A ORGANIZATION AA AB ABB ABCA ABCB ABCD ABCDA ABCF ABD ADA ADB AE AEA AEAA AEAB AEBA AF AFC

C District Legal Status Board Legal Status Powers and Duties (Cf. BBBA) Number Qualifications Board Member Training Method of Election (Cf. LDAC) Unexpired Term Fulfillment Removal from Office School Superintendent Legal Status (Cf. CE) School Census Average Daily Attendance School Year the School Session School Calendar Vacations Holidays Summer Sessions (Cf. IDCA) Length of School Day and Term Emergency Closing

Approved September 9, 2004

SCHOOL DISTRICT LEGAL STATUS AA

The legal basis for education in the school district of the City of Columbia is vested in the will of the people as expressed in the Constitution of the State of Mississippi, the federal, state, and local statutes pertaining to education, court interpretation of the validity of these laws and the powers implied under them. The official name of the district is: The Columbia School District, Marion County, Mississippi. The School District shall embrace and include the territory as established under statutes governing the extent of the school district and defined in court orders which apply, together with those individuals living on Sixteenth Section land. The Mississippi Early Childhood Education Program shall be the kindergarten program implemented by local school districts under the provisions of the adequate education program. 37-21-6(1996) There shall be maintained a uniform system of free public schools consisting of grades one through twelve, which may be divided among elementary schools, middle schools, junior high schools and high schools or any combination thereof, on such basis and in such grades as the Board of Trustees of the school district involved, in its discretion, shall deem necessary and desirable. 37-13-1(1954) Legal Ref.: MS Code, Sec. 37-7-1

Approved September 9, 2004

LEGAL STATUS OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES AB

The Columbia School District Board of Trustees derives its legal status from the State Legislature which is subject to the Constitution of the State of Mississippi and the Constitution of the United States. Accordingly, education is a state function. The Board of Trustees is subject to legislative action and acts as an agent for the State of Mississippi. The Constitution of the State of Mississippi stipulates that the responsibility for establishing and maintaining the public schools rests with the Mississippi Legislature. The State Constitution further provides for a State Board of Education and provides that local public schools, under the general supervision of the State Board of Education, shall be maintained, developed, and operated by locally elected or appointed Boards. Legally, the School Board is an instrument of the Mississippi Legislature and derives its authority from the Mississippi Legislature and the regulations of the State Board of Education as set forth in the Mississippi Constitution, Mississippi Code of 1972 Annotated.

Approved September 9, 2004

POWERS AND DUTIES BOARD OF EDUCATION The School Board shall be the policy making and judicial authority for the school district. The Board recognizes the Superintendent as the executive secretary of the Board and the chief administrative officer of the school system. The Board delegates authority for implementing and executing its policies and decisions to the Superintendent and through him/her to his/her staff. This School Board shall have the following powers, authority and duties in addition to all others imposed or granted by law, to wit: To organize and operate the schools of this district and to make such division between the high school grades and elementary grades as, in their judgment, will serve the best interests of the school; To introduce public school music, art, and other special subjects into either the elementary or high school grades, as the Board shall deem proper; To be the custodians of real and personal school property and to manage, control and care for same, both during the school term and during vacation; To have responsibility for the erection, repairing and equipping of school facilities and the making of necessary school improvements; To suspend or expel a student or to change placement to an alternative school or a homebound program for misconduct in the school or on school property as defined in MS Code, 37-11-29; on the road to and from school; at any school related activity or event; or on property other than school property or other than at a school related event (Authority exists when the Superintendent or principal determines that such misconduct renders the pupils presence in the classroom a disruption to the educational environment or a detriment to the best interest and welfare of the students and teacher of such class as a whole); To visit schools in the district, in their discretion, in a body for the purpose of determining what can be done for the improvement of the school in a general way; To support, within reasonable limits, the Superintendent, assistant Superintendent, principal and teachers where necessary for the proper discipline of the school; To exclude from the schools students with what appears to be infectious or contagious diseases; provided, however, such student may be allowed to return to school upon presenting a certificate from a public health officer or duly licensed physician or nurse practitioner that the student is free from such disease; To require those vaccinations specified by the State Health Officer as provided in Section 41-23-37, Mississippi Code of 1972; To see that all necessary utilities and services are provided in the schools at all times when same are needed; ABB

