Rep. Kent McCarty

Maddy summaryHB 1216 would provide National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) working in public schools within geographic areas designated by the State Board of Education as having critical teacher shortages with a $4,000 annual salary supplement. This supplement is paid in addition to teachers' base salaries and aims to support retention in regions facing staffing challenges. The State Board of Education would determine which specific areas qualify as "geographically critical teacher shortage areas" for the program. The bill does not affect existing salary structures for NBCTs outside these designated areas.

Maddy summaryHB 1255 would provide a $2,000 annual salary supplement to licensed teachers working in Mississippi public schools located in areas designated by the State Board of Education as having critical teacher shortages. This supplement would be added to base salaries starting with the 2026-2027 school year and would not affect teachers already receiving separate supplements for National Board Certification. The bill ensures teachers eligible for existing certification-based supplements could still receive both the $2,000 geographic supplement and their current certification bonus. It does not change base salary schedules but adds this targeted incentive to attract and retain educators in underserved school districts.

Maddy summaryHB 1254, the Mississippi Math Act, proposes creating the "Moving Mathematics in Mississippi" (M3) program to improve math education in K-5 schools. It requires annual math screenings for all K-5 students starting in 2026-27, with personalized learning plans for students below benchmark, and establishes an Algebra readiness indicator based on 5th-grade test scores. The bill mandates math coaching in priority grades (2-6), professional development aligned with state standards, and data-driven interventions. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and has not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1319 would set a fixed maximum speed of 65 mph for all school buses transporting children on authorized trips (including regular routes and other trips like field trips), regardless of the posted speed limit on the road. This directly affects school bus drivers and transportation contractors operating in Mississippi, replacing the previous rule that allowed higher speeds on interstates. The bill establishes a $25-$100 fine per violation for exceeding 65 mph, with possible termination of driving employment. It would have taken effect July 1, 2026, but died in committee before becoming law.

Maddy summaryHB 1203 (which died in committee on February 3, 2026) amends Mississippi's procurement laws to clarify that the State Board of Education may procure student assessment contracts under existing state procurement rules. The bill text does not change student assessment policies or directly affect students, but instead adjusts the Public Procurement Review Board's authority over state contracting procedures. Key provisions include defining the board's composition, requiring transparency in lease agreements, and establishing minority business set-aside rules for state purchases. The bill's title references student assessments, but the actual text focuses on general procurement regulations, not assessment content or implementation. This was a procedural change with no direct impact on education outcomes or student testing.

Maddy summaryHB 1211 renames Mississippi's "Dropout Prevention" offices to "Student Success and Graduation" offices and changes the title of school attendance officers to "Student Success and Graduation Coaches." It revises salary structures based on education and experience, updates job qualifications, and shifts responsibilities toward proactive graduation support and attendance tracking. The bill requires school districts to create annual strategic plans focused on reducing dropouts, chronic absenteeism, and improving graduation rates, with a target of 90% statewide graduation by 2029-2030. It also establishes new oversight for attendance enforcement under the "Office of Educational Participation" within the state education department.

Maddy summaryHB 1210 establishes legal protections for Mississippi's specialized public schools (including the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, the Mississippi School of the Arts, and the Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind) by guaranteeing their autonomy from public universities. The bill authorizes schools to partner with universities for academic enrichment, shared facilities, or noninstructional services (like IT or maintenance) through agreements requiring state board approval, while strictly prohibiting universities from gaining administrative control or decision-making authority over the schools. It mandates that future partnerships must preserve the schools' independent budgeting, governance under the State Board of Education, and direct funding via the state's student funding formula without local district involvement. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, after being referred to education and appropriations committees.

Maddy summaryHB 1215 requires Mississippi school districts to establish Early Learning Collaboratives - councils including public schools, Head Start, private schools, and childcare centers - by the 2030-2031 school year. The bill mandates a phased expansion starting in 2026-2027, ensuring all districts have such collaboratives to coordinate preschool services. These collaboratives must align programs with state learning standards, provide teacher professional development, and manage funding for quality prekindergarten education. The policy directly affects all Mississippi public school districts and preschool children (ages 4) seeking access to coordinated early learning programs.

Maddy summaryHB 1133 requires all Mississippi public schools to implement Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs) by the 2024-2025 school year, with athletic venues covered starting in 2025-2026. It mandates that AEDs be placed within three minutes of all athletic venues and accessible during school events, while requiring schools to train staff in CPR/AED use. The bill allocates $2.499 million specifically for CERP implementation, prioritizing high-needs schools (those with 50%+ students eligible for free/reduced meals or Title I status) for funding to cover AEDs, training, and related equipment. Schools may also accept donations for AED purchases and maintenance meeting FDA standards.

Maddy summaryHB 1563 proposed creating a formal mentorship program for Mississippi school business officials (who manage school finances and operations) to improve their skills. It would have matched new or transitioning officials (mentees) with experienced mentors (requiring 5+ years in the role) for at least 24 hours annually, facilitated through the Mississippi Department of Education and the Mississippi Association of School Business Officials. The program required annual workshops for mentors, evaluations of participants, and yearly reports to the Legislature. However, the bill died in committee on March 4, 2025, and was never enacted into law.