House Engrossed

State of Arizona House of Representatives Fiftieth Legislature First Regular Session 2011

HOUSE BILL 2219

 

AN ACT

 

relating to school districts.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1.  Joint legislative study committee on school district unification and consolidation; membership; duties; report; delayed repeal

A.  The joint legislative study committee on school district unification and consolidation is established consisting of the following members:

1.  The chairperson of the house of representatives education committee.

2.  Two additional members of the house of representatives, each of whom is a member of a different political party, who are appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

3.  The chairperson of the senate education committee.

4.  Two additional members of the senate, each of whom is a member of a different political party, who are appointed by the president of the senate.

5.  A county school superintendent who represents a county with a population of at least five hundred thousand persons, who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

6.  A county school superintendent who represents a county with a population of less than five hundred thousand persons, who is appointed by the president of the senate.

7.  The superintendent of a school district that is located in a county with a population of at least five hundred thousand persons, who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

8.  The superintendent of a school district that is located in a county with a population of less than five hundred thousand persons, who is appointed by the president of the senate.

9.  A member of the governing board of a school district that is located in a county with a population of at least five hundred thousand persons, who is appointed by the president of the senate.

10.  A member of the governing board of a school district that is located in a county with a population of less than five hundred thousand persons, who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

11.  A teacher who is employed by a school district that is located in a county with a population of less than five hundred thousand persons, who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

12.  A member of the business community, who is appointed by the president of the senate.

13.  A member of the business community, who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

14.  A business official who is employed by a school district that is located in a county with a population of less than five hundred thousand persons, who is appointed by the president of the senate.

B.  The chairpersons of the education committees of the senate and the house of representatives shall serve as cochairpersons of the study committee.

C.  The study committee shall:

1.  Study issues pertaining to the unification and consolidation of existing school districts in this state.

2.  Develop legislation for consideration during the fiftieth legislature, second regular session, that is designed to encourage the unification and consolidation of existing school districts in this state.

3.  Consider any recommendations or proposals for possible school district unifications or consolidations that include:

(a)  A regionally or locally facilitated process that allows a school district governing board to develop its own unification or consolidation plan.  A county school superintendent may assist in the development of this plan.

(b)  A process for a county school superintendent to develop a school district unification or consolidation plan if the school district governing board is unable to develop its own unification or consolidation plan.

4.  Submit a report regarding the committee's activities and recommendations for legislative action on or before December 31, 2011 to the governor, the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives and provide a copy of this report to the secretary of state.

D.  This section is repealed from and after September 30, 2012.