Parish school boards may rent sixteenth section lands, except as otherwise provided by law, by resolution of the board and without the authority of a vote of the electors of the township in which such lands are located.  All funds realized by the parish school boards from the rent of sixteenth sections shall be credited to the general school funds of the parish.

All elections to authorize the sale of sixteenth section lands, or of timber on sixteenth section lands, shall be conducted by the parish school boards, and the funds realized from such sale, after deducting for necessary expenses connected with such elections, shall be promptly forwarded to the state auditor for credit to the proper township.