Mississippi Board approves waiver for Itawamba School principal to drive bus

The Commission on School Accreditation convened on April 4, 2024, to address key issues regarding Mississippi's public school accountability standards. The meeting began with a motion to request the State Board of Education to initiate the administrative procedure to revise Mississippi Administrative Code 7-24, specifically focusing on the business rules of the Mississippi Statewide Accountability System. This motion included a proposed change related to item 9.6, which involves adding other accelerated forces. The motion was made by Tyler Mifford and was seconded, receiving unanimous approval from the members present.

Following this, the commission considered a waiver request from the Itawamba County School District concerning standard 2.1, which pertains to principal duties under the Mississippi Public School Accountability Standards for the 2023-2024 school year. Dr. Malone presented the request, explaining that the district sought permission for a principal to take on additional duties, specifically driving a school bus, due to a shortage of bus drivers. The district had been in contact with the Office of Pupil Transportation to address this issue.

The commission then moved to entertain a motion regarding the waiver request. Brad Stevens made the motion, which was seconded by Dr. Bailey. After a brief discussion, the motion was put to a vote and carried unanimously.

The meeting concluded without delving into section 7 for the legislative update, indicating a focused agenda on the immediate needs of the school districts. Overall, the commission's actions reflect a proactive approach to addressing staffing challenges and ensuring compliance with accountability standards in Mississippi's education system.