The Chairperson of the Council shall be a full-time official who shall have the task of executing the determinations of the Council and coordinating the operation of the licensing and accreditation processes of public schools and the accreditation of private schools when requested. He/she shall direct the administrative and technical work of the Council and shall exercise, in said capacity, the following powers:
(1) Appoint the personnel needed to carry out the functions of the Council, without being subject to Act No. 5 of Octubre 14, 1975, known as the “Public Service Personnel Act of Puerto Rico”.
(2) Contract professional, technical and consulting services needed to comply with the purposes of §§ 148—148m of this title.
(3) Enter into agreements and contracts with natural or juridical persons, or with educational entities of Puerto Rico or from abroad, or with agencies, instrumentalities or public corporations of the Government of Puerto Rico, or with agencies and instrumentalities of the federal government, or with state and local governments of the United States, which have as their purpose the exchange of services or information or the receipt of contributions, donations, appropriations or other benefits that are to the advantage of the Council.
(4) Prepare, for the approval of the Council, the budget petition of the Council and administer the budget that is appropriated.
(5) Prepare the regulations and the working plan of the Council and submit the same for its approval.
(6) Keep a complete and detailed accounting record of all expenses, disbursements and income of the Council, strictly subjected to the pertinent laws and regulations.
(7) Acquire through purchase, lease, gift or other legal means, the equipment and materials needed for the operation of the Council, without being subject to §§ 931 et seq. of this title, known as the “General Services Administration Act.” The purchase procedures shall be established by the Council through special regulations.
(8) Delegate [to] an official under his/her instructions, the functions and responsibilities of his/her office when circumstances require it, with the prior approval of the Council.
(9) Represent the Council in official acts and ceremonies in and outside of Puerto Rico.
(10) Submit to the Council a monthly report on the works carried out under his/her direction.
(11) Perform any other administrative act necessary for the operation of the Council.
The designations that the Chairperson makes to executive positions in the administrative offices of the Council, or to constitute the Evaluating Committees, as well as the agreements and contracts signed pursuant to subsections (2) and (5) of this section, shall require the approval of the Council to be valid.
The Council shall act on any action, proposal or task of the Chairperson that requires its approval or ratification within thirty (30) days following the date on which the matter has been referred to it. If said term elapses without any action by the Council, the action or task proposed by the Chairperson shall be considered as approved.
The officials of the Council shall be subject to the provisions of §§ 1801 et seq. of this title, known as the “Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Ethics in Government Act”.
The salary of the Chairperson of the Council shall be determined by the Governor of Puerto Rico and shall be equivalent to ninety-five percent (95%) of the basic salary of the Secretary of the Department of Education.
History —July 15, 1999, No. 148, § 8.