Tennessee § 49-2-2101 - General provisions.

§ 49-2-2101. General provisions.

The chief administrative officers of the public school systems, called directors of schools in this section, are authorized to form and join an organization whose membership shall be open to directors of schools in service, but membership in the organization shall not be required. Additionally, the organization shall be open to affiliate membership for principals, assistant principals, and system-wide supervisors for the purpose of professional development coursework and related activities. The organization, if formed pursuant to this section and before entering upon any other activities, shall adopt a constitution, which may be amended subsequently, setting forth its purposes, which shall include, but not be limited to: The advancement of public education; The promotion of the work and interests of directors of schools, principals, assistant principals, and system-wide supervisors; The gathering and circulation of information on general school matters; The provision of pertinent information on sound education legislation to the general assembly; and The cooperation with the department of education and other agencies and organizations interested in public education. The organization may adopt bylaws and from time to time revise the bylaws. The organization is authorized to perform all reasonable acts necessary or incidental to carrying out its purposes. The organization may receive funds in the form of membership fees from its members and contributions from individuals, organizations, and agencies, public and private, and may expend the funds for the purposes of carrying on its program, including the employment of necessary staff and consultants. Membership fees for directors of schools shall be set in the bylaws of the organization and may be paid from any local school funds budgeted for this purpose, but shall not be included in any matching funds otherwise required for participation in the basic education program (BEP). Membership fees for affiliate members shall be set in the bylaws of the organization and may be paid from any local school funds budgeted for this purpose. Funds derived for membership fees from affiliate members shall be used only for professional development purposes and related expenses. No part of these funds shall be used for the purpose of lobbying or government relations. Upon request of the chair of the education committee of the senate or the chair of the education committee of the house of representatives, a report detailing the professional development activities for affiliate members of the organization shall be submitted to the committee. No direct state appropriation or grant of state funds shall be made to this organization; however, departments and agencies of state and local governments may contract for services with the organization for which state and local revenues may be used. The organization shall not be in lieu of or infringe upon the existing superintendents' study council, which is authorized to continue as an in-service education effort of the department of education. Acts 1975, ch. 115, §§ 1-4; T.C.A., §§ 49-531 — 49-534; Acts 2006, ch. 797, § 2; 2016, ch. 733, §§ 1-4; 2019, ch. 345, § 88.