This bill revises Montana's education laws to facilitate the reorganization of school districts into unified K-12 districts. It mandates that county superintendents adjust school district boundaries to support these reorganizations and replaces the term "consolidation" with "reorganization" throughout the relevant legal texts. Key amendments include clarifying the responsibilities of county superintendents regarding boundary changes, the management of trustee positions post-reorganization, and the handling of existing bonded indebtedness, which will remain with the original territory unless mutually agreed otherwise. The bill also outlines the process for cash disposition during reorganizations, emphasizing local governance while promoting efficiency and resource-sharing among districts.

Additionally, the bill modifies the Average Number Belonging (ANB) calculations, specifying criteria for student inclusion and exclusion, and introduces provisions for calculating ANB separately for geographically isolated schools. It establishes a three-year period for separate ANB and basic entitlement calculations following reorganizations. The bill allows for a voted levy to fund school safety improvements, contingent on approval from district electors, and sets an effective date of July 1, 2025, for the implementation of these changes. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the reorganization process and clarify the roles and responsibilities of involved parties while ensuring proper financial management and accountability.

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