MS HB1455

No public school in Mississippi may begin a new academic year of instruction before September 1, effective with the 2012-2013 school year.

If September 1 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, academic instruction may begin on the Monday immediately following September 1.

Mississippi School for the Blind and Mississippi School for the Deaf are exempt from the September 1 start date requirement.

State Board of Education gains authority to establish the date for opening and closing of the school term and the minimum number of days schools must be in session during a scholastic year.

Section 37-13-61 is repealed, removing local school boards' previous authority to fix the opening and closing dates of the school term.