CONTROL OVER DEPARTMENT; DEPARTMENT MISSION.

(a) The board is the governing body of the department and is responsible for the operations of the department.

(b) The board shall develop and implement policies that clearly separate the policymaking responsibilities of the board and the management responsibilities of the executive director and the staff of the department.

(b-1) The board may delegate to the executive director the board's responsibilities as the board determines appropriate.

(b-2) In making a delegation under Subsection (b-1), the board shall provide, as appropriate:

(1) to the executive director with respect to each delegation:

(A) clear direction;

(B) performance measures; and

(C) reporting requirements; and

(2) to the department, sufficient oversight to ensure that delegated responsibilities are performed according to the mission and funding priorities described by Subsection (c).

(b-3) The executive director is a full-time employee of the board and shall:

(1) perform the regular administrative functions of the board and any other duty as the board directs; and

(2) under the direction of the board, perform the duties required by this subtitle or designated by the board.

(b-4) The executive director may not perform a discretionary or decision-making function for which the board is solely responsible.

(c) The board shall establish the mission of the department with the goal of establishing a cost-effective continuum of youth services that emphasizes keeping youth in their home communities while balancing the interests of rehabilitative needs with public safety. The board shall establish funding priorities for services that support this mission and that do not provide incentives to incarcerate youth.