MS SB2343

Establishes the Mississippi Modified School Calendar Grant Program administered by the Department of Education to offset costs for school districts adopting or maintaining a modified school calendar (shortened summer break with breaks dispersed throughout the year).

Provides eligible school districts with maximum grants of $250,000 per year for up to three years, with funding for transportation, staff during intercessions, remediation and enrichment programs, and utilities.

Requires the Department of Education to develop regulations and application requirements within two months, inform all districts about the program, and award initial grants by July 1, 2024, and July 1 of each year thereafter.

Eligible school districts include those implementing a modified calendar by the 2024-2025 academic year or those that implemented one in the 2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024, or 2024-2025 academic years.

Creates a special "Mississippi Modified School Calendar Grant Fund" in the State Treasury with unexpended amounts remaining in the fund each fiscal year; requires annual reporting to legislative leadership on fund usage and effectiveness by October 1 each year.