The president of the board of trustees shall preside at all meetings of the board and shall sign all orders on the county treasurer for the payment of money; but no orders shall be drawn upon the county treasurer except in favor of parties to whom the local college district has become lawfully indebted. He shall appear in behalf of the local college district in all suits brought by or against the district, but, if the president is individually interested, this duty shall be performed by the secretary of the board. In the absence of the president, the secretary shall preside at any meeting of the board.L. 75: Entire article added, p. 758, § 1, effective July 1. L. 86: Entire section amended, p. 854, § 25, effective July 1.