§ 70-5-116a. Superintendent and officers – Employment requirement – Surety bonds.

A.  The superintendent and any financial officer of a school district shall be required to furnish a surety bond in the penal sum of not less than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) or an amount otherwise set by law or set by the State Board of Education, to be approved as provided by law, and to assure the faithful performance of the duties of the covered officer and employees.

B.  Whenever the superintendent or any officer or other employee of any school district is required to furnish a surety bond as a prerequisite to employment as provided for in this section or any other law, the requirement as to terms, conditions, penalty, amount or quality or type of surety shall be deemed to mean the furnishing of a separate bond or surety contract for each individual officer or employee, or the furnishing of a "blanket bond".  For purposes of this section, “blanket bond” means a school district officer and employees blanket position bond which covers all officers and employees up to the penalty of the bond for each officer and employee and the full penalty of the bond is always enforced during its term and no restoration is necessary and there is no additional premium after a loss is paid.

C.  All surety bonds as required by this section or other laws shall be furnished by a company duly qualified under the insurance laws of this state and shall be purchased by the school district.  Each surety bond shall be payable to the school district and, whenever possible, conditioned on the faithful performance of the duties of the individuals covered during their employment or term of office and that they will properly account for all monies and property received by virtue of their position or employment.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 222, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 2009, c. 250, § 2, eff. July 1, 2009.