(a) The State Board of Education shall annually determine the amount of funds needed for operation of the state schools for the deaf and blind. Such funds appropriated by the General Assembly shall be made available for the operation of these schools under rules and regulations prescribed by the state board.

(b) Employees of the state schools for the deaf and blind governed by the State Board of Education shall serve in the unclassified service of the state merit system as defined by Code Section 45-20-6, provided that employees who serve in the classified service of the state merit system as defined by Code Section 45-20-6 may elect to remain in the classified service and be governed by the provisions thereof; provided, further, that such employees who choose to be promoted to unclassified positions or who request to transfer to different positions or locations shall become members of the unclassified service.

(c) The State Board of Education may delegate to the State School Superintendent the authority to employ and dismiss employees at the state schools for the deaf and blind.