§ 6-42-104 - Advisory Council for the Education of Gifted and Talented Children.
               	 		
6-42-104.    Advisory Council for the Education of Gifted and Talented Children.
    (a)    (1)  There  is established an Advisory Council for the Education of Gifted and  Talented Children, which shall advise and consult with the Commissioner  of Education and the Administrator of the Office for the Education of  Gifted and Talented Children and which shall engage in other activities  as set forth in this section.
      (2)  The advisory council shall be advisory only and shall have no administrative responsibility.
(b)    (1)  The  advisory council shall consist of nine (9) members who are not officers  or employees of state agencies and no more than four (4) of whom may be  officers or employees of school districts.
      (2)  The advisory council shall be composed of persons interested in the education of gifted and talented children.
(c)    (1)  The  Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate, shall appoint the  members of the advisory council for terms of three (3) years.
      (2)  A member may be eligible for reappointment for one (1) additional term.
(d)  Vacancies  that leave unexpired terms shall be filled in the regular manner for  the unexpired period of time, and vacancies as a result of expiration of  terms shall be filled in the regular manner for three-year periods.
(e)    (1)  The advisory council annually shall elect its own chair and vice chair.
      (2)  The administrator shall act as secretary to the advisory council.
(f)  The  Department of Education shall, within available personnel, facilities,  and appropriations, furnish meeting facilities and staff services for  the advisory council.
(g)  The members of the advisory council may receive expense reimbursement in accordance with    25-16-901 et seq.
(h)  The advisory council shall:
      (1)  Have an opportunity to comment on rules and regulations proposed for issuance pursuant to this subchapter;
      (2)  Consider any problems presented to it by the commissioner or the administrator and give advice thereon;
      (3)  Review  state plans prepared by the Office for the Education of Gifted and  Talented Children prior to their submission to duly constituted  authorities;
      (4)    (A)  Make  an annual report to the Governor, the General Assembly, the State Board  of Education, and the commissioner, which shall be made available to  the news media so that the general public may be informed regarding  educational programs for gifted and talented children.
            (B)    (i)  Funds  for the publication of the annual report of the advisory council shall  be made available by the department from its regular appropriations.
                  (ii)  Available federal and state funds may be used for this purpose;
      (5)  Participate  with the staff of the department in determining the need for  educational programs to serve gifted and talented children to be  operated by the department, in selecting the sites for educational  programs, in establishing student selection criteria for participation  in the programs, in selecting students to participate in the programs,  and in selecting faculty and staff for the programs; and
      (6)    (A)  Select  on an annual basis not more than three (3) educational programs for  gifted and talented students operated by school districts for  recognition as outstanding programs.
            (B)  The  programs so recognized shall be eligible to receive an award of not  more than three thousand dollars ($3,000) from funds appropriated to the  department for the purpose of making awards to outstanding educational  programs.