MS HB302

Expands Mississippi's "Districts of Innovation" program to include "community schools" - traditional public schools that partner with community-based organizations to coordinate academic, social, health, and mental health services to reduce barriers to learning

Requires community schools to include integrated student supports (medical, dental, vision, mental health services), expanded learning time (before/after school, weekend, summer programs), active family/community engagement, STEM curriculum components, and collaborative leadership practices

Creates the position of "Community School Director" - a full-time staff member responsible for coordinating student supports, leading needs assessments, and serving on school-based leadership teams

Provides low-performing schools or districts transitioning multiple schools to the community school model with a three-year transition period before becoming eligible for state takeover

Adds new performance targets for Districts of Innovation including increasing attendance rates, reducing chronic absenteeism, decreasing suspension/expulsion rates, and expanding access to dual-enrollment courses