Article 5Outdoor Science, Conservation, and Forestry

Section § 8760

Explanation

This law allows school districts to run outdoor science and conservation education programs. They can hire staff, buy or rent property, and work together with government agencies for these programs. They can also arrange transportation for students and staff within California. Additionally, school districts can hire outside naturalists to work under district supervision, following state guidelines. Naturalists cannot be employed if they have certain criminal convictions, particularly involving sex offenses or controlled substances.

(a)CA Education Code § 8760(a) The governing board of any school district may do the following:
(1)CA Education Code § 8760(a)(1) Conduct programs and classes in outdoor science education and conservation education within or without the boundaries of the district and for that purpose employ instructors, supervisors, and other personnel and provide necessary equipment and supplies.
(2)CA Education Code § 8760(a)(2) Acquire and maintain real or personal property needed for outdoor science education and conservation education programs and classes either within or without the boundaries of the district either by purchase, rental, lease, gift, or other means in the same manner as if the property were within the boundaries of the school district.
(3)CA Education Code § 8760(a)(3) Contract with the United States, the State of California, any city, county, city and county or school district therein, or any combination thereof, for the joint operation and maintenance of these programs and classes in outdoor science education and conservation education or for assistance in their operation and maintenance.
(4)CA Education Code § 8760(a)(4) Transport or arrange transportation of pupils, instructors, supervisors, or other personnel to or from places where these programs and classes are being conducted, whether within or without the district; provided, the transportation is within the state.
(b)CA Education Code § 8760(b) The governing board of any school district may contract with an outside provider for the services of naturalists. The services provided by the naturalists shall be under the exclusive control and management of the governing board of the school district and shall comply with all guidelines established by the Superintendent of Public Instruction relating to outdoor educational programs. Any naturalist under contract with the governing board of a school district pursuant to this section and all services provided by a naturalist shall be under the supervision of a certificated employee of the school district. Any naturalist assigned to serve school districts under an outside contract shall be subject to Sections 45125 and 49406. No person who has been convicted of any sex offense defined in Section 44010, or any controlled substance offense defined in Section 44011, shall be permitted to render service as a naturalist.
outdoor science education conservation education school district naturalists property acquisition transportation program contracts government collaboration certificated employee supervision criminal convictions sex offenses controlled substance offenses state guidelines real or personal property joint operation and maintenance
(Amended by Stats. 1990, Ch. 1372, Sec. 79.)

Section § 8761

Explanation

This law allows school districts or county superintendents in California to transport students and staff on U.S. Coast Guard-approved boats for outdoor marine science programs. They can travel up to five miles westward from any offshore California island in the Pacific Ocean.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, whenever an outdoor science program involves studies in marine science, the governing board of any school district or a county superintendent of schools may transport, or arrange transportation of, pupils, instructors, supervisors, or other personnel aboard U.S. Coast Guard approved vessels in the waters of the Pacific Ocean for distances not to exceed five miles westerly of any offshore island which is a part of the State of California.
outdoor science program marine science studies U.S. Coast Guard vessels school transportation Pacific Ocean offshore islands California schools student transport educational trips marine education coastal education trips approved vessels distance limitation school districts county superintendent
(Amended by Stats. 1990, Ch. 1372, Sec. 80.)

