275.1 Definitions — declaration of policy — surveys.
1. As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
a. “Eligible elector” means eligible elector as defined in section 39.3, subsection 6.
b. “Initial board” means the board of a newly reorganized district that is selected pursuant to section 275.25 or 275.41 and functions until the organizational meeting following the second regular school election held after the effective date of the reorganization.
c. “Joint districts” means districts that lie in two or more adjacent area education agencies.
d. “Marginally adjacent district” or “marginally adjacent territory” means a district or territory which is separated from a second district or territory by property which is part of a third school district which completely surrounds one of the two districts.
e. “Registered voter” means registered voter as defined in section 39.3, subsection 11.
f. “Regular board” means the board of a reorganized district that begins to function at the organizational meeting following the second regular school election held after the effective date of the school reorganization, and is comprised of members who were elected to the current terms or were appointed to replace members who were elected.
g. “School districts affected” means the school districts named in the reorganization petition whether a school district is affected in whole or in part.
2. It is the policy of the state to encourage economical and efficient school districts which will ensure an equal educational opportunity to all children of the state. All areas of the state shall be in school districts maintaining kindergarten and twelve grades. If a school district ceases to maintain kindergarten and twelve grades except as otherwise provided in section 28E.9, 256.13, 280.15, 282.7, subsection 1 or 3, or section 282.8, it shall reorganize within six months or the state board shall attach the school district not maintaining kindergarten and twelve grades to one or more adjacent districts. Voluntary reorganizations under this chapter shall be commenced only if the affected school districts are contiguous or marginally adjacent to one another. A reorganized district shall meet the requirements of section 275.3.
3. If a district is attached, division of assets and liabilities shall be made as provided in sections 275.29 through 275.31. The area education agency boards shall develop detailed studies and surveys of the school districts within the area education agency and all adjacent territory for the purpose of providing for reorganization of school districts in order to effect more economical operation and the attainment of higher standards of education in the schools. The plans shall be revised periodically to reflect reorganizations which may have taken place in the area education agency and adjacent territory.
[C97, §2798; SS15, §2794-a; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §4152, 4154; C46, 50, §274.37, 275.1, 276.1; C54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §275.1; 82 Acts, ch 1113, §1]
83 Acts, ch 31, §2; 84 Acts, ch 1078, §1; 85 Acts, ch 212, §7; 88 Acts, ch 1263, §2; 92 Acts, ch 1246, §41, 42; 93 Acts, ch 160, §3; 94 Acts, ch 1023, §100; 94 Acts, ch 1169, §65; 2008 Acts, ch 1115, §11, 21; 2010 Acts, ch 1069, §75; 2013 Acts, ch 90, §67; 2016 Acts, ch 1073, §91; 2016 Acts, ch 1121, §7
Referred to in §257.3, 257.4, 275.9, 280.15, 282.7, 594A.6, 594A.8
Structure Iowa Code
Title VII - EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS
Chapter 275 - REORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS
Section 275.1 - Definitions — declaration of policy — surveys.
Section 275.2 - Scope of surveys.
Section 275.4 - Studies, surveys, and plans.
Section 275.5 - Proposals for merger or consolidation.
Section 275.6 - Progressive program.
Section 275.8 - Cooperation of department of education — planning joint districts.
Section 275.9 - Methods of effectuating reorganization plans.
Section 275.11 - Proposals involving two or more districts.
Section 275.12 - Petition — method of election.
Section 275.13 - Affidavit — presumption.
Section 275.14 - Objection — time of filing — notice.
Section 275.15 - Hearing — decision — publication — appeal.
Section 275.16 - Hearing when territory in different area education agencies.
Section 275.17 - Filing a petition.
Section 275.18 - Special election called — time.
Section 275.20 - Separate vote in existing districts.
Section 275.22 - Canvass and return.
Section 275.23 - Frequency of change.
Section 275.23A - Redistricting following federal decennial census.
Section 275.24 - Effective date of change.
Section 275.25 - Election of directors.
Section 275.26 - Payment of expenses.
Section 275.27 - Community school districts — part of area education agency.
Section 275.28 - Plan of division of assets and liabilities.
Section 275.29 - Division of assets and liabilities after reorganization.
Section 275.31 - Taxes and appropriation to effect equalization.
Section 275.32 - School buildings — tax levy.
Section 275.33 - Contracts of new district.
Section 275.35 - Change in number of directors — change in method of elections.
Section 275.36 - Submission of change to electors.
Section 275.37 - Increase in number of directors.
Section 275.37A - Decrease in number of directors.
Section 275.38 - Implementing changed method of election.
Section 275.39 - Excluded territory included in new petition.
Section 275.41 - Alternative method for director elections — temporary appointments.
Section 275.51 - Dissolution commission.
Section 275.53 - Dissolution proposal.
Section 275.55A - Attendance in other district.
Section 275.56 - Increasing enrollment.
Section 275.57 - Changing director district boundaries following dissolution.
Section 275.59 - Early retirement following school reorganization or dissolution.