§ 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.