7 Miss. Code. R. 24-5.0-5.2
All formal complaints made against schools or districts must be submitted to the Office of Accreditation in writing and include the name and contact information (valid phone number or valid e-mail address) of the individual(s) filing the complaint. The written complaint shall contain specific details concerning alleged violations. While the Office of Accreditation may receive anonymous complaints, these complaints are not considered formal. Additionally, the Office of Accreditation shall not provide any details regarding the status of a complaint and/or investigation.
If the complaint addresses an area over which the CSA has no authority, receipt of the complaint is acknowledged with instructions of where to direct the complaint, and the complaint is filed in the Office of Accreditation. The CSA does not have authority to overturn decisions made by local school boards, nor does it have jurisdiction to investigate allegations of discrimination, harassment, and hostile work environment, or violations of the Public Records Act. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and/or Office of Civil Rights and the Mississippi Ethics Commission have jurisdiction over these matters. The MS Ethics Commission also has authority to enforce the provisions of the Open Meetings Act and issue civil penalties for violations.
If the complaint addresses an area over which the CSA has authority, the superintendent may be notified in writing of the nature of the complaint and given forty-five (45) calendar days to provide a written response to the allegations and to present documentation of compliance. The district superintendent may also be notified that the district is subject to an unannounced investigative audit.
The SBE, the State Superintendent of Public Education, or the CSA has the authority to call for an on-site investigation of a school district at any time. Procedures for conducting investigative audits are as follows:
7 Miss. Code. R. 24-5.0-5.2