Avery County Schools Policy Policy Code: 6420

CONTRACTS WITH THE BOARD

Avery County Board of Education is the sole entity authorized to execute formal contracts between the school system and any firm or person offering to provide materials, equipment or services to the school system. Creditors are on notice that the board may choose not to honor contracts entered into by school or school system officials without authority to enter into contracts.

A. AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS

     No contract requiring the expenditure of funds may be agreed upon unless the budget resolution adopted pursuant
     to board policy 8110, Budget Resolution, authorizes the expense and there is a sufficient unencumbered balance
     to pay the amount to be disbursed. (See policy 6421, Pre-Audit Certification.) No contract may be entered into
     with a restricted company as listed by the state treasurer in accordance with G.S. 147, art. 6E or 6G, except as
     permitted by those laws.

     Any contract involving expenditures in excess of $1000 must be reviewed by the board attorney and approved in
     advance by the board unless provided otherwise in board policy. (Approval requirements for construction and
     repair contracts are established in policy 9120, Bidding for Construction Work.) Unless otherwise prohibited by
     statute or regulation, the superintendent or his or her designee is authorized to enter into contracts or approve
     amendments to contracts involving amounts up to $1,000.00. However, change orders for construction and repair
     contracts are subject to the requirements of policy 9030, Facility Construction, not this provision.

     To provide greater flexibility at the school level, the superintendent also may establish circumstances in which
     principals may enter contracts involving amounts up to $1000. The superintendent, with appropriate involvement
     of the finance officer, shall establish any procedures necessary to ensure fiscal accountability and reporting by
     principals who enter in to contracts.

B. CONTRACT FORMS

     Any contract forms developed for use by a school or the school district must be reviewed by the board attorney.

C. LEASE PURCHASE CONTRACTS

     Any request to enter lease purchase contracts as authorized by G.S. 115C-528, regardless of dollar amount, must
     be approved by the finance officer. After considering the principal and amount of interest, the superintendent
     must determine that the lease purchase is a fiscally prudent choice that is consistent with board policy.

     The finance officer shall provide the board with periodic reports on lease purchase contracts, including the
     amount of the principal, interest paid, and the amount of the outstanding obligation.

D. OTHER APPLICABLE POLICIES AND LAWS

     Purchases will be made as required by the State Division of Purchase and Contract in accordance with the
     Division’s rules and regulations, as authorized by G.S. 115C-522.

     All contracts involving construction or repair work or purchase of apparatus, supplies, materials, or equipment
     must be undertaken in compliance with Chapter 143 of the North Carolina General Statutes, except as provided
     elsewhere by state law. Contracts must also comply with applicable board policies, including, but not limited to,
     policies 6430, Purchasing Requirements for Equipment, Materials, and Supplies; 6450, Purchase of Services;

Avery County Schools Page 1 of 2 9030, Facility Construction, 9110, Use and Selection of Architects, Engineers, Surveyors, and Construction Managers at Risk; and 9120, Bidding for Construction Work.

     All contracts subject to the E-Verify requirement will contain a provision stating that the contractor and the
     contractor’s subcontractors must comply with the requirements of Article 2 of Chapter 64 of the General Statutes.

Legal References: G.S. 64 art. 2; 115C-36, -47, -264, -440, -441, -522, -528; 143-49 and art. 8; 147 art. 6E, art. 6G

Cross References: Pre-Audit Certification (policy 6421), Purchasing Requirements for Equipment, Materials, and Supplies (policy 6430), Purchase of Services (policy 6450), Budget Resolution (policy 8110), Facility Construction (policy 9030), Use and Selection of Architects, Engineers, Surveyors, and Construction Managers at Risk (policy 9110), Bidding for Construction Work (policy 9120)

Adopted: 4/24/06

Revised: 10/12/09; 10/11/16; 3/13/18