The School Board recognizes its particular responsibility to provide the opportunity for the continual professional growth of its administrative staff.  To this end, principals and other administrators may be granted leave by the Superintendent, within budget considerations, to take part in such opportunities.  All professional development opportunities for the administration shall be at least equal to those granted to other members of the professional staff.  

The State Board of Education shall develop and implement through the School Executive Management Institute a program for the development of administrative and management skills of local school administrators under which all local school administrators shall be required to participate.  Subject to the extent of appropriations available for such purpose, the School Executive Management Institute or the Mississippi School Boards Association shall be required to offer courses at least twice a year on the uses of technology to principals, superintendents and other administrative personnel.  These courses shall relate to the application of technology to learning, as well as administrative problems.  ' 37-3-4 (3) (1992)

The School Executive Management Institute of the State Department of Education, or the Mississippi School Boards Association with the oversight of the State Board of Education, at least twice a year, shall prepare and conduct required courses of training for continuing education for the elementary and secondary school principals of this state, in order for principals to carry out their duties more effectively and be exposed to new ideas involving school management.  The continuing education course shall be known as the "Continuing Education Course for Principals" and shall consist of at least six (6) hours of training.  The content of the continuing education courses and the time and place such courses are to be conducted shall be determined by the School Executive Management Institute or the Mississippi School Boards Association; however, to the extent practicable, such training sessions shall be held within geographical proximity of local districts in order that travel times and costs shall not be prohibitive. '37-3-4(7) (2002)   

Effective July 1, 2006, principals and administrators with career level certifications at schools with Level 4 or 5 accreditation standards shall be exempted from the provisions pursuant to Section 37‑3‑4, subject to approval of the local superintendent.  ' 37‑17‑12 (1) (a)   (2006)

LICENSE RENEWAL

The State Board of Education is authorized to establish rules and regulations for the renewal and reinstatement of educator and administrator licenses.  Effective May 15, 1997, the valid standard license held by an educator shall be extended five (5) years beyond the expiration date of the license in order to afford the educator adequate time to fulfill new renewal requirements established pursuant to this subsection.  An educator completing the master of education, educational specialist or doctor of education degree in May 1997 for the purpose of upgrading the educator's license to a higher class shall be given this extension of five (5) years plus five (5) additional years for completion of a higher degree.  ' 37-3-2 (9) (2002)

LEGAL REF.: MS CODE as cited

ADOPTED:    11/08/2005

REVISED:    12/12/2006