2023 New York Laws › EDN - Education › Title 1 - General Provisions › Article 24 - New York State Rural Education Program Act › 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.