20-3-201. Election and qualifications -- part-time office allowed. (1) A county superintendent must be elected in each county of the state unless a county manager form of government has been organized in the county. The county superintendent must be elected at the general election preceding the expiration of the term of office of the incumbent.

(2) Upon verification by the county clerk and recorder, a person is qualified to file for and assume the office of county superintendent who:

(a) is a qualified elector;

(b) holds a valid, current class 1 professional certificate, class 2 standard certificate, or class 3 administrative and supervisory certificate issued by the superintendent of public instruction; and

(c) has at least 3 years of successful teaching experience.

(3) (a) When the office of county superintendent of schools is consolidated with another county office within the county, the officeholder must have the qualifications listed in subsection (2) or shall, with the approval of the governing body, contract for the full performance of the duties required of a county superintendent in 20-3-207 and 20-3-210 with:

(i) another county superintendent, with the approval of the governing body of that county;

(ii) a former county superintendent; or

(iii) a person who:

(A) is a qualified elector;

(B) holds a valid administrative certificate as provided in 20-4-106(1)(c);

(C) takes the oath of office in 20-1-202;

(D) is bonded in the manner provided for county officers in Title 2, chapter 9, part 7; and

(E) attends instructional training in the duties of a county superintendent as offered by the superintendent of public instruction.

(b) Whenever a governing body contracts with a person for performance of the duties required of a county superintendent under the provisions of subsection (3)(a)(iii), the contract must be for at least the duration of 1 school fiscal year.

(c) The superintendent of public instruction shall prescribe a contract form to be used.

(4) The board of county commissioners may establish the office of county superintendent as a part-time office under the provisions of 20-3-213, and adjust the salary established in 7-4-2503 to make it commensurate with the reduction in hours. A part-time county superintendent shall perform all duties of that office that are required by law.