MS SB2497

Consolidates three school districts in Chickasaw County (Chickasaw County School District, Houston Municipal Separate School District, and Okolona Municipal Separate School District) into one Chickasaw County School District effective July 1, 2017, with central office located in Houston, Mississippi.

Establishes an interim trustee appointed by the State Board of Education to manage the transition from July 1, 2016 to July 1, 2018, with authority over budget consolidation, staffing decisions, and salary scale construction.

Creates an Interim County Board of Education to be elected in November 2016 special election with three members from the former Houston district, one from the former Okolona district, and one from the former Chickasaw County district, serving three-year terms beginning January 1, 2017.

Transfers all assets, property, and debt of the three former districts to the new Chickasaw County School District; assumes all outstanding debt and maintains special ad valorem taxes pledged to the former districts.

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