MS SB2408

Reestablishes the Council for Education Technology as an advisory group attached to the Board of the Department of Information Technology Services and the State Board of Education to develop a master plan for education technology.

Council membership consists of seven ex officio voting members including the Chief Information Officer in the Department of Education, State Superintendent of Public Education, Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services, and heads of Mississippi Public Broadcasting, the Library Commission, Community College Board, and Higher Education Commissioner.

Adds eight appointed members serving four-year terms with one reappointment allowed, appointed by the State Board of Education, Governor (2 members), Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, State Superintendent, Board of Information Technology Services, and Mississippi Development Authority Executive Director.

Council shall meet at least four times per year, elect an annual chairperson limited to two consecutive years, and provide staff support through the Department of Information Technology Services and State Department of Education.

Council responsibilities include developing vision for education technology, advising legislative appropriations committees, reviewing technology plans and appropriations of state-funded entities, serving as information resource on bandwidth, and submitting annual reports to the Mississippi Legislature; the council automatically repeals on July 1, 2021.