(Photo from MDAC)
- “While I appreciate his input, it carries no legal authority,” House Education Chairman Rob Roberson said Friday.
An order issued by Mississippi Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson (R) on Thursday allowing student participation in agricultural events to be considered an excused absence from school is believed to be moot.
Gipson issued a release stating he was issuing “a Commissioner’s Order Designating Educational Opportunities of Substantial Merit.”
Under his “order,” agricultural, livestock and equine events, such as those conducted under local 4-H clubs and Future Farmers of America, are to be classified as excused absences under the state’s recently updated Compulsory School Attendance law.
At the conclusion of the 2026 legislative session, SB 2103 was signed into law, setting new standards for the number of excused absences for public school students. Students can now have no more than five excused absences per semester, the last two of which will require a note from a medical provider. New provisions in the bill do stipulate that participation in a number of school related activities will not count toward those excused absences, effectively counting the student present in the classroom. The list includes activities such as choir, sports related competitions, band contests and rodeo events.
The list does not includes agricultural, livestock and equine events, leading Gipson to issue his order, in which he argues participation in those events are also educational.
“Mississippi agriculture is the backbone of our economy and our state, and we need to encourage our 4-H and FFA students to attend these outside-the-classroom educational opportunities,” Gipson stated. “There is a lot more learning than within the four walls of a classroom. With livestock, horse and other competitions, our youth are learning soft skills of interpersonal communication, as well participating in the best youth leadership development program in Mississippi.”
However, lawmakers contend that Commissioner Gipson’s order holds no weight.
“His proclamation or order has no authority or legal rights,” House Education Committee Chairman Rob Roberson (R) told Magnolia Tribune on Friday.
Senate Education Committee Chair Dennis DeBar (R) agreed, saying Gipson’s order is not legally binding.
“I appreciate what the Commissioner is attempting to do. However, executive orders of this type issued by an agency head, to my knowledge, have no legal effect whatsoever,” DeBar explained. “The proper avenue to change law is to utilize the legislative process.”
There is an expectation that the attendance law will be revised in the upcoming legislative session, both committee chairs said Friday.
“I do know that we will be looking at the absence policy next year to make certain there were not any unintended consequences,” Roberson said. “While I appreciate his input, it carries no legal authority.”
“When this law passed, Chairman Roberson and I anticipated needing to tweak it during the 2027 legislative session,” DeBar added.
As the lawmakers revise the law, Gipson can submit suggestions.
“I have discussed the changes to be made with Chairman Roberson, and I welcome any input Commissioner Gipson would like to offer in anticipation of session,” DeBar said.
A request for comment from the Mississippi Department of Education was not received by press time.
A copy of Gipson’s order is shown below.
