HB 1502 Summary

• Appropriates $2,218,516,262 in state general funds and $1,201,164,887 in special funds for K-12 education and related programs in Mississippi for fiscal year 2018 (July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018).

• Allocates funds to the State Department of Education ($116.6 million general funds, $903.8 million special funds), Vocational and Technical Education Division ($76.2 million general funds, $21 million special funds), Mississippi Adequate Education Program ($2 billion general funds, $274.5 million special funds), and Schools for the Blind and Deaf ($9.6 million general funds, $1.9 million special funds).

• Authorizes 392 permanent and 121 time-limited full-time positions for the Department of Education, 51 permanent and 5 time-limited full-time positions for Vocational and Technical Education, and 181 permanent and 1 time-limited full-time position for Schools for the Blind and Deaf.

• Establishes performance targets across multiple metrics including graduation rates (82%), ACT scores, special education services, student placement, and school accountability ratings.

• Designates specific funding allocations including $22.6 million for National Board Certification, $15 million for Literacy Initiative, $20.4 million for School Recognition Program, and $10.3 million for various education programs through Section 17 transfers.