State Board of Education; require to develop curriculum and implement programs of conflict resolution.

HB 278 requires Mississippi's State Board of Education to develop age-appropriate conflict resolution and peer mediation curricula for all public school districts, to be implemented by the 2025-2026 school year. Failing school districts (rated "D" or "F") must have these programs supervised by school resource officers with support from teachers and counselors to address violence and bullying. The bill also mandates that students without prior disciplinary action may choose community service instead of suspension/expulsion for minor infractions, with accompanying youth counseling. These changes amend existing education codes (37-11-54, 37-11-53, and others) to integrate conflict resolution into school discipline policies.