(a) In order to further develop the human and natural resources of this state and to correlate and make available information and training in local communities for instruction in such subjects as mechanics, home economics, industrial, livestock, poultry, horticulture, farming and dairying, and to provide exhibits of an educational and cultural nature, and to provide for lectures, extension courses from the state universities and colleges or other sources, the various city or counties or cities and county boards of education are hereby authorized to create vocational high schools.

(b) Any city or county board of education, or any combinations of city or county boards of education are hereby authorized by agreement to jointly or severally contract for the erection, maintenance and operation of vocational high schools and to contract for the construction by each for such sums as said boards may agree for said erection, maintenance and operation. Any such contracts shall be subject to approval by the State Board of Education.

(c) The governing body of any city or county shall have the authority to contribute to the erection, maintenance and operation of any vocational high school created under the provisions of this section.

(d) The governing body of any such school shall be authorized to receive any gift or donation or any appropriation from any source, including federal, state, county or municipality, and to comply with the provisions of any federal or state law, rule or regulation in order to receive funds therefrom, and to contract or comply with any such law, rule or regulation in order to be entitled to receive any such funds.

(e) No tuition shall be charged to resident pupils of the areas of the cooperating boards of education.

(f) The agreement providing for the erection, maintenance and operation of any such vocational high school shall provide for a staff, together with provisions for its appointment, removal and its powers, duties and authority; provided, that the same shall not conflict with the provisions hereof, or with the laws regulating the operation of public schools in the State of Alabama. The said agreement shall also provide for an advisory board, composed of one or more members of each cooperating board of education selected by that board, together with its powers and duties.