MCA Chapter 31

MCA Chapter 31
in effect

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-1 Federal vocational education act accepted.

The State of Mississippi hereby accepts all the provisions and benefits of an act passed by the senate and house of representatives of the United States of America, in congress assembled, entitled: “An act to provide for the promotion of vocational education; to provide for co-operation with the state in the promotion of such education in agriculture, trades and industries, home economics and distributive education; to provide for co-operation with the states in the preparation of teachers of vocational subjects, and to appropriate money and regulate its expenditure,” approved February 23, nineteen hundred seventeen, and known as the “Smith-Hughes Act.”

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-3 and 37-31-5. Repealed.

Repealed by Laws, 1982, ch. 493, § 19, eff from and after July 1, 1983. § 37-31-3 . [Codes, 1930, § 6703; 1942, § 6489; Laws, 1924, ch. 283; Laws, 1930, ch. 278; Laws, 1936, ch. 214; Laws, 1946, ch. 314, §§ 1, 2] § 31-37-5 . [Codes, 1930, § 6704; 1942, § 6490; Laws, 1924, ch. 283; Laws, 1930, ch. 278] Editor’s Notes — Former § 37-31-3 provided that the state board of education would constitute the state board for vocational education. Former § 37-31-5 provided that the state superintendent of public education would be the chief executive officer of the state board.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-7 Authority of State Board of Education.

The State Board of Education shall have all necessary authority to cooperate with the federal board for vocational education in the administration of the “Smith-Hughes Act” and all subsequent federal vocational education and training acts, to administer any legislation pursuant thereto enacted by the State of Mississippi, and to administer the funds provided by the federal government and the State of Mississippi under the provisions of Sections 37-31-1 through 37-31-15 for the promotion of vocational and technical education not terminating in a bachelors degree. It shall have full authority to formulate plans for the promotion of vocational and technical education in such subjects as are an essential and integral part of the public school system of education in the State of Mississippi, to provide for the preparation of teachers of such subjects, and to escrow funds for students participating in recognized articulated business/industry specific worksite learning programs. It shall have authority to fix the compensation of such officials and assistants as may be necessary to administer the “Smith-Hughes Act” and Sections 37-31-1 through 37-31-15 for the State of Mississippi and to pay such compensation and other necessary expenses of administration from funds appropriated under provisions of said sections. It shall have authority to make studies and investigations relating to vocational and technical education in such subjects; to publish the results of such investigations and to issue other publications as seem necessary by the board; to promote and aid in the establishment by local communities of schools, departments or classes giving training in such subjects; to cooperate with local communities in the maintenance of such schools, department or classes; to prescribe qualifications for the teachers, directors and supervisors of such subjects, and to have full authority to provide for the licensure and renewal of licenses of such teachers, directors and supervisors; to cooperate in the maintenance of classes supported and controlled by the public for the preparation of teachers, directors and supervisors of such subjects or to maintain such classes under its own direction and control; and to establish and determine by general regulations the qualifications to be possessed by persons engaged in the training of vocational and technical teachers.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-9 Duties of state treasurer.

The state treasurer is hereby designated and appointed custodian of all moneys received by the state from the appropriations made by the “Smith-Hughes Act,” and he is authorized to receive and to provide for the proper custody of the same, and to make disbursements thereof in the manner provided for in said act and for the purposes therein specified. He shall also pay out any moneys appropriated by the State of Mississippi for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of Sections 37-31-1 through 37-31-15 upon the order of the state board of education.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-11 State appropriations for vocational education.

The State of Mississippi shall appropriate sums of money for the support of vocational education from year to year, sufficient at least to equal the amounts allotted year by year to the State of Mississippi for vocational education by the federal government under the provisions of the “Smith-Hughes Act.”

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-13 How state appropriations shall be used.

