Section 2554. Powers and duties of board of education  


Latest version.
  • * Subject to the
      provisions of this chapter, the board of education in a city, except the
      city board of the city of New York, shall have the power and it shall be
      its duty:
        * NB Effective until June 30, 2015
        * Subject to the provisions of this chapter, the board of education in
      a city shall have the power and it shall be its duty:
        * NB Effective June 30, 2015
        1. To perform any duty imposed upon boards of education or trustees of
      common schools under this chapter or other statutes, or the rules of the
      regents and regulations of the commissioner of education so far as  they
      may  be applicable to the school or other educational affairs of a city,
      and not inconsistent with the provisions of this  article,  except  that
      the  provisions  of  subdivision six of section sixteen hundred four and
      subdivision eight of section seventeen  hundred  nine  of  this  chapter
      shall  not  be  applicable  to a board of education in any city having a
      population of over thirty-five thousand in which the title to the school
      property is vested in the city.
        2. To  create,  abolish,  maintain  and  consolidate  such  positions,
      divisions,  boards  or bureaus as, in its judgment, may be necessary for
      the proper and efficient  administration  of  its  work;  to  appoint  a
      superintendent of schools, such associate, assistant, district and other
      superintendents,    examiners,   directors,   supervisors,   principals,
      teachers, lecturers, special instructors,  medical  inspectors,  nurses,
      auditors, attendance officers, secretaries, clerks, custodians, janitors
      and  other employees and other persons or experts in educational, social
      or recreational work or in the business management or direction  of  its
      affairs  as  said  board  shall  determine  necessary  for the efficient
      management of the schools and other  educational,  social,  recreational
      and  business  activities;  provided,  however,  that in the city school
      districts  of  the  cities  of  Buffalo  and  Rochester  appointment  of
      associate, assistant and district superintendents, and other supervising
      staff  who  are excluded from the right to bargain collectively pursuant
      to article fourteen of the civil service law shall, within  the  amounts
      budgeted  for  such  positions,  be  by  the superintendent of such city
      school district; and to  determine  their  duties  except  as  otherwise
      provided herein.
        2-a.  a.  In  its  discretion  to  adopt a resolution establishing the
      office of claims auditor and appoint a claims auditor who shall hold his
      or her position subject to  the  pleasure  of  the  board.  Such  claims
      auditor shall report directly to the board of education. No person shall
      be eligible for appointment to the office of claims auditor who shall be
        (1) a member of the board of education;
        (2) a clerk or treasurer of the board of education;
        (3)  the  superintendent  of schools or other official of the district
      responsible for business management;
        (4) the person designated as purchasing agent; or
        (5) clerical or professional personnel directly involved in accounting
      and purchasing functions of the school district.
        b. The position of claims auditor shall be classified  in  the  exempt
      class  of  civil  service. The board of education, at any time after the
      establishment of the office of claims auditor, may  adopt  a  resolution
      abolishing the office. When the office of claims auditor shall have been
      established  and  a  claims  auditor shall have been appointed and shall
      have qualified, the powers and duties of the  board  of  education  with
      respect  to  auditing  accounts,  charges, claims or demands against the
      city school district shall devolve upon and thereafter be  exercised  by
      such  claims auditor, during the continuance of the office. The board of
    
      education shall be permitted to delegate the claims  audit  function  by
      using  (1)  inter-municipal  cooperative  agreements, or (2) independent
      contractors, to fulfill this function.
        * 3. To appoint, in a city having a population of one million or more,
      notwithstanding  the  provisions  of  any  local  laws or charter to the
      contrary, a superintendent of schools emeritus, whose duty it  shall  be
      to  consult  and  advise  with  the  educational  officers  as  and when
      requested by the superintendent of schools. No person shall be  eligible
      for  such  appointment  unless  he shall have served in the positions of
      superintendent  of  schools,  associate  superintendent   and   district
      superintendent  or  assistant  superintendent, and whose total period of
      service in such position shall have been at least ten years  in  a  city
      having  a  population  of  one million or more. He shall receive for the
      duration of his life such annual salary as the board  of  education  and
      the mayor or like financial authority shall determine at the time of his
      appointment,  but  he  shall  not  receive a retirement allowance or any
      other benefit from the teachers' retirement system or any other  pension
      fund,  and  upon his death his beneficiaries and/or his estate shall not
      be entitled to any benefits from any pension fund as  a  result  of  his
      service.
