A. The Commission for Rehabilitation Services shall have the supervision, management and control of the Oklahoma School for the Blind and the Oklahoma School for the Deaf, and, in addition to the powers and duties now vested in the State Board of Education as to each of such institutions, shall have authority to adopt such rules as it deems necessary for the government and operation of each institution, and for the admission and discharge of pupils at each institution. No easement, right-of-way, oil and gas lease or surface lease on any land used or occupied by either institution, or any other institution under the jurisdiction of the Commission, shall be granted or conveyed without the approval of the Commission; and all money hereafter received therefor or derived therefrom, including rentals and royalties from leases executed prior to July 1, 1965, shall be deposited in the revolving fund of the institution and be used by the Commission for the purposes of the institution. The Commission may participate in federal programs for the benefit of blind or deaf persons, and may receive and administer federal funds for such purposes. The Commission is hereby expressly granted every power necessary or convenient to make such institutions effective for the purposes for which they were created. The provisions of this section shall not affect the type of school maintained at either institution.

B. The Oklahoma School for the Blind and the Oklahoma School for the Deaf shall be considered local educational agencies only for the purpose of participating in federal programs and receiving federal funds disbursed by the State Department of Education to local educational agencies, if the schools meet the eligibility requirements for the federal programs.