MS HB293

Reduces the required minimum public school scholastic year from 180 days to 170 days, effective July 1, 2017.

Reduces the minimum employment term in teacher contracts from 187 days to 177 days, with school districts required to shorten existing 2016-2017 contracts by at least 10 days without reducing annual salaries.

Amends the compulsory school attendance law and education funding formulas to reflect the new 170-day minimum school year requirement.

Clarifies that the teacher salary scale applies to all teachers with contracts of no less than the statutorily required number of employment days (177 days).

Repeals the sunset provision in the excused absence statute, extending the current authorization for excused absences due to certain activities from July 1, 2016, to July 1, 2020.