        * NB Repealed July 1, 2002 and revived on June 30, 2015
        4.  To  have  the care, custody, control and safekeeping of all school
      property or other property of the city used for educational,  social  or
      recreational  work  and not specifically placed by law under the control
      of some other body or officer, and to prescribe  rules  and  regulations
      for the preservation of such property.
        * 5.  To  dispose,  in the city of New York, of such personal property
      used in the schools and other buildings of the city of  New  York  under
      the  charge of the board of education of such city as shall no longer be
      required for use therein. Such disposition shall be made in the name  of
      the city of New York and for such city.
        Such   board  may  sell,  at  prices  as  may  be  agreed  upon,  such
      manufactured articles or other products of any of its schools,  day  and
      evening, as may not be utilized by the board of education and all moneys
      realized  by  the  sale thereof shall be paid into the city treasury and
      shall at once be appropriated by the  city  to  a  special  fund  to  be
      administered  by the board of education for such purposes as such board,
      in its discretion, may determine. All other moneys realized by the  sale
      of  personal  property shall be paid into the city treasury and shall at
      once be appropriated by the city to the special school fund of the board
      of education for use in the borough  in  which  the  property  sold  was
      situated.
        Such  method  of  disposal  shall  be  deemed  not  to  apply  to  the
      disposition of school  books  pursuant  to  subdivision  eight  of  this
      section.
        * NB Repealed July 1, 2002 and revived on June 30, 2015
        6.  To  lease  property  required for the purpose of furnishing school
      accommodations for schools administered by the board of education and to
      prepare and execute leases therefor. To be eligible for aid pursuant  to
      subdivision  six  of section thirty-six hundred two of this chapter, any
      such lease shall be approved by the commissioner prior to execution; the
      leased space shall meet requirements  for  access  by  individuals  with
      disabilities  to both facilities and programs, as defined in regulations
      of the commissioner; the requirements set forth in paragraphs a, b, c, d
      and f of subdivision one of section four hundred three-b of this chapter
      shall be met, except for the requirement  of  voter  approval;  and  the
      leased  space  shall  be  used  to  house  programs for pupils in grades
      prekindergarten through twelve, other than programs funded  pursuant  to
    
      section  forty-four hundred ten of this chapter, with minimal associated
      administrative  and  support  services  space   as   approved   by   the
      commissioner.
        7.  To  purchase  and  furnish  such  apparatus,  maps, globes, books,
      furniture and other equipment and supplies as may be necessary  for  the
      proper  and  efficient  management of the schools and other educational,
      social and recreational activities and interests  under  its  management
      and  control. To provide textbooks or other supplies to all the children
      attending the schools of such cities in which free  textbooks  or  other
      supplies  were  lawfully provided prior to June eighth, nineteen hundred
      seventeen.
        * 7-a. To develop a plan to ensure that all instructional materials to
      be used in the schools  of  the  district  are  available  in  a  usable
      alternative  format  for  each  student with a disability, as defined in
      section forty-four hundred one of this chapter, and for each student who
      is  a  qualified  individual  with  a  disability  as  defined  in   the
      rehabilitation  act of nineteen hundred ninety-three (29 U.S.C. 701), as
      amended, in accordance with his or  her  educational  needs  and  course
      selection,  at  the  same  time  as  such  instructional  materials  are
      available to non-disabled students. As part of such plan, the  board  of
      education  shall  amend its procurement policies to give a preference in
      the purchase of instructional materials to vendors who agree to  provide
      materials  in  alternative  formats.  For  purposes of this subdivision,
      "alternative  format"  shall  mean  any  medium  or   format   for   the
      presentation  of instructional materials, other than a traditional print
      textbook, that is needed as an  accommodation  for  a  disabled  student
      enrolled  in  the school district, including but not limited to Braille,
      large print, open and closed captioned, audio, or an electronic file  in
      an  approved  format, as defined in the regulations of the commissioner.
      When an electronic file is provided, the  plan  shall  specify  how  the
      format  will  be  accessed  by  students  and/or  how the district shall
      convert to an accessible format. Such plan shall identify the  needs  of
      students residing in the district for alternative format materials. Such
      plan  shall  also  specify ordering timelines to ensure that alternative
      format materials are available  at  the  same  time  as  regular  format
      materials.  Such  plans  shall include procedures to address the need to
      obtain materials  in  alternative  format  without  delay  for  disabled
      students who move into the school district during the school year.
