(a) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education is authorized and directed to cooperate with and assist local school districts in this state in the establishment of an Arkansas school fire marshal program.
(b) Such program shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:
(1) A periodic review and inspection of all school buildings and facilities for fire and other hazards;
(2) Cooperation with local fire departments and other organizations and persons in making building inspections, suggesting improvements to reduce fire hazards, and disseminating information designed to make school children and the public more conscious of fire hazards;
(3) The establishment in each school of an adequate plan for evacuation in case of fire;
(4)
(A) The training of school children in the means of recognizing fire hazards and of corrective steps to be taken in case of fire.
(B) Such training may include the establishment of school patrols consisting of school children who are to be constantly alert and on duty to detect fires or fire hazards; and
(5) Taking such additional action as may be necessary to promote the development of programs for fire prevention education and training.
(c) The State Board of Education shall promulgate reasonable and necessary rules for the establishment of minimum requirements to be met by the various school districts of this state for a school fire marshal program.
(d) Every school district in this state shall operate a school fire marshal program according to the requirements established by the state board, as authorized by this section.
(e)
(1) If the state board determines that any school district in this state has not established and maintained an adequate school fire marshal program as required by this section and by the minimum requirements established by the state board, the state board shall notify the school district in writing of the deficiencies in the school's fire marshal program and shall notify the school district that the deficiencies shall be corrected within thirty (30) days from the date of receipt of the notice.
(2) If any school district fails or refuses to correct the deficiencies within the thirty (30) days as required in this subsection, the state board shall thereafter withhold ten percent (10%) of the state equalization aid of the school district until the time that the state board determines that the deficiencies have been corrected.