South Carolina Law > Code of Laws > Title 59

SECTION 59-51-10. Wil Lou Gray School established; location.

The Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School is established and must be located in Lexington County on the property formerly occupied by the Army Air Force and known as the Columbia Air Base, which property the State received by quitclaim deed in September 1947 for the joint use of the Opportunity School and the South Carolina Trade School.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 22-521; 1957 (50) 36; 1976 Act No. 526 Section 2; 1992 Act No. 299, Section 1.

SECTION 59-51-20. Services provided by School; duties.

The school shall:

(1) serve as an alternative school cooperating with other agencies and organizations;

(2) provide training for persons interested in continuing their elementary or high school education or in taking refresher courses preparatory to college, with emphasis on personal development, vocational efficiency, and effective citizenship;

(3) disseminate information concerning practices that have proven to be effective in working with its students; and

(4) cooperate with the vocational rehabilitation department in providing personal and social adjustment and prevocational and vocational courses for persons with disabilities.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 22-522; 1957 (50) 36; 1972 (57) 2405; 1992 Act No. 299, Section 1.

SECTION 59-51-30. Board of trustees; composition; election; officers; filling of vacancies; quorum.

The Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School is under the management and control of a board of twelve trustees, all of whom must be elected by the General Assembly. The trustees so elected must be citizens of the State who are interested in the aims and ambitions of the school. Members of the board shall serve for terms of four years and until their successors are elected and qualify. The board shall elect a chairman and a vice chairman. In case a vacancy occurs on the board for any reason other than expiration of a term when the General Assembly is not in session, the Governor may fill it by appointment until the next session of the General Assembly, at which time a successor must be elected for the remainder of the unexpired term. Elections to fill vacancies which are caused for any reason other than expiration of a term may be held earlier than the first day of April of the year the vacancy is filled. A quorum of the board is seven members.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 22-523; 1957 (50) 36; 1969 (56) 660; 1992 Act No. 299, Section 1; 2018 Act No. 194 (S.857), Section 2, eff May 15, 2018.

Effect of Amendment

2018 Act No. 194, Section 2, amended the section, revising the composition of the board by eliminating two ex officio seats and eliminating the board offices of secretary and treasurer.

SECTION 59-51-35. Mandatory training for board of trustees.

(A) All members of the board of trustees shall complete successfully a training program on the powers, duties, and responsibilities of a board member including, but not limited to, topics on policy development, personnel, school leadership and board relations, at-risk programs, finance, school law, ethics, and community relations, as determined by the board of trustees. Training also must be provided regarding how to best serve the at-risk students in their care.

(B) Within one year of taking office, all persons elected as members of the board of trustees after July 1, 2018, also must complete the training prescribed in subsection (A).

HISTORY: 2018 Act No. 194 (S.857), Section 1, eff May 15, 2018.

SECTION 59-51-40. Powers and duties of board.

The board of trustees is a body politic, under the name and style of the Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School. It shall have a seal, which it may change at its discretion, and in its name it may contract for, purchase, and hold property for the purposes provided for in this chapter. It may take any property or money given or conveyed by deed, devised, or bequeathed to the school, and hold it for its benefit and use. The conditions of the gifts or conveyances in no case may be inconsistent with the purposes of the school, and the board may not by the acceptance thereof incur any obligation on the part of the State. It shall securely invest all funds and keep all property which may come into its possession. It may sue and be sued in its name and may do all things necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 22-524; 1957 (50) 36; 1992 Act No. 299, Section 1.

SECTION 59-51-50. Director; personnel; courses of study; operation and management.

The board of trustees shall employ a director who shall serve under conditions as prescribed by the board. The director shall recommend and employ all personnel, as approved by the board of trustees, and shall define their duties. The director shall prescribe the courses of study and make all rules and regulations for the government of the school, within board policy, and is responsible for its operation and management within the limitations of appropriations provided by the General Assembly.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 22-525; 1957 (50) 36; 1992 Act No. 299, Section 1.