        * NB Effective until June 30, 2015
        * 7-a. To develop a plan to ensure that all instructional materials to
      be  used  in  the  schools  of  the  district  are available in a usable
      alternative format for each student with a  disability,  as  defined  in
      section forty-four hundred one of this chapter, and for each student who
      is   a  qualified  individual  with  a  disability  as  defined  in  the
      rehabilitation act of nineteen hundred ninety-three (29 U.S.C.  701)  as
      amended,  in  accordance  with  his  or her educational needs and course
      selection,  at  the  same  time  as  such  instructional  materials  are
      available  to  non-disabled  students;  provided that in the city school
      district of the city of New York, such plan shall be  developed  by  the
      chancellor  of  the  city  district.  As part of such plan, the board of
      education shall amend its procurement policies to give a  preference  in
      the  purchase of instructional materials to vendors who agree to provide
      materials in alternative formats.  For  purposes  of  this  subdivision,
      "alternative   format"   shall   mean  any  medium  or  format  for  the
      presentation of instructional materials, other than a traditional  print
      textbook,  that  is  needed  as  an accommodation for a disabled student
      enrolled in the school district, including but not limited  to  Braille,
      large  print, open and closed captioned, audio, or an electronic file in
    
      an approved format, as defined in the regulations of  the  commissioner.
      When  an  electronic  file  is  provided, the plan shall specify how the
      format will be accessed  by  students  and/or  how  the  district  shall
      convert  to  an accessible format. Such plan shall identify the needs of
      students residing in the district for alternative format materials. Such
      plan shall also specify ordering timelines to  ensure  that  alternative
      format  materials  are  available  at  the  same  time as regular format
      materials. Such plans shall include procedures to address  the  need  to
      obtain  materials  in  alternative  format  without  delay  for disabled
      students who move into the school district during the school year.
        * NB Effective June 30, 2015
        * 8. To dispose of, in the city of New York, to the best advantage  of
      the  city of New York, either by sale or on the basis of money allowance
      for waste paper all books delivered to the  several  public  schools  of
      such  city  that have been discarded either by reason of being obsolete,
      no longer required by the  course  of  study,  worn  by  long  usage  or
      mutilated  by  accident.  If disposal is made by sale it shall be to the
      highest bidder and the money  realized  shall  be  paid  into  the  city
      treasury  and  shall  at once be appropriated by the city to the special
      school fund of the board of education entitled "supplies".  If  disposal
      is  made on the basis of money allowance for waste paper, it shall be to
      the highest bidder. Such discarded books  may  be  disposed  of  without
      public  advertisement  or  entry  into  a  formal  contract.  Should the
      discarded books be in such condition that no sale  or  exchange  can  be
      made,  or  should  there  be reason to believe that such discarded books
      have become infected through disease among the  pupils,  or  should  the
      superintendent  of  schools  certify  that  such discarded books contain
      erroneous,  inaccurate,   obsolete   or   antiquated   subject   matter,
      illustrations, maps, charts or other material, the committee on supplies
      of  the  board of education, if such books cannot be sold, given away or
      otherwise salvaged as waste paper without danger to the  public  health,
      may   authorize   their   destruction   by  fire,  in  which  event  the
      superintendent of school supplies shall obtain and file in his office  a
      certificate  that  such  books  have  been  so  destroyed, signed by the
      principal of the school in which the books are located.
        * NB Repealed July 1, 2002 and revived on June 30, 2015
        9. To establish  and  maintain  such  free  elementary  schools,  high
      schools,   training   schools,   vocational   and   industrial  schools,
      kindergartens,  nursery  schools,  technical  schools,  night   schools,
      part-time or continuation schools, vocation schools, schools for adults,
      schools for physically or mentally handicapped or delinquent children or
      such other schools or classes as such board shall deem necessary to meet
      the needs and demands of the city.
        10.  To  establish  and  maintain  libraries  which may be open to the
      public,  to  organize  and  maintain  public  lecture  courses,  and  to
      establish and equip playgrounds, recreation centers, social centers, and
      reading  rooms  from  such  funds as the education law or other statutes
      authorize and the state appropriates for such purposes,  and  from  such
      other  funds  as  may  be provided therefor from local taxation or other
      sources.
        11. To authorize the general courses of study which shall be given  in
      the  schools  and  to  approve  the  content of such courses before they
      become operative.
        12. To authorize and determine the textbooks to be used in the schools
      under its jurisdiction.
        13. a. To prescribe such regulations and by-laws as may  be  necessary
      to  make effectual the provisions of this chapter and for the conduct of
      the proceedings of said  board  and  the  transaction  of  its  business
    
      affairs, for the general management, operation, control, maintenance and
      discipline  of  the  schools,  and  of  all other educational, social or
      recreational  activities  and  other  interests  under  its  charge   or
      direction.
