MS SB2609

State Department of Education must provide clerical, administrative, human resources, payroll, and purchasing support for the Mississippi School of the Arts (MSA) and Mississippi Schools for the Blind and Deaf (MSB/MSD) effective January 1, 2019, with at least 6 positions transferred for this purpose

Administrative and instructional employees at MSA and MSB/MSD will be transferred from state service to contract employees of their respective schools, with contracts approved by the State Board of Education or its subcommittee

Noninstructional employees at these schools will serve at the will and pleasure of the Superintendent/Executive Director rather than under State Personnel Board authority

Contract employees retain employment rights similar to school district employees, including protections under the Education Employment Procedures Law after two years of continuous employment, and maintain uninterrupted Public Employees' Retirement System and health insurance benefits

Schools continue to receive line-item appropriations from the Legislature through the State Department of Education and may accept donations and grants from public or private sources