Wisconsin § 120.44 - School board powers and duties.

Full text of Wisconsin Wisconsin Statutes § 120.44 — School board powers and duties., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 120.44. School board powers and duties.

120.44(1) (1) A unified school district is a body corporate with the power to sue and be sued, to levy and collect taxes, to acquire, hold and dispose of property and to do all other things reasonable for the performance of its functions in operating a system of public education. 120.44(2) (2) The public schools of a unified school district shall be under the management, control and supervision of a school board. The school board shall have the powers and duties of the school board and annual meeting in a common school district. The officers of a unified school district have the powers and duties of the officers of a common school district. No annual meeting shall be held in a unified school district. The school board shall not, in the name of the school district, issue bonds or incur other indebtedness without approval of the electors of the school district in any instance where the school board of a common school district is not authorized to do so. 120.44 History History: 1981 c. 20 ; 1981 c. 340 s. 8 ; 1983 a. 339 ; 1985 a. 225 ss. 83 , 92 , 93 ; Stats. 1985 s. 120.44; 1993 a. 437 ; 1995 a. 27 . 120.44 Annotation A school district did not incur indebtedness by entering into a lease-purchase agreement for a new school when the district, by electing not to appropriate funds for the following fiscal year’s rental payment, had the option to terminate the agreement with no future payment obligation. Dieck v. Unified School District, 165 Wis. 2d 458 , 477 N.W.2d 613 (1991). 120.44 Annotation Section 66.185 [now s. 66.0137] does not prohibit providing health insurance benefits to persons not listed in the statute if authority is granted by other statutes. This section and ss. 120.12 and 120.13, broadly construed as required by s. 118.001, grant broad powers, including that of providing insurance to persons not listed in this section. Pritchard v. Madison Metropolitan School District, 2001 WI App 62 , 242 Wis. 2d 301 , 625 N.W.2d 613 , 00-0848 . 120.44 Annotation School boards have the authority to enforce policies that mandate the manner, conditions, and content of police interviews with students on school premises during school hours. 81 Atty. Gen. 126 .

Source: official Wisconsin text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Wisconsin § 120.44

What does Wisconsin Statutes § 120.44 cover?

Section 120.44 ("School board powers and duties.") is part of the Wisconsin Statutes, the codified statutory law of Wisconsin. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Wisconsin § 120.44?

A common citation format is "Wisconsin Statutes § 120.44" (Wisconsin). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Wisconsin law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Wisconsin official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Wisconsin attorney.

How does Wisconsin § 120.44 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Wisconsin can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Wisconsin.