Senate Bill 19-183 Summary

• Creates a voluntary alternate process for school districts to dissolve and annex into contiguous districts when specific conditions exist: loss of accreditation, absence of full 12-grade programs, or enrollment below 50 students.

• Requires formation of an organization planning committee with representatives from the dissolving district and all contiguous districts to develop a plan of organization within 60 days.

• Plan of organization must address student educational needs, diverse opportunities, facility use, boundary establishment, equitable asset distribution, board representation, and bonded debt designation.

• After public hearings and Commissioner approval, affected school boards must adopt the final plan within 60 days; dissolution takes effect on the specified date (or next July 1 for funding purposes).

• Allows annexing districts to levy a special tax up to one mill on annexed property to retire warrant indebtedness or liabilities of the dissolved district, subject to voter approval.