SECTIONS 1700-1704 - California Statutes

EDUCATION CODE

SECTION 1700-1704

1700. The Legislature hereby declares that it is in the interest of
the state and of the people for the office of the county
superintendent of schools, through the county school service fund, to
provide coordination of the educational program among school
districts and community college districts in the territory under his
or her jurisdiction and to provide professional and financial
assistance to school districts and community college districts which
otherwise, because of size or location, would not be able to furnish
a satisfactory program of education for their children. That
assistance is a matter of general concern inasmuch as the education
of the children of the state is an obligation and function of the
state.
In adopting this chapter, the Legislature considers that the
coordination of the educational program constitutes the greatest
continuing need to be met through the county school service fund. To
meet this need the necessity is recognized to provide professional
services to coordinate courses of study, guidance services, health
services, school library services, special education, and attendance
activities.
As an additional need, the Legislature recognizes the necessity to
provide professional services in districts too small to supply
services for themselves economically and effectively, such as, (a) to
prepare courses of study; (b) to supervise instructional practices;
(c) to provide direct guidance services, health services, and
attendance services normally provided in an educational program; (d)
to provide for the purchase, distribution, and use of supplementary
instructional materials and equipment; and (e) to provide educational
opportunity to normal and special pupils who would otherwise be
denied it. It is recognized further that providing for professional
service is a transitory function of the county school service fund to
be assumed by school districts and community college districts when,
through growth or reorganization, they will be able to perform the
services for themselves.
It is the further intent of the Legislature that:
(a) Services involving the coordination of the educational program
which have among others the purposes of (1) enforcing minimum
standards, (2) improving the educational program, and (3) promoting
order and reasonable uniformity in the educational program shall be
provided, except as may be specifically authorized, at the district
level, reserving to the district the opportunity and responsibility
for internal improvement, and that those services will be provided in
a manner that recognition will be given to the responsibilities
placed upon school districts and community college districts, by the
Legislature to determine and administer their own educational
program.
(b) Services to school districts and community college districts,
which do not constitute coordination among districts shall be
provided in a manner that impetus will be given to strengthening
school districts and community college districts, and to improving
district organization to the end that more effective programs of
education may be offered, and that the provision of services through
the county school service fund shall not act to deter or delay any
school districts and community college districts, from furnishing the
services for themselves.
(c) Services to school districts and community college districts,
shall be cooperatively provided by two or more county superintendents
of schools without regard for county boundaries whenever a
particular service may be so provided with economy and effectiveness.
(d) The direct operation of an educational program by the county
superintendent of schools shall, except as specifically authorized by
the Legislature, be limited to those emergency cases where children
would otherwise be denied an opportunity for education.

1701. Any services of the county superintendent of schools
authorized by this chapter which relate to the coordination of the
educational program or coordination of the course of study among
districts under his jurisdiction, the preparation of courses of
study, the development of courses of study or curricula materials, or
research or development studies in connection with the curricular
and special services of the county superintendent of schools are
subject to the budget and other restrictions of Section 14052 and any
other applicable sections.

1702. The county school service fund shall be used to pay for those
services provided by the county superintendent of schools that are
authorized by this chapter, and for such other purposes as are
specifically authorized in Section 1500.

1703. The county superintendent of schools may, with the approval
of the county board of education and in accordance with regulations
of the Superintendent of Public Instruction which he is authorized to
adopt, employ qualified personnel to provide for the coordination of
courses of study, guidance services, health services, school library
services, special education, and attendance activities among the
school districts under his jurisdiction. The regulations of the
Superintendent of Public Instruction adopted pursuant to this section
shall be adopted with the advice of an advisory committee to include
county superintendents of schools, which the Superintendent of
Public Instruction is herewith authorized to appoint.

1704. The services described in Section 1703 shall, except in
advisory services in school business administration activities,
clerical, accounting, and stenographic services, be performed by
persons who hold a valid credential, or a life diploma based thereon,
authorizing administrative services.
Any person who is, and continuously since September 7, 1955, has
been, employed in the office of a county superintendent of schools
and is performing any of the services described in Sections 1703 and
1704 may continue to perform such services without possessing the
credential otherwise required as long as he remains continuously
employed in his position.