Section § 8762

Explanation
School districts have the option to teach forestry courses, which includes hiring teachers and getting equipment. They can lease or buy forest lands outside their district for up to five years, and they can plant trees and shrubs on these lands. They can also work with government entities for these activities and transport students and staff for these purposes, both within and outside the district, similar to how they handle school transportation.
The governing board of any school district may:
(a)CA Education Code § 8762(a) Conduct courses in forestry, and for that purpose employ instructors and supervisors of classes, and acquire necessary equipment.
(b)CA Education Code § 8762(b) Acquire forest lands outside the boundary of the district by lease for a period not exceeding five years, or purchase or sell forest lands in the same manner as lands within the boundary of the district are purchased or sold.
(c)CA Education Code § 8762(c) Afforest and reforest, and plant trees, shrubs, and vines on the lands; or upon any public lands which may be placed at its disposal, and enter into contracts and agreements with the government of the United States, the state, or any political subdivision thereof for that purpose.
(d)CA Education Code § 8762(d) Transport pupils, instructors, or supervisors of classes to or from classes or places where the work is being done, whether within or without the district, in the same manner and subject to the same limitations as in transporting pupils to and from school.
forestry courses hire instructors lease forest lands purchase forest lands afforest reforest plant trees public lands government agreements transport pupils transport instructors transport supervisors forest lands acquisition district boundaries 5-year lease
(Amended by Stats. 1990, Ch. 1372, Sec. 81.)

Section § 8763

Explanation

This law allows the county superintendent of schools, with the county board’s approval, to make deals with school districts or private schools to offer outdoor science and conservation education programs. The school district or private school must cover the program costs, and these payments will go into the county school service fund.

The county superintendent of schools may, with the approval of the county board of education, enter into agreements with the governing board of one or more school districts or private schools to provide programs and classes in outdoor science education and conservation education for pupils in the district or private school. Except as otherwise provided in this article, the agreement shall provide for the payment by the district or the private school of the actual cost of providing the programs or classes. The county superintendent of schools shall transfer from the funds of the district or the private school shall pay, as the case may be, to the county school service fund the amounts set forth in the agreement.
county superintendent county board of education school districts private schools outdoor science education conservation education program costs school service fund education agreements fund transfer pupils
(Amended by Stats. 1990, Ch. 1372, Sec. 82.)

Section § 8764

Explanation

This law says that when a school district partners with the county superintendent of schools, they can agree to spend money on facilities and other program costs. However, any property bought with that money belongs to the county superintendent's office, not the school district, unless they specifically agree otherwise in their contract.

The school district or districts entering into agreements pursuant to this article with the county superintendent of schools may agree to make capital outlay expenditures, as well as pay for the other costs of the program. Title to all property acquired by the capital outlay expenditures shall be vested in the office of the county superintendent of schools, and the participating school districts shall have no interest in the property, nor in the proceeds of any sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of the property, unless the parties otherwise provide in the agreement which authorizes the acquisition of the property.
capital outlay expenditures school district agreements county superintendent program costs property ownership contractual agreements title to property acquisition of property participating school districts property proceeds property disposition
(Amended by Stats. 1990, Ch. 1372, Sec. 83.)

Section § 8765

Explanation

This law says that if the county superintendent of schools runs programs about outdoor science and conservation education, they have the same powers and responsibilities as the school district governing boards, unless another rule says otherwise.

Except as otherwise provided, all of the powers and duties authorized for governing boards of school districts by Section 8760 are powers and duties of the county superintendent of schools whenever, pursuant to this article, he or she provides programs and classes in outdoor science education and conservation education.
county superintendent outdoor science education conservation education governing boards school districts powers and duties educational programs Section 8760 environmental education superintendent authority school programs
(Amended by Stats. 1990, Ch. 1372, Sec. 84.)

Section § 8766

Explanation

This law allows county superintendents of schools, with the county board of education's approval, to acquire property through gifts for educational programs and classes. The property title belongs to the county superintendent's office. Schools and districts using this property don't have to pay the county superintendent for its use if the property was acquired through a gift.

The county superintendent of schools may, with the approval of the county board of education, acquire by gift and maintain real or personal property needed for such programs and classes with title thereto vested in the office of the county superintendent of schools. The school districts or community college districts or private schools participating in such programs and classes shall not be required to reimburse the county superintendent of schools for use of real and personal property which is acquired by gift.
county superintendent board of education approval acquire by gift real or personal property title vested educational programs no reimbursement required school districts community college districts private schools participation
(Amended by Stats. 1977, Ch. 333.)

