Legislation that will expand the scope of charter schools in Mississippi was signed into law last week by Republican Gov. Phil Bryant.
Under the new measure, charter schools are required to be run as nonprofits or managed by nonprofit charter-management organizations. School boards in districts with an A, B, or C rating under the state’s grading system have the power to veto charter schools within their districts’ boundaries. And no student can cross district lines to enroll in a charter.
The bill also directs the state to set up a seven-member authorizing board to approve up to 15 charter schools each fiscal year.
Although Mississippi has had a charter school law since 2010, no charters are operating in the state.
