§ 9.03. Same—Powers.

The board is authorized to do all things necessary or proper for the establishment, operation and maintenance of an efficient and accredited consolidated school system for the metropolitan government, not inconsistent with this Charter or with general law, including but not limited to the following actions, all to be taken after receiving the recommendations thereon of the director of schools: The employment and fixing of the compensation of all persons necessary for the proper conduct of the public schools; the maintenance and preservation of school property, the management and safeguarding of school funds; the acquisition of school sites; the erection, maintenance and improvement of school buildings and additions thereto; the purchase of school equipment, furniture, apparatus, supplies and the like; the provision of group insurance of not less than five hundred dollars ($500.00) each on its employees and teachers; and the promulgation of plans, rules and regulations for the administration, operation and maintenance of a public school system.

Purchases of the board shall be consistent with the procedures established concerning competitive bidding as provided in section 8.111 of this Charter. In that respect, the board shall adopt appropriate rules and regulations concerning purchasing, including the establishment and enforcement of standard specifications for all supplies, materials and equipment required by the board and which it has authority to purchase or lease.

The board shall also have all powers and duties conferred by general law upon county boards of education and city boards of education, including, but not limited to, Tennessee Code Annotated, section 49-2-203 excepting only as otherwise provided in this Charter.

The system of furnishing free textbooks in the public schools of the city and county and receiving and accepting state aid therefor in effect at the time of the adoption of this Charter [April 1, 1963] shall be continued, unless and until changed by ordinance of the council upon recommendation of the board.

(Res. No. 88-526, § 12, 10-4-88)