House Bill No. [insert bill number] seeks to revise Montana's education laws regarding the reorganization of school districts into unified K-12 districts, aiming to enhance administrative efficiency and educational opportunities. The bill mandates that county superintendents adjust school district boundaries to facilitate these reorganizations and replaces the term "consolidation" with "reorganization" throughout the relevant laws, reflecting a more collaborative approach. It amends various sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) related to the powers of county superintendents, trustee elections, and the management of financial obligations during reorganizations. Key provisions include the oversight of boundary changes by county superintendents and the establishment of trustee positions in reorganized districts, with a focus on managing existing debts and cash balances.

Additionally, the bill outlines the process for K-12 school districts to reorganize, allowing contiguous districts to do so through resolutions or petitions. It specifies the election process for approving reorganizations, including how ballots should be phrased regarding bonded indebtedness. The bill also clarifies the Average Number Belonging (ANB) calculations, detailing criteria for student inclusion and exclusion, and introduces provisions for separate ANB calculations for geographically isolated schools. Furthermore, it allows for the imposition of a voted levy for school safety improvements, contingent upon voter approval, and establishes an effective date for the act of July 1, 2025. Overall, the legislation aims to streamline the reorganization process and clarify the roles and responsibilities of involved parties while promoting resource-sharing among school districts.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 20-3-205, 20-3-302, 20-3-312, 20-3-342, 20-6-202, 20-6-314, 20-6-410, 20-6-411, 20-6-413, 20-6-414, 20-6-423, 20-6-424, 20-6-704, 20-9-311, 20-9-502
HB0606_1(1): 20-3-205, 20-3-302, 20-3-312, 20-3-342, 20-6-202, 20-6-314, 20-6-410, 20-6-411, 20-6-413, 20-6-414, 20-6-423, 20-6-424, 20-6-704, 20-9-311, 20-9-502
HB0606_1(2): 20-3-205, 20-3-302, 20-3-312, 20-3-342, 20-6-202, 20-6-314, 20-6-410, 20-6-411, 20-6-413, 20-6-414, 20-6-423, 20-6-424, 20-6-704, 20-9-311, 20-9-502
HB0606_1(3): 20-3-205, 20-3-302, 20-3-312, 20-3-342, 20-6-202, 20-6-314, 20-6-410, 20-6-411, 20-6-413, 20-6-414, 20-6-423, 20-6-424, 20-6-704, 20-9-311, 20-9-502
HB0606_1(4): 20-3-205, 20-3-302, 20-3-312, 20-3-342, 20-6-202, 20-6-314, 20-6-410, 20-6-411, 20-6-413, 20-6-414, 20-6-423, 20-6-424, 20-6-704, 20-9-311, 20-9-502
HB0606_1: 20-3-205, 20-3-302, 20-3-312, 20-3-342, 20-6-202, 20-6-314, 20-6-410, 20-6-411, 20-6-413, 20-6-414, 20-6-423, 20-6-424, 20-6-704, 20-9-311, 20-9-502