Any appropriation that may be made under the provisions of Sections 37-31-1 through 37-31-15 shall be used by the board for the promotion of vocational education as provided for in the Smith-Hughes Act and for the purpose set forth in Sections 37-31-1 through 37-31-15. The state appropriation shall not be used for payments to high schools which are now receiving other state funds, except in lieu of not more than one-half (1/2) the amount that may be due such high schools from federal funds. Only such portion of the state appropriation shall be used as may be absolutely necessary to carry out the provisions of Sections 37-31-1 through 37-31-15, and to meet the federal requirements. Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, the state appropriation shall not be used for payments to high schools for conducting vocational programs for more than ten (10) months in any school year, and only funds other than adequate education program funds may be expended for such purpose. Subject to annual approval by the State Board of Education, extended contracts for vocational agriculture education services and other related vocational education services which contribute to economic development may be conducted by local school districts, and state appropriations may be used for payments to school districts providing such services. The board of trustees of each school district shall determine whether any proposed services contribute to the economic development of the area. Local districts may apply to the Division of Vocational and Technical Education of the State Department of Education for any state funds available for these extended contracts. The State Board of Education shall establish the application process and the selection criteria for this program. The number of state funded extended contracts approved by the State Board of Education will be determined by the availability of funds specified for this purpose. The State Board of Education’s decision shall be final. Payments under this subsection shall only be available to those high schools whose teachers of vocational programs are responsible for the following programs of instruction during those months between the academic years: (a) supervision and instruction of students in agricultural or other vocational experience programs; (b) group and individual instruction of farmers and agribusinessmen; (c) supervision of student members of youth groups who are involved in leadership training or other activity required by state or federal law; or (d) any program of vocational agriculture or other vocational-related services established by the Division of Vocational and Technical Education of the State Department of Education that contribute to the economic development of the geographic area.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-15 School boards authorized to establish and maintain vocational and technical schools and classes.

The school board may, in its discretion, cooperate with the State Board of Education in the establishment and maintenance of vocational and technical schools or classes giving instruction in vocational and technical training which does not terminate in a bachelors degree to persons in need of such instruction, and may use for paying the cost of such cooperation any monies raised by public taxation in the same manner as monies for other school purposes are used for the maintenance and support of public schools.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-31 Declaration of intent.

The intention of Sections 37-31-31 through 37-31-41 is to enable the State of Mississippi, by and through the state board of education to secure the benefits of the federal social security act pertaining to services for crippled children, and said sections shall be liberally construed in order to effectuate such intention.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-33 Utilization of appropriated funds.

For the purpose of enabling the state board of education to comply with the provisions of the federal social security act and to continue to extend and improve as far as practicable the services now maintained by said state board for locating crippled children and for providing medical, surgical, corrective, and other services, care and treatment, and facilities for diagnosis, hospitalization, and after-care for children who are crippled or who are suffering from conditions which lead to crippling, any and all funds appropriated for physical restoration of crippled children for the above purposes may be used for the purposes set forth in this section.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-35 Duties of state board.

Sections 37-31-31 through 37-31-41, together with funds made available through that section of those sections of the federal social security act which relates to crippled children, together with any and all available state and federal appropriations, shall be administered by the state board of education, and shall be used in the further development of the state’s program of physical restoration of crippled children. The state board of education is hereby authorized to accept donations, gifts and bequests and to expend same on approval of the executive officer of the board, for purposes approved under regulations of the state board of education.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-37 Reports.

The state board of education shall make such reports, in such form and containing such information, as the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare may from time to time require under the terms of the federal social security act, and shall comply with such provisions as the secretary may from time to time find necessary to assure the correctness and verification of such reports.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-39 Cooperation authorized.

The state board of education shall cooperate with medical, health, nursing and welfare groups and organizations and with any other agencies in the state charged with administering state laws providing for vocational rehabilitation of physically handicapped children. Said state board is hereby authorized, empowered and directed to cooperate with the federal government in such manner as to obtain the benefits of the provisions of the federal social security act pertaining to crippled children.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-41 Payment of funds.

All funds made available for carrying out the provisions of Sections 37-31-31 through 37-31-41 shall be paid by the state treasurer on warrants drawn therefor by the state auditor on requisitions of the state superintendent of public education.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-61 Board authorized to establish and conduct vocational and technical schools, classes or courses.

The State Board of Education is hereby authorized and empowered to establish and conduct schools, classes or courses, for preparing, equipping and training citizens of the State of Mississippi for employment in gainful vocational and technical occupations which do not terminate in a bachelors degree, in conjunction with any public school, agricultural high school or community/junior college. The trustees of such school districts, as classified and defined by law, including those already having this authority, and the trustees of agricultural high schools and community/junior colleges may, with the consent in writing of the State Board of Education, establish and conduct such schools, classes or courses, under the provisions herein stated and under the general supervision of the board.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-63 General powers of those establishing vocational and technical classes or courses.

