reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 1. School Districts -- General Provisions › 20-6-102. Confirmation of existing district boundaries

20-6-102. Confirmation of existing district boundaries.
All districts established under the laws of the state of Montana or the territory of Montana and defined by the boundaries described in the records of each county on January 26, 1971, shall be recognized as the districts of the state on such date.
History: En. 75-6502 by Sec. 161, Ch. 5, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6502.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 1. School Districts -- General Provisions › 20-6-103. Permanent record of district boundaries

20-6-103. Permanent record of district boundaries.
(1) The board of county commissioners shall maintain a permanent record that plainly and definitely describes the boundaries of each district within the county. The county superintendent shall keep a transcript of the record in the superintendent's office and is responsible for keeping the record current.
(2) If the county superintendent determines that the boundaries of any elementary district or high school district are in conflict or are incorrectly described, the superintendent shall change, harmonize, and describe the boundaries accurately and shall make a report of the boundary adjustments to the board of county commissioners. When the board of county commissioners approves a district boundary report submitted by the county superintendent, the boundaries are the legal boundaries and description of the district within the county. Whenever district boundaries are clarified under this section, the county superintendent shall supply the trustees of the district with the legal descriptions of the boundaries of their district.
History: En. 75-6504 by Sec. 163, Ch. 5, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6504; amd. Sec. 301, Ch. 56, L. 2009.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 1. School Districts -- General Provisions › 20-6-104. Moratorium on creation of new district -- exceptions

20-6-104. Moratorium on creation of new district -- exceptions.
(1) Except as provided in subsections (2) and (3), a school district may not initiate the creation of a new elementary district or a new high school district.
(2) Pursuant to the provisions of 20-6-326, the trustees or the electors of an existing elementary district may initiate the creation of a new high school district solely for the purpose of expanding into a K-12 district.
(3) The moratorium in subsection (1) does not apply to a district that results from the procedure for the dissolution of a K-12 school district pursuant to 20-6-704.
History: En. Sec. 56, Ch. 633, L. 1993; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 285, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 15, Ch. 219, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 194, L. 2007.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 1. School Districts -- General Provisions › 20-6-110. Student construction project -- disclosure -- immunity

20-6-110. Student construction project -- disclosure -- immunity.
(1) The entity that transfers title to a construction project constructed as part of a public education program shall disclose the fact that the construction project was constructed as part of a public education program on at least one document, form, or application executed prior to or contemporaneously with an offer for the purchase, sale, rental, or lease of the construction project. The disclosure provided for in this subsection must be in the following form or in a substantially similar form: "Student Construction Project: This property was constructed as part of a public education program and was in whole or in part constructed by students. The school district or public postsecondary institution responsible for the education program is not liable for civil damages resulting from construction projects constructed as part of a public education program except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct."
(2) Except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct, a school district or public postsecondary institution is not liable for civil damages resulting from a construction project constructed as part of a public education program if the disclosure required in subsection (1) is made.
(3) As used in this section, "public education program" means a program operated by a public school or a public postsecondary institution.
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 521, L. 2005.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 2. Elementary School Districts › 20-6-201. Elementary district classification

20-6-201. Elementary district classification.
(1) Each elementary district shall have a classification of:
(a) first class, if it has a population of 6,500 or more;
(b) second class, if it has a population of 1,000 or more but less than 6,500; or
(c) third class, if it has a population of less than 1,000.
(2) The population of an elementary district must be determined by the county superintendent on the basis of the best available population information for the district.
(3) The county superintendent shall establish the classification of each elementary district in the county on the basis of the population determined for the district and the district classification criteria prescribed in this section. Whenever the population of an elementary district increases or decreases requiring an adjustment of the district classification according to the criteria prescribed in this section, the county superintendent shall declare the district's classification to be changed in accordance with the determined population, except that the classification of an elementary district may not be changed more than once every 5 years.
(4) Whenever the county superintendent changes an elementary district's classification with the result that a larger number of trustees is required on the elementary board of trustees, the increased number of trustee positions must be filled in the manner provided for in 20-3-302.
History: En. 75-6503 by Sec. 162, Ch. 5, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 353, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 137, L. 1973; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6503(part); amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 137, L. 1993.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 2. Elementary School Districts › 20-6-202. Time limitation for boundary changes

20-6-202. Time limitation for boundary changes.
An elementary district may not be created and elementary district boundaries may not be changed between the first day of January and the fourth Monday of August of any calendar year except when:
(1) the entire territory of a district is annexed or attached to another district;
(2) the entire territory of the portion of a joint district located in one county is annexed or attached to another district; or
(3) two or more districts are consolidated in their entirety.
History: En. 75-6505 by Sec. 164, Ch. 5, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 25, Ch. 388, L. 1975; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6505; amd. Sec. 7, Ch. 237, L. 2001.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 2. Elementary School Districts › 20-6-203. Repealed

