Agreement on the Inter-State Gymnasium for Adults St. Gallen/Sargans - Basic Principles

1. The cantons of Appenzell A.Rh., Appenzell I.Rh., St.Gallen, and Graubünden, as well as the Principality of Liechtenstein, operate the International Maturity School for Adults in St.Gallen/Sargans.

2. The Maturity School is an independent public-law institution based in St.Gallen.

1. The secondary school prepares adults for a matriculation examination through distance and direct instruction.

1. School locations are St. Gallen and Sargans.

2. Amendments require the consent of the governments of all agreement partners.

1. The supervisory commission is composed of representatives from the agreement partners.

2. For a term of office of four years, the following are elected

a) the Government Council of the Canton of St. Gallen elects the president and three additional members;

b) the governments of the other agreement partners each elect one member.

3. The supervisory commission constitutes itself.

1. The Supervisory Commission regulates, organizes, and supervises the Maturity School. It has the following tasks in particular

a) Issuance of regulations, curricula, and timetables. Resolutions regarding the Maturity Regulations require the approval of the governments of the agreement partners;

b) Election of the rectors, the school site directors, the teachers, and other staff. Employment conditions and salaries are determined by the regulations for secondary schools of the canton of domicile;

c) Preparation of the budget and annual accounts as well as the adoption of the annual report;

d) Determination of school fees;

e) Decision on appeals against orders of lower organs of the school;

f) Supervision of school management;

g) Arrangement of courses and assignment of students to the school locations St. Gallen and Sargans;

h) Dissolution of existing or designation of new school locations;

i) Determination of teaching materials;

k) Election of the examiners for the final examinations;

l) Conclusion of contracts. The regulation of cooperation with the Maturity School for Adults in the Canton of Thurgau is the responsibility of the Education Department of the canton of domicile.

1. The supervisory commission may delegate individual tasks to a committee formed from among its members or to the president.

1. The Appeal Commission is composed of one representative from each of the agreement partners. The representatives are elected by the governments for a term of four years.

2. The members of the Appeal Commission may not serve the secondary school in any other capacity.

3. The Appeal Commission shall constitute itself.

1. The Appeals Commission adjudicates appeals against orders and decisions of the Supervisory Commission.

1. The appeal procedure is governed by the regulations concerning administrative justice in the canton where the seat is located.

1. The governments of the contracting parties exercise supreme supervision over the secondary school.

2. The coordinating office is the Department of Education of the canton where the school is located.

1. The resources are procured through

a) Debt funds;

b) Fees;

c) Contributions from third parties and agreement partners.

1. The agreement partners bear the costs not covered by third-party debts, fees, and contributions.

2. The contributions are determined according to the proportion of students from the territory of each agreement partner. The average of the last four semesters is decisive. The affiliation of a student is determined by their civil residence.

1. Budget and Annual Financial Statement require the approval of the governments of the contracting parties.

1. Financial supervision is governed by the regulations of the canton in which the headquarters are located.

2. Any inspections by the other contracting parties are reserved.

1. Liability of the Secondary School and the Responsibility of the Governing Bodies, Teachers, and Other Staff Members are Governed by the Regulations of the Canton Where the School Is Located.

1. In disciplinary matters, the regulations of the canton of the seat shall be applied. The disciplinary authority is the election authority.

2. Disciplinary measures can be appealed to the Appeals Commission within fourteen days. Warnings cannot be further appealed.

3. Special disciplinary and regulatory provisions issued by the Supervisory Commission for students are reserved.

1. Definitive orders and decisions issued by the authorities of the Maturity School concerning payment or provision of security are equivalent to enforceable judicial judgments with respect to the enforcement of rights.

1. With the consent of the governments of the contracting parties, additional cantons may join the agreement.

1. The governments of the contracting parties may terminate the membership, observing a notice period of three years, effective at the end of a school year.

1. The Agreement on the Eastern Swiss Maturity School for Adults of December 12, 1989, is repealed.

1. This Agreement shall become binding upon the accession of the contracting parties and after the arrangement of sponsorship for an adult secondary school in the Canton of Thurgau on January 1, 1994.