This bill, HB 1374, modifies the procedures for withdrawal from cooperative school districts and the closure of elementary and high schools. It allows a majority of voters in a single withdrawing district to decide on withdrawal, replacing the previous requirement for a majority across the entire cooperative district. A new provision establishes that a 3/5 supermajority of voters in the withdrawing district will serve as conclusive evidence of withdrawal. Additionally, the bill mandates that all municipalities served by a school district must vote on the closure of schools, providing an option for municipalities to preserve a school’s operation if a majority of voters in the district vote to close it. The bill also requires governing bodies of municipalities to enter into operating agreements with the school district when they choose to preserve a school’s operation.

Furthermore, the bill empowers the state board of education to conduct hearings and make final decisions regarding school closures if no operating agreement is reached. It mandates that school boards review their operating documents every three years and provide findings and recommendations. Key legal language changes include the insertion of "withdrawing" to specify the district involved in the withdrawal process and the replacement of "majority" with "3/5 supermajority" to clarify voting requirements. The bill also repeals RSA 194:35, which previously addressed the discontinuance of high schools, and introduces new compliance requirements for school closures. The act will take effect 90 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 195:29, 195:25
As Amended by the Senate: 195:29, 195:25, 195-A:9, 194-C:5, 194:35
Version adopted by both bodies: 195:29, 195:25, 195-A:9, 194-C:5, 194:35
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 195:29, 195:25, 195-A:9, 194-C:5, 194:35
HB1374 text: 195:29, 195:25