MS SB2191

Authorizes the State Board of Education to approve up to five school districts per year as "districts of innovation" to gain exemptions from certain state regulations and local policies to improve student performance.

Initial approval and renewals of districts of innovation limited to five-year periods, with the State Board required to promulgate administrative rules and regulations by December 31, 2015.

Applicant districts must establish performance goals, document community and educator support, develop a districtwide innovation plan, and only include schools that voluntarily choose to participate (except persistently low-achieving schools which may be required to participate).

Districts of innovation must maintain compliance with health and safety requirements, civil rights protections, compulsory attendance, graduation course requirements, statewide assessments, financial audits, background checks, and open records laws.

Approved districts may request waivers to use capital funds for operations, hire classified staff with bachelor's degrees, employ teachers on alternative contracts, extend school days, establish alternative programs, implement flexible calendars, and modify funding formulas for nontraditional programming.