(a)  The commissioner is hereby authorized to create a pilot recovery high school for the purposes of demonstrating the effectiveness of this model in Rhode Island. Any currently licensed entities eligible to establish a recovery high school, as defined in subdivision 16-93-2(1), may submit a proposal to operate a pilot recovery high school to the commissioner no later than December 1st of the school year before the school year in which the recovery high school is to begin operation. The approval of the board of regents shall be required in order for the recovery high school to begin operation.

(b)  By approval of the proposal upon the recommendation of the commissioner, the board of regents will be deemed to have authorized all necessary variances from regulations enumerated in the proposal.

(c)  After two (2) years of operation, the pilot recovery high school will be required to submit an analysis demonstrating the educational outcomes, including, but not limited to, graduation rates, retention rates, course performance, and performance on the state assessment attained through the pilot to the commissioner.