A-210 District Board Authorities

As a body created under the law by the State of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 38, the College District Board has full authority, within the limitations of federal and state laws and the interpretation of time, to carry out the will of the people of this District in matters of technical and adult education.

The legal authority for the District is derived from the State, which determines the degree of discretionary power of the District Boards and the people of the District for the exercise of local autonomy.

Legal authority is granted only to the District Board as a whole. Individual District Board members or groups of District Board members do not have independent authority to speak for the District Board. They should make no out-of-meeting commitments unless directed to do so on behalf of the District Board.

The District Board is committed to fulfilling its duties and responsibilities according to Policy A-220 – District Board Powers and Duties. In Wisconsin Statue Chapter 38.14 (1) – (14), the District Board's powers include:

• Legal Proceedings: The District Board may sue and be sued in the name of the District and may prosecute or defend all suits brought by or against the District. The individual members of the District Board and Employees of the District shall be held harmless for any liability they may incur in their duties.
• Buildings and Equipment: For the use of District schools, the District Board may:
  • Purchase or lease materials, supplies, and equipment.

  • Purchase or lease suitable land and buildings and rent to others any portion of such land and buildings not needed for school purposes.

  • Purchase or lease suitable land and buildings and rent to others any portion of such land and buildings not needed for school purposes.

  • Construct, enlarge, and improve buildings. Existing school buildings shall be used as far as practicable.

  All conveyances, leases, and contracts shall be in the name of the District.

• Contracts for Services: The District Board may enter contracts to provide educational Services to public and private educational institutions, local governmental bodies, federal and state agencies, industries, and businesses. It may contract with a foreign government or a company not operating in this state if the District Board can demonstrate that the District will receive a direct and measurable benefit from the contract and will not reduce the quality of education at the College. Contracts are subject to statutory conditions.
• Gifts and Grants: The District Board may accept gifts, grants, and bequests to support its functions.
• Advisory Committees: The District Board may establish advisory committees representing every occupation in the District.
• Transportation: The District Board may provide transportation for Students within the District, but no state aid may be paid for this service.
• Sale of Articles: The District Board may sell articles manufactured within the College at market value. The proceeds from such sales shall be paid to the district treasurer.
• Activity, Incidental, and Vocational-Adult Seminar and Workshop Fees: The District Board may establish a Student activity and incidental fees to fund, in whole or in part, the cost of services and activities offered as support services for regular instruction. With the approval of the WTCS President/State Director, the District Board may establish fees for vocational-adult seminars and workshops, not to exceed the total cost of the seminar or workshop, less the fee charged under Wisconsin Stats. 38.24 (1m).
• Bonds for Officers and Employees: The District Board may require an Officer or Employee to give security for the faithful performance of their duties in such form and amount as the District Board determines and may require additional bonds and sureties of any Officer or Employee at any time.
• Displaced Homemakers Program: The District Board may apply for and spend grant funds from the State District Board for the displaced homemakers’ programs. Such funds may be spent on contracts with local community organizations.
• Initiatives to Provide Coordinated Services: If the county District Board of Supervisors establishes an initiative to provide coordinated services under s. 59.53(7), the District Board may participate and enter into written interagency agreements or contracts.
• Parking Regulations and Fees: The District Board may establish parking regulations and fees for parking of motor vehicles on College Premises under its jurisdiction.
• Student Identification Numbers: The District Board may assign each Student enrolled in the District a unique identification number that is not identical to or incorporates the Student’s social security number. This does not prohibit the District Board from requiring the Student to disclose their social security number.

Further, Wisconsin Statute Chapters 38.15 and 38.16 powers include:

• The District Board may levy an annual tax on the total value of the District's taxable property to make capital improvements, acquire equipment, operate and maintain the District's schools, and pay principal and interest on valid bonds or notes now or hereafter outstanding, as provided in s. 67.035.
• The District Board may borrow money and levy taxes used to purchase or the construction of buildings, enlargements, improvements to buildings, and acquisition of sites and equipment. The District Board may issue its bonds or promissory notes under Ch. 67 to pay the cost.