Tennessee Code Annotated

Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-203 (2026)

Duties and powers

✓ current as of May 2026
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Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 735,s 1, eff. 4/19/2024.

Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 550,s 2, eff. 3/11/2024.

Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 513,s 16, eff. 3/1/2024.

Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 513,s 15, eff. 3/1/2024.

Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 513,s 14, eff. 3/1/2024.

Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 966, s 45, eff. 7/1/2023.

Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 966, s 44, eff. 7/1/2023.

Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 350, s 1, eff. 5/5/2023.

Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 686, s 5, eff. 3/28/2022.

Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 310, Secs.s 2, s 3 eff. 7/1/2021.

Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 310, s 1, eff. 7/1/2021.

Amended by 2020 Tenn. Acts, ch. 618, s 1, eff. 3/25/2020.

Amended by 2020 Tenn. Acts, ch. 576, s 2, eff. 3/19/2020.

Amended by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 248, Secs.s 13, s 25, s 26, s 27 eff. 5/2/2019.

Amended by 2016 Tenn. Acts, ch. 532, s 1, eff. 2/24/2016.

Amended by 2014 Tenn. Acts, ch. 901, s 2, eff. 5/13/2014.

Amended by 2013 Tenn. Acts, ch. 281, s 1, eff. 4/25/2013.

Acts 1925, ch. 115, § 6; Shan. Supp., §§ 1487a35, 1487a36; Code 1932, ch. 175, § 1; Code 1932, § 2326; Acts 1947, ch. 92, § 17; 1947, ch. 142, §§ 1, 2; 1949, ch. 102, § 1; mod. C. Supp. 1950, § 2326 (Williams, §§ 2326, 2326.1, 2496.1); Acts 1957, ch. 90, § 2; 1974, ch. 654, §§ 14-22; 1975, ch. 56, § 1; modified; Acts 1977, ch. 184, § 1; 1977, ch. 196, §§ 1, 2; 1977, ch. 243, § 1; 1979, ch. 19, § 1; 1979, ch. 221, § 1; 1981, ch. 150, § 1; 1981, ch. 187, § 1; 1981, ch. 200, § 1; 1982, ch. 765, § 1; 1983, ch. 243, § 2; 1983, ch. 296, § 1; 1983, ch. 362, § 1; 1983, ch. 367, § 1; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), §§ 49-214, 49-215; Acts 1984 (1st Ex. Sess.), ch. 7, § 94; 1984, ch. 549, § 1; 1984, ch. 596, § 1; 1986, ch. 521, §§ 1, 2, 4, 5; 1986, ch. 689, § 1; 1987, ch. 280, §§ 1, 3; 1988, ch. 479, § 1; 1988, ch. 640, § 1; 1988, ch. 659, § 1; 1989, ch. 37, § 1; 1989, ch. 199, § 1; 1990, ch. 711, § 1; 1990, ch. 903, § 1; 1992, ch. 535, §§ 7, 8, 20, 48; 1992, ch. 603, § 1; 1992, ch. 657, §§ 1, 2, 4, 6; 1995, ch. 179, §§ 9, 10; 1996, ch. 923, §§ 1, 2; 1996, ch. 988, § 9; 1996, ch. 1079, § 183; 1998, ch. 1060, § 1; 2000, ch. 981, § 38; 2001, ch. 269, § 1; 2001, ch. 270, § 1; 2002, ch. 770, § 1; 2002, ch. 824, §§ 1, 2; 2004, ch. 585, § 1; 2004, ch. 764, § 1; 2005, ch. 462, § 1; 2006, ch. 567, §§ 1 - 3; 2006, ch. 664, §§ 1, 2; 2006, ch. 751, §§ 1, 2; 2006, ch. 848, § 1; 2007 , ch. 315, § 1; 2008 , ch. 647, § 1; 2008 , ch. 683, § 1; 2008 , ch. 940, § 1; 2009 , ch. 514, § 1; 2010 , ch. 755, § 1; 2011 , ch. 138, § 1; 2012 , ch. 823, §§ 1, 2; 2012 , ch. 905, § 1; 2012 , ch. 934, § 1.


