Educational Objective
- Offers secondary education with an emphasis on science subjects.
- Aims to prepare students for careers in science.
Governance Structure
- Board of Trustees governs the school.
- Composition includes:
- Regional Director, DOST Region V (Chairman).
- Director of the High School (Vice-Chairman).
- Regional Director, Department of Education, Culture and Sports Region V.
- Congressional Representative of the district.
- Regional Director, National Economic and Development Authority Region V.
Powers and Duties of the Board of Trustees
- Exercises powers akin to a corporate board of directors.
- Responsibilities include:
- Receiving and appropriating funds for the school’s support.
- Approving faculty appointments, contracts, academic ranks, compensation, and removals.
- Approving curricula, course of study, and disciplinary rules.
- Providing fellowships and scholarships, stipends, and student allowances.
- Issuing certificates or diplomas to graduates.
- Establishing administrative rules consistent with the school’s purpose.
- Administering donations and legacies in trust.
- Setting selection and admission criteria, including competitive exams.
Board Meetings and Compensation
- Quorum requires a majority of current members.
- Meeting notices served by the director or board secretary.
- Board members receive no compensation but are reimbursed for necessary expenses.
Reporting
- Annual report on the school's progress, condition, and needs submitted to DOST before the school year starts.
School Leadership
- Headed by a director appointed per civil service rules.
- Director’s compensation fixed by the Board and removal only for cause.
- Director’s duties align with those of a public high school principal.
Executive Council
- Composed of the director, department heads, and other senior faculty as determined.
- Powers include:
- Screening and selecting students and scholarship recipients.
- Developing curricula, courses of study, and discipline rules for Board approval.
- Recommending graduation eligibility.
- Exercising disciplinary authority over students through the director.
- Implementing Board policies.
Registrar and Treasurer
- Registrar appointed by director with Board approval; acts as secretary of the Board.
- Treasurer appointed likewise; responsible for financial accounts subject to government auditing.
Faculty and Staff Employment
- Selection based on Board-established criteria, possibly including exams.
- Faculty exempt from wage and position classification laws.
- Administrative staff may receive higher pay than comparable government positions.
Tax Exemptions
- Gifts, donations, and legacies to the school are tax-exempt and deductible for donors.
- The school itself is exempt from all government taxes, fees, and charges.
School Fund
- Income and donations form a special fund exclusive for the school’s purpose.
Resource and Personnel Assistance
- National government and Region V offices may loan or transfer equipment and detail employees.
- Detailed employees perform duties as required; their time counts as official duty.
- Additional compensation to detailed employees possible with Board approval.
Curriculum and Implementation
- DOST prescribes the science curriculum and necessary rules for the school’s conversion.
- Science and technology subjects offered starting the school year after the law’s approval.
Transfer of Assets and Obligations
- All personnel, assets, liabilities, and records of the former high school transferred to the science high school.
Appropriations and Funding
- Initial funding charged against current appropriations of the former high school.
- Subsequent funding included in the General Appropriations Act.
Effectivity
- The law takes effect upon approval.
- It lapsed into law without the President’s signature on June 6, 1997, pursuant to the Constitution.