1105P: Director Districts

Director Districts

When reconfiguring director districts, the newly established director districts will meet the following criteria:

1. The districts will be as nearly as possible equal in population;
2. The districts will be as compact as possible and consist of geographically contiguous area;
3. The districts will not favor or disfavor any racial group or political party; and
4. The districts will as much as possible coincide with natural boundaries and existing communities. At least one week before the board considers adoption of the plan of director districts, the board will hold a public hearing on the plan.

Within thirty days of adoption of the plan of director districts, the legal descriptions and maps depicting the director districts will be submitted to the county auditor. If the plan is submitted after the fourth Monday in June of an odd-numbered year, the plan will not take effect until the following year.

Any registered voter in the district may challenge the plan within 45 days of its adoption by requesting that the superior court review the plan for compliance with the four criteria listed above.

Dissolution of Director Districts

If the district desires to dissolve director districts and create a combination of director districts and at-large districts, the board will submit a resolution adopted by the board or a petition signed by 20 percent of the registered voters to the educational service district. The resolution or petition will request dissolution of the existing director districts. If the ballot measure is approved, the board will reconfigure the existing districts to consist of at least three director districts and at most two at large districts. As the current board members terms expire, their successors will be elected according to the approved redistricting.

Transfer of District Property

A proposed change in school district organization by transfer of territory from one school district to another may be initiated by a petition in writing presented to the educational service district (ESD) superintendent. Before presenting the petition to the ESD, the board will submit a written notice of intent to transfer property to the effected school district(s). The written notice of intent to transfer will include a request that the effected district(s) respond in writing acknowledging receipt of the notice, and explaining their position regarding the proposed transfer.

The board will submit written notice of the intent to transfer property to all registered voters residing in the area proposed to be transferred. The notice must include date, time and place of a public hearing at which the voters can comment on the proposed transfer of property.

The board will compile and review responses from the effected school district(s) and all comments received from members of the public regarding the transfer prior to signing the formal board petition requesting the transfer.

The board of directors will mediate with the effected district(s) in good faith and comply with the transfer procedures outline in 28A.315.195 through 28A.315.215.