20-6-203. Repealed.
Sec. 12, Ch. 510, L. 2005.
History: En. 75-6506 by Sec. 165, Ch. 5, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6506.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 2. Elementary School Districts › 20-6-204. Repealed

20-6-204. Repealed.
Sec. 12, Ch. 510, L. 2005.
History: En. 75-6507 by Sec. 166, Ch. 5, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6507.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 2. Elementary School Districts › 20-6-205. Repealed

20-6-205. Repealed.
Sec. 12, Ch. 510, L. 2005.
History: En. 75-6508 by Sec. 167, Ch. 5, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 6, Ch. 91, L. 1973; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6508.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 2. Elementary School Districts › 20-6-206. Repealed

20-6-206. Repealed.
Sec. 12, Ch. 510, L. 2005.
History: En. 75-6509 by Sec. 168, Ch. 5, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 83, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 155, L. 1974; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6509.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 2. Elementary School Districts › 20-6-207. Repealed

20-6-207. Repealed.
Sec. 12, Ch. 510, L. 2005.
History: En. 75-6510 by Sec. 169, Ch. 5, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6510.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 2. Elementary School Districts › 20-6-208. Repealed

20-6-208. Repealed.
Sec. 12, Ch. 510, L. 2005.
History: En. 75-6511 by Sec. 170, Ch. 5, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6511.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 2. Elementary School Districts › 20-6-209. Elementary district abandonment

20-6-209. Elementary district abandonment.
(1) The county superintendent shall declare an elementary district to be abandoned and order the attachment of the territory of the district to a contiguous district or districts of the county or, with the consent of the county superintendent of an adjacent county, to a contiguous district or districts in the adjacent county when:
(a) a school has not been operated by a district for at least the minimum aggregate hours under the provisions of 20-1-301 for each of 3 consecutive school fiscal years or a lesser number of aggregate hours as approved by the board of trustees under the provisions of 20-9-806; or
(b) there is an insufficient number of residents who are qualified electors of the district that can serve as the trustees and clerk of the district so that a legal board of trustees can be organized.
(2) The county superintendent shall notify the elementary district that has not operated a school for 2 consecutive years before the first day of the third year that the failure to operate a school for the minimum aggregate hours or a lesser number of aggregate hours than approved by the board of trustees under the provisions of 20-9-806 during the ensuing school fiscal year constitutes grounds for abandonment of the district at the conclusion of the succeeding school fiscal year. Failure by the county superintendent to provide the notification does not constitute a waiver of the abandonment requirement prescribed in subsection (1)(a).
(3) Any abandonment under subsection (1)(a) becomes effective on July 1. Any abandonment of an elementary district under subsection (1)(b) becomes effective immediately on the date of the abandonment order.
History: En. 75-6512 by Sec. 171, Ch. 5, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6512; amd. Sec. 7, Ch. 288, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 430, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 10, Ch. 138, L. 2005; amd. Sec. 8, Ch. 510, L. 2005.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 2. Elementary School Districts › 20-6-210. Repealed

20-6-210. Repealed.
Sec. 12, Ch. 510, L. 2005.
History: En. 75-6513 by Sec. 172, Ch. 5, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 277, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6513.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 2. Elementary School Districts › 20-6-211. Repealed

20-6-211. Repealed.
Sec. 12, Ch. 510, L. 2005.
History: En. 75-6514 by Sec. 173, Ch. 5, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6514.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 2. Elementary School Districts › 20-6-212. Repealed

20-6-212. Repealed.
Sec. 80, Ch. 130, L. 2005.
History: En. 75-6515 by Sec. 174, Ch. 5, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6515.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 2. Elementary School Districts › 20-6-213. Repealed

20-6-213. Repealed.
Sec. 7, Ch. 151, L. 2003.
History: En. 75-6516 by Sec. 175, Ch. 5, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 6, Ch. 83, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 256, L. 1975; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6516; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 287, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 145, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 517, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 403, L. 1997.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 2. Elementary School Districts › 20-6-214. Boundary adjustments in elementary school districts