        * b.  In  a  city having a population of one million or more, the city
      board shall prescribe  such  regulations  and  by-laws  authorizing  the
      chancellor to exercise such of its administrative and ministerial powers
      as the board may deem necessary to make effectual the provisions of this
      chapter  and for the general management, operation, control, maintenance
      and discipline of schools, and  of  all  other  educational,  social  or
      recreational   activities  and  other  interests  under  its  charge  or
      direction. If in the exercise of its discretion and in order  better  to
      discharge  its  policy-making and other functions and to provide for the
      efficient administration of the educational system, the board  delegates
      any of its administrative and ministerial powers to the chancellor, such
      chancellor  shall  exercise such delegated powers in the same manner and
      with the same force and effect as if such powers were given to him under
      the provisions of the education law.
        * NB Repealed July 1, 2002 and revived on June 30, 2015
        * 14. To provide in the schools administered by the board of education
      of the city of New York, the proper book or books, in form  as  required
      by the by-laws of the board of education of such city, in which it shall
      cause  the  class  teachers  under  the direction and supervision of the
      principal to  enter  the  names,  ages  and  residences  of  the  pupils
      attending  the  school, the name of the parent or guardian of each pupil
      and the days on which the pupils shall have attended  respectively,  and
      the aggregate attendance of each pupil during the year, and also the day
      upon  which  the school shall have been visited by the superintendent of
      schools or by an associate superintendent of schools or by an  assistant
      superintendent,  or  by members of the board of education, or by members
      of the local school board, or by any  of  them,  which  entry  shall  be
      verified  by  such  oath  or  affirmation  of  the  principal  as may be
      prescribed by the board of education of such city. Such books  shall  be
      preserved  as  the  property of such board of education and shall at all
      times be open to inspection by members of such board  of  education,  by
      members of the local school boards and by the superintendent of schools,
      or  by  any  associate  superintendent  of  schools, or by the assistant
      superintendents.
        * NB Repealed July 1, 2002 and revived on June 30, 2015
        15. a. To perform such other duties and possess such other  powers  as
      may  be  required to administer the affairs placed under its control and
      management, to execute all powers vested in it, and to promote the  best
      interests of the schools and other activities committed to its care, and
      to  authorize,  or in its discretion to conduct, and maintain such extra
      classroom  activities,  including  the  operation   of   cafeterias   or
      restaurant  service  for pupils and teachers, as the board, from time to
      time, shall deem proper. Such cafeterias or restaurant  service  may  be
      used by the community for school related functions and activities and to
      furnish  meals to the elderly residents, sixty years of age or older, of
      the district. Such utilization shall be subject to the approval  of  the
      board  of education. Charges shall be sufficient to meet the direct cost
      of  preparing  and  serving   such   meals,   reducible   by   available
      reimbursements.
        * b.  In  a city having a population of one million or more, the board
      of education shall make rules and regulations for the conduct, operation
      and maintenance of extra classroom activities and for the  safeguarding,
      accounting  and  audit  of all moneys received and derived therefrom. In
      the case of any extra classroom activity as it shall  deem  proper,  and
    
      notwithstanding  the provisions of section twenty-five hundred thirty of
      this chapter, it may direct that the moneys received or derived from the
      conduct, operation or maintenance of such an extra classroom activity be
      deposited  with the auditor of the board of education, who in such event
      shall be the treasurer of such an extra classroom activity,  the  moneys
      of which are required to be so deposited. In the procurement of articles
      and  services  for the conduct, operation and maintenance of a cafeteria
      or restaurant service, the board of education shall be  subject  to  the
      provisions of subdivision ten of section twenty-five hundred six of this
      chapter,  except  that  said  board  of  education  need  not  have duly
      advertised for estimates in order  to  contract  for  such  articles  or
      services  in  an  amount exceeding one thousand dollars. In such a city,
      the board of education shall also  have  power  to  assign  any  of  its
      officers  or  employees  to  perform  such duties as it may prescribe in
      connection with an extra classroom activity and to designate such of its
      officers and employees when so  assigned  from  whom  a  bond  shall  be
      required  for faithful performance of their duties and to fix the sum in
      which each such bond shall be given.
        * NB Repealed July 1, 2002 and revived on June 30, 2015
        c. For the  purposes  of  this  section,  a  general  organization  of
      students  of  a  school conducted under the rules and regulations of the
      board of education or with its approval, and engaged in extra  classroom
      activities other than the operation of a cafeteria or restaurant service
      shall   be   known  as  a  student  organization.  Unless  such  student
      organization is required by the board of education to deposit  with  the
      auditor  the  moneys  received  or  derived  from carrying on such extra
      classroom activity,  such  moneys  shall  be  subject  to  the  use  and
      disposition of such student organization under the rules and regulations
      prescribed by the board of education.
