Specific powers and duties of the Department of Education.

In addition to all other duties assigned to it by law or by rule of the State Board of Education, the department shall:

(1) Implement a training program to develop among state and district educators a cadre of facilitators of school improvement in accordance with the provisions of chapter 1008.

(2) Identify the needs of the state system of public education as they relate to the development and production of materials used in instruction, in accordance with the requirements of chapter 1006.

(3) After complying with the provisions of s. 257.37, the Department of Education may:

(a) Photograph, microphotograph, or reproduce on film or prints, documents, records, data, and information of a permanent character and destroy any of the documents after they have been photographed and after audit of the department has been completed for the period embracing the dates of the instruments. Photographs or microphotographs in the form of film or prints made in compliance with the provisions of this subsection shall have the same force and effect as the originals would have, and shall be treated as originals for the purpose of their admissibility in evidence. Duly certified or authenticated reproductions of such photographs or microphotographs shall be admitted in evidence equally with the original photographs or microphotographs.

(b) Destroy general correspondence that is over 3 years old; records of bills, accounts, vouchers, and requisitions that are over 5 years old and copies of which have been filed with the Chief Financial Officer; and other records, papers, and documents over 3 years old that do not serve as part of an agreement or understanding and do not have value as permanent records.

(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of chapter 286, have the authority to hold patents, copyrights, trademarks, and service marks. The department may take any action necessary to enforce its rights with respect to such patents, copyrights, trademarks, and service marks or enter into a transaction to sell, lease, license, or transfer such rights for monetary gain or other consideration at the discretion of the department. The department shall notify the Department of State in writing when property rights by patent, copyright, trademark, or service mark are secured by the department. Except for educational materials and products, any proceeds received by the department from the exercise of such rights shall be deposited in the department’s Operating Trust Fund.