§ 6-16-305 - Funds for research and demonstration centers -- Consultative services. - Arkansas Statutes

6-16-305. Funds for research and demonstration centers -- Consultative services.

(a) Irrespective of any language in this subchapter, nothing prohibits the General Assembly from providing funds to establish centers for research or demonstration purposes in order to provide state-level leadership in early childhood education.

(b) In such instances, however, the funds shall be appropriated for the use of the State Board of Education and shall be subject to cooperative agreements in writing between the Department of Education and the sponsoring teacher training institutions or school districts.

(c) Available funds may be used by the department for the purpose of securing consultative services.

(d) (1) In that eventuality, the department shall certify that the expenditures are reasonable and are within customary amounts paid for the services.

(2) An annual report of the expenditures shall be filed with the Department of Finance and Administration, the Legislative Council, and the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee.

(e) Moreover, full-time state employees shall not be reimbursed for consultative services but may be reimbursed for expenses incurred in participating in these programs in instances where their services have been authorized by the Commissioner of Education or the Director of the Department of Career Education.