MS HB234

Consolidates all municipal separate, consolidated, line consolidated, and special municipal school districts into single countywide school districts by July 1, 2014, resulting in 82 statewide districts with one county board of education and one appointed county superintendent per county.

Changes county board of education elections to November 2015 and every four years thereafter for four-year terms, with members elected by supervisors districts rather than at-large, and allows one at-large member in counties with no high school.

Shifts county superintendent selection from elected to appointed by the county board of education, with contracts up to four scholastic years, effective July 1, 2014.

Requires the State Board of Education to publish a consolidation list by February 1, 2014, and administratively consolidate any districts not voluntarily merging; prohibits closure of school facilities or changes to attendance zones by newly elected boards.

Makes boards of supervisors the levying authority for all school district ad valorem taxes from July 1, 2014 forward, and repeals prior election procedures for county superintendents and municipal school district boards of trustees.