(A) Within one year of taking office, all persons elected or appointed as members of a school district board of trustees after July 1, 1997, shall complete successfully an orientation program in the powers, duties, and responsibilities of a board member including, but not limited to, topics on policy development, personnel, superintendent and board relations, instructional programs, district finance, school law, ethics, and community relations.
(B) The orientation shall be approved by the State Board of Education and conducted by public or private entities approved by the State Board of Education such as the South Carolina School Boards Association.
(C) The provisions of this section also apply to members of county boards of education appointed or elected after July 1, 1997, in the same manner the provisions of this section apply to members of school district boards of trustees.
(D) The provisions of this section do not apply to a school board trustee or county board of education member who was serving in such office on July 1, 1997, and who is continuously reelected or reappointed to office thereafter.
(E) The State Department of Education shall reimburse a school district or county board of education conducting an orientation for a new board member as required by this section at the rate of eighty dollars for a member, provided that the total reimbursements by the department in one fiscal year must not exceed ten thousand dollars. If the total projected cost of these reimbursements for a year as determined by the department exceeds ten thousand dollars, the eighty-dollar reimbursement for each new member must be reduced proportionately. If funds are not available for these reimbursements, the board member orientation is not required but may be conducted at the option of a school district or county board of education. The State Board of Education shall establish guidelines and procedures for these reimbursements.
(F) The State Department of Education must keep a record of the school board trustees who complete the orientation program.
HISTORY: 1997 Act No. 155, Part II, Section 19A; 2002 Act No. 265, Section 1.
Structure South Carolina Code of Laws
Section 59-19-10. School district management.
Section 59-19-20. Composition of boards of school trustees; terms.
Section 59-19-30. Appointment of members.
Section 59-19-40. Appointment of members; special provisions not superseded by Section 59-19-30.
Section 59-19-50. Appointment and term of trustees for consolidated districts.
Section 59-19-60. Removal of trustees; vacancies.
Section 59-19-70. Chairman and clerk of board.
Section 59-19-80. Requirements as to purchases and teacher employment.
Section 59-19-90. General powers and duties of school trustees.
Section 59-19-95. Implementation of student promotion policy.
Section 59-19-97. Evaluation system for continuing contract teachers.
Section 59-19-110. Rule-making power.
Section 59-19-117. District employee background checks.
Section 59-19-120. Rules and regulations governing use of school buildings.
Section 59-19-125. Leasing school property for particular purposes.
Section 59-19-130. Acquisition of supplies and equipment.
Section 59-19-140. Rules and regulations governing use of equipment.
Section 59-19-150. Maintenance of equipment.
Section 59-19-160. Gifts to school district; bond as prerequisite to receipt.
Section 59-19-170. Acceptance and holding of property by trustees.
Section 59-19-180. Purchase of lands by trustees.
Section 59-19-200. Condemnation of lands by trustees.
Section 59-19-250. Sale or lease of school property by trustees.
Section 59-19-260. Trustees authorized to insure motor vehicles.
Section 59-19-270. Trustees may employ medical, technical, and clerical personnel.
Section 59-19-280. Trustees may be members of School Boards Association.
Section 59-19-290. Contracts in excess of apportioned funds void.
Section 59-19-300. Propriety of trustee's receiving pay as teacher.
Section 59-19-310. Exercising office of trustee after termination of office.
Section 59-19-315. Commencement of trustee's term of office.
Section 59-19-320. Trustees may cross bridge or ferry free of charge.
Section 59-19-330. Annual report of trustees of certain special and graded school districts.
Section 59-19-340. Child development programs for three and four-year-old children.
Section 59-19-350. Schools of innovation exempt from applicable state statutes and regulations.
Section 59-19-510. Right to appeal to county board of education; petition.
Section 59-19-540. Hearing; appearance of parties and evidence.
Section 59-19-550. Order of board of education; service on parties.
Section 59-19-560. Appeal to court of common pleas.
Section 59-19-570. Appeal shall not act as supersedeas.
Section 59-19-580. Appeal from decision to operate or not to operate school.