School business officers; establish mentorship program for.

HB 1217 proposes a statewide mentorship program for school business officials in Mississippi to improve their skills in managing school finances and operations. The program, to be run by the Mississippi Department of Education and the Mississippi Association of School Business Officials, would connect new or transitioning officials (mentees) with experienced mentors (requiring at least five years of experience) for an annual cycle. Mentors would commit 24 hours yearly to activities like in-person meetings or virtual consultations, while the Association would host annual workshops for mentors and the Department would submit yearly reports on program outcomes to the legislature. The bill aimed to enhance professional development but died in committee before becoming law.