        * d.  The  board  of  education  in  a city having a population of one
      million or more shall inquire into the origin of  all  moneys  or  other
      property  in  the  possession  of  any  student  organization,  on March
      twenty-third, nineteen hundred thirty-six, and all such moneys which the
      board of education may find to have been derived from the operation of a
      cafeteria or restaurant service, it may require to be deposited with the
      auditor of the board  of  education  and  applied  to  the  conduct  and
      operation of a cafeteria or restaurant service, or other extra classroom
      activity,  in  such  manner and to such extent as the board of education
      may direct.
        * NB Repealed July 1, 2002 and revived on June 30, 2015
        * (e) In order to facilitate operation of the  school  lunch  programs
      administered  by  the board of education of the city of New York, better
      to serve the public interest, all persons employed  in  a  cafeteria  or
      lunchroom  in  any  high school under the jurisdiction of this board for
      one year prior to the date this section takes effect, shall, because  of
      their  special training, experience and efficiency, and, notwithstanding
      any provisions to the contrary in any general, special or local law,  be
      continued   in   the   employment  of  this  board  without  competitive
      examination, provided the necessary funds for such continued  employment
      are  appropriated  by the board. The positions so held by such employees
      shall be in the noncompetitive class. The New York  city  civil  service
      commission,  however,  after  notice to any such employee of the reasons
      therefore, and after according such employee a hearing, may exclude  him
      from further employment if found by the commission not to be a person of
      satisfactorily  good  character.  Not  later  than  one  year after this
      section shall take effect, the commission shall determine for  which  of
      such  positions competitive examinations shall have become feasible, and
      shall thereupon reclassify the various positions, with the  approval  of
    
      the mayor and the state civil service commission. The then incumbents of
      such  positions  shall  continue to hold their positions without further
      examination, provided, however, that all subsequent appointments to such
      positions  shall  be  made  in accordance with the civil service law and
      rules.
        * NB Repealed July 1, 2002 and revived on June 30, 2015
        16. To compensate, in its discretion, teachers and other employees for
      loss of personal  property  but  shall  provide  workmen's  compensation
      coverage  as provided in the workmen's compensation law for all teachers
      and other employees for injuries incurred in actual performance of  duty
      and with respect to teachers and other employees for whom such workmen's
      compensation  coverage  is not required in cities of one million or more
      population, to provide in its  discretion  for  reasonable  medical  and
      hospital expenses for injuries incurred in actual performance of duty on
      or after July first, nineteen hundred sixty-two.
        16-a.  In its discretion, to provide under a group insurance policy or
      policies  issued  by  any  insurance  company  or  insurance   companies
      authorized to do business in this state or under a group contract issued
      by  one  or  more  corporations  subject  to  article forty-three of the
      insurance law, life insurance or accident and health insurance  benefits
      or medical and surgical benefits or hospital service benefits or any two
      or more of such kinds of benefits to teachers and other employees of the
      school  district  who  participate  in  a  plan or plans, as hereinafter
      provided. The disbursing officer of the school district is authorized to
      deduct from the salary of such participant with his  prior  consent,  in
      writing, the sums representing the participant's share of the premium or
      premiums  which are payable by such officer to such insurance company or
      corporation. Such board of education is  authorized  to  pay  from  such
      moneys  as  are  available  for the purpose, a share of the cost of such
      benefit or benefits in such amount as is required to be paid under  such
      group insurance policy or policies or group contract or contracts by the
      board  of  education,  as  employer.  The sum to be paid by the board of
      education under such policy or policies or contract or contracts, in the
      discretion of such board may be any percentage of the total cost of  the
      benefit or benefits including the whole thereof.
        Notwithstanding   any   provisions   of   this   chapter,  subdivision
      thirty-one-a of section  one  thousand  six  hundred  four,  subdivision
      thirty-four-a of section one thousand seven hundred nine and subdivision
      ten-a  of  section  two thousand five hundred three of the education law
      and this subdivision shall not apply to a city having  a  population  of
      one million or more inhabitants.
