House Bill 1525 Summary

• Authorizes the State Board of Education to consolidate two or more failing school districts in the same geographic region into a regional super school district upon recommendation by the Mississippi Recovery School District.

• Requires that school districts be classified as failing for two consecutive school years before consolidation, and mandates consideration of factors including district proximity, student enrollment, facilities, and community input before proceeding.

• Establishes that the new regional super school district shall have an elected five-member school board and appointed superintendent, with former board members ineligible for the new board and the superintendent selected by the newly elected board subject to State Board approval.

• Transfers all property and assets of consolidated districts to the new regional super school district and requires the newly elected board to prepare and approve budgets subject to conservator and State Board approval.

• Permits the State Board to consolidate additional failing school districts in the same region with the super school district following the same consolidation procedures.