With the consent and concurrence of the Director of the Department of Corrections, the board of the school district shall operate as executory agent for the schools under its jurisdiction and shall perform administrative functions as follows:

(1) establish goals and objectives for the operation of the district;

(2) enter into agreements and contracts with other school districts, technical schools, colleges and universities;

(3) establish academic education programs ranging from primary through post high school, as well as special education for the handicapped and persons with intellectual disability;

(4) establish vocational and trade courses as appropriate for preparation for employment;

(5) determine physical facilities needed to carry out all education programs;

(6) review and approve applications for grants, donations, contracts and other agreements from public or private sources;

(7) establish a twelve-month school program and teachers’ pay schedule based on the state and average school supplement pay scales;

(8) present an annual educational budget to the Department of Corrections for submission to the General Assembly. The Department of Corrections when making its annual budget request shall incorporate as a line item the budget of the district within its request. To the extent permitted by law, any funds which may be appropriated by the General Assembly for the operation of the district shall not prohibit the district from securing any applicable federal funds or other funds which are available.