        16-b.  In  its  discretion,  to  purchase  insurance  against personal
      injuries incurred by an authorized participant  in  a  school  volunteer
      program, including but not limited to, those authorized participants who
      assist  on  school  buses,  school  sponsored transportation to and from
      school, or on school sponsored field trips or any other school sponsored
      activity; provided, however, that the injuries were incurred  while  the
      authorized participant was functioning either within the scope of his or
      her  authorized  volunteer duties or under the direction of the board of
      education, trustee, or board of  cooperative  educational  services,  or
      both.
        * 17.   To   maintain,   in   the  city  of  New  York,  through  such
      representatives  as  it  may  designate,  an  effective  visitation  and
      inspection  of  all  schools  and  classes  maintained  in  institutions
      controlled by the department of correction of the city of New York.
        * NB Repealed July 1, 2002 and revived on June 30, 2015
        18. To provide transportation, home-teaching or  special  classes,  as
      defined under sections forty-four hundred one and forty-four hundred two
    
      of  this  chapter  for physically or mentally handicapped and delinquent
      children. Such transportation, home-teaching or  special  classes,  when
      provided  pursuant  to  this  subdivision,  shall be granted to all such
      children irrespective of the school they legally attend.
        19.  To  provide by contract for the transportation of children to and
      from any school or institution of learning whenever in its judgment such
      transportation is required because of the remoteness of  the  school  to
      the  pupil  or for the promotion of the best interests of such children.
      Any such contract may be made for a period  not  exceeding  five  years,
      notwithstanding  any  provision of any charter or other provision of law
      inconsistent herewith.
        * 19-a. In its discretion, to lease a motor vehicle  or  vehicles  for
      the  transportation of children of the district under the same terms and
      conditions as the board of education of a union  free  school  district,
      provided, however that no voter approval shall be required.
        * NB Repealed September 1, 2011
        19-b.  To  establish a minority scholarship recruitment program by the
      board of education of the city of Buffalo.
        20. To provide, outside the territorial  limits  of  the  city  school
      district  but  within  the  state  or within an adjoining state, for the
      education of children resident within the city school district  whenever
      in  the judgment of the board of education, approved by the commissioner
      of education,  the  health  or  welfare  of  such  children  makes  such
      provision  necessary  or  desirable, and the average daily attendance of
      such pupils shall be included in the average daily  attendance  of  such
      district  as certified to the commissioner in the report of the board of
      education.
        * 21. To assign, in its discretion, one or more employees of the board
      in a city having a population of one million or more to serve  as  trial
      examiner  with power to conduct investigations and hearings on behalf of
      such board. Each trial examiner shall report  the  result  of  any  such
      investigation or hearing to the board.
        * NB Repealed July 1, 2002 and revived on June 30, 2015
        22.  To  provide,  in  its  discretion,  compensation  to a speaker or
      speakers at  commencement  day  exercises  in  such  amount  as  may  be
      determined by the board.
        23.  In  its discretion, and with the written consent of any employee,
      to deduct from the salary of such employee such amount as may be  agreed
      to  by  such  employee for payment to any credit union doing business in
      the state of New York as such employee may designate. Any  such  written
      authorization may be withdrawn by such employee at any time.
        * 24.  Each  year,  the  board  of  education  shall  prepare a school
      district report card, pursuant to regulations of the  commissioner,  and
      shall  make it publicly available by transmitting it to local newspapers
      of general circulation, appending it to copies of  the  proposed  budget
      made  publicly  available  as  required  by law, making it available for
      distribution at the annual meeting, and otherwise  disseminating  it  as
      required by the commissioner. Such report card shall include measures of
      the  academic performances of the school district, on a school by school
      basis, and measures of  the  fiscal  performance  of  the  district,  as
      prescribed   by   the  commissioner.  Pursuant  to  regulations  of  the
      commissioner the report  card  shall  also  compare  these  measures  to
      statewide  averages  for  all public schools, and statewide averages for
      public  schools  of  comparable  wealth  and  need,  developed  by   the
      commissioner.  Such  report  card  shall  include,  at  a  minimum,  any
      information on the  school  district  regarding  pupil  performance  and
      expenditure  per  pupil  required to be included in the annual report by
      the regents to the governor and the legislature pursuant to section  two
    
      hundred fifteen-a of this chapter; and any other information required by
      the  commissioner.  School  districts  (i)  identified as having fifteen
      percent or more of their students in special education,  or  (ii)  which
      have  fifty  percent  or  more  of  their  students with disabilities in
      special education programs or services sixty  percent  or  more  of  the
      school  day  in  a general education building, or (iii) which have eight
      percent or more of their students with disabilities in special education
      programs in  public  or  private  separate  educational  settings  shall
      indicate   on   their  school  district  report  card  their  respective
      percentages as defined in this paragraph and paragraphs (i) and (ii)  of
      this subdivision as compared to the statewide average.