Notes of Decisions
Cited in 51 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1985–2024 · leading case: S. Constructors, Inc. v. Loudon Cnty. Bd. of Educ., 58 S.W.3d 706 (Tenn. 2001).
S. Constructors, Inc. v. Loudon Cnty. Bd. of Educ., 58 S.W.3d 706 (Tenn. 2001). · cites it 6× “” However, no part of section 49-2-203 expressly mentions any authority to enter into arbitration agreements, either to confer the power or to deny it.”
Cnty. of Shelby v. McWherter, 936 S.W.2d 923 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1996). · cites it 13× “(d) In place of the abolished office of the county superintendent of public instruction, each local board of education is authorized to employ a director of schools, as *926 provided for in § 49-2-203, subject to requirements of law.”
Lawrence Cnty. Educ. Ass'n v. Lawrence Cnty. Bd. of Educ., 244 S.W.3d 302 (Tenn. 2007). · cites it 7× “Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-203 (2002 & Supp.2007).”
Arnwine v. Union Cnty. Bd. of Educ., 120 S.W.3d 804 (Tenn. 2003). · cites it 5× “]” Tenn.Code Ann. § 49-2-203(a)(1) (1996 & Supp.”
Marion Cnty. Bd. of Educ. v. Marion Cnty. Educ. Ass'n, 86 S.W.3d 202 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2001). · cites it 7× “Tenn.Code Ann. § 49-2-203(a)(15)(A). 6 . Prior to the EIA, such duties lay with the Board, the superintendent, or a combination, depending on the type of employee and the action involved.”
Cantrell v. Knox Cnty. Bd. of Educ., 53 S.W.3d 659 (Tenn. 2001). · cites it 7× “However, even if this statute had been effective, the analysis applied and conclusion reached with respect to Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-203 (a)(7) would have applied with equal force to this statute.”
Kelley v. Shelby Cnty. Bd. of Educ., 198 F. Supp. 3d 842 (W.D. Tenn. 2016). · cites it 4× “Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 49-2-203 (a)(l), 49-5-511.”
Mike Allmand v. Jon Pavletic, 292 S.W.3d 618 (Tenn. 2009). · cites it 2× “Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-203 (a)(14)(A) (2002 & Supp.”
I.L. ex rel. Taylor v. Knox Cnty. Bd. of Educ., 257 F. Supp. 3d 946 (E.D. Tenn. 2017). · cites it 2× “§ 49-2-203(a). School boards manage the day-to *967 day affairs and keep school districts running.”
Washington Cnty. Bd. of Educ. v. MarketAmerica, Inc., 693 S.W.2d 344 (Tenn. 1985). · cites it 6× “T.C.A. § 49-2-203(a)(2) states “[i]t shall be the duty of the local board of education .”
Christian Heyne v. Metro. Nashville Bd. of Pub. Educ., 380 S.W.3d 715 (Tenn. 2012). · cites it 2× “, Tenn.Code Ann. § 49-2-203(a)(7) (Supp.2011) (empowering local boards of education to suspend or dismiss pupils when the progress, safety, or efficiency of the school makes it necessary or when disruptive, threatening, or violent students endanger the safety of other students…”
State ex rel. Thompson v. Walker, 845 S.W.2d 752 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1992). · cites it 6× “Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-2-203 2 sets forth the powers and duties of *757 the local school board.”
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-203(12) — 1 case
Bundren v. Peters, 732 F. Supp. 1486 (E.D. Tenn. 1989).
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-203(13) — 1 case
Richardson ex rel. Richardson v. Fentress Cnty. Sch. Bd., 840 S.W.2d 940 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1992).
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-203(4)(C)(1) — 1 case
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-203(a) — 5 cases
Lawrence Cnty. Educ. Ass'n v. Lawrence Cnty. Bd. of Educ., 244 S.W.3d 302 (Tenn. 2007). “Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-203 (2002 & Supp.2007).”
I.L. ex rel. Taylor v. Knox Cnty. Bd. of Educ., 257 F. Supp. 3d 946 (E.D. Tenn. 2017). “§ 49-2-203(a). School boards manage the day-to *967 day affairs and keep school districts running.”
Bd. of Educ. v. Memphis City Bd. of Educ., 911 F. Supp. 2d 631 (W.D. Tenn. 2012).
State Ex Rel. Bd. of Educ. v. City of Memphis, 329 S.W.3d 465 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2010).
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-203(a)(1) — 11 cases
Arnwine v. Union Cnty. Bd. of Educ., 120 S.W.3d 804 (Tenn. 2003). “]” Tenn.Code Ann. § 49-2-203(a)(1) (1996 & Supp.”
Virnie Fulks v. J. Hulan Watson (Tenn. Ct. App. 2001).
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-203(a)(1)(B) — 1 case
Cantrell v. Knox Cnty. Bd. of Educ., 53 S.W.3d 659 (Tenn. 2001). “However, even if this statute had been effective, the analysis applied and conclusion reached with respect to Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-203 (a)(7) would have applied with equal force to this statute.”
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-203(a)(14) — 1 case
Cnty. of Shelby v. McWherter, 936 S.W.2d 923 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1996). “(d) In place of the abolished office of the county superintendent of public instruction, each local board of education is authorized to employ a director of schools, as *926 provided for in § 49-2-203, subject to requirements of law.”
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-203(a)(15) — 1 case
Cnty. of Shelby v. McWherter, 936 S.W.2d 923 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1996). “(d) In place of the abolished office of the county superintendent of public instruction, each local board of education is authorized to employ a director of schools, as *926 provided for in § 49-2-203, subject to requirements of law.”
