(a) As used in this section, “school district with a high dropout rate” means an Arkansas school district:
(1) That has the most statistically significant rate of dropouts;
(2) From which students may enroll in a regional community alternative learning environment center; and
(3) That is contiguous to other school districts that meet the criteria under subdivisions (a)(1) and (2) of this section.
(b) An education service cooperative may receive funding from a local law enforcement agency, a state agency, or a federal agency, or from private donations, to employ one (1) or more truancy officers for a school district with a high dropout rate.
(c) An education service cooperative may employ under this section:
(1) One (1) truancy officer for each school district with a high dropout rate in its service area that has a student population of one thousand (1,000) or fewer students; and
(2) Two (2) truancy officers for each school district with a high dropout rate in its service area that:
(A) Is a countywide school district; or
(B) Has a student population of more than one thousand (1,000) students.
(d) A truancy officer hired under this section shall complete:
(1) The training requirements for juvenile intake and probation officer certification through the Administrative Office of the Courts; and
(2) Twelve (12) hours of continuing education annually as approved by the judge for the juvenile division of the circuit court for the county the truancy officer serves.