Policy ABB: School Board Powers and Duties
BOARD POLICY
Descriptive Code: ABB
SCHOOL BOARD POWERS AND DUTIES
Date: JANUARY 4, 1999
The Newton County Board of Education shall exercise the powers, perform the duties, and assume the responsibilities as provided by law. The Board of Education is the governing body of the public school system in Newton County with power to adopt policies and resolutions for the operation of the schools. A partial list of the specific powers and duties of the Newton County Board of Education provided by law includes:
1. Employment of Teachers
Teachers, principals, and other professional personnel are employed annually under written contracts.
2. Dismissal of Teachers
The contract of any employee of the Board of Education may be terminated by the Board for legal cause.
3. Employment of the School Superintendent
The County School Superintendent shall be appointed by the Board of Education for a term specified by contract.
4. Dismissal of School Superintendent
The County School Superintendent may be removed from office for cause after notice and a due process hearing.
5. Budget and Tax Levy
The Board of Education shall each year submit a budget for the operation of Newton County's Public Schools to the State Board of Education. To finance the budget, the Board of Education shall recommend a tax levy to the county fiscal authorities.
6. Ownership, Control, and Disposition of School Property
The Board of Education is vested with the title, care, and custody of all school property, with power to purchase, lease, repair, or dispose of all school property.
7. Contracts
Only the Board of Education can enter into a contract binding the School system.
8. Organization of Schools
The Board of Education has authority to adopt a plan for the assignment of pupils and to establish, reorganize, consolidate, close, and determine the grades to be taught at each school.
9. Pupil Discipline
The Board of Education has authority to suspend or expel students from school attendance provided appropriate due process proceedings are followed.
10. Borrowing Money
The Board of Education has authority to make temporary loans of money in any year, not to exceed 75% of the total income collected from taxes levied by the Board of Education in the last preceding school year.
11. Provide Hearings
The Board of Education shall constitute a tribunal for hearing any matter of local controversy in reference to the construction or administration of the school law, with power to summon witnesses and take testimony. Such a hearing must be conducted before an appeal can be carried to the State Board of Education by the aggrieved party.
12. Election of Officers of the Board of Education
At the annual meeting of the Board of Education, the Board shall elect one of their members as chairperson, one as vice-chairperson and such other officers as the Board shall determine. The term of office shall be as specified by resolution provided under Enrolled Act 1057 (H.B. 1844) effective March 24, 1988.
13. Meetings
The Board of Education shall hold at least one meeting each month at the county seat. The dates of the meeting are to be set at the annual meeting and published in the official county organ for two weeks.
14. Gifts and Donations
The Board of Education shall have the power to receive any gift, grant, donation, or device made for the use of the schools within the county. The Board, however, shall not have the power to make gifts or donations of School Board property or funds.
15. Facilities of Higher Education
The Board of Education may alone or in conjunction with another district or system acquire real property and acquire, construct, and equip buildings and facilities for education beyond 12th grade.
16. Condemnation of Private Property
The Board of Education is empowered to take by condemnation private property for public school purposes.
17. Purchases of Educational Information, Literature
and
Services
The Board of Education is authorized to expend funds for the purchase of educational information, literature, and services
18. Salary Schedules
The Board of Education is responsible for approving employee salary schedules submitted by the Superintendent.
Limitations
Members of the Board of Education shall refrain from doing business with the District while serving on the Board.
No member of the Board, by virtue of office, may exercise administrative responsibility with respect to the schools, nor may a Board member, as an individual, command the services of any school employee. The line of communication in such matters is through the Office of the Superintendent. Individual Board members shall refrain from dealings in official school business with individual school staff members unless such action is through the Office of the Superintendent.
Members of the Board shall have authority only when acting as a Board legally in session. The Board shall not be bound, in any way, by any statement or action on the part of any individual Board member, except when such statement or action is in pursuance of specific instructions of the Board.
ADOPTED: 8/16/88
REVISED: 12/20/88
Newton County Board of Education
