CHAPTER 51 - THE WIL LOU GRAY OPPORTUNITY SCHOOL - South Carolina Statutes

Title 59 - Education

CHAPTER 51.

THE WIL LOU GRAY OPPORTUNITY SCHOOL

SECTION 59-51-10. Wil Lou Gray School established; location.

The Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School is established and must be located in Lexington County on the property formerly occupied by the Army Air Force and known as the Columbia Air Base, which property the State received by quitclaim deed in September 1947 for the joint use of the Opportunity School and the South Carolina Trade School.

SECTION 59-51-20. Services provided by School; duties.

The school shall:

(1) serve as an alternative school cooperating with other agencies and organizations;

(2) provide training for persons interested in continuing their elementary or high school education or in taking refresher courses preparatory to college, with emphasis on personal development, vocational efficiency, and effective citizenship;

(3) disseminate information concerning practices that have proven to be effective in working with its students; and

(4) cooperate with the vocational rehabilitation department in providing personal and social adjustment and prevocational and vocational courses for persons with disabilities.

SECTION 59-51-30. Board of trustees; composition; election; officers; filling of vacancies; quorum.

The Opportunity School is under the management and control of a board of fourteen trustees, twelve of whom must be elected by the General Assembly. The trustees so elected must be citizens of the State who are interested in the aims and ambitions of the school. The thirteenth member is the State Superintendent of Education, who shall serve ex officio. The fourteenth member is the Governor who is a member of the board, ex officio. Members of the board who are elected by the General Assembly shall serve for terms of four years and until their successors are elected and qualify. The board shall elect a chairman, vice-chairman, secretary, and treasurer. In case a vacancy occurs on the board among the elected members for any reason other than expiration of a term when the General Assembly is not in session, the Governor may fill it by appointment until the next session of the General Assembly at which time a successor must be elected for the remainder of the unexpired term. Elections to fill vacancies which are caused for any reason other than expiration of a term may be held earlier than the first day of April of the year the vacancy is filled.

A quorum of the board is seven members.

SECTION 59-51-40. Powers and duties of board.

The board of trustees is a body politic, under the name and style of the Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School. It shall have a seal, which it may change at its discretion, and in its name it may contract for, purchase, and hold property for the purposes provided for in this chapter. It may take any property or money given or conveyed by deed, devised, or bequeathed to the school, and hold it for its benefit and use. The conditions of the gifts or conveyances in no case may be inconsistent with the purposes of the school, and the board may not by the acceptance thereof incur any obligation on the part of the State. It shall securely invest all funds and keep all property which may come into its possession. It may sue and be sued in its name and may do all things necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter.

SECTION 59-51-50. Director; personnel; courses of study; operation and management.

The board of trustees shall employ a director who shall serve under conditions as prescribed by the board. The director shall recommend and employ all personnel, as approved by the board of trustees, and shall define their duties. The director shall prescribe the courses of study and make all rules and regulations for the government of the school, within board policy, and is responsible for its operation and management within the limitations of appropriations provided by the General Assembly.