To authorize the use of the school buildings and grounds for the holding of public meetings and gatherings of the people under such regulations as may be prescribed by said Board; To prescribe and enforce rules and regulations not inconsistent with law or with the regulations of the State Board of Education for their own government and for the government of the schools, and to transact their business at regular and special meetings called and held in the manner provided by law; To maintain and operate all of the schools under their control for such length of time during the year as may be required; To enforce in the schools the courses of study and the use of the textbooks prescribed by the proper authorities; To make orders directed to the Superintendent of Schools for the issuance of pay certificates for lawful purposes on any available funds of the district and to have full control of the receipt, distribution, allotment and disbursement of all funds provided for the support and operation of the schools of such school district whether such funds be derived from state appropriations, local ad valorem tax collections, or otherwise; To select all school district personnel in the manner provided by law, and to provide such employee fringe benefit programs, including accident reimbursement plans, as may be deemed necessary and appropriate by this Board; To provide athletic programs and other school activities and to regulate the establishment and operation of such programs and activities; To join, in their discretion, any association of school boards and other public school related organizations, and to pay from local funds, other than adequate education program funds, any membership dues; To expend local school activity funds, or other available school district funds, other than adequate education program funds, for the purposes prescribed under this paragraph. o "Activity funds" shall mean all funds received by school officials of this school district paid or collected to participate in any school activity, such activity being part of the school program and partially financed with public funds or supplemented by public funds. The term "activity funds" shall not include any funds raised and/or expended by any organization unless commingled in a bank account with existing activity funds, regardless of whether the funds were raised by school employees or received by school employees during school hours or using school facilities, and regardless of whether a school employee exercises influence over the expenditure or disposition of such funds. Organizations shall not be required to make any payment to any school for the use of any school facility if, in the discretion of the School Board, the organization's function shall be deemed to be beneficial to the official or extracurricular programs of the school. For the purposes of this provision, the term "organization" shall not include any organization subject to the control of the School Board. Activity funds may only be expended for any necessary expenses or travel costs, including advances, incurred by students and their chaperons in attending any in-state or out-of-state school-related programs, conventions or seminars and/or any commodities, equipment, travel expenses, purchased services or school supplies which the School Board, in its discretion, shall deem beneficial to the official or extracurricular programs of the district, including items which may subsequently become the personal property of individuals, including

