This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Community Schools Act."

The purpose of this chapter is to encourage greater community involvement in the public schools and greater community use of public school facilities. To this end it is declared to be the policy of this state:

(1) To provide for increased involvement by citizens in their local schools through community schools advisory committees.

(2) To assure maximum use of public school facilities by the citizens of each community in this state.

(3) To provide for increased involvement by business and industry in every school system through business/industry partnerships - adopt-a-school programs.

As used in this chapter, the following words shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(1) COMMUNITY SCHOOLS ADVISORY COMMITTEE. A committee of citizens organized to advise community school coordinators, administrators, and local boards of education in the involvement of citizens in the educational process and in the use of public school facilities.

(2) COMMUNITY SCHOOLS COORDINATOR. An employee of a local board of education whose responsibility it is to promote and direct maximum use of the public schools and public school facilities as centers for community education.

(3) PUBLIC SCHOOL FACILITY. Any education facility under the jurisdiction of a local board of education, whether termed an elementary school, middle school, junior high school, or high school.

(4) BUSINESS/INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS. A closely knit partnership consisting of a business and a selected Alabama public school. It is sharing of time, talent, expertise, and resources.

Every local board of education which elects to apply for funding pursuant to this chapter shall:

(1) Develop programs and plans for increased community involvement in the public schools based upon policies and guidelines adopted by the State Board of Education.

(2) Develop programs and plans for increased community use of public school facilities based upon policies and guidelines adopted by the State Board of Education.

(3) Establish rules governing the implementation of such programs and plans in its public schools and submit these rules along with adopted programs and plans to the State Board of Education for approval by the State Board of Education.

Programs and plans developed by a local board of education shall provide for the establishment of one or more community schools advisory committees for the public schools under the board's jurisdiction and for the employment of one or more community schools coordinators. The local board of education shall establish the terms and conditions of employment for the community schools coordinators.

Every local board of education which elects to apply for funding pursuant to this chapter shall have the authority to enter into agreements with other local boards of education, agencies and institutions for the joint development of plans and programs and the joint expenditure of funds allocated by the State Board of Education. Local funds from each local board of education applying for funds for the community schools program must equal at least one-fourth of the total budget for the community schools program of said local board of education.

Every participating local board of education shall establish one or more community schools advisory committees which may become involved in matters affecting the educational process in accordance with rules established by the local board of education and approved by the State Board of Education and further shall consider ways of increasing community involvement in the public schools and utilization of public school facilities. Community schools advisory committees may assist local boards of education in the development and preparation of the plans and programs to achieve such goals, may assist in the implementation of such plans and programs and may provide such other assistance as may be requested by the local boards of education.

Community schools advisory committees shall work with local school officials and personnel, parent-teacher organizations, and community groups and agencies in providing maximum opportunities for public schools to serve the communities, and shall encourage the maximum use of volunteers in the public schools.

Wherever possible, the local board of education is encouraged to include at least one high school student. The size of the councils and the terms of membership on the councils shall be determined by the local board of education in accordance with the state guidelines.

The role, scope and responsibility of the advisory committees shall be limited to community school matters.

Every participating local board of education shall employ one or more community schools coordinators and shall establish the terms and conditions of their employment. Community schools coordinators shall be responsible for:

(1) Providing support to the community schools advisory committees and public school officials.

(2) Fostering cooperation between the local board of education and appropriate community agencies.

(3) Encouraging maximum use of community volunteers in the public schools.

(4) Performing such other duties as may be assigned by the local superintendents and the local board of education, consistent with the purposes of this chapter.