MS SB2494

Administratively consolidates the Holmes County School District and Durant Municipal Separate School District into a single Holmes County School District effective July 1, 2017, with central administrative office in Lexington.

Establishes a special election in November 2016 to elect a new County Board of Education from supervisors districts with staggered terms of 2, 4, and 6 years.

Authorizes the State Board of Education to appoint an interim trustee to manage the transition from July 1, 2016 through July 1, 2018, with authority over budget consolidation, staff reduction, salary scales, and school district operations.

Transfers all assets, property, and debt from the former school districts to the new Holmes County School District, with outstanding debt secured by special ad valorem tax levies on property in each former district.

Grants a three-year waiver from accountability and state assessment requirements for the new consolidated district's student population, conditioned on U.S. Department of Education approval.