MS HB562

School boards cannot set the school year opening date before the fourth Monday in August, effective with the 2010-2011 school term.

Staff development training is prohibited during regular school days; such training may only occur after school hours or during the summer interim between academic years.

Only seven holidays are designated as school holidays: Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Spring Break, and Good Friday; permanent early release days are prohibited.

Creates the "Mississippi Successful School Performance Task Force" composed of 15 members including legislators, education officials, and appointed educators to evaluate high-performing school districts and develop improvement plans for failing schools.

Task force must submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature by December 15, 2010, after which it is dissolved.