yearbooks, athletic apparel, book covers and trophies. Activity funds may be used to pay travel expenses of school district personnel. The School Board shall be authorized and empowered to promulgate rules and regulations specifically designating for what purposes school activity funds may be expended. The School Board shall provide (a) that such school activity funds shall be maintained and expended by the principal of the school generating the funds in individual bank accounts, or (b) that such school activity funds shall be maintained and expended by the Superintendent of Schools in a central depository approved by the Board. The School Board shall provide that such school activity funds be audited as part of the annual audit in Section 37-9-18. The State Auditor shall prescribe a uniform system of accounting and financial reporting for all school activity fund transactions; To contract, on a shared savings, lease or lease purchase basis, for energy efficiency services and/or equipment as provided for in Section 31-7-14, not to exceed ten (10) years; To maintain accounts and issue pay certificates on school food service bank accounts; To lease a school building from an individual, partnership, nonprofit corporation or a private for-profit corporation for the use of such school district, and to expend funds therefor as may be available from any non-minimum program sources. The School Board of the school district desiring to lease a school building shall declare by resolution that a need exists for a school building and that the school district cannot provide the necessary funds to pay the cost or its proportionate share of the cost of a school building required to meet the present needs. The resolution so adopted by the School Board shall be published once each week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper having a general circulation in the school district involved, with the first publication thereof to be made not less than thirty (30) days prior to the date upon which the School Board is to act on the question of leasing a school building. If no petition requesting an election is filed prior to such meeting as hereinafter provided, then the School Board may, by resolution spread upon its minutes, proceed to lease a school building. If at any time prior to said meeting a petition signed by not less than twenty percent (20%) or fifteen hundred (1500) whichever is less, of the qualified electors of the school district involved shall be filed with the School Board requesting that an election be called on the question, then the School Board shall, not later than the next regular meeting, adopt a resolution calling an election to be held within such school district upon the question of authorizing the School Board to lease a school building. Such election shall be called and held, and notice thereof shall be given, in the same manner for elections upon the questions of the issuance of the bonds of school districts, and the results thereof shall be certified to the School Board. If at least three-fifths (3/5) of the qualified electors of the school district who voted in such election shall vote in favor of the leasing of a school building, then the School Board shall proceed to lease a school building. The term of the lease shall not exceed twenty (20) years, and the total cost of such lease shall be either the amount of the lowest and best bid accepted by the School Board after advertisement for bids or an amount not to exceed the current fair market value of the lease as determined by the averaging of at least two (2) appraisals by members of the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers or the Society of Real Estate Appraisers. The term "school building" as used in this item shall be construed to mean any building or buildings used for classroom purposes in connection with the operation of schools and shall include the site therefor, necessary support facilities, and the equipment thereof and appurtenances thereto such as heating facilities, water supply, sewage disposal, landscaping, walks, drives, and playgrounds. The term "lease" as used in this item may include a lease/purchase contract. If two (2) or more school districts propose to enter into a lease contract jointly, then joint meetings of the School Boards having control may be held but no action taken shall be binding on any such school district unless the question of leasing a school building is approved in each participating school district under the procedure hereinabove set forth. All of the provisions regarding the term and amount of the lease contract shall apply to the School Boards of school districts acting jointly. Any

lease contract executed by two (2) or more school districts as joint lessees shall set out the amount of the aggregate lease rental to be paid by each, which may be agreed upon, but there shall be no right of occupancy by any lessee unless the aggregate rental is paid as stipulated in the lease contract. All rights of joint or leases under the lease contract shall be in proportion to the amount of lease rental paid by each; To employ all noninstructional and non-licensed employees and fix the duties and compensation of such personnel deemed necessary pursuant to the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools or the administrative Superintendent; To employ and fix the duties and compensation of such legal counsel as deemed necessary; Subject to rules and regulations of the State Board of Education, to purchase, own and operate trucks, vans and other motor vehicles, which shall bear the proper identification required by law; To expend funds for the payment of substitute teachers and to adopt reasonable regulations for the employment and compensation of such substitute teachers; To acquire in its own name by purchase all real property which shall be necessary and desirable in connection with the construction, renovation or improvement of any public school building or structure. If the Board shall be unable to agree with the owner of any such real property in connection with any such project, the Board shall have the power and authority to acquire any such real property by condemnation proceedings pursuant to Sections 11-27-1 et seq., Mississippi Code of 1972, and for such purpose, the right of eminent domain is hereby conferred upon and vested in said Board. Provided further, that the local School Board is authorized to grant an easement for ingress and egress over sixteenth section land or lieu land in exchange for a similar easement upon adjoining land where the exchange of easements affords substantial benefit to the sixteenth section land; provided, however, the exchange must be based upon values as determined by a competent appraiser, with any differential in value to be adjusted by cash payment. Any easement rights granted over sixteenth section land under such authority shall terminate when the easement ceases to be used for its stated purpose. No sixteenth section or lieu land which is subject to an existing lease shall be burdened by any such easement except by consent of the lessee or unless the school district shall acquire the unexpired leasehold interest affected by the easement; To charge reasonable fees related to the educational programs of the district, in the manner prescribed in Section 37-7-335; Subject to rules and regulations of the State Board of Education, to purchase relocatable classrooms for the use of such school district, in the manner prescribed in Section 37-1-13; Enter into contracts or agreements with other districts, political subdivisions or governmental entities to carry out one or more of the powers or duties of the School Board, or to allow more efficient utilization of limited resources for providing services to the public; To provide for in-service training for employees of the district; To hold parents and legal guardians responsible for the textbooks and for the compensation to the school district for any books which are not returned to the proper schools upon the withdrawal of their dependent child. If a textbook is lost or not returned by any student who drops out of the public

