1. In metropolitan districts the superintendent of schools shall be appointed by the board of education for a term of one to five years, during which term his compensation shall not be reduced. The superintendent of schools may appoint, with the approval of the board, a treasurer, a commissioner of school buildings and he shall serve at the pleasure of the superintendent of schools and as many associate and assistant superintendents as he deems necessary, whose compensation shall be fixed by the board. The superintendent of schools shall give bond in the sum that the board requires but not less than fifty thousand dollars. No employee or agent of the board shall be a member of the board.

2. The superintendent of schools shall have general supervision, subject to policies established by the board, of the school system, including its various departments and physical properties, courses of instruction, discipline and conduct of the schools, textbooks and studies. All appointments, promotions and transfers of teachers and all other employees, and introduction and changes of textbooks and apparatus, shall be made by the superintendent with the approval of the board. All appointments and promotions of teachers and all other employees shall be made upon the basis of merit, to be ascertained, as far as practicable, in cases of appointment, by examination, and in cases of promotion, by length and character of service. Examinations for appointment shall be conducted by the superintendent under regulations to be made by the board. He shall make such reports to the board that it directs or the rules provide.

3. The superintendent of schools shall have general supervision, subject to policies established by the board, of all school buildings, apparatus, equipment and school grounds and of their construction, installation, operation, repair, care and maintenance; the purchasing of all supplies and equipment; the operation of the school lunchrooms; the administration of examinations for the appointment and promotion of all employees of the school system; and the preparation and administration of the annual budget for the school system. Subject to the approval of the board of education as to number and salaries, the superintendent may appoint as many employees as are necessary for the proper performance of his duties.

4. The board may grant a leave of absence to the superintendent of schools, and may remove him from office by vote of a majority of its members.

5. Should the superintendent hire a commissioner of school buildings, said person shall be a person qualified by reason of education, experience and general familiarity with buildings and personnel to assume the following responsibilities and duties. Subject to the control of the superintendent of schools, he shall exercise supervision over all school buildings, machinery, heating systems, equipment, school grounds and other buildings and premises of the board of education and the construction, installation, operation, repair, care and maintenance related thereto and the personnel connected therewith; the purchasing of building supplies and equipment and such other duties as may be assigned to him by board rules or regulations.