Private Acts of 1949 Chapter 867

SECTION 1. That, for the purpose of promoting the efficient and economical administration of the public schools in any county, or counties, of the State of Tennessee, having a population of not less than 4050, nor more than 4092, according to the Federal Census of 1940, or any other subsequent Federal Census, there is hereby created and established in said county, or counties, a Board of School Commissioners, to conduct, manage, govern, supervise, direct and control the public schools in the county, or counties, to which this Act applies. Said Board shall, in all respects, have the power to do and perform all the duties now imposed by the General School Laws on the County Boards of Education, except as herein provided.

SECTION 2. That said Board of School Commissioners shall consist of five members to be selected from their respective civil districts, by the qualified voters of the civil district in which said Commissioner resides, at the next regular election held therein on the first Thursday in August, 1950, and each Commissioner shall serve for a term of two years, or until his or her successor is elected and qualified.

SECTION 3. That to provide for the administration of the provisions of this Act before the next regular election in August, 1950, the seven Board of Education mmebers [sic] of said County who are now in office shall continue to hold said office, or offices, until September 1, 1950; provided that if any vacancy shall occur in the membership of the present Board of Education by expiration of the term for which any one member was appointed by the Quarterly County Court, or upon the death, resignation, or removal from office of any Board member, between the time of the passage of this Act and September 1, 1950, then the Quarterly County Court shall elect a member to fill such vacancy until the regular election in August, 1950.

SECTION 4. That in the event any commissioner hereinafter elected should die, resign, fail or refuse to act as such, or in any way vacate his or her office, or if any civil district shall fail to elect a member of said School Commission at the regular election, then and in that event, the Quarterly County Court, by a majority vote thereof, shall elect a suitable person from the district where said office is vacant to serve until his successor is duly elected and qualified.

SECTION 5. That said Board of School Commissioners shall have the power, and it shall be its duty to elect one of its members chairman annually, to elect teachers, fix their salaries,, [sic] and to employ laborers, carpenters, janitors, painters, contractors, bus drivers and all other necessary employees in the construction and maintenance of school buildings, or for the purpose of grading, terracing, seeding and landscaping school grounds; also, to purchase all materials, furnishings, supplies and equipment needed in the orderly and efficient administration of the county public school system, as provided under the provisions of this Act, and in accordance with the General Public School Laws of the State of Tennessee.

SECTION 6. That each member of said Board shall be a resident of the county from which he or she is elected, a citizen of recognized integrity, experience, intelligence, sobriety and ability to administer the duties of said Board in an efficient and business like manner. Each member shall have a practical education and shall manifest an active interest in the educational and cultural advancement of the county.

SECTION 7. That the County Superintendent of Education shall be the secretary of the Board of School Commissioners, and shall have all the power and authority vested in him as such under the Public School Laws of the State of Tennessee.

SECTION 8. That said Board of School Commissioners, when elected and qualified, shall take over all properties in the hands of any Board of Education heretofore appointed by the Quarterly County Court, under the provisions of the General School Laws of the State of Tennessee, both real and personal, now belonging to, or in the custody of, or within the control of, school authorities of this county. That said Board of Education, upon its retirement September 1, 1950, shall prepare and furnish said Board of School Commissioners a full and complete inventory of all properties; such as, cash, receivables, claims, equities, furnishings, buildings, lots, equipment, tools, materials, automobiles, trucks supplies and any and all other properties purchased and used in the construction, equipment, maintenance and operation of the public school system of this county, showing the cost, or inventory value, of each item and its location, together with an itemized statement of any other assets held as of that date; also, an itemized list of all notes and accounts payable, claims or other forms of indebtedness.

SECTION 9. That said Board of School Commissioners shall have the power and authority to enter into contracts and agreements with persons, firms or corporations for the erection, purchase, repair or maintenance of school buildings, property, equipment, supplies and for all other purposes deemed necessary by the Board of School Commissioners to carry out the provisions of this Act, or of the General Laws applicable to public schools.

SECTION 10. That the compensation of the members of the Board of School Commissioners shall be fixed by the Quarterly County Court of Van Buren County for their services in attending regular and special meetings of the Board.

SECTION 11. That in the passage of this Act, it is the intention of the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee to provide that the Board of School Commissioners, established under the provisions of this Act, shall have full, absolute and complete authority in the administration of all public school affairs of the county, or coounties, [sic] to which this Act applies; that if any sections of the provisions of this Act shall be declared unconstitutional, or invalid, by the court, it shall not, in any way, affect or invalidate any other section, clause or paragraph thereof.

SECTION 12. That no section or provision of this Act shall be construed, or interpreted, to prevent any qualified woman from holding the office of School Commissioner in this county.

SECTION 13. That all laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act be and the same are hereby repealed; and this Act shall take effect from and after its passage, the public welfare requiring it.
PASSED: April 14, 1949