(a) Notwithstanding any provision of law, the governing authority of any school district in the State of Arkansas is authorized to employ legal counsel to defend it, any member thereof, or any school official in any legal proceeding to which the board of directors, any member thereof, or any school official may be a defendant, which such proceeding is instituted against it, or against any member thereof, by virtue of his or her actions in connection with his or her duties as such member.
(b) All costs, expenses, and liabilities of proceedings so defended shall be a charge against the school district and paid out of funds provided by the governing body of the school district.