This program was created as a part of the Department of Health for the purpose of improving school performance, lowering the dropout rate, and safeguarding the health and well-being of students in Tennessee public schools.  Nurses within the program are administratively assigned to various county and district health departments or local education agencies, but remain under the control and direction of the executive director of the school nurse program.  This plan does not preempt local education agencies from continuing to employ and supervise school nurses who are not employees of the program.  T.C.A. § 68-1-1201 et seq.