHOOL OPERATED BY A DISTRICT OTHER THAN THAT IN WHICH THE STUDENT RESIDES, AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO THE STUDENT'S HOME SCHOOL DISTRICT'S LOCAL OPERATIONAL TAX LEVY TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OPERATING THE VIRTUAL PUBLIC SCHOOL; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO WITHHOLD SUCH AMOUNT FROM THE TRANSFERRING SCHOOL DISTRICT'S JANUARY PAYMENT OF ADEQUATE EDUCATION PROGRAM FUNDS; TO REQUIRE LOCALLY SPONSORED VIRTUAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO ADOPT CERTAIN ENROLLMENT POLICIES; TO AMEND SECTIONS 37-179-1 AND 37-179-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH ARE PROVISIONS RELATING TO DISTRICTS OF INNOVATION, IN CONFORMITY TO THE PRECEDING PROVISIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.