Sumner County Board of Education Policy -- ABB

Title:

DUTIES AND POWER OF BOARD OF EDUCATION

Authority:

TCA Title 49, Chapters 1, 2, 5 and 6

Purpose:

To identify the duties and powers of the Sumner County Board of Education.

Application:

Board Members

Definitions:

None

Policy:

It is the duty of the Board:

1. To employ a Director of Schools under a written contract of up to four years’ duration which may be renewed, to transfer the Director during the term of the contract when the Board believes such is in the best interest of the school system, and to dismiss the Director for cause as specified in TCA 49-2-203(a)(15)(A) if necessary;

2. To approve positions of employment, position classification, job specifications and salary ranges for such positions;

3. To elect, upon recommendation of the Director, teachers who have attained or are eligible for tenure, fix salaries and make written contracts with such tenured teachers;

4. To manage and control all public schools in its jurisdiction;

5. To purchase all supplies, furniture, fixtures and material of every kind through the Executive Committee;

6. To visit the schools, whenever, in the judgment of the Board, such visits are necessary;

7. To dismiss tenured teachers, upon sufficient proof of improper conduct, inefficient service, or neglect of duty, insubordination and incompetence;

8. To suspend or dismiss students when the progress or efficiency of the school makes it necessary;

9. To provide proper record books and suitable office and sufficient equipment for the Director;

10. To require the Director of Schools and the chairman of the Board to prepare a budget and when such budget has been approved by the Board to submit it to the local legislative body;

11. To have prepared a copy of the minutes of each meeting of the Board and to mail a copy to each Board member, each principal, the chairperson of the County Commission, the chairperson of the County Commission’s Education and Budget Committees, the Chairperson of the Financial Management Committee and the president of the local education association;

12. To adopt and enforce minimum standards and policies governing student attendance, subject to availability of funds;

13. To develop and implement an evaluation plan for all certificated employees and to submit the plan to the Commissioner of Education for approval;

14. To order warrants drawn on the county trustee on account of the school funds;

15. To have enumerated the scholastic population in May of every odd-numbered year; and

16 To carry out other required laws and/or state rules

The Board has the power:

1. To consolidate schools whenever, in its judgment, efficiency would be improved;

2. To require school children and employees to submit to a physical examination when there is reason to believe a need exists;

3. To permit school buildings and school property to be used for public, community or recreational purposes except that public school buildings and property may not be used for private benefit;

4. To employ legal counsel to advise or represent the Board;

5. To make rules providing for the organization of school safety patrols;

6. To formulate general policies for the operation of the schools;

7. To approve an organization of the school program and courses of study;

8. To evaluate the work and effectiveness of the educational program;

9. To provide for the planning, expansion, improvement, construction, maintenance, use and disposition of the physical facilities of the school system;

10. To help interpret the education program to the community by providing for the dissemination of school information necessary for creating a well-informed public,

11. To approve an organizational structure for the school system;

12. To establish night schools and part-time schools when, in the judgment of the Board, they are necessary;

13. To establish minimum attendance requirements or standards as a condition for passing a course or grade;

14. To carry out powers within applicable laws or state rules it deems necessary; and

15. To offer and pay a bonus or other monetary incentive to encourage the retirement of any teacher or other employee who is eligible to retire.