Duties

 The State Board of Education shall:

1. Be the policy-forming, planning, and evaluative body for the state school program
2. Deliberate and take action with the professional advice and counsel of the Commissioner
3. Assure provision of student personnel services by schools
4. Appoint and fix compensation of the Commissioner
5. Remove the Commissioner from office if necessary
6. Appoint and fix compensation of all professional employees upon recommendation of the Commissioner
7. Organize the State Department of Education
8. Through the Commissioner:
   • Provide supervision and consultation to schools
   • Issue materials
   • Establish rules and regulations which govern standards and procedures
   • Institute a statewide system of testing if determined to be advisable
   • Publish laws, rules, and regulations
   • Approve teacher education programs
9. Adopt rules and regulations for Educational Service Units
10. Prepare and distribute reports
11. Consult with professional educators and lay leaders
12. Conduct studies and investigations
13. Submit to the Governor and Legislature a budget necessary to finance the state school program and the Department of Education
14. Interpret its own policies
15. Regulate school transportation
16. Accept devises of real property and donations
17. Approve programs for handicapped children
18. Approve Veterans Education programs
19. Administer federally established education programs
20. Coordinate educational activities that pertain to elementary and secondary education
21. Receive and distribute federal funds and commodities
22. Publish directories and other documents
23. Rent or lease office space
24. Act as the State Board of Vocational Education

COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION DUTIES

The Commissioner shall:

1. Organize institutes and conferences
2. Visit schools
3. Prescribe forms for reports and regulations
4. Maintain an office in Lincoln
5. Maintain records subject to examination
6. Keep the Board fully informed and advised
7. Prepare a budget
8. Voucher the expenses
9. Promote efficiency, welfare, and improvement of the school system
10. Promote educational improvement by:
    • Preparing curriculum
    • Providing supervision and consultation
    • Holding conferences
    • Conducting research and evaluation
    • Assisting in the development of Effective Education
11. Decide disputed points of school law
12. Issue teachers’ certificates
13. Attend all Board meetings or designate a representative
14. Serve as administrative head of the State Department of Education
15. Delegate administrative and supervisory functions
16. Maintain a system of personnel administration
17. Prescribe administrative rules and regulations
18. Perform duties prescribed by the Legislature
19. Serve as executive officer of the State Board of Education and administrative head of the State Department of Education
20. Provide educational leadership