§24.  State Department of Education; creation; divisions; reorganization

A.  The State Department of Education is hereby created.  The superintendent, as administrative head of the department, shall establish such divisions within the department as are necessary or appropriate to carry out the functions vested by or under authority of the constitution and laws in the superintendent or in the department.  Such divisions, including offices and any lesser organizational subdivisions, shall be established with due regard for the requirements of Chapter 15 of Title 36.  For the purpose of carrying out the duties and functions vested in the superintendent, the employees of the State Department of Education shall be under his immediate direction and control.  

B.  The superintendent shall have budgetary responsibility for all funds appropriated or allocated by the state for the day to day operations and for the functions of the State Department of Education which are not inconsistent with the functions of the board.  

C.  The board is hereby designated as the State Educational Agency with respect to federal funds for those programs under the jurisdiction of the board.  The State Department of Education shall administer and distribute all federal funds received for the benefit of those phases of education under the jurisdiction of the board.  The provisions of this Subsection shall be subject to and in accordance with the policies adopted therefor by the board and shall be under the direction and supervision of the board for those programs under the jurisdiction of the board.  

D.(1)  The superintendent may review the responsibilities of the department and prepare a plan to restructure and reorganize the department subject to the approval of the board of any restructuring or reorganization plan.  Any plan approved by the board may be implemented upon such schedule as recommended by the superintendent and approved by the board notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter 15 of Title 36 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950 and any other contrary provisions of law.  

(2)  Any restructuring or reorganization of the department implemented pursuant to this Subsection may remain in effect until after adjournment of the regular session of the legislature occurring after the plan has been approved by the board unless legislation which amends the law has been enacted to provide for the same structure or organization as contained in the approved plan.  If no such enactment occurs, the department shall revert to the organizational structure mandated by Chapter 15 of Title 36 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, including any relevant amendments.

Acts 1975, No. 274, §1; Acts 1990, No. 993, §1, eff. July 26, 1990; Acts 1993, No. 368, §1, eff. June 3, 1993.