(a) Employees of the state department of public instruction provided for by Kan. Stat. Ann. § 72-107, which department is hereby abolished, shall retain rights and status to the extent provided in subsection (c) of this section. This provision shall apply to all persons appointed under Kan. Stat. Ann. § 72-114.

(b) Employees of the state board of education established by Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 72-124 and the state board for vocational education established by Kan. Stat. Ann. § 72-4302 shall retain rights and status to the extent provided in subsection (c) of this section. This provision shall apply to all such persons appointed by either such board or by the director of vocational education.

(c) The employees specified in subsections (a) and (b) of this section except employees in the division of vocational rehabilitation who are in the classified service under the Kansas civil service act on the effective date of this act shall be employed in the same or comparable positions in the state department of education established by this act, and shall retain rights and status acquired under said civil service act, subject, however, to the appointment by the state board of assistant commissioners as provided in Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 72-373 and other special officers appointed under Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 72-254 or under other provisions of law.

(d) The employees specified in subsection (b) of this section who are in the division of vocational rehabilitation shall be transferred to the state department of social welfare as provided by law.