school district, the parent or legal guardian shall also compensate the school district for the fair market value of the textbooks; To conduct fund-raising activities on behalf of the school district that the School Board, in its discretion, deems appropriate or beneficial to the official or extracurricular programs of the district; provided that: o Any proceeds of the fund-raising activities shall be treated as "activity funds" and shall be accounted for as are other activity funds; and o Fund-raising activities conducted or authorized by the Board for the sale of school pictures, the rental of caps and gowns or the sale of graduation invitations for which the School Board receives a commission, rebate or fee shall contain a disclosure statement advising that a portion of the proceeds of the sales or rentals shall be contributed to the student activity fund; To allow individual lessons for music, art and other curriculum-related activities for academic credit or nonacademic credit during school hours and using school equipment and facilities, subject to uniform rules and regulations adopted by the School Board; To charge reasonable fees for participating in an extracurricular activity for academic or nonacademic credit for necessary and required equipment such as safety equipment, band instruments and uniforms; To conduct or participate in any fund-raising activities on behalf of or in connection with a taxexempt charitable organization; To exercise such powers as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions of this section; and To expend funds for the services of nonprofit arts organizations or other such nonprofit organizations who provide performances or other services for the students of the school district.

The School Board shall also: Perfect its own organization, adopt, carefully define, record and enforce policies and regulations consistent with law and with the regulations of the State Board of Education, and transact business at regular monthly and special meetings in a manner prescribed by law. Interpret the needs of the community and the subsequent requirements of the school system. Further, it shall interpret and present the program and the needs of the schools to the public. Pass upon, improve, or modify the annual financial budget prepared by the Superintendent of schools. Award contracts and borrow money, including the issuance of bonds. Act as a court of final appeal for teachers and patrons in cases where the Superintendent's decision is appealed in writing. Appraise the efficiency of the schools and their officials in terms of their value to the school and community and in accordance with the objectives of the enterprise.

Require such reports from the Superintendent of schools and others it may deem necessary to keep itself informed of the working conditions of the schools. In this effort the Board shall visit each school in the district in a body at least once during each school year. Hold such trustee elections as are required by law. Advise with the Superintendent of schools regarding the recommendations for extensions or readjustment of the educational activities of the schools and to amend, approve, or reject these recommendations. Approve the list of bills and expenditures which have been previously authorized when the same shall be properly certified and presented for payment. Join and pay dues, within legal limits, to associations of School Boards. Actively monitor its policies which require the operating of a system of performance-based education. Participate in the policy development aspects of the school district's long-range educational plan and in the approval of the plan submitted to the State Department of Education. Determine that district administrators are applying specific standards for promotion, retention, and graduation of students as required by local policy and State law. Monitor the development of the local district's Early Childhood Educational Program. Assure that district administrative leaders interact with the business sector to assist students in developing employability skills. Require written reports of the findings of the investigations and written plans for correcting identified problems within a specified time. Assure that outside influences do not disrupt classroom instruction. Perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the law or as may become necessary for effective operation of the schools.

In addition to those powers granted by Section 37-7-301 listed above, this School Board may exercise general home rule authority as provided under Section 37-17-11. Also refer to Mississippi Public School Accountability Standards

Approved September 9, 2004

NUMBER OF BOARD MEMBERS ABCA

In accordance with the law of the State of Mississippi, the Board consists of five (5) members. Three (3) members are elected by the Columbia Board of Aldermen, and two members are elected by qualified electors of the school district who reside outside the municipal corporate limits. MS CODE 37-7-203

