FILE:  AB

Cf:  ABC

SCHOOL BOARD LEGAL STATUS

The St. Martin Parish School Board derives its legal status from the State Legislature, which is subject to the Constitutions of the State of Louisiana and the United States.  The Legislature has been granted authority for creation of school boards by Article VIII, Section 9 of the Louisiana Constitution of 1974 which states:  "...The legislature shall create parish school boards and provide for the election of their members..."

The St. Martin Parish School Board has been established as a body corporate charged with the establishment, maintenance, development and operation of an efficient public school program within the school district.  State and federal courts have held that the Board is vested with a broad range of administrative and supervisory authority commensurate with the aforementioned prescribed educational responsibilities.

The St. Martin Parish School Board is the agency through which the school district acts in regard to school matters.  Board members have authority only when functioning as a body or group in a legally called regular or special meeting.  The powers of the Board are delegated only to the Board as a body.  No authority is granted to members acting as individuals.

The Board is cognizant that all actions must be taken in good faith, with reasonable prudence, sincerity and based on the belief that such actions are correct and in the best interests of the school district in accordance with the statutes and pertinent judicial precedents.

Ref:     Constitution of Louisiana, Art. VIII, Sec. 9

La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:51

Hawthorne v. Jackson Parish School Board, 5 La. App. 508 (1927)

St. Martin Parish School Board