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MississippiSB 21032026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Education; provide pay increases, revise counseling ethical requirements, and reform school attendance law.

Sponsored By: Angela Burks Hill (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Education

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

13 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 3 costs, 7 mixed.

K-3 assistant teachers: jobs and pay

The state creates a K–3 assistant teacher program statewide. Assistant teachers must earn at least $17,000 a year now and at least $19,000 starting in 2026–2027. Extra 1% raises may apply in years when state revenue growth is over 5% and funds are appropriated. You need at least a high school diploma or GED and must show reading and writing skills on a state test. You may cover your assigned classroom when the teacher is out, but not for more than three straight days. Districts can use these funds to hire licensed K–3 teachers only to lower class sizes and cannot fire assistants just to shift the money; they must use normal attrition. Districts must submit reading‑improvement and assessment plans, and the state provides training and yearly program checks when funded.

State pay boosts for certified school staff

The state pays yearly supplements to your district for eligible staff. You get $6,000 a year for one qualifying national certification if proof is in by Oct. 15 (or a prorated amount if in by Feb. 15). Some roles, like special education teachers, occupational therapists, and nationally certified school psychologists, get $2,000 a year with the same deadlines. Master Teachers working in listed counties get an extra $4,000 a year when funds are available. The state reimburses certification costs up to $500 per component (max four). You can receive only one $6,000 supplement, and if someone paid your certification costs and you do not finish, you must repay them. Districts cannot cut an individual teacher’s local supplement below last year’s amount and still receive these state funds.

Higher minimum teacher pay by 2026

The law sets a statewide minimum teacher salary schedule for 2022–2023 and later. Your minimum pay depends on your license level and years of experience. The schedule rises again starting in 2026–2027 with higher minimums across license levels and steps.

Mentor pay and school bonus plan

Mentor teachers get $1,000 for each beginning teacher they mentor, up to two mentees per year, when funds are available. The school must have a local board‑approved classroom management program. The state also sets up a performance‑based pay plan to reward staff at schools that improve student test scores, if funds are available.

School funding base set for 2027

The state sets base school funding at $7,201.77 per student for fiscal year 2027. The law applies inflation adjustments in fiscal years 2026, 2027, and 2028. The State Board recalculates the base in 2029 and every four years after.

Rehired retirees: pay split with PERS

If you return to teach under the retired‑teacher reemployment rules, a district may set compensation up to 125% of the schedule. No more than 50% of that amount can be paid to you as salary. The other 50% is paid by the district to PERS. Note: the separate law that allows retired teachers to return to work while keeping benefits is repealed effective July 2, 2026.

Retired teachers lose return-to-work option

Beginning July 2, 2026, retired public school teachers can no longer return to work while still collecting retirement benefits under the repealed law. This ends that income option for affected retirees.

Stricter school attendance rules for families

You must return your child’s certificate of enrollment to the local attendance officer by August 15 each year. If a student misses more than 33% of the instructional day, the school must count it as a full-day absence. Eight unlawful absences in a school year create a basic legal case that the parent is responsible. The State Board sets rules to make superintendents report unlawful absences on time and can sanction districts that do not comply.

New rules for school counselors

To be a K–12 professional school counselor, you must have a Master’s in Guidance and Counseling, unless the state issues an emergency certificate. Counselors must spend at least 80% of their time providing direct services like academic, career, crisis, and group counseling. The law removes the mandate to follow the ASCA ethics code. The State Department of Education sets counselor rules and offers a model ethics code that local boards can adopt.

Rules and pay for attendance officers

To be a school attendance officer, you must meet degree or experience paths and pass fingerprinted background checks; some felony convictions disqualify you, but the State Board may grant waivers. Applicants may have to pay up to $50 for the background check unless the state pays it. Officers keep regular office hours year‑round and get a six‑week summer period off set each year. Beginning July 1, 2026, new hires are paid on a state salary scale, and no officer can be paid less than their June 30, 2026 salary. The state caps total officers at 153, funds about one officer per 4,000 enrolled children, and employs officers through the State Department of Education. Officers locate nonenrolled children, investigate absences, counsel and refer families, and keep attendance data.

Standard pay timing and overpayment rules

Districts must run a single monthly or bimonthly payroll and pay at least monthly, usually in equal checks. If you leave early and were overpaid, you must repay the extra plus interest at the current Stafford Loan rate. The state sends monthly funding to districts by electronic transfer two business days before the last working day; December payments are on Dec. 15. The State Board can adjust allotments when enrollment changes a lot.

Stronger school attendance rules for families

A school day is 5.5 to 8 hours, and a student counts present for the day at 66% attendance. Children who turn five by Sept. 1 and enroll in full‑day public kindergarten are now covered by compulsory attendance. Only five excused absences per semester count under listed reasons unless the superintendent approves more; after the third illness absence, medical proof is required. A child is chronically absent at 10% of days missed; schools must notify families after three absences and use step‑by‑step help plans and publish data each year. District policies on excuse documents and family outreach are due by Nov. 1, 2026; the state issues a model by Aug. 15, 2026. Superintendents must quickly report nonenrollment after 15 days or five unlawful absences to the attendance officer within two school days or five calendar days, whichever is sooner.

When these education changes start

Most sections take effect July 1, 2026. Section 9 takes effect July 2, 2026. Use these dates to know when each part applies.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Angela Burks Hill

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 330 • No: 17

House vote • 4/1/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 121 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/1/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 52 • No: 0

House vote • 3/6/2026

Passed As Amended

Yes: 122 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/4/2026

Passed

Yes: 35 • No: 17

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor

    4/8/2026legislature

  2. Enrolled Bill Signed

    4/6/2026House

  3. Enrolled Bill Signed

    4/6/2026Senate

  4. Unanimous Consent Granted

    4/1/2026Senate

  5. Conference Report Adopted

    4/1/2026Senate

  6. Conference Report Adopted

    4/1/2026House

  7. Unanimous Consent Granted

    4/1/2026House

  8. Conference Report Filed

    3/31/2026Senate

  9. Conference Report Filed

    3/31/2026House

  10. Recommitted For Further Conf

    3/31/2026Senate

  11. Recommitted For Further Conf

    3/31/2026House

  12. Conference Report Filed

    3/30/2026House

  13. Conference Report Filed

    3/30/2026Senate

  14. Conferees Named Roberson,McCarty,Owen

    3/25/2026House

  15. Conferees Named DeBar,Hopson,Boyd

    3/24/2026Senate

  16. Decline to Concur/Invite Conf

    3/24/2026Senate

  17. Returned For Concurrence

    3/6/2026House

  18. Immediate Release

    3/6/2026House

  19. Passed As Amended

    3/6/2026House

  20. Amended

    3/6/2026House

  21. Title Suff Do Pass As Amended

    2/18/2026House

  22. Referred To Education

    2/6/2026House

  23. Transmitted To House

    2/5/2026Senate

  24. Passed

    2/4/2026Senate

  25. Title Suff Do Pass

    1/22/2026Senate

Bill Text

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