This bill amends existing laws regarding school district mergers, consolidations, and dissolutions in Iowa. It modifies the election dates for these processes, stipulating that elections related to school district mergers or consolidations must occur on a date determined by the county commissioner of elections in the calendar year prior to the merger or consolidation taking effect. Similarly, elections for school district dissolutions will also be held on a date set by the county commissioner. This change replaces the previous requirement for elections to be held on specific dates in odd and even-numbered years.

Additionally, the bill revises the procedures for school district dissolution proposals. It mandates that within one year of the organizational meeting, the dissolution commission must develop a proposal and submit it to the Department of Education (DE) for approval. The DE will either approve the proposal or suggest changes, which the commission must then incorporate before resubmitting. If the commission cannot reach an agreement on a proposal within the specified timeframe, it must inform the school district's board of directors. Furthermore, if a board objects to the proposed attachment of territory from a dissolving district, it must submit its objections to the DE, which will consider them and may direct modifications to the proposal if deemed reasonable.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 275.18, 39.2, 275.55