The State Board of Education, the trustees of the school districts as classified and defined by law, and the trustees of agricultural high schools or community/junior colleges, are hereby authorized and empowered to accept and use any land, building or buildings, being either the property of the State of Mississippi or of any of the school districts or agricultural high schools or community/junior colleges, or being the property of private sources, which may be designated, donated or leased for the purpose expressed in Section 37-31-61, and to use such funds as may be made available, and to accept donations and contributions for supplies, equipment, and materials incident to the purpose for which any such schools, classes or courses are established. The board, the trustees of the school districts, as classified and defined by law, and the trustees of agricultural high schools or community/junior colleges, are hereby authorized and empowered to accept and receive donations, contributions and endowments, to charge tuition and registration fees, to receive payment for services rendered or commodities produced incident to training in said schools, courses or classes, and to accept any funds which may be made available for the purpose sought to be accomplished in Section 37-31-61 from any sources.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-65 Funds.

The funds derived from any sources for any trade school, such as the Mississippi School for the Deaf, Mississippi School for the Blind, the Oakley Youth Development Center, or Parchman Vocational School or other agencies or institutions receiving funds for the purposes of this chapter, which are not operated in connection with any public school, agricultural high school or community/junior college, or by virtue of any tuition, registration fees, or payment for services rendered or commodities produced, shall be the property of the State Board of Education. In the event any public school, agricultural high school or community/junior college establishes any trade school, classes or courses under Section 37-31-61, such funds shall be the property of such public school, agricultural high school or community/junior college, to be expended by the trustees thereof, and shall be expended solely for the expense of operating and conducting the trade school, classes or courses in connection with such public school, agricultural high school or community/junior college. None of such funds shall be commingled with the funds of any other of such schools, and none of such funds shall be commingled with any of the other funds of any of the public schools, agricultural high schools or community/junior colleges. All of such funds so created shall be and are hereby declared to be public funds, as defined by law.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-67 Foregoing sections are supplementary.

Sections 37-31-61 through 37-31-65 are in addition to and supplementary to existing school laws, and shall not be construed to repeal any laws now in existence governing any of the public schools of this state or the operation thereof.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-69 School boards authorized to establish vocational apprenticeship programs; participation and curriculum; successful completion and graduation.

The school board of a local school district, in its discretion, may establish and implement a vocational apprenticeship program in the high schools in that district through which students may earn high school units for vocational experience as an alternative to those high school units required by the school district in addition to the core curriculum defined by the State Board of Education. The purpose of a vocational apprenticeship program established pursuant to this section shall be to provide those students with skills and training that will lead to gainful employment in a trade or other specialized vocation. Students who participate in the vocational apprenticeship program shall be required to complete all high school units comprising the core curriculum, as defined by the State Board of Education. In addition, a student in the vocational apprenticeship program may be awarded credit for an additional eight (8) high school units earned through the vocational apprenticeship program, which units shall apply toward, and must be recognized by the State Board of Education in fulfillment of, the local school district’s graduation requirements. Units may be awarded in the vocational apprenticeship program, whereby a student gains actual work experience through employment in a job approved by the local school district. The local school district shall adopt policies governing the participation of students in the vocational apprenticeship program. Students successfully completing a vocational apprenticeship program established pursuant to this section are entitled to a diploma evidencing graduation from a high school in Mississippi.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-71 “Regional education center” defined.

For the purposes of Sections 37-31-71 through 37-31-79, the term “regional education center” means all facilities utilized for the carrying out of instruction on the level of secondary or postsecondary education or both which are jointly operated by or which accept students on a contractual basis from two (2) or more school districts of this state, or for any school district which encompasses an entire county.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-73 Agreements for establishment of center; terms of agreement; board of trustees; fiscal agent.

The various school districts, counties, municipalities and community/junior college districts of this state are authorized to enter into agreements between each other and between the school districts and any of the boards of supervisors of any county, the governing authorities of any municipality, or the boards of trustees of any community/junior college district providing for the construction or operation of regional education centers. Any agreement entered into pursuant to this section shall be subject to the approval of the State Board of Education. The agreement shall designate the fiscal agent, among other provisions, provide for the method of financing the construction and operation of the facilities, the manner in which the facilities are to be controlled, operated and staffed, the basis upon which students are to be admitted to the regional education center and transportation provided for students in attendance at the center. The agreement or any subsequent modification to it shall be spread at large upon the minutes of each party to the agreement after having been duly adopted by the governing authorities of each party. The agreements may provide for the establishment of regional education advisory councils to serve in an advisory capacity to regional education centers, to be made up of representatives of the board of trustees of school districts or community/junior college districts which may be parties to the agreement. Regional education advisory councils of the parties to the agreement will operate at the will of the fiscal agent for the regional education center. The fiscal agent shall have all powers designated to it in the agreement by the parties to the agreement, except for the power to request or require the levy of taxes or the power to issue or require the issuance of any bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness, or to call for an election on the question of the issuance of any bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-75 Expenditures.

