SB 2293 Summary

• Establishes New Start School Program administered by Mississippi Recovery School District to transform public schools failing for three consecutive years into new start schools, with authority to terminate and rehire staff.

• Creates Conversion Charter School Act of 2010 allowing parents/guardians of students in chronically underperforming schools (low-performing, at-risk, or failing for three consecutive years) to petition for conversion to charter status upon approval by over 50% of families and State Board of Education.

• Limits conversion charter schools to maximum of 3 per congressional district (12 total statewide through 2019) with initial three-year contracts; establishes five-member local management board composed of parents to govern academic and administrative functions subject to State Board and local school board oversight.

• Restricts superintendent and school board travel to state-mandated or state-prescribed travel and reduces school board member per diem by one-half in districts with failing schools; exempts conversion charter school employees from Education Employment Procedures Law.

• Conversion charter schools remain public schools receiving state transportation and per-pupil funding; students in attendance zone automatically enrolled without application; requires schools to meet accountability standards and comply with state/federal requirements except those specifically exempted in their contract.