§ 6-13-620 - Powers and duties. - Arkansas Statutes

6-13-620. Powers and duties.

The board of directors of each school district in the state is charged with the following powers and required to perform the following duties in order to provide no less than a general, suitable, and efficient system of free public schools:

(1) Attend meetings of the school board;

(2) Determine the mission and direction of the school district;

(3) Adhere to state and federal laws governing public schools;

(4) Enact, enforce, and obey school district policies;

(5) (A) Employ staff, including:

(i) (a) A superintendent of schools to oversee the day-to-day operations of the school district.

(b) A superintendent shall be evaluated annually or no less often than prior to any extension of his or her employment contract.

(c) Superintendents and assistant superintendents may be employed under contract terms and conditions that incorporate all elements prescribed by the State Board of Education; and

(ii) (a) School district employees under initial written employment contracts in the form prescribed by the State Board of Education, not including day-to-day substitutes.

(b) The employment contract shall:

(1) State the duration of employment, specific duties of the employee and the annual salary or hourly wage of the employee and projected annual earnings in the case of nonexempt employees under applicable state and federal law; and

(2) Incorporate all personnel policies adopted by June 30 to be in effect on July 1 of the following employee contract year, subject to the requirements and exceptions contained in 6-17-204 and 6-17-205.

(B) Copies of initial written employment contracts and renewed written employment contracts issued in accordance with 6-17-1506 and 6-17-1703 shall be distributed as follows:

(i) One (1) copy to be given to the employee;

(ii) One (1) copy to be retained by the school board of directors; and

(iii) One (1) copy to be retained by the school district's treasurer or bookkeeper;

(6) Understand and oversee school district finances required by law to ensure alignment with the school district's academic and facility needs and goals, including without limitation:

(A) Reviewing, adopting, and publishing the school district's budget;

(B) Overseeing and monitoring the school district finances, including:

(i) Revenues;

(ii) Expenditures;

(iii) Investments;

(iv) Debts;

(v) Obligations;

(vi) Inventory; and

(vii) Real property;

(C) Borrowing money as necessary, but in no case shall the school board of directors permit the school district to end the fiscal year with a negative legal balance;

(D) Entering into contracts for goods and services necessary to operate the school district;

(E) Buying, selling, renting, and leasing real property and personal property on behalf of the school district;

(F) Receiving, reviewing, and approving each annual financial audit report and presenting it to the public;

(7) Ensure that:

(A) Necessary and sufficient facilities are built or obtained, furnished, and maintained; and

(B) All properties belonging to the district are managed and maintained for the benefit of the school district;

(8) Approve the selection of curriculum and ensure that students are offered and taught the courses of study and educational content required by the State Board of Education;

(9) Visit district schools and classrooms when students are present no less than annually and attend some events and functions;

(10) Obtain the training and professional development necessary to serve as active and informed members of the school board of directors; and

(11) Do all other things necessary and lawful for the conduct of efficient free public schools in the school district.