(1) A district superintendent for a combined elementary-high school district or a county high school district or an independent elementary school district shall be assigned as follows:

(a) full or part-time district superintendent and at least a half-time school administrator/principal as defined in ARM 10.55.705(1) (a) or (b) shall be employed for an independent elementary district with fewer than 18 full-time equivalent (FTE) licensed staff, or the district shall utilize the services of the county superintendent to fulfill the duties of the district superintendent. One individual may serve as both district superintendent and part-time school administrator/principal as defined in ARM 10.55.705(1) (a) or (b) . A superintendent serving under this subsection shall devote full time to administration and supervision not to exceed a total assignment of 100% FTE.

(b) A full or part-time district superintendent and at least a half-time school administrator/principal shall be employed for a combined elementary-high school district or a county high school district with fewer than 30 FTE licensed staff. A full or part-time district superintendent and at least a half-time school administrator/ principal shall be employed for an independent elementary district with more than 18 but fewer than 30 FTE licensed staff. One administrator may serve as both superintendent and part-time school administrator/principal as defined in ARM 10.55.705 (1) (a) or (b) . A superintendent serving under this subsection shall devote full time to administration and supervision not to exceed a total assignment of 100% FTE.

(c) A full-time (one FTE) district superintendent shall be employed for any district with 30 or more FTE licensed staff or 551 or more students.

(2) A combined elementary-high school district, or a county high school district, or an independent elementary school district with 100 or more FTE licensed staff shall employ a full-time curriculum coordinator to supervise the educational program and alignment of standards, assessment, curriculum, instruction, and instructional materials. The curriculum coordinator shall hold a class 3 administrative license. Those districts with less than 100 FTE licensed staff and no full-time curriculum coordinator shall employ the services of a regional curriculum consortium or a part-time, designated curriculum coordinator.