        * NB Effective until June 30, 2015
        * 24.  In  every city school district in a city having a population of
      less than one million inhabitants, each year,  the  board  of  education
      shall  prepare a school district report card, pursuant to regulations of
      the commissioner, and shall make it publicly available  by  transmitting
      it to local newspapers of general circulation, appending it to copies of
      the  proposed  budget made publicly available as required by law, making
      it available for distribution  at  the  annual  meeting,  and  otherwise
      disseminating it as required by the commissioner. Such report card shall
      include measures of the academic performances of the school district, on
      a  school by school basis, and measures of the fiscal performance of the
      district, as prescribed by the commissioner. Pursuant to regulations  of
      the  commissioner  the  report card shall also compare these measures to
      statewide averages for all public schools, and  statewide  averages  for
      public   schools  of  comparable  wealth  and  need,  developed  by  the
      commissioner.  Such  report  card  shall  include,  at  a  minimum,  any
      information  on  the  school  district  regarding  pupil performance and
      expenditure per pupil required to be included in the  annual  report  by
      the  regents to the governor and the legislature pursuant to section two
      hundred fifteen-a of this chapter; and any other information required by
      the commissioner. School districts  (i)  identified  as  having  fifteen
      percent  or  more  of their students in special education, or (ii) which
      have fifty percent or  more  of  their  students  with  disabilities  in
      special  education  programs  or  services  sixty percent or more of the
      school day in a general education building, or (iii)  which  have  eight
      percent or more of their students with disabilities in special education
      programs  in  public  or  private  separate  educational  settings shall
      indicate  on  their  school  district  report  card   their   respective
      percentages  as defined in this paragraph and paragraphs (i) and (ii) of
      this subdivision as compared to the statewide average.
        * NB Effective June 30, 2015
        * 25. a. Shall require, for purposes  of  a  criminal  history  record
      check,  the  fingerprinting  of  all  prospective  employees pursuant to
      section three thousand thirty-five of this  chapter,  who  do  not  hold
      valid  clearance  pursuant  to such section or pursuant to section three
      thousand four-b of this chapter  or  section  five  hundred  nine-cc  or
      twelve  hundred  twenty-nine-d  of the vehicle and traffic law. Prior to
      initiating the fingerprinting process, the  prospective  employer  shall
      furnish  the  applicant  with  the  form  described  in paragraph (c) of
      subdivision thirty of section three hundred five  of  this  chapter  and
      shall  obtain  the  applicant's  consent to the criminal history records
      search. Every set of fingerprints taken  pursuant  to  this  subdivision
      shall  be  promptly  submitted  to  the  commissioner  for  purposes  of
      clearance for employment.
        b. Upon the  recommendation  of  the  superintendent,  the  board  may
      conditionally  appoint a prospective employee. A request for conditional
      clearance  shall  be  forwarded  to  the  commissioner  along  with  the
    
      prospective  employee's fingerprints, as required by paragraph a of this
      subdivision. Such appointment shall not commence until  notification  by
      the  commissioner  that  the prospective employee has been conditionally
      cleared  for  employment  and shall terminate forty-five days after such
      notification of conditional clearance or when the  prospective  employer
      is  notified  of  a  determination  by the commissioner to grant or deny
      clearance, whichever occurs earlier, and may not be extended or  renewed
      unless the commissioner issues a new conditional clearance after finding
      that  there  was  good cause for failing to obtain clearance within such
      period, provided that if clearance is  granted,  the  appointment  shall
      continue   and  the  conditional  status  shall  be  removed.  Prior  to
      commencement of such conditional appointment, the  prospective  employer
      shall  obtain  a  signed  statement for conditional appointment from the
      prospective employee, indicating whether, to the  best  of  his  or  her
      knowledge,  he  or  she  has  a  pending  criminal  charge  or  criminal
      conviction in any jurisdiction outside the state.