Approved September 9, 2004

BOARD MEMBERS QUALIFICATIONS ABCB

In order for a person to be eligible to hold the office of trustee, such person must be a bona fide resident and a qualified elector of the school district. 37-7-201 (1968) No person who is a member of the appointing body, or who is an employee of the municipality, or who is a member of the county Board of Education, or who is a trustee of any public, private or sectarian school or college located in the county, inclusive of the municipal separate school district, or who is a teacher in or a trustee of said school district shall be eligible for appointment to the Board of Trustees. 37-7-203 (1985) School Board members selected after July 1, 2002, shall have a high school diploma or its equivalent. School Board members shall be required to complete a basic course of training and education for local School Board members. Each School Board member shall be required to file annually in the office of the School Board a certificate of completion of a course of continuing education conducted by the Mississippi School Boards Association, the community/junior colleges, the state institutions of higher learning or other organizations approved by the State Board of Education. Upon the failure of any School Board member to file with the School Board the certificate of completion of the basic or continuing course of training as provided in subsection (2) or (3) of this section, the School Board member shall be removed from office by the Attorney General. In the event of a medical or other catastrophic hardship that prevents such School Board member from obtaining the required training or filing such certificate, as may be defined by the State Board of Education by rule and regulation, an additional period of three (3) months may be allowed to satisfy the requirement of subsection (2) or (3). 37-7-306 (2000) School Board members selected after July 1, 2002, shall spend at least one (1) full day in a school in the district they represent, without compensation. LEGAL REF.: MS CODE as cited CROSS REF.: Policies ABB Board Powers and Duties ABCD Method of Election BBBC Board Member Development Opportunity

Approved September 9, 2004

METHOD OF ELECTION OF BOARD MEMBERSTERM OF OFFICE ABCD

The Board shall consist of five members, each to be chosen for a term of five years, but so chosen that the term of office of one member shall expire each year. Three members of the Board shall be elected by a majority of the governing authorities of the municipality at the first meeting of the governing authorities held in the month of February of each year; the term of office of the members so elected shall commence on the first Saturday of March following. Two members of said Board of Trustees who are required to come from the added territory outside the corporate limits shall be elected on the first Saturday of March by the qualified sectors of the school district residing in such added territory outside the corporate limits in accordance with procedures set forth in state statute. MS Code 37-7-203, 37-7-209, through 37-7-217

Approved September 9, 2004

BOARD MEMBER UNEXPIRED TERM FULFILLMENT ABCDA

All vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired terms of Board members by appointment of the Board of Aldermen, except that in the case of a trustee coming from the added territory outside the corporate limits, the person so appointed shall serve only until the first Saturday of March following his/her appointment, at which time a person shall be elected for the remainder of the unexpired term. MS Code 37-7-203

Approved September 9, 2004

BOARD MEMBER REMOVAL FROM OFFICE ABCF

A trustee as an officer of the state is subject to removal if judged mentally ill, fails to discharge the duties of his/her office, fails to qualify as provided by law, ceases to be a resident of the district in which the duties of the office are discharged, is convicted of a felony or any offense involving moral turpitude.

Approved September 9, 2004

SUPERINTENDENT LEGAL STATUS ABD

This school district shall have a Superintendent of Schools selected in the manner provided by law. No person shall be eligible to the office of Superintendent of Schools unless such person shall hold a valid administrator's license issued by the State Department of Education and shall have had not less than four (4) years of classroom or administrative experience. 37-9-13 (1997) It shall be the duty of the Superintendent of Schools to administer the schools within his/her district and to implement the decisions of the School Board. 37-9-14 (1999) In addition to all other powers, authority, and duties imposed or granted by law, the Superintendent of Schools shall have the powers, authority, and duties set forth in Section 37-9-14 (1995) and other such statutes.

Approved September 9, 2004

SCHOOL CENSUS ADA

A continuing census shall be kept of all children below the age of nineteen within this school district. Such records shall be kept as a part of the permanent office records of the Superintendent of the district. 37-15-7 (1954) LEGAL REF.: MS Code as cited CROSS REF.: Policy CEB Duties of Superintendent

Approved: September 9, 2004 Revised: June 29, 2006

ATTENDANCE ADB

The Columbia School Districts expectation is for students to attend school all day every day. For ADA purposes, however, students in attendance for any portion of the school day are counted present. Attendance requirements for awards and activities for each school can be found in the individual school handbook.

