Section 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.