MS HB222

Reorganizes the former Hinds Agricultural High School, closed in 2014, as the Hinds Specialized Career and Technical High School effective July 1, 2016, to be located on the Utica Campus of Hinds Community College.

School curriculum shall provide focused primary instruction in agriculture, military science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, subject to State Board of Education review.

Real property of the former school transfers to Hinds Specialized Career and Technical High School; personal property transfers upon joint order of Hinds Community College District and Hinds County School District boards, with transfer costs paid by the community college district.

First year of instruction begins in 2017-2018 school year for grades 9-12; students enrolled during initial year receive one-year waiver of test scores from accountability calculations.

Former Hinds Agricultural High School students who were enrolled at closure may receive two diplomas upon graduation—one from their subsequent district school and a courtesy diploma from Hinds Agricultural High School.