(a)(1) A public university in this state that is a comprehensive doctoral-extensive institution of higher learning and the home to a public training school compendium that includes pre-kindergarten (pre-K) through any of the grades nine through twelve (9-12), and that provides transfer student enrollment opportunities pursuant to § 49-2128, may operate an innovative school district in a county in which the public university maintains a campus.(2) The University of Memphis is authorized to operate the initial innovative school district. The department may approve additional public universities that meet the qualifications described in subdivision (a)(1) to operate an innovative school district based upon future state educational needs.(b)(1) Notwithstanding § 49-2-203, the governing body for a public university that is approved by the department of education to operate an innovative school district shall serve as the local board of education for such innovative school district. The governing body may appoint from its membership a committee to perform the functions of a local board of education for the innovative school district. If the governing body appoints a committee to perform the functions of a local board of education for the innovative school district, then the committee is authorized to take any action that the governing body is authorized or required to take concerning the operation of the innovative school district.(2) Notwithstanding a law to the contrary, the governing body for a public university that is approved by the department of education to operate an innovative school district has, at a minimum, the same authority and autonomy afforded to LEAs under state law regarding the procurement of goods and services, including, but not limited to, personal, professional, consulting, and social services. The governing body shall develop written procedures for the procurement of all goods and services in compliance with the expenditure thresholds for competitive bidding outlined or permitted in § 49-2-203.(3) The governing body for a public university that is approved by the department of education to operate an innovative school district is authorized to exercise the authority with regard to schools in such innovative school district as a state college or university is authorized to exercise pursuant to § 49-8-105. A governing body for a public university that is approved by the department of education to operate an innovative school. district is not required to contract with an LEA for the operation of a training school in order to exercise the authority authorized PY this subdivision (b)(3).(4) The governing body for a public university that is approved by the department of education to operate an innovative school district may, in the operation of such innovative school district,, exercise the powers and duties authorized by § 498-203.(5) The governing. body for a public university that is approved by the department of education to operate an innovative school district may delegate to the chief executive officer of the public university authorization to designate a university employee to serve as the director of schools for the innovative school district. Notwithstanding this chapter or another law to the contrary, and except as otherwise provided in this part, the governing body for a public university that is approved to operate an innovative school district shall employ the university employee to serve as the director of schools for the innovative school district. Excep as otherwise provided in this part, the university employee selected to serve as the director of schools for an innovative school district is authorized and required to perform the functions of a director of schools for the innovative school district, including, but not limited to, performing the duties outlined in § 49-2-301. If the governing body for a public university that is approved by the department of education to operate an innovative school district appoints a committee to perform the functions of a local board of education for the innovative school district pursuant to subdivision (b)(1), then the university employee selected to serve as the director of schools for the innovative school district shall serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member of the established committee and liaison between the board and the schools.Added by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1053,s 1, eff. 5/28/2024, app. to the 2024-2025 school year and each school year thereafter.