Bill Text: MS SB2684 | 2024 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Department of Education; to require to study and develop guidance on technology, nutrition and transportation.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-1)
Status: (Failed) 2024-04-10 - Died On Calendar [SB2684 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2024-SB2684-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2024 Regular Session
To: Education
By: Senator(s) DeBar, Norwood, Brumfield
Senate Bill 2684
(As Passed the Senate)
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-3-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO AID SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN CREATING TECHNOLOGY AND DISASTER RECOVERY PLANS; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO PERIODICALLY CONDUCT SURVEYS ON TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS; TO AMEND SECTION 37-13-137, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO DEVELOP GUIDANCE TO HELP DISTRICT NUTRITION PROGRAMS; TO AMEND SECTION 37-41-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO DEVELOP GUIDANCE FOR DISTRICTS TO USE IN ASSESSING AND OPTIMIZING BUS ROUTES WITH THE GOAL OF IMPROVING TRANSPORTATION SERVICES AND REDUCING COSTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 37-3-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-3-5. (1) The State Department of Education is hereby charged with the execution of all laws relating to the administrative, supervisory and consultative services to the public schools and agricultural high schools of the school districts throughout the State of Mississippi. The State Department of Education is also authorized to grant property to public school districts and agricultural high schools of the State of Mississippi.
Subject to the direction of the State Board of Education as provided by law, the administration, management and control of the department is hereby vested in the State Superintendent of Public Education, who shall be directly responsible for the rightful functioning thereof.
(2) The Department of Education shall aid school districts in creating technology and disaster recovery plans. The department shall develop a plan template and provide guidance documents for technology staff to use when developing these plans.
(3) In order for the Department of Education to better understand the resourses and support needed to assist districts in improving their technology programs, the department shall conduct the following surveys at least every two (2) years:
(a) A detailed technology survey for district technology leaders; and
(b) A detailed survey for teaching staff regarding technology use in the classroom, including analyzing the effectiveness of the Equity in Distance Learning Act.
SECTION 2. Section 37-13-137, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-13-137. (1) The State Board of Education shall adopt regulations as provided in this section not later than March 1, 2008, which shall be effective for compliance by school districts beginning with the 2008-2009 school year, for the Child Nutrition School Breakfast and Lunch Programs that are not in conflict with the regulations of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The regulations shall take into account the most recent and advanced scientific principles regarding good human health and fitness, and the effect of the regulations must be that the good health, well-being and fitness of Mississippi school children shall be advanced. The regulations shall include, but not be limited to, the following areas:
(a) Healthy food and beverage choices;
(b) Healthy food preparation;
(c) Marketing of healthy food choices to students and staff;
(d) Food preparation ingredients and products;
(e) Minimum and maximum time allotment for students and staff lunch and breakfast periods;
(f) The availability of food items during the lunch and breakfast periods of the Child Nutrition School Breakfast and Lunch Programs; and
(g) Methods to increase participation in the Child Nutrition School Breakfast and Lunch Programs.
(2) The Office of Healthy Schools of the State Department of Education shall provide comprehensive training for superintendents, business managers, food service directors and food service managers of a local school district, or the designees appointed by those individuals for training purposes, as required by the department on marketing healthy foods, creating a healthy cafeteria environment, effective and efficient food service operations, the standards and expectations of food service staff, and other topics as identified by the department. The department may determine the time and location of the trainings and the frequency with which they are held. Persons employed by a local school district having the certification as a Food Service Administrator III or IV shall be exempt from the training requirements of this subsection.
(3) Local school districts may adopt rules and regulations that may be more stringent but not in conflict with those adopted by the State Board of Education under this section.
(4) The Department of Education shall develop guidance to help district nutrition programs improve their meals per labor hour, to ensure efficiency and productivity in food service in schools. The department shall develop a standardized guide to assist districts with strategies to increase their breakfast participation rates.
SECTION 3. Section 37-41-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-41-13. (1) All routes shall be laid out so as to place all pupils entitled to transportation within a reasonable distance of same. No child entitled to transportation shall be required to walk a greater distance than one mile to reach the vehicle of transportation in the morning or to reach his home in the afternoon.
(2) The Department of Education shall develop guidance for districts to use in assessing and optimizing bus routes with the goal of improving transportation services and reducing costs.
SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2024.
