(a) The tenure, pension, and retirement provisions of any law applicable to employees of the special school district of Minneapolis before April 24, 1959, shall continue to be applicable in the same manner and to the same extent to employees of the special independent school district after April 24, 1959, except as otherwise provided in law.
(b) The provisions of any general law or laws which are applicable only to independent school districts wholly or partially within cities of the first class shall not be applicable to the special independent school district of Minneapolis.