1. The board of education of a special school district with a population of not more than one hundred thousand persons shall consist of seven members to be elected as provided in sections 162.670 to 162.995. In addition to the duties required of boards of education of special school districts with a population of not more than one hundred thousand persons pursuant to sections 162.670 to 162.995, the board shall perform the same duties and is subject to the same liabilities as the board of a seven-director school district, other than an urban district, acting under the general school laws of the state of Missouri.

2. The board of education of a special school district with a population of not more than one hundred thousand persons shall have the power, in addition to powers granted elsewhere in sections 162.670 to 162.995 and in addition to powers granted to the boards of education of seven-director school districts, other than urban districts, under the general school laws of this state, to:

(1) Establish and operate programs for the education of handicapped and severely handicapped children residing in the district subject to rules and regulations of the state board of education and the state department of elementary and secondary education promulgated pursuant to sections 162.670 to 162.995;

(2) Establish and operate programs for the vocational education of residents of the district;

(3) Employ teachers and other personnel necessary to provide these programs; and

(4) Do such other things as are necessary and incidental to any of the foregoing powers whether set forth in sections 162.670 to 162.995 or in the laws applicable to seven-director school districts, except urban districts.