JCBE/POLICY FILE: 142

Approved: l/27/77

Revised: 10/23/79

Revised: 1/26/84

POWERS GRANTED BY LAW TO THE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

In compliance with state statutes (CODE OF ALABAMA, 16-8-11), the Board shall maintain a uniform and effective system of public schools in Jefferson County. The general administration and supervision of the Jefferson County School System shall be vested in the Board (CODE OF ALABAMA, 16-8-8). As the governing body of the school system, the Board shall be responsible for the administration of all actions pertaining to the educational interests of the county, including the powers and duties delegated to the Board by state law.

The Board shall be the owner of the legal title to all school property of the Jefferson County School System. This is an active trusteeship, which includes title to all the property, estate, effects, money, funds, claims and donations now or hereafter vested by law in the county school authorities for the benefit of the public schools (CODE OF ALABAMA, 16-8-12).

The Board shall also have the right to lease, acquire by condemnation, receive, hold, transmit and convey title to real and personal property for school purposes. The Board may sue and contract, all contracts to be made after resolutions have been adopted by the Board and placed upon its minutes (CODE OF ALABAMA, 16-8-40).

The Board shall also fulfill, in accordance with public school law, the following duties:

1. Appoint a superintendent of schools who shall act as the chief executive officer of the Board, and who shall also be secretary of the Board (CODE OF ALABAMA, 16-8-7 and 16-9-1).

2. Insure for its insurable value every school building whose title is vested in the county school district.

This includes insurance coverage through a self-insurance program for all school buildings, properties, equipment or supplies belonging to the Board, or in which the the Board has an interest. The Board shall be financially adequate to fund and maintain such a self-insurance program and to invest the funds of such account in any investment or securities which, at the time of making such investments or purchases, are approved legal investments of trust by fiduciaries of Alabama (CODE OF ALABAMA, 16-8-42).

3. Publish annually in the month of October in the newspaper of the county seat of Jefferson County a full statement of (a) receipts of income sources and disbursements for the twelve-month period ending September 30, and (b) the outstanding indebtedness of the Board on September 30 (CODE OF ALABAMA, 16-8-37).

4. Fix a uniform date each year for the opening of all schools under its jurisdiction in the county (CODE OF ALABAMA, 16-8-30).

5. Establish and maintain kindergartens and playgrounds for the children who are bona fide residents of and living within their respective jurisdictions (CODE OF ALABAMA, 16-8-41).

6. Appoint a custodian of public school funds (CODE OF ALABAMA, 16-8-33).

7. Appoint local textbook selection committees (CODE OF ALABAMA, 16-36-4).