(a)

(1) There is established a Board of Visitors for the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts.

(2) The persons serving on December 31, 2003, as members of the Board of Trustees of the Arkansas School for Mathematics and Sciences shall be members of the board of visitors and shall continue to serve for terms equal to the unexpired portions of their terms as members of the board of trustees.

(3) The board of visitors shall consist of seven (7) members appointed by the Governor for seven-year terms.

(4) As initial terms expire and when vacancies occur, the Governor shall appoint a person to fill each vacancy for the remaining portion of the unexpired term.

(5) Appointments shall be for terms of seven (7) years or for the remaining portion of an unexpired term.

(b)

(1) In addition to possessing the qualifications of an elector, each member of the board of visitors appointed by the Governor shall reside in the State of Arkansas.

(2) One (1) member shall be appointed from each congressional district, and the remaining members shall be appointed from the state at large.

(3) (A) In addition to appointed members of the board of visitors, six (6) ex officio nonvoting members shall also serve on the board of visitors as follows:

(i) The Commissioner of Education;

(ii) The Director of the Department of Higher Education;

(iii) The Executive Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission or his or her designee;

(iv) The Director of the Department of Arkansas Heritage;

(v) The president of the parent association of the school; and

(vi) The president of the student government of the school.

(B) The terms of office of an ex officio nonvoting member shall continue so long as he or she occupies the position or office.

(c) (1) (A) The board of visitors shall meet at least quarterly as the board of visitors determines and shall elect from its voting members a chair, a vice chair, and a secretary.

(B) With prior notice to all members, special meetings may be called as needed by either the board chair or any three (3) of the voting members of the board of visitors.

(2) Regular minutes of its meetings shall be preserved.