<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="2-207" title_number="2" title_name="State Department of Education" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="State Board of Education">
  <level label="a">
    <level label="1">
      <text>There is a Public Education Partnership Fund.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The Fund shall be used to:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Enhance cooperation between the private sector and public education entities;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Facilitate the expansion and development of new partnership initiatives;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>Encourage the donation of corporate and foundation money to expand the outreach capacity of the Department; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>Strengthen the development of family and community involvement in public education.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>The Comptroller shall credit to the Public Education Partnership Fund any money that is received from public grants and private contributions.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>The State Board, upon the recommendation of the State Superintendent, may use money that is credited to the Public Education Partnership Fund for any activity or program that furthers the purposes listed in subsection (a)(2) of this section, including:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Preparation and distribution of information packets and brochures;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Development of public service announcements;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Development of seminars and training programs focusing on public education priorities;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>Development of a family and community involvement hotline;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>Establishing appropriate award systems for the recognition of educators and business contributors; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="6">
      <text>Evaluating and recommending methods to improve the efficiency and promote the growth of private sector and public education partnerships.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <text>The Treasurer shall invest money from the Public Education Partnership Fund for the use of the Fund, and all earnings shall be credited to the Fund.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <text>Expenditures from the Fund shall be made pursuant to an appropriation approved by the General Assembly in the annual State budget or by the budget amendment procedure provided for in § 7–209 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="f">
    <text>The Fund is a continuing, nonlapsing fund that:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>May not be used as a substitute for State General Fund appropriations.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="g">
    <text>The Public Education Partnership Fund is subject to audit by the Legislative Auditor as provided under § 2–1220 of the State Government Article.</text>
  </level>
</section>