The various counties, municipalities, school districts and junior college districts which may become parties to any agreement authorized by Sections 37-31-71 through 37-31-79 are authorized to appropriate and expend any and all funds which may be required to carry out the terms of the agreement from any funds available to any party to the agreement not otherwise appropriated without limitation as to the source of the funds, including minimum foundation program funds, sixteenth section funds, funds received from the federal government or other sources by way of grant, donation or otherwise, and funds which may be available to any such party through the Department of Education or any other agency of the state, regardless of the party to the agreement designated by the agreement to be primarily responsible for the construction or operation of the regional education center and regardless of the limitation on the expenditure of any funds imposed by any other statute. However, no funds whose use was originally limited to the construction of capital improvements shall be utilized for the purpose of defraying the administrative or operating costs of any regional education center. Any one or more of the parties to an agreement may be designated as the fiscal agent or contracting party in carrying out any of the purposes of the agreement, and any and all funds authorized to be spent by any of the parties may be paid over to the fiscal agent or contracting party for disbursement by the fiscal agent or contracting party. Disbursements shall be made and contracted for under the laws and regulations applicable to the fiscal or disbursing agent, except to the extent they may be extended or modified by the provisions of Sections 37-31-71 through 37-31-79. All of the parties to the agreement may issue bonds, negotiable notes or other evidences of indebtedness for the purpose of providing funds for the acquisition of land and for the construction of buildings and permanent improvements under the terms of the agreement under any existing laws authorizing the issuance or sale of bonds, negotiable notes or other evidences of indebtedness to provide funds for any capital improvement.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-77 Funds not to be charged against homestead exemption reimbursements.

It is expressly provided that any payment from the funds of one (1) governmental authority into the funds of any other governmental authority made in compliance with provisions of Sections 37-31-71 through 37-31-79, shall not be charged against homestead exemption reimbursements under the provisions of Section 27-33-41, Mississippi Code of 1972, or any other similar statute.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-79 Construction.

Sections 37-31-71 through 37-31-79 shall be liberally construed to effectuate the provisions thereof and are hereby declared to be severable. Such sections are supplemental to the authority provided in Sections 37-7-401 through 37-7-413 and other applicable statutes, and any agreement entered into pursuant to Sections 37-31-71 through 37-31-79 shall likewise be effective to confer on the contracting parties all powers contained in the Sections 37-7-401 through 37-7-413 provided such agreement is also approved by the state educational finance commission in accordance therewith.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-81 Future Farmers of America camps authorized.

The State Board of Education is hereby authorized and directed to establish Future Farmers of America camps. Such locations shall be finally determined by the board. The board is hereby authorized and empowered to acquire land and to place thereon such buildings and equipment as may be deemed appropriate for the establishment and operation of Future Farmers of America camps. The board shall provide for the operation, maintenance and upkeep of said camps.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-101 Title.

Sections 37-31-101 through 37-31-111 shall be called the “Mississippi Manpower Development and Training Act of 1974.”

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-103 Development, establishment and administration of programs; advisory committees.

The State Board of Education is authorized to develop and establish special education and skill training programs to fill specific employment opportunities in areas of the state that have both employment opportunities and able-bodied unemployed and underemployed groups of adults, with priority to be given to unemployed adults. This program shall be administered by the division of vocational and technical education in community/junior colleges and secondary school systems wherever practical, and shall have general supervision over the programs established by Sections 37-31-101 through 37-31-111. Programs shall parallel, complement and be compatible with the existing structure of all vocational-technical education, both state and federal, as operated under the board. A comprehensive program of educational activity including skill training shall be developed and tailored to meet the needs of each individual student and the needs of industry for specially trained workers, and programs shall be planned and operated flexibly in order that students may progress individually. Specific employment objectives that are practical for each student shall be identified early in the program and the individual trained accordingly. Programs may include, when needed for employment purposes, but not be limited to, basic education, remedial education, attitude training, employability and communications skills, prevocational, vocational and technical education, and supplementary and related instruction for on-the-job training whether conducted at the job site or elsewhere. Local craft advisory committees made up of potential employers shall be established to advise on the validity of the training curriculum being offered. Programs shall be developed on a project basis, with all projects considered temporary, and renewed only as long as the dual needs of qualified students exist and potential job opportunities can be identified. Each project shall consist of a minimum of: (a) statement of need, (b) occupational training plan, (c) budget, and (d) budget backup information. Full-time (forty (40) hours per week), part-time, and upgrading programs are authorized, and all programs as conducted by local school districts shall meet or exceed the standards of the board, and failure to do so by a school district shall result in loss of funds as provided in Sections 37-31-101 through 37-31-111. Utilization shall be made of existing equipment, materials and facilities purchased by previous programs such as the Manpower Development and Training Program, Public Law 87-415, 42 USCS 2571, et seq., whenever practical and legal. The board shall review local public school and community/junior college project proposals to determine appropriateness of content, length of training, hours of instruction per week, and whether estimated costs are realistic, and shall evaluate, monitor and provide needed services in support of the local projects. The board shall be responsible for state level development and coordination of a vocational and technical program which shall include but not be limited to the following: A program which will provide immediate training for established industries and which provides training for prospective employees for new and expanding industry, such program to be characterized with a strong emphasis on the employment needs of the state.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-105 Allowable costs and expenditures; use of funds.

