SB 2928 — Energy High School Academy; authorize Vicksburg-Warren and Claiborne school districts to enter into partnership.

SB2928 (As SentPassed tothe Governor)Senate) - 2019 Regular Session MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE Regular Session To:

Senator(s) Hopson Senate Bill 2928 (As SentPassed tothe Governor)Senate) AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VICKSBURG-WARREN SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE CLAIBORNE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ENERGY INDUSTRY LOCATED WITHIN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, WARREN COUNTY AND THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FOR AN ENERGY HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMY;

     SECTION 4.  (1)  The Board of Trustees of the Vicksburg-Warren School District and the Claiborne County Board of Education are authorized to make application to the Mississippi Development Authority for the approval of entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with a nuclear facility and Warren County and the State of Mississippi for the establishment of a partnership for the operation of an Energy High School Academy.  The purpose of the Energy High School Academy shall be to provide qualified students attending school in Warren and/or Claiborne Countycounty in the eighth through twelfth grade with career education, potential student internships and continuing education for careers in the energy industry.

     (2)  (a)  The Energy High School Academy shall be under the administrative direction of the Energy High School Academy Partnership Council (Partnership Council) consisting of one (1) member from each of the following entities:entities:  (a) a designee to be named by an enterprise engaged in the generation of nuclear energy located in Claiborne County;

             (b) (i) a Thedesignee Chief Executive Officer of an enterprise engaged in the generationMississippi ofDevelopment nuclearAuthority; energy located in Claiborne County, or his designee, who shall serve for four (4) years;

             (c) (ii) a Themember superintendent of the Vicksburg-WarrenBoard Schoolof District,Trustees whoof shallthe serveVicksburg-Warren forSchool fourDistrict; (4) years;

             (d) (iii) a Themember superintendent of the Claiborne County SchoolBoard District,of whoEducation; shall serve for four (4) years;

             (e) (iv) a Amember designee of the MississippiVicksburg DevelopmentChamber Authority, appointed by the executive director of MDA,Commerce; and which may be the executive director, who shall serve three (3) years;

             and (v) (f) Aa member of the BoardClaiborne ofCounty TrusteesChamber of theCommerce.  Vicksburg-WarrenThe SchoolPartnership District,Council appointedshall bymeet theon Vicksburgor Mayorbefore August 1, 2019, and Boardorganize for business, elect officers and adopt necessary regulations for the operation of Alderman,the whoEnergy High School Academy.  Meetings shall servebe twoheld (2)upon years;the call of the chairman.

              (vi)  A member of the Claiborne County Board of Education, appointed by the Claiborne County Board of Supervisors, who shall serve two (2) years;

              (vii)  A member of the Claiborne County Chamber of Commerce, appointed by the chairman of the board of directors, who may appoint himself or herself, and who shall serve one (1) year;

and               (viii)  A member of the Vicksburg Chamber of Commerce, appointed by the chairman of the board of directors, who may appoint himself or herself, and who shall serve one (1) year.

          (b)  Members of the Partnership Council shall serve staggered terms, as prescribed in paragraph (a) of this subsection, commencing with the initial appointments made in 2019, and shall thereafter, upon the expiration of the initial term, the succeeding appointees shall serve a term of four (4) years.  Members of the council may be reappointed to the council by the original appointing authority without limitation on the number of terms served.  In the event of a vacancy on the council, the original appointing authority shall appoint a replacement to complete the unexpired term of the member creating the vacancy.

          (c)  The Partnership Council shall meet on or before August 1, 2019, and organize for business, elect officers and adopt necessary regulations for the operation of the Energy High School Academy.  Meetings shall be held upon the call of the chairman.

     (4)  (a)  There is established in the State Treasury a fund to be known as the "Energy High School Academy Fund."  The purpose of the fund is to provide necessary financial support to Vicksburg-Warren/Claiborne County Schoolschool Districtsdistricts and the Mississippi Development Authority for start-up costs and costs associated with implementing and operating the Energy Academy established under this section.  The fund may consist of monies obtained from grants from any public or private source.  The Mississippi Development Authority shall administer the fund pursuant to appropriation by the Legislature, and may apply for any grants from the federal government or private sources.