(a) It is hereby declared to be a policy of the state of Kansas to cooperate with the federal government in doing research in the field of special education within this state to determine the needs of educable children with intellectual disability in areas where population is not sufficiently large to make possible the organization of day school special classes in centers within travel distance for children.

(b) The state board of education is designated the “educational agency” responsible for carrying out the purposes of this act, and is authorized to make and file applications for federal funds as provided in the federal act of July 26, 1954 (68 Stat. 533). The state board of education is authorized and empowered to receive from the federal government, or any of its agencies, any funds made available under existing law, rules or regulations, or that may hereafter be made available for expenses of doing research, and such board may expend the same for such purposes in accordance with the rules, regulations and requirements under which such funds are made available.

(c) The state board of education is authorized and directed to require such reports, make such inspections and investigations, and prescribe such regulations, as it deems necessary in carrying out the provisions of this act, and shall make such reports to federal agencies as may be required by such agencies in granting federal funds.

(d) The state treasurer is designated the custodian of all funds made available for the purposes of this act. The state board of education shall deposit all such funds received from the federal government in the state treasury, and the treasurer of the state shall credit same to the proper accounts. The director of accounts and reports is hereby authorized to draw his warrants upon the treasurer of [the] state against such accounts upon duly authorized vouchers approved by the state board of education as provided by law.