MS HB327

Deletes the "chronically under-performing" requirement, allowing any public school in Mississippi to apply for conversion to charter school status.

Authorizes the State Board of Education to approve up to 12 conversion charter schools over a 6-year period, with no more than 3 petitions per congressional district.

Requires conversion charter school petitions to include improvement plans, academic performance objectives, governance structure with parent-led local management boards, and annual reporting on student achievement and finances.

Permits local management boards to extend school days/years, develop curriculum, select textbooks, hire principals, and determine teacher salaries within state minimums.

Allows charter schools previously granted under repealed statutes (as of July 1, 2009) to continue operating under their original charters until expiration, then seek renewal under current conversion charter requirements.