Allowable costs for public schools may include salaries of instructors, cost of equipment, supplies, supervision, rental of space and equipment, utilities, custodial services, and other costs justifiable for the specific programs. There shall be no cost to students for any training received. The necessary books, tools and supplies shall be provided. All items purchased shall remain the property of the state for future programs and shall not be given to the student. Equipment may be transferred between local public training agencies. Rental for private facilities and minor remodeling and maintenance for public facilities are allowable. There shall be no construction of facilities. Up to One Hundred Dollars ($100) per student may be expended for medical services necessary for vocational rehabilitation if needed to render the person employable and if no other source of funds is available for this purpose. Funds appropriated for the purpose of Sections 37-31-101 through 37-31-111, except funds received by virtue of the Fiscal Assistance to State and Local Governments Act, Public Law 92-512, 31 USCS 1221, et seq., may be used as matching funds to obtain federal funds for similar objectives whenever needed.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-106 Repealed.

Repealed by Laws, 1999, ch. 572, § 4, eff from and after August 15, 1999. [Laws, 1994, ch. 581, § 49, eff from and after July 1, 1994]

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-107 Acceptance of students; job placement and referral.

Qualified students for the classes or courses may be accepted by the schools from any source, but priority of enrollment will be given referrals from the department of public welfare, state employment service, vocational rehabilitation, and nonretired veterans. The state employment service will assist with student job placement and referral whenever possible. For the purposes of Sections 37-31-101 through 37-31-111, a qualified student is an adult, at least eighteen (18) years old, who is under-employed or unemployed and is not enrolled in school. Students will not be eligible if they have dropped out of regular school for the specific purpose of enrolling in the manpower programs.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-111 Annual reports.

An annual report on program activities and results shall be prepared by the state department of education, vocational division, and submitted to the legislature with the overall annual vocational education report.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-201 Definitions.

Wherever used in this chapter, or in any other statute, rule or regulation affecting the Vocational Education Division of the State Department of Education and any of its functions or duties: The word “board” shall mean and refer to the State Board of Education. The word “division” shall mean and refer to the Mississippi Division of Vocational and Technical Education of the State Department of Education.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-203 Repealed.

Repealed by Laws, 1982, ch. 493, § 2(5), effective from and after June 30, 1986. [Laws, 1982, ch. 493, § 2]

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-205 Authority of board.

