Mississippi 2022 Regular Session

Mississippi Senate Bill SB2432

Introduced

1/17/22

Refer

1/17/22

Failed

2/10/22

Caption

School attendance officers; revise salary provisions.

Impact

The impact of SB2432 on state law involves the amendment of Section 37-13-89 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, directly affecting the regulatory framework surrounding school attendance officers. The shift towards a variable compensation plan is likely to enhance the recruitment and retention of qualified professionals in this field. By allowing flexibility in pay based on individual experience and qualifications, the state may see improved enforcement of compulsory school attendance laws and better educational outcomes among students. Additionally, this bill aligns Mississippi's practices with broader trends in the educational workforce management across various states.

Summary

Senate Bill 2432 aims to revise the salary provisions for school attendance officers in Mississippi by deleting the existing minimum salary scale and allowing the State Personnel Board to develop a new salary scale as part of a variable compensation plan. The bill intends to provide greater flexibility in compensation structures for school attendance officers, reflecting their roles and responsibilities more accurately based on qualifications and experience. This change is expected to modernize the approach to compensating these officers, aligning it more closely with current educational standards and practices.

Contention

Despite the potential benefits, there are concerns regarding the deletions of the minimum salary scale. Critics may argue this could lead to disparities in pay among school attendance officers, where those in low-funded districts might be underpaid compared to their counterparts in higher-funded areas. There might also be questions regarding the criteria and guidelines set forth by the State Personnel Board for establishing this new salary scale. Stakeholders, including educational unions and advocacy groups, may seek assurances that the new system promotes equity and adequately values the educational duties these officers fulfill.