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-203(a)(15)(A) — 5 cases
Arnwine v. Union Cnty. Bd. of Educ., 120 S.W.3d 804 (Tenn. 2003). “]” Tenn.Code Ann. § 49-2-203(a)(1) (1996 & Supp.”
Lawrence Cnty. Educ. Ass'n v. Lawrence Cnty. Bd. of Educ., 244 S.W.3d 302 (Tenn. 2007). “Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-203 (2002 & Supp.2007).”
Marion Cnty. Bd. of Educ. v. Marion Cnty. Educ. Ass'n, 86 S.W.3d 202 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2001). “Tenn.Code Ann. § 49-2-203(a)(15)(A). 6 . Prior to the EIA, such duties lay with the Board, the superintendent, or a combination, depending on the type of employee and the action involved.”
Cnty. of Shelby v. McWherter, 936 S.W.2d 923 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1996). “(d) In place of the abolished office of the county superintendent of public instruction, each local board of education is authorized to employ a director of schools, as *926 provided for in § 49-2-203, subject to requirements of law.”
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-203(a)(15)(B) — 2 cases
Cnty. of Shelby v. McWherter, 936 S.W.2d 923 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1996). “(d) In place of the abolished office of the county superintendent of public instruction, each local board of education is authorized to employ a director of schools, as *926 provided for in § 49-2-203, subject to requirements of law.”
Marion Cnty. Bd. of Educ. v. Marion Cnty. Educ. Ass'n, 86 S.W.3d 202 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2001). “Tenn.Code Ann. § 49-2-203(a)(15)(A). 6 . Prior to the EIA, such duties lay with the Board, the superintendent, or a combination, depending on the type of employee and the action involved.”
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-203(a)(15)(B)(I) — 1 case
Cnty. of Shelby v. McWherter, 936 S.W.2d 923 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1996). “(d) In place of the abolished office of the county superintendent of public instruction, each local board of education is authorized to employ a director of schools, as *926 provided for in § 49-2-203, subject to requirements of law.”
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-203(a)(2) — 2 cases
I.L. ex rel. Taylor v. Knox Cnty. Bd. of Educ., 257 F. Supp. 3d 946 (E.D. Tenn. 2017). “§ 49-2-203(a). School boards manage the day-to *967 day affairs and keep school districts running.”
Washington Cnty. Bd. of Educ. v. MarketAmerica, Inc., 693 S.W.2d 344 (Tenn. 1985). “T.C.A. § 49-2-203(a)(2) states “[i]t shall be the duty of the local board of education .”
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-203(a)(4) — 1 case
S. Constructors, Inc. v. Loudon Cnty. Bd. of Educ., 58 S.W.3d 706 (Tenn. 2001). “” However, no part of section 49-2-203 expressly mentions any authority to enter into arbitration agreements, either to confer the power or to deny it.”
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-203(a)(7) — 2 cases
Christian Heyne v. Metro. Nashville Bd. of Pub. Educ., 380 S.W.3d 715 (Tenn. 2012). “, Tenn.Code Ann. § 49-2-203(a)(7) (Supp.2011) (empowering local boards of education to suspend or dismiss pupils when the progress, safety, or efficiency of the school makes it necessary or when disruptive, threatening, or violent students endanger the safety of other students…”
Cantrell v. Knox Cnty. Bd. of Educ., 53 S.W.3d 659 (Tenn. 2001). “However, even if this statute had been effective, the analysis applied and conclusion reached with respect to Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-203 (a)(7) would have applied with equal force to this statute.”
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-203(a)(8) — 1 case
Seal v. Morgan, 229 F.3d 567 (6th Cir. 2000).
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-203(a)(l) — 5 cases
Lawrence Cnty. Educ. Ass'n v. Lawrence Cnty. Bd. of Educ., 244 S.W.3d 302 (Tenn. 2007). “Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-203 (2002 & Supp.2007).”
Carter Cnty. Bd. of Educ. v. Carter Cnty. Educ. Ass'n, 56 S.W.3d 1 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1996).
Marion Cnty. Bd. of Educ. v. Marion Cnty. Educ. Ass'n, 86 S.W.3d 202 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2001). “Tenn.Code Ann. § 49-2-203(a)(15)(A). 6 . Prior to the EIA, such duties lay with the Board, the superintendent, or a combination, depending on the type of employee and the action involved.”
Ray v. Bd. of Educ., 72 S.W.3d 657 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2001).
Preston Barbee v. Union City Bd. of Educ., 559 F. App'x 450 (6th Cir. 2014).
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-203(a)(ll) — 3 cases
Washington Cnty. Bd. of Educ. v. MarketAmerica, Inc., 693 S.W.2d 344 (Tenn. 1985). “T.C.A. § 49-2-203(a)(2) states “[i]t shall be the duty of the local board of education .”
State Ex Rel. Weaver v. Ayers, 756 S.W.2d 217 (Tenn. 1988).
State ex rel. Thompson v. Walker, 845 S.W.2d 752 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1992). “Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-2-203 2 sets forth the powers and duties of *757 the local school board.”
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-203(b)(2) — 1 case
Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the Syfert caselaw corpus and ranked by authority, recency, and treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.