SB1787 EngrossedLRB103 25387 RJT 51733 b SB1787 Engrossed LRB103 25387 RJT 51733 b SB1787 Engrossed LRB103 25387 RJT 51733 b 1 AN ACT concerning education. 2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 3 represented in the General Assembly: 4 Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Section 5 22-95 as follows: 6 (105 ILCS 5/22-95 new) 7 Sec. 22-95. Rural Education Advisory Council. 8 (a) The Rural Education Advisory Council is created as a 9 statewide advisory council to exchange thoughtful dialogue 10 concerning the needs, challenges, and opportunities of rural 11 schools districts and to provide policy recommendations to the 12 State. The Council shall perform all of the following 13 functions: 14 (1) Convey and impart the perspective of rural 15 communities and provide context during policy discussions 16 on various statewide issues with the State Superintendent 17 of Education and State Board of Education. 18 (2) Present to the State Superintendent of Education 19 the opportunity to provide an explanation to rural 20 communities about the statewide perspective with regard to 21 various policy and legal issues, to present feedback on 22 critical issues facing rural communities, to generate 23 ideas, and to communicate information to the State SB1787 Engrossed LRB103 25387 RJT 51733 b SB1787 Engrossed- 2 -LRB103 25387 RJT 51733 b SB1787 Engrossed - 2 - LRB103 25387 RJT 51733 b SB1787 Engrossed - 2 - LRB103 25387 RJT 51733 b 1 Superintendent. 2 (3) Provide feedback about this State's 3 pre-kindergarten through grade 20 practices and policies 4 in order that the application of policies in rural areas 5 may be more fully understood. 6 (4) Analyze and monitor the continued impact of the 7 implementation of Public Act 100-465 on school districts 8 and to provide a rural perspective on the continued 9 funding challenges faced by schools. 10 (b) The Council shall consist of all of the following 11 members: 12 (1) The State Superintendent of Education or his or 13 her designee. 14 (2) The Executive Director of the Association of 15 Illinois Rural and Small Schools or his or her designee 16 appointed by the State Superintendent of Education. 17 (3) The Executive Director of the Illinois Community 18 College Board or his or her designee. 19 (4) Five superintendents of rural school districts who 20 represent 3 super-regions of this State recommended by the 21 Executive Director of the Association of Illinois Rural 22 and Small Schools and appointed by the State 23 Superintendent of Education. 24 (5) One principal from a rural school district 25 recommended by the Illinois Principal Association and 26 appointed by the State Superintendent of Education. SB1787 Engrossed - 2 - LRB103 25387 RJT 51733 b SB1787 Engrossed- 3 -LRB103 25387 RJT 51733 b SB1787 Engrossed - 3 - LRB103 25387 RJT 51733 b SB1787 Engrossed - 3 - LRB103 25387 RJT 51733 b 1 (6) One representative from the Illinois Association 2 of School Boards appointed by the State Superintendent of 3 Education. 4 (7) One representative from the Board of Directors of 5 the Illinois Association of School Administrators 6 appointed by the State Superintendent of Education. 7 (8) The President of the Illinois Association of 8 Regional School Superintendents or his or her designee 9 appointed by the State Superintendent of Education. 10 (9) One student who is at least 16 years old and who is 11 from a rural school district that is eligible under the 12 federal Rural Education Achievement Program appointed by 13 the State Superintendent of Education from a list of 14 students nominated by school principals. 15 Council members shall serve without compensation, but 16 shall be reimbursed for their reasonable and necessary 17 expenses from funds appropriated to the State Board of 18 Education for that purpose. 19 (c) The Council shall meet initially at the call of the 20 State Superintendent of Education, shall select one member as 21 chairperson at its initial meeting, and shall thereafter meet 22 at the call of the chairperson. 23 (d) The State Board of Education shall provide 24 administrative and other support to the Council, with 25 assistance from the Association of Illinois Rural and Small 26 Schools. Support shall include all of the following: SB1787 Engrossed - 3 - LRB103 25387 RJT 51733 b SB1787 Engrossed- 4 -LRB103 25387 RJT 51733 b SB1787 Engrossed - 4 - LRB103 25387 RJT 51733 b SB1787 Engrossed - 4 - LRB103 25387 RJT 51733 b 1 (1) To collaborate with the State Superintendent of 2 Education to create a clear and strategically focused 3 agenda with expected outcomes. 4 (2) To gather input from the Council and other 5 stakeholders to ensure that meetings are productive. 6 (3) To coordinate with presenters to ensure that 7 presentations are designed to prompt discussions and 8 problem solving. 9 (4) To assist with necessary research and content 10 creation between Council meetings. 11 (5) To cooperate with other State agencies and the 12 General Assembly to assist in keeping the Council informed 13 of major policy developments that may impact rural schools 14 and students. 15 (6) To take meeting minutes and work with the Council 16 to ensure that Open Meetings Act requirements are 17 satisfied. 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