Section § 8767

Explanation

This law allows the county superintendent of schools, with the county board of education's approval, to organize programs and classes focused on outdoor science and conservation education. Districts or private schools involved in these programs don't have to pay back the county superintendent for these coordination services.

The county superintendent of schools may, with the approval of the county board of education, provide the coordination services authorized by Section 1703 in connection with programs and classes in outdoor science education and conservation education and the participating districts or private schools shall not be required to reimburse the county superintendent for the cost of such coordination services.
county superintendent county board approval coordination services outdoor science education conservation education participating districts private schools reimburse programs and classes educational coordination services cost school programs environmental education district participation cost-free services
(Amended by Stats. 1977, Ch. 333.)

Section § 8768

Explanation

This law allows county superintendents of schools and educational institutions to work together on buying or leasing land for outdoor science and conservation classes. If they buy any land, the title belongs solely to the county superintendent's office. The schools involved don’t own any of the property unless their agreement specifically says otherwise.

Any such agreement between the county superintendent of schools and school districts or community college districts or private schools may provide for the purchase or lease of any real property necessary to conduct classes in outdoor science education and conservation education. If real property is purchased pursuant to such an agreement, title to such real property shall be vested in the office of the county superintendent of schools and the participating school districts, community college districts, or private schools shall have no interest in such property, nor in the proceeds of any sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of such property, unless the parties otherwise provide in the agreement which authorizes the acquisition of such property.
outdoor science education conservation education real property purchase property lease county superintendent school districts community college districts private schools property title agreement terms
(Amended by Stats. 1977, Ch. 333.)

Section § 8769

Explanation

This law says that a county superintendent of schools can lease property, with the county board of education's approval, to provide care and education for physically handicapped children or children with intellectual disabilities. This is only possible if the property isn't already needed for science or conservation education, and the lease has to be based on agreed terms and conditions.

The county superintendent of schools may, with the approval of the county board of education, lease real or personal property for the purpose of care, teaching, and training of physically handicapped children or children with intellectual disabilities if the property is not required for outdoor science education and conservation education, upon the terms and conditions that are agreed upon.
county superintendent county board of education lease property care for children teaching training physically handicapped children intellectual disabilities property use science education conservation education
(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 457, Sec. 5. (SB 1381) Effective January 1, 2013.)

Section § 8770

Explanation

This law section allows the county superintendent of schools to trade property they own with the U.S. government, as long as they get approval from the county board of education and both pieces of property are of similar value. Any deal made must be agreed upon by all parties involved.

The county superintendent of schools may, with the approval of the county board of education, convey any real property, title to which is vested in the office of the county superintendent of schools, to the United States of America in exchange for other real property of comparable value, upon such terms and conditions as are agreed upon.
county superintendent of schools county board of education approval property exchange real property United States comparable value terms and conditions property trade vested title property conveyance government property exchange educational property property agreement property terms
(Enacted by Stats. 1976, Ch. 1010.)

Section § 8771

Explanation

This law explains that the county superintendent of schools, with approval from the county board of education, can sell, lease, exchange, or otherwise manage property under their control. They must follow the same rules that apply to school districts or community college districts when dealing with property. Any money made from these transactions typically stays with the superintendent's office unless the agreement specifies otherwise.

The county superintendent of schools may, with the approval of the county board of education, sell, lease, exchange, or otherwise dispose of real or personal property, title to which is vested in his or her office, pursuant to the same procedures as are established by law for the sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of real or personal property by a school district or community college district. Unless otherwise provided in the agreement which authorized the purchase of the real or personal property, the proceeds of any sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of real or personal property shall be vested in the office of the county superintendent of schools.
county superintendent county board of education sell property lease property exchange property dispose of property real or personal property proceeds property transaction school district procedures community college district procedures property title agreement provisions property management
(Amended by Stats. 1990, Ch. 1372, Sec. 85.)

