The state board of education may enter into agreements with an agency of the federal government, a governing board or another agency or person, direct the disbursement of federal and state monies in accordance with federal and state law, direct the distribution of commodities as provided by federal and state law, prescribe regulations, employ personnel, give technical advice and assistance to governing boards in connection with establishment and operation of school meal programs, assist in training personnel engaged in operation of school meal programs and take other action it deems necessary to provide for the establishment and maintenance of school meal programs. The state board of education and the governing boards may also accept gifts for use in connection with a school meal program. Agreements entered into pursuant to this section are exempt from section 11-952, subsection D. The form to be used in the agreements shall be approved annually by the attorney general before its use in such agreements. The department of education shall file with the secretary of state by January 1 one blank copy of the agreement form and a list of the agencies with which the department entered agreements during the preceding year.