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HomeEducation CodeCh. 5Art. 3§ 17604 School Contract Delegation Rules

§ 17604 School Contract Delegation Rules

Education Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 17604 School Contract Delegation Rules

Key Takeaways

  • •The school board can let the superintendent or other school workers make deals (like buying supplies or hiring people) for them.
  • •The school board can set limits on these deals, like how much money can be spent or what kinds of deals can be made.
  • •No deal is final until the school board says it’s okay. They have to vote and agree on it.
  • •If the person making the deal does something bad on purpose (like wasting school money), they have to pay the school back.

Example

The superintendent signs a deal to buy 100 new computers for the school without checking if it’s a good price.

The deal isn’t official until the school board votes and says it’s okay. If the superintendent knew the computers were way too expensive and did it anyway, they’d have to pay the school back for the extra money wasted.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 17604 School Contract Delegation Rules

Wherever in this code the power to contract is invested in the governing board of the school district or any member thereof, the power may by a majority vote of the board be delegated to its district superintendent, or to any persons that he or she may designate, or if there be no district superintendent then to any other officer or employee of the district that the board may designate. The delegation of power may be limited as to time, money or subject matter or may be a blanket authorization in advance of its exercise, all as the governing board may direct. However, no contract made pursuant to the delegation and authorization shall be valid or constitute an enforceable obligation against the district unless and until the same shall have been approved or ratified by the governing board, the approval or ratification to be evidenced by a motion of the board duly passed and adopted. In the event of malfeasance in office, the school district official invested by the governing board with the power of contract shall be personally liable to the school district employing him or her for any and all moneys of the district paid out as a result of the malfeasance. (Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 277, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1997. Operative January 1, 1998.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

governing boardpower to contractdelegationdistrict superintendentapproval or ratificationmalfeasance

Related Statutes

  • § 17605 District Purchasing Delegation Rules
  • § 17606 District Superintendent Spending Authority
  • § 17595 School District Purchasing Authority
  • § 17598 School District Data Contracts
  • § 17600 Employing Certificated Employees For Equipment Rep

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Education Code. Section 17604.
View Official Source