Section § 8772

Explanation

When the county superintendent of schools in California sells, leases, or trades property, the money from these transactions must be used to buy new property or fund outdoor science and conservation education programs and classes. Schools and colleges participating in these programs don’t have to pay back the superintendent for using the property or covering any related costs.

All proceeds from the sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of real or personal property received by the county superintendent of schools pursuant to the provisions of this article shall be used for the purpose of acquiring other real or personal property for use in connection with programs and classes in outdoor science education and conservation education or to pay the cost of conducting such programs and classes. The school districts, community college districts, and private schools participating in such programs and classes shall not be required to reimburse the county superintendent of schools for use of the real or personal property acquired with such funds nor shall they be required to reimburse the county superintendent of schools for any of the costs of conducting such programs and classes which are paid by the county superintendent of schools out of such funds.
proceeds real or personal property county superintendent of schools outdoor science education conservation education property acquisition fund allocation costs of programs educational use non-reimbursement school districts community college districts private schools program funding class expenses
(Amended by Stats. 1977, Ch. 333.)

Section § 8773

Explanation

If a county superintendent of schools doesn't hold any outdoor science and conservation education programs for five years straight, any property they own or sell must be added to the county school service fund. This fund can then be used for any legal purpose unless an agreement says otherwise.

If during a period of five consecutive school years, no programs and classes in outdoor science education and conservation education are conducted by the county superintendent of schools pursuant to this article, all real and personal property, title to which is vested in the county superintendent of schools, and all proceeds from the sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of such real and personal property, shall become part of the county school service fund and may be used for any purpose authorized by the laws applicable to the fund, unless the parties otherwise provide in the agreement which authorizes the acquisition of such property.
outdoor science education conservation education county superintendent of schools property disposition school service fund educational programs real estate personal property fund utilization agreement terms property acquisition county schools education financing program cessation property proceeds
(Enacted by Stats. 1976, Ch. 1010.)

Section § 8774

Explanation

This law explains the conditions for funding residential outdoor science programs. To be eligible, a program must be run by a school district or county, follow specific guidelines, and maintain certification. The funding is available for 5th or 6th graders in California public schools who have not received prior funding, participate in a minimum four-day program, and come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The state provides $10 per student per day, up to five days, if funds are available.

(a)CA Education Code § 8774(a) A residential outdoor science program shall be eligible for funding pursuant to this section if it meets both of the following conditions:
(1)CA Education Code § 8774(a)(1) It is operated by a school district or county office of education pursuant to this article.
(2)CA Education Code § 8774(a)(2) It meets the standards of the Residential Outdoor Science School (ROSS) Guide and maintains current department ROSS certification.
(b)CA Education Code § 8774(b) An eligible residential outdoor science program may claim apportionment for any pupil who meets all of the following conditions:
(1)CA Education Code § 8774(b)(1) The pupil is enrolled in a California public school.
(2)CA Education Code § 8774(b)(2) The pupil is enrolled in grade 5 or 6.
(3)CA Education Code § 8774(b)(3) The applicant has not previously received funding for the pupil pursuant to this section.
(4)CA Education Code § 8774(b)(4) The pupil participates in a minimum four-day and three-night program.
(5)CA Education Code § 8774(b)(5) The pupil is economically disadvantaged and meets the criteria of Section 49552.
(c)CA Education Code § 8774(c) The Superintendent shall, subject to appropriation of funds for this purpose, apportion to each school district or county office of education that operates a residential outdoor science program pursuant to this article an amount equal to ten dollars ($10) per eligible participating pupil, multiplied by the total number of days of participation, up to a maximum of five days.
residential outdoor science program ROSS certification 5th grade 6th grade economically disadvantaged students California public schools four-day program funding eligibility apportionment school district county office of education superintendent appropriation eligible participating pupil participation days California education funding
(Amended by Stats. 2008, Ch. 179, Sec. 40. Effective January 1, 2009.)