Bill > HB1374

Introduced Session

This bill: I. Modifies the procedure for withdrawal from a cooperative school district to allow a majority of voters in a single withdrawing district to elect to withdraw. II. Clarifies that a supermajority of voters in a withdrawing district voting in favor of withdrawal shall constitute conclusive evidence of the withdrawal of the district. III. Requires that voters residing in all municipalities that are served by a school district vote on the closure of schools. IV. Establishes an option for the governing bodies of municipalities to preserve the operation of a school located within the municipality where the majority of voters residing in all municipalities served by the district elected to close such school. V. Requires the governing bodies of municipalities to enter into an operating agreement with the district where such option to preserve the operation of a school has been exercised. VI. Authorizes the state board of education to conduct hearings and issue final decisions relative to whether a school shall be closed or its operation shall be continued in circumstances where an operating agreement has not been entered into. VII. Requires school administrative units and cooperative school districts comply with the provisions of the act. VIII. Requires every 3 years school boards of single district school districts, cooperative school districts, and school administrative units review operating documents for each district and provide findings and recommendations resulting from such review.

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Committee Categories

Mary Murphy (R)*,  Pamela Brown (R),  Riché Colcombe (R),  Mary Ford (R),  Dan McGuire (R),  Raymond Peeples (R),  Susan Porcelli (R),  Ruth Ward (R), 

Conferee Change; Senator Birdsell Replaces Senator Prentiss; Senate Journal 14 (on 05/26/2026)

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