[§302A-1102]  Department of education;statewide and regional administrative services.  The department shall serveas the central support system responsible for the overall administration ofstatewide educational policy, interpretation, and development of standards forcompliance with state and federal laws, and coordination and preparation of asystemwide budget for the public schools.  The department may establishregional administrative units to provide administrative support to the schoolsfor personnel, fiscal, and procurement services.  The regional administrativeunits may also be assigned responsibility for the administration and operationof special education programs and special schools. [L 1996, c 89, pt of §2]