The State Board of Education shall have the authority to: Expend funds received either by appropriation or directly from federal or private sources; Channel funds to secondary schools, community and junior colleges and regional vocational-technical facilities according to priorities set by the board; Allocate funds on an annual budgetary basis; Set standards for and approve all vocational and technical education programs in the public school system and community and junior colleges or other agencies or institutions which receive state funds and federal funds for such purposes, including, but not limited to, the following vocational and technical education programs: agriculture, trade and industry, occupational home economics, consumer and homemaking education, distributive education, business and office, health, industrial arts, guidance services, technical education, cooperative education, and all other specialized training not requiring a bachelor’s degree, with the exception of programs of nursing education regulated under the provisions of Section 37-129-1. The State Board of Education shall authorize local school boards, within such school board’s discretion, to offer distributive education as a one-hour or two-hour block course. There shall be no reduction of payments from state funding for distributive education due to the selection of either the one-hour or two-hour course offering; Set and publish licensure standards for vocational and technical education personnel. The State Board of Education shall recognize a vocational and technical education teacher’s work when school is not in session which is in the teacher’s particular field of instruction as a means for the teacher to fulfill the requirements for renewal of the teacher’s license. The board shall establish, by rules and regulations, the documentation of such work which must be submitted to the board and the number of actual working hours required to fulfill renewal requirements. If a vocational and technical education teacher who does not have a bachelor’s degree takes classes in fulfillment of licensure renewal requirements, such classes must be in furtherance of a bachelor’s degree; Require data and information on program performance from those programs receiving state funds; Expend funds to expand career information; Supervise and maintain the Division of Vocational and Technical Education and to utilize, to the greatest extent possible, the division as the administrative unit of the board responsible for coordinating programs and services with local institutions; Utilize appropriate staff of the State Department of Education to perform services for the vocational student organizations, including, but not limited to, procurement, accounting services, tax services and banking services. The department may also procure and pay for annual audits of the vocational student organizations using vocational funds or other available funds of the State Department of Education. It is the intent of this provision that any related costs be paid with vocational funds appropriated by the Legislature; Promulgate such rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter in accordance with Section 25-43-1 et seq.; Set standards and approve all vocational and technical education equipment and facilities purchased and/or leased with state and federal vocational funds; Encourage provisions for lifelong learning and changing personal career preferences and advancement of vocational and technical education students through articulated programs between high schools and community and junior colleges; Encourage the establishment of new linkages with business and industry which will provide for a better understanding of essential labor market concepts; Periodically review the funding and reporting processes required of local school districts by the board or division with the aim of simplifying or eliminating inefficient practices and procedures; Assist in the development of high technology programs and resource centers to support current and projected industrial needs; Assist in the development of a technical assistance program for business and industry which will provide for industrial training and services, including the transfer of information relative to new applications and advancements in technology; and Enter into contracts and agreements with the Mississippi Community College Board for conditions under which vocational and technical education programs in community and junior colleges shall receive state and federal funds which flow through the State Board of Education for such purposes. It is the intent of the Legislature that no vocational and technical education course or program existing on June 30, 1982, shall be eliminated by the State Board of Education under the authority vested in paragraph (d) of subsection (1) of this section prior to June 30, 1985. It is further the intent of the Legislature that no vocational and technical education teacher or other personnel employed on June 30, 1983, shall be discharged due to licensure standards promulgated by the board under paragraph (e) of subsection (1) of this section, if any such teacher or personnel shall have complied with any newly published licensure standards by June 30, 1985. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to abrogate or affect in any manner the authority of local public school districts or community and junior colleges to eliminate vocational and technical education courses or programs or to discharge any vocational and technical education teacher or other personnel. The State Board of Education and the Mississippi Community College Board may provide that every vocational and technical education course or program in Mississippi may integrate academic and vocational-technical education through coherent sequences of courses, so that students in such programs achieve both academic and occupational competencies. The boards may expend federal funds available from the 1990 Perkins Act, or other available federal funds, for the alignment of vocational-technical programs with academic programs through the accreditation process and the teacher licensure process.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-207 Duties of board.

The State Board of Education shall have the following duties: To seek the best available projections of employment and occupations for Mississippians; To utilize these projections and other considerations to set vocational and technical education priorities; To utilize the services of all state agencies having information regarding the purposes of this chapter; To cooperate with the governor’s office of job development and training and the board of economic development to prevent duplication and provide continuity of employment and training services; To conduct evaluations of the success or failure of vocational-technical programs, including the extent to which training actually leads to jobs in the field in which the student was trained; Obtain and publish data and information on program performance from those vocational-technical programs receiving state funds; and To notify local school districts and public community/junior colleges prior to March 1 annually of any discontinuation of ongoing vocational programs which would affect the renewing of contracts with vocational personnel.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-209 Repealed.

Repealed by Laws, 2018, ch. 395, § 1, eff from and after July 1, 2018. § 37-31-209 . [Laws, 1982, ch. 493, § 5; Laws, 1992, ch. 482, § 13, eff from and after July 1, 1992.] Editor’s Notes — Former § 37-31-209 created an advisory council for the Mississippi Board of Vocational and Technical Education and prescribed its composition, powers and duties.

Miss. Code Ann. § 37-31-211 Appropriations for vocational and technical education to be made to board.

The Legislature shall appropriate to the State Board of Education those state funds to be expended by the board through the Division of Vocational and Technical Education of the State Department of Education.