20-6-214. Boundary adjustments in elementary school districts.
The trustees of an elementary school district may, by resolution, request a change in the boundaries between their district and an adjacent district. If the trustees request a transfer by resolution, the territory proposed for transfer must conform to the provisions of 20-6-105(1) and (2) and the resolution must include information outlined in 20-6-105(3). The resolution must be addressed to the county superintendent of schools who, upon receiving the resolution, shall proceed to a hearing as set forth in 20-6-105(6).
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 29, L. 1974; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6516.1; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 151, L. 2003.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 2. Elementary School Districts › 20-6-215. Review of boundaries by county superintendent

20-6-215. Review of boundaries by county superintendent.
A county superintendent of schools shall, at least once every 3 years, review the existing elementary school district boundaries in the county. The review and any recommended boundary changes must include information that the territory proposed for transfer complies with the provisions of 20-6-105(1) through (3) and must be presented by the superintendent at a hearing conducted under 20-6-105(6). If the superintendent orders a boundary change after the hearing, the superintendent shall forward copies of the review and the testimony at the hearing to the board of county commissioners and the state superintendent of public instruction.
History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 29, L. 1974; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6516.2; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 151, L. 2003.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 2. Elementary School Districts › 20-6-216. Repealed

20-6-216. Repealed.
Sec. 22, Ch. 219, L. 1997.
History: En. 75-6517 by Sec. 176, Ch. 5, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 137, L. 1973; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 256, L. 1975; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6517; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 337, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 430, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 371, L. 1987.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 2. Elementary School Districts › 20-6-217. Repealed

20-6-217. Repealed.
Sec. 22, Ch. 219, L. 1997.
History: En. 75-6518 by Sec. 177, Ch. 5, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6518; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 430, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 371, L. 1987.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 2. Elementary School Districts › 20-6-218. Relocation of elementary school within district

20-6-218. Relocation of elementary school within district.
The trustees of an elementary district may relocate an elementary school that is currently operating within the district if the relocation will be more convenient for the majority of the pupils attending. The provisions of 20-6-502 relating to opening or reopening a school do not apply. The provisions of 20-6-603 apply if the new site has not been previously approved as required by 20-6-603.
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 281, L. 1989.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 3. High School Districts › 20-6-301. High school district classification

20-6-301. High school district classification.
The classification of a high school district must be the same as the classification of the elementary district (20-6-201) where the high school building is located. If there is more than one elementary district in which operating high school buildings are located, the classification of the high school district must be the same as the classification of the elementary district described in 20-6-201 in which the operating high school building that was first constructed is located. Whenever the classification of such elementary district is changed, the classification of a high school district must be changed accordingly and the county superintendent shall adjust the number of additional high school district trustee positions in accordance with the method prescribed in 20-3-354 for the determination of the number of additional trustee positions required for a high school district. An increased number of trustee positions must be filled by the appointment of the county superintendent, and those positions are subject to election at the next regular trustee election. When the number of positions is decreased, the next additional high school trustee positions that become vacant under any circumstances may not be filled until the number of trustee positions has been reduced to the number required by law.
History: En. 75-6503 by Sec. 162, Ch. 5, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 353, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 137, L. 1973; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6503(part); amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 91, L. 2005.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 3. High School Districts › 20-6-302. Repealed

20-6-302. Repealed.
Sec. 13, Ch. 617, L. 1983.
History: En. 75-6519 by Sec. 178, Ch. 5, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6519.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 3. High School Districts › 20-6-303. Repealed

20-6-303. Repealed.
Sec. 22, Ch. 219, L. 1997.
History: En. 75-6520 by Sec. 179, Ch. 5, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 44, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6520.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 3. High School Districts › 20-6-304. Repealed

20-6-304. Repealed.
Sec. 22, Ch. 219, L. 1997.
History: En. 75-6521 by Sec. 180, Ch. 5, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6521; amd. Sec. 9, Ch. 617, L. 1983.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 3. High School Districts › 20-6-305. Repealed

20-6-305. Repealed.
Sec. 13, Ch. 617, L. 1983.
History: En. 75-6522 by Sec. 181, Ch. 5, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6522.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 3. High School Districts › 20-6-306. Repealed

20-6-306. Repealed.
Sec. 13, Ch. 617, L. 1983.
History: En. 75-6523 by Sec. 182, Ch. 5, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 12, Ch. 266, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6523.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 3. High School Districts › 20-6-307. High school district abandonment

20-6-307. High school district abandonment.
Within 6 months after a high school district fails to operate an accredited high school within its boundaries for a period of 1 year, the county superintendent shall order the high school district abandoned. At least 20 days before issuing an abandonment order, the county superintendent shall notify the trustees of the high school district of the impending abandonment. When the order is issued, the county superintendent shall also order the attachment of the territory of each elementary district of the abandoned high school district to another high school district or districts of the county or, with the consent of the county superintendent of an adjacent county, to another contiguous high school district or districts in the adjacent county.
History: En. 75-6524 by Sec. 183, Ch. 5, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6524; amd. Sec. 9, Ch. 510, L. 2005.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 3. High School Districts › 20-6-308. Organization of joint high school district

