908                               LAWS OF MARYLAND                       [CH. 405

neglect of duty, upon making known to him, in writing, the charges
against him and upon giving him an opportunity of being heard in
person or by counsel in his own defense, upon not less than ten
days' notice. In case of vacancy due to any cause, the State Board
of Education shall fill the vacancy, and the appointment shall be
for the unexpired term and until a successor shall qualify.

24. Powers in general; withholding appropriations for violations.

The State Superintendent of Schools shall enforce all the provisions
of this article and of the enacted and published bylaws of the State
Board of Education. He is empowered to cause the State Comptroller,
through written notification, to withhold in case of violation of any
of the provisions of this article or of the bylaws enacted and pub-
lished by the State Board of Education, any part or all of any
appropriation made by the General Assembly to any educational
institution or to withhold any part or all of any payment to county
school boards from funds budgeted by the State of Maryland in
accordance with the provisions of this Article.

25.    Conferences, publications and examinations of reports.

(a)    The State Superintendent of Schools shall execute the edu-
cational policies of the State Board of Education. He shall call and
conduct conferences of county school boards and professional per-
sonnel of the county school systems on matters related to the condi-
tion, needs, and improvement of the schools. He shall prepare and
publish such pamphlets as will stimulate public interest, promote the
work of education, and foster in teachers professional insight and
efficiency.

(b)    The State Superintendent of Schools shall receive and ex-
amine all the reports required under the bylaws, rules and regulations
of the State Board of Education and, in person or through his
assistants, shall examine the expenditures, business methods, and
accounts of county school boards and advise them on the same.

26.    Approval of sites, buildings, and construction plans.

(a)    The State Superintendent of Schools shall, subject to the
bylaws, rules and regulations of the State Board of Education, pass
upon the following:

(1)    All proposals for the purchase of ground, school sites, or
buildings;

(2)    All proposals for the sale of the same;

(3)    All plans and specifications for the remodeling of school
buildings in excess of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000);

(4) All plans and specifications for the construction of new
school buildings; and

(5) All change orders in excess of twenty-five thousand dollars
($25,000) for the remodeling, restoration, or construction of school
buildings.

(b)    If the State Superintendent does not approve the plans,
specifications, and proposals as submitte