SECTION 1. Education collaboratives formed under section 4E of chapter 40 of the General Laws shall be organized into designated regions established by the board of elementary and secondary education. The board shall determine the geographic boundaries and composition of such regions according to the recommendations of the special commission on education collaboratives established pursuant to section 5 of chapter 43 of the acts of 2012.

Each region shall establish a regional advisory council consisting of the executive directors of each education collaborative within the region.  Each regional advisory council shall: (1) identify regional needs and priorities for educational services; (2) develop policies to coordinate the delivery of services to school districts in a manner that responds to regional needs and priorities; and (3) work in partnership with the department of elementary and secondary education and other regional entities to coordinate the dissemination of information and support to districts.  Each regional advisory council shall meet not fewer than 6 times annually.

SECTION 2. The department of elementary and secondary education shall encourage the use of education collaboratives formed under section 4E of chapter 40 of the General Laws as providers of educational services and programs for local school districts and may give special consideration to grant applications that indicate the use of education collaboratives for the purpose of procuring services and programs.