N.Y. Education Law § 1205: Rural education advisory committee established

§ 1205. Rural education advisory committee established. 1. Subject to

the availability of funds appropriated, allocated or otherwise supplied

from any other public or private source for the purposes of implementing

the provisions of this article, a rural education advisory committee is

hereby established. Such committee shall be comprised of nine members,

to be appointed as follows: one by the temporary president of the

senate, one by the speaker of the assembly, one by the governor, and one

by the dean of the college of agriculture and life sciences at Cornell

University. The remaining five members, one of whom shall be a certified

teacher who has experience teaching in a rural school district, shall be

appointed by the commissioner. The commissioner, or his or her designee,

shall serve as chairperson of the committee. Membership on the committee

shall be:

(a) reflective of the diversity of the state's rural population and

geographic areas, and;

(b) reflective of the diversity of practical knowledge and interests

in the broad range of rural educational sectors, including but not

limited to, primary, secondary and post-secondary educators and

administrators who have experience in a rural school district, community

human service providers, the business community, and the general public.

2. The chairperson may invite individuals to assist or to serve as

technical advisors to the committee in the exercise of its powers and

duties, as provided in this section.

3. The terms of office of the appointed members of the committee shall

be for four years. Any vacancy occurring in the appointed membership of

the committee shall be filled within one year by the same authority

responsible for the initial appointment of such member.

4. The committee shall meet at least twice yearly, and at such

additional times as may be determined by the chairperson.

5. Members of the committee shall receive no compensation, but shall

be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the

performance of their official duties.

6. In the exercise of its powers and duties, the committee shall:

(a) Work with the center in developing priorities for targeted

research regarding rural education in New York;

(b) Facilitate the development of policy recommendations which may

enhance access to, as well as the quality and productivity of,

educational programs and practices in rural areas;

(c) Participate in the review and authorization of demonstration

projects and the development of alternative models for improved and

potentially more cost-effective educational activities and programs;

(d) Promote community and school involvement and collaboration in the

development and implementation of policies and activities undertaken

pursuant to this article; and

(e) Prepare an annual report, as well as special focus reports which

may result from specific research and other activities conducted in

accordance with this article.