Senate Bill 2425 Summary

• Establishes an Office of Shared Services (OSS) within the Department of Finance and Administration to serve as the central business office for all Mississippi school districts beginning July 1, 2014.

• OSS shall administer payroll preparation and electronic funds transfer, accounting services, human resources, employee background checks, and pooled business property insurance for all school districts statewide.

• OSS shall develop regional procurement offices to handle purchasing of perishables, cafeteria food, educational supplies and equipment, utilities, fuel, school buses, safety services, printing, and grant management services for school districts.

• School districts in counties with multiple districts are required to participate in regional procurement services; OSS may contract with Regional Education Service Agencies (RESAs) or private vendors to operate regional offices.

• OSS authorized to set fees to cover direct and indirect costs of services; implementation plan required beginning July 1, 2012 with full transition by July 1, 2014, with a report to the 2012 Legislature on consolidation savings.