Brief Description: Revising procedures for transfer of territory between school districts.

Sponsors: Representatives Anderson and McDermott.

Hearing Date: 2/28/05

Staff: Sydney Forrester (786-7120).

Background:

In 1999, the Legislature created a set of procedures governing all school district organization and reorganization. Those procedures include a process for petitioning for the transfer of territory from one school district to another. Citizens and school district boards of directors may petition for a change in school district boundaries involving a transfer of territory from one district to another. Such a petition must be signed by at least 50 percent plus one of the registered voters residing in the territory proposed to be transferred, or by the majority of the members of a school board in one of the districts affected by the proposed change in boundaries. The petition is submitted to the superintendent of the Educational Service District (ESD) and the affected districts are notified. Boards of directors of the affected districts are required to negotiate the proposal. If the negotiating school boards are unable to reach an agreement, they may request a mediator. If the districts still are unable to reach agreement, either district may request a hearing before the regional committee. In the case of a citizen-initiated petition, if the districts can not come to agreement about the proposed transfer, the district in which the citizens who filed the petition reside must file the request for a hearing unless a majority of the citizens request otherwise. Recent interpretations of the statute have concluded that when the negotiating school districts both agree that the transfer proposed by a citizen-initiated petition should not be completed, there is no requirement to request a hearing by the regional committee.

Summary of Bill:

In the case of a citizen-initiated petition for the transfer of territory between school districts, and the affected districts after negotiation and/or mediation do not agree to the proposed transfer, the school board of the district in which the citizens who filed the petition reside must request a hearing by the regional committee. If a majority of the citizens in the district request otherwise, the school board is not required to request a hearing.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.