Approved September 9, 2004

SCHOOL YEAR (ACADEMIC YEAR) AE

The academic year provides a minimum of 180 teaching days that meet the following criteria The opening date of the school year for students is scheduled no earlier than August 1 and the closing date no later than June 15. {MS Code 37-13-61} (SB Policy AEA) The teaching day must provide at least 330 minutes of instruction per day or 27.5 hours per five-day week. {MS Code 37-13-67} The school district must ensure that during the academic school year a minimum of 140 hours of instruction is provided for each Carnegie unit of credit offered and 70 hours for each unit offered. A traditional 7-period day schedule must provide at least 48 minutes per period. A block schedule must provide at least 94 minutes. {MS Code 37-13-67} Two of the 180 days may be 60% days, provided that there are 198 minutes of actual instruction or testing and the remainder of each day is used for professional development or other activities related to instruction. The school district schedules preparation for graduation ceremonies in such manner that graduating seniors are absent from classes for no more than three days prior to the end of the school year (177 days). The summer school/extended year program meets all applicable requirements of the regular school program. {MS Code 37-3-49} o Students from other schools enrolled in summer programs provide written approval from the principal of their home schools. o Students enrolled in an extended year program complete all remaining course/subject requirements/objectives before credit for the course/subject is issued. o Students enrolled in a summer program are limited to earning one Carnegie unit of credit during the summer school session. LEGAL REF.: MS CODE as cited Mississippi Public School Accountability Standards CROSS REF.: Policy CEB Duties of Superintendent Policy ABB Powers and Duties Board of Education

Approved September 9, 2004

SCHOOL CALENDAR AEA

The Superintendent shall submit a proposed school calendar to the Board for their adoption no later than the regular June meeting of said Board. The calendar shall identify dates of major school events, student holidays, and opening and closing of the school term. LEGAL REF.: MS Code, 37-13-61 through 37-13-69

Approved September 9, 2004 Date Revised: August 9, 2007

ADDITIONAL PERSONAL DAYS FOR TWELVE-MONTH EMPLOYEES AEAA

Twelve month employees shall earn one personal day per month up to ten working days per year in addition to personal leave granted in policy GARI. Utilization of additional personal days will be authorized upon written application to and approval by the Superintendent.

Approved September 9, 2004

HOLIDAYS AEAB

The School Board may authorize the observance of such legal holidays as may be designated by the State Board of Education. However, schools shall operate for the full minimum term required by the law exclusive of the holidays authorized. The holidays thus observed shall not be deducted from the reports of the Superintendent, principals and teachers, and the Superintendent, principals and teachers shall be allowed pay for full time as though they had taught on said holidays. Holidays shall not be counted or included in any way in determining the average daily attendance of the school. 37-13-69(1954)

Approved September 9, 2004

EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR/SUMMER SCHOOL AEBA

The Superintendent is authorized by the Board to operate a summer program for enrichment and/or remedial purposes. Any summer instruction for Carnegie units of credit shall meet the requirements of the Mississippi Public School Accountability Standards. LEGAL REF.: Mississippi Public School Accountability Standards CROSS REF.: Policy CEB Duties of Superintendent

Approved September 9, 2004

SCHOOL DAY AF

The number of hours of actual teaching which constitutes a school day shall be determined and fixed annually by the School Board at not less than five (5) hours nor more than eight (8) hours. 37-13-67 (1954) A minimum of 330 instructional minutes per day or 27.5 hours per week will be provided. LEGAL REF.: MS CODE as cited Mississippi Public School Accountability Standards CROSS REF.: Policy ABB Board Powers and Duties Policy CEB Duties of Superintendent

Approved September 9, 2004

EMERGENCY CLOSING AFC

The Superintendent of Schools is authorized, when hazardous conditions or inclement weather occurs, to close, cancel or dismiss schools. School days lost as a result of such closing shall be added to the school calendar unless permitted to operate the schools in the district for less than one hundred eighty (180) days as provided in MS Code 37-13-63. See Policy EBBD. LEGAL REF.: MS CODE, 37-13-65 and 37-13-63