MS SB2975

Requires the Mississippi Legislature to appropriate $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2011 to fund the Early Learning Collaborative Act of 2007.

Establishes a voluntary early care and education grant program administered by the Mississippi Department of Human Services in collaboration with Head Start agencies, licensed child care facilities, and public and private school prekindergarten programs.

Eligible entities may use grant funds to pay for additional teaching staff, educational materials, equipment, and quality improvements for programs serving four-year-old children, with funds provided on a matching basis.

Requires grant applicants to collaborate with other early care and education programs, provide local community matching funds, designate a fiscal agent, and meet teacher qualifications established by a Governor-appointed committee.

Teachers and staff paid from grant funds are not classified as state or school district employees and are ineligible for state health insurance or Public Employees' Retirement System membership.