        c. Upon the recommendation of the superintendent, the board  may  make
      an  emergency  conditional  appointment  when  an  unforeseen  emergency
      vacancy has occurred. When such appointment is  made,  the  process  for
      conditional appointment pursuant to paragraph b of this subdivision must
      also  be initiated. Emergency conditional appointment may commence prior
      to notification from the commissioner on conditional clearance but shall
      terminate twenty business days from the date such appointment  commences
      or  when  the  prospective  employer  is  notified  by  the commissioner
      regarding conditional clearance, whichever occurs earlier, provided that
      if conditional clearance is granted, the appointment shall continue as a
      conditional appointment. Prior to the commencement of such  appointment,
      the  prospective  employer  must obtain a signed statement for emergency
      conditional  appointment  from  the  prospective  employee,   indicating
      whether,  to  the  best of his or her knowledge, he or she has a pending
      criminal  charge  or  criminal  conviction  in  any   jurisdiction.   An
      unforeseen  emergency  vacancy  shall  be defined as: (i) a vacancy that
      occurred less than ten business days before  the  start  of  any  school
      session,   including  summer  school,  or  during  any  school  session,
      including  summer  school,  without  sufficient  notice  to  allow   for
      clearance  or conditional clearance; (ii) when no other qualified person
      is available to fill the vacancy temporarily; and (iii)  when  emergency
      conditional  appointment  is  necessary  to  maintain services which the
      district is legally required to provide or services necessary to protect
      the health, education or safety of students or staff. The provisions  of
      subparagraph  (i)  of  this paragraph shall not apply if the board finds
      that the district has been unable to fill the vacancy despite good faith
      efforts to fill such vacancy  in  a  manner  which  would  have  allowed
      sufficient time for clearance or conditional clearance.
        d.  Shall  develop  a  policy  for the safety of the children who have
      contact with an employee holding conditional  appointment  or  emergency
      conditional appointment.
        * NB Effective until July 1, 2010
        * 25.  Shall require, for purposes of a criminal history record check,
      the fingerprinting of all  prospective  employees  pursuant  to  section
      three  thousand  thirty-five  of  this  chapter,  who  do not hold valid
      clearance pursuant to such section or pursuant to section three thousand
      four-b of this chapter or section five hundred nine-cc or twelve hundred
      twenty-nine-d of the vehicle and traffic law. Prior  to  initiating  the
      fingerprinting  process,  the  prospective  employer  shall  furnish the
      applicant with the form described in paragraph (c) of subdivision thirty
      of section three hundred five of  this  chapter  and  shall  obtain  the
      applicant's consent to the criminal history records search. Every set of
    
      fingerprints  taken  pursuant  to  this  subdivision  shall  be promptly
      submitted to the commissioner for purposes of clearance for employment.
        * NB Effective July 1, 2010 until June 30, 2015
        * 25.  Shall require, for purposes of a criminal history record check,
      except in the city  school  district  of  the  city  of  New  York,  the
      fingerprinting  of  all  prospective employees pursuant to section three
      thousand thirty-five of this chapter, who do not  hold  valid  clearance
      pursuant to such section or pursuant to section three thousand four-b of
      this   chapter  or  section  five  hundred  nine-cc  or  twelve  hundred
      twenty-nine-d of the vehicle and traffic law. Prior  to  initiating  the
      fingerprinting  process,  the  prospective  employer  shall  furnish the
      applicant with the form described in paragraph (c) of subdivision thirty
      of section three hundred five of  this  chapter  and  shall  obtain  the
      applicant's consent to the criminal history records search. Every set of
      fingerprints  taken  pursuant  to  this  subdivision  shall  be promptly
      submitted to the commissioner for purposes of clearance for employment.
        * NB Effective June 30, 2015
        * 26. Shall, upon commencement and termination  of  employment  of  an
      employee  by the city school district, provide the commissioner with the
      name of and position held by such employee.
        * NB Effective until June 30, 2015
        * 26. Shall, except in the city school district of  the  city  of  New
      York,  upon commencement and termination of employment of an employee by
      the city school district, provide the commissioner with the name of  and
      position held by such employee.
        * NB Effective June 30, 2015
        27.  Where  the  district  has  provided  transportation  to  students
      enrolled  in  such  district  to  a   school   sponsored   field   trip,
      extracurricular  activity  or  any other similar event, it shall provide
      transportation  back  to  either  the  point  of  departure  or  to  the
      appropriate  school in the district, unless the parent or legal guardian
      of a student  participating  in  such  event  has  provided  the  school
      district   with   written   notice,  consistent  with  district  policy,
      authorizing an  alternative  form  of  return  transportation  for  such
      student  or  unless  intervening  circumstances make such transportation
      impractical.   In   cases   where   intervening    circumstances    make
      transportation  of  a  student  back to the point of departure or to the
      appropriate school in the district impractical, a representative of  the
      school  district  shall  remain  with  the  student until such student's
      parent or legal guardian has been (a)  contacted  and  informed  of  the
      intervening circumstances which make such transportation impractical and
      (b)  such  student  had  been  delivered  to  his or her parent or legal
      guardian.