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Committee adopts amendment to allow local votes on school-system consolidation
Summary
The committee adopted an amendment to House Bill 178 to create a statutory process enabling city and county school systems to combine by vote for economies of scale; amendment and bill were reported favorably, 12–0 on the amendment and favorable report recorded.
The committee adopted an amendment to House Bill 178 that would add a statutory framework allowing local school systems to combine by vote. Chair explained Representative Garrett asked the chair to handle the bill and that the amendment — described as a friendly amendment from Representative Garrett — "put into statute a framework if school systems wanted to combine."
Supporters cited inefficiencies of many small districts. The chair said some counties have "5 or 6" systems "and it's just ridiculous for the size county they are." Senator Figures and others said they welcome a mechanism that permits consolidation where communities determine it is in their best interest. Senator Melson moved adoption of the amendment and Senator Allen seconded; the amendment passed on a recorded roll (12 ayes, 0 nays). A subsequent vote gave the bill a favorable report.
The change creates a statutory vehicle for local consolidation by vote; details about required ballots, timelines and implementation processes were not specified in committee testimony and would be developed in bill language as it moves forward.
