This bill amends existing laws regarding school district mergers, consolidations, and dissolutions in Iowa. It modifies the election dates for these processes, allowing the county commissioner of elections to determine the specific date for elections related to school district mergers or consolidations, which must occur in the calendar year prior to the merger or consolidation taking effect. For school district dissolutions, elections will also be held on a date determined by the county commissioner.

Additionally, the bill changes the requirements for school district dissolution commissions. Instead of merely sending a copy of the dissolution proposal to the school board or informing them if an agreement cannot be reached, the commission must now develop a dissolution proposal within one year of its organizational meeting and submit it to the Department of Education for approval. The Department will either approve the proposal or suggest changes, which the commission must then incorporate. If the commission fails to agree on a proposal within the specified timeframe, it must notify the school board. Furthermore, if a receiving school district objects to the attachment of territory from the dissolving district, the objections must be submitted to the Department of Education, which will consider them and may direct modifications to the proposal if deemed reasonable.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 275.18, 39.2, 275.55