Senate Strengthens Charter School Laws, Expands School Choice

JACKSON, Miss. (PRESS RELEASE) – Legislation opening rural areas in the state to public charter schools passed the Senate today, Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves said. The bill heads to the House for consideration.

Senate Bill 2161 updates the public charter school law by allowing students to cross school district lines to attend a public charter school. The bill, sponsored by Education Chairman Sen. Gray Tollison, R-Oxford, will make Mississippi’s rural areas attractive to public charter schools and provide more options for parents and students.

“Public charter schools can offer students an opportunity for academic success, and I believe all of Mississippi should have the ability to attract these schools,” said. Lt. Gov. Reeves said. “By allowing students to cross district boundaries, public charter schools can build the capacity to operate effective campuses wherever there is demand from families.”

The bill allows employees of public charter schools to participate in the Public Employees’ Retirement System. It also disallows school boards of C-rated districts from limiting educational options for students.

Currently, Mississippi has two public charter schools in Jackson. Both schools have waiting lists for enrollment due to overwhelming interest from parents and students. Public charter schools successfully operate in several rural communities, including the Arkansas Delta and in Tennessee.