Sta. Rosa Science and Technology High School in Sta. Rosa, Laguna

April 8, 2001

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9083

AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE STA. ROSA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL IN STA. ROSA, LAGUNA AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

SECTION 1. There is hereby established in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, a high school to be known as the Sta. Rosa Science and Technology High School, under the direct administrative supervision of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports. ACTISD

SECTION 2. The purpose of the said high school shall be to offer on a free scholarship basis a secondary course with special emphasis on subjects pertaining to the sciences and technology with the end in view of preparing its students for scientific and technological careers who can contribute to the social development and economic well being of the community, business and industries situated in the First District of Laguna particularly the Municipality of Sta. Rosa, the whole Province of Laguna and the rest of the CALABARZON sub-region.

SECTION 3. The high school shall be headed by a director whose appointment shall be in accordance with prescribed civil service law, rules and regulations. His compensation shall be fixed by the Board of Trustees in accordance with the Revised Compensation and Position Classification System. He shall not be removed from his position except for cause. His functions, powers and duties, in addition to those specifically provided for in this Act, shall be those usually pertaining to the office of the principal of a public high school.

SECTION 4. The Sta. Rosa Science and Technology High School Board of Trustees shall be composed of:

(a) The regional director, Department of Education, Culture and Sports, Region IV as ex officio chairperson;

(b) The director of the Sta. Rosa Science and Technology High School as ex officio vice chairperson;

(c) The regional director, Department of Science and Technology, Region IV as ex officio member;

(d) The regional director, National Economic and Development Authority, Region IV as ex officio member;

(e) The regional director, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Region IV as ex officio member;

(f) One (1) member representing business and industry; and

(g) One (1) member representing the scientific and technological association.

All the members who are not receiving regular compensation from the government shall each receive a per diem per session of the Board at rates in accordance with existing accounting and auditing rules and regulations.

The members of the Board representing scientific and technological association, business and industry shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines upon the recommendation of the chairman of the Board of Trustees. One of them shall serve for six (6) years and one for four (4) years.

SECTION 5. The Board of Trustees shall exercise for the Sta. Rosa Science and Technology High School all powers and prerogatives of the board of directors of a corporation. It shall also have the following powers and duties:

(a) To fix the site of the Sta. Rosa Science and Technology High School;

(b) To receive and appropriate to the ends specified by law sums as may be provided by law for the support of the high school;

(c) To approve appointments made by contracts entered into by the director in connection with the employment of faculty members, lecturers and other employees of the high school, subject to the provisions of Section 12 of this Act; to determine academic ranks; to fix compensation and other conditions of employment; and to remove them for cause in accordance with due process;

(d) To approve-the curricula, course of study and rules of discipline drawn up by the executive council as hereinafter provided;

(e) To provide fellowships for faculty members and approve the grant of scholarships, stipends and such allowances to deserving students;

(f) To approve the issuance of certificates or diplomas to successful candidates for graduation;

(g) To provide its own rules of procedure and to prescribe for the administration of the high school such general rules and regulations, not contrary to law, as are consistent with the purpose of the high school as defined in Section 2 of this Act.

(h) To receive in trust legacies, gifts and donations of real and personal property of all kinds and to administer the same in accordance with the directions and instructions of the donor and, in default thereof, in such manner as the Board of Trustees may in its discretion determine for the benefit of the high school for aid to any of its students; and

(i) To establish the criteria for the selection and admission of students which shall include, among others, competitive examinations.

SECTION 6. A quorum of the Board of Trustees shall consist of a majority of all the members holding office at the time the meeting of the Board is called. All processes against the Board of Trustees shall be served on the director or secretary thereof.

SECTION 7. The Board of Trustees may fix per diems, allowances and honoraria for members of the Board for each meeting subject to the usual government accounting and auditing rules and regulations.

SECTION 8. On or before the beginning of each school year, the Board of Trustees shall file with the Department of Education, Culture and Sports a detailed report setting forth the progress, condition and needs of the high school.

SECTION 9. There shall be an executive council consisting of the director, the heads of departments and such other ranking faculty members or officials of the high school as may be determined by the director.

The council shall have the power to screen and select the students to be admitted to the high school; to select students who shall be recipients of scholarships, stipends and other allowances; and to develop the curricula, course of study and rules of discipline, all subject to the approval of the Board. The council shall have the exclusive power to recommend students eligible for graduation. Through the director, it shall have disciplinary power over the students.

The council shall implement and execute the policies laid down by the Board of Trustees and exercise such other functions, powers and duties as the Board may prescribe.

SECTION 10. There shall be a registrar of the Sta. Rosa Science and Technology High School, who shall act as secretary of the Board to be appointed by the director with the approval of the Board of Trustees. He shall keep such records as may be prescribed by the Board.

SECTION 11. There shall be a treasurer of the Sta. Rosa Science and Technology High School who shall be appointed by the director with the approval of the Board of Trustees. All accounts and expenses shall be subject to the usual government auditing.

SECTION 12. The faculty members of the high school and others holding academic positions shall be selected in accordance with such criteria as may be established by the Board of Trustees consistent with law which shall include, if necessary and practicable, screening and competitive examination. AEcTCD

SECTION 13. All legacies, gifts and donations for the benefit of the high school or for its support and maintenance or for aid to any of its students shall be tax-exempt and shall be an allowable deduction from the gross income of the donors. For purposes of income tax, the high school shall be exempt from the payment of all taxes, fees, assessments and other charges of the government, its branches and subdivisions.

SECTION 14. All incomes and donations to the high school created under this Act shall constitute a special fund to be known as the Sta. Rosa Science and Technology High School Fund. This fund shall be expended by the Board of Trustees exclusively for the purpose of this Act.

SECTION 15. The bureaus or offices of the national government and their counterparts in Region IV are hereby authorized to loan or transfer, upon request by the director of the high school, and to detail employees to duty therein when, in the judgment of the head of the bureau or office, they can be spared without serious detriment to the public service.

The employees so detailed shall perform such duties as are required under such detail, and the time employed shall be counted as part of their regular official hours, all laws, rules and regulations limiting the detail of government employees notwithstanding.

SECTION 16. The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law and thereafter.

Thereafter, the expenses of the high school, for the purposes above described, shall be provided in the yearly General Appropriations Act of the national government.

Provided, however, That any unexpended balance for any particular year shall not revert to the general fund but also form part of the above mentioned Science and Technology High School Fund.

SECTION 17. The Secretary of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports shall issue such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the purpose of this Act.

SECTION 18. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved: April 8, 2001

Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 97 No. 31, page 4549 on July 30, 2001.