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Bill

HB 820

School attendance officers; provide formula for allocating funds for the employment of and increase minimum base salary of.

2025 Regular Session

Establishes funding formula and increases minimum base salary for school attendance officers, but died in Mississippi legislative committee without passage.

Died In Committee
#appropriationsa #education
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Bill Summary · HB 820

Legislative bill overview

HB 820 establishes a funding formula for hiring school attendance officers across Mississippi school districts and increases the minimum base salary for these positions. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, after being referred to the Education and Appropriations committees in January.

Why is this important

Attendance officers enforce compulsory education laws and address chronic absenteeism, which directly affects student academic outcomes and school funding (since many states tie funding to attendance). Standardizing pay and hiring allocations could improve recruitment and retention of qualified personnel across affluent and under-resourced districts.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and state budget impact: Increasing minimum salaries and mandating hiring through a formula requires significant appropriations during tight budget cycles, competing with other education priorities
  • Local control vs. state mandate: School districts may resist state-imposed salary floors and hiring requirements, preferring local decision-making on staffing
  • Effectiveness questions: Some stakeholders debate whether expanding attendance officer positions is the most effective strategy for improving attendance compared to addressing root causes (transportation, poverty, family support services)

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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