20-6-308. Organization of joint high school district.
The boundaries of a high school district that encompass a county's portion of a joint elementary district where an elementary school is operated may be changed to establish a joint high school district. The high school district boundary change must be a transfer of all the territory located in another county's portion of the same joint elementary district and must be made pursuant to the procedures provided in 20-6-105.
History: En. 75-6525 by Sec. 184, Ch. 5, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 256, L. 1975; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6525; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 151, L. 2003.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 3. High School Districts › 20-6-309. Repealed

20-6-309. Repealed.
Sec. 7, Ch. 151, L. 2003.
History: En. 75-6526 by Sec. 185, Ch. 5, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6526.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 3. High School Districts › 20-6-310. Repealed

20-6-310. Repealed.
Sec. 13, Ch. 617, L. 1983.
History: En. 75-6527 by Sec. 186, Ch. 5, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6527.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 3. High School Districts › 20-6-311. Repealed

20-6-311. Repealed.
Sec. 22, Ch. 219, L. 1997.
History: En. 75-6528 by Sec. 187, Ch. 5, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6528; amd. Sec. 10, Ch. 617, L. 1983.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 3. High School Districts › 20-6-312. County high school unification

20-6-312. County high school unification.
(1) Any county high school may be unified with the elementary district where the county high school building is located to establish a unified school system under a unified board of trustees. The territory of an existing joint high school district must remain a part of the joint high school district.
(2) A proposition to unify a county high school with the elementary district where the county high school building is located must be introduced whenever:
(a) the trustees of the county high school and the trustees of the elementary district individually pass resolutions requesting the county superintendent to order an election to consider a unification proposition; or
(b) not less than 20% of the electors of the high school district where the county high school is located who are qualified to vote under the provisions of 20-20-301 petition the county superintendent to order an election to consider a unification proposition.
(3) When the county superintendent has received the trustees' resolutions or a valid petition, the county superintendent shall, within 10 days after the receipt of the last resolution or petition and under the provisions of 20-20-201, order the county high school to call an election to consider a unification proposition. The trustees of the county high school shall call and conduct an election in the manner prescribed in this title for school elections. An elector who may vote on the unification proposition must be qualified to vote under the provisions of 20-20-301. The ballot for a county high school unification proposition must be substantially in the following form:
"OFFICIAL BALLOT
COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL UNIFICATION ELECTION
Shall.... County High School be unified with District No....., .... County to establish a unified school system under a unified board of trustees?
☐ FOR the unification of the county high school.
☐ AGAINST the unification of the county high school."
(4) When the county superintendent receives the election certificate from the trustees of the county high school, the county superintendent shall issue an order declaring the unification of the county high school with the elementary district identified on the ballot as of the next July 1, if a majority of those electors voting at the election have voted for the unification proposition.
(5) If a majority of those electors voting at the election have voted against the unification proposition, the county superintendent shall order the disapproval of the unification proposition.
History: En. 75-6538 by Sec. 197, Ch. 5, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6538; amd. Sec. 16, Ch. 219, L. 1997.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 3. High School Districts › 20-6-313. Transactions after approved county high school unification

20-6-313. Transactions after approved county high school unification.
(1) Whenever a county high school is unified with the elementary district where the county high school building is located, the following transactions must be completed on or before the July 1 when the unification becomes effective:
(a) The county high school trustees, who do not have the capacity to govern the high school district upon unification, shall surrender all minutes, documents, and other records of the county high school to the trustees of the high school district.
(b) The county superintendent shall order the establishment of additional high school trustee nominating areas in the manner prescribed in 20-3-352 and 20-3-353, if requested to do so by a majority of the outlying elementary districts located in the high school district. When the county superintendent establishes the areas, the county superintendent shall appoint additional high school district trustees from each area, who shall hold office until a successor is elected at the next regular school election and qualified.
(c) The county treasurer, after allowing for any outstanding or registered warrants, shall transfer all end-of-the-year fund cash balances of the county high school to similar funds established for the high school district. All previous years' taxes levied and collected for the county high school shall be credited to the appropriate fund of the high school district.
(2) All county high school bonds outstanding at the time of unification shall remain the obligation of the county or that portion of the county against which the bonds were originally issued. The high school district is responsible for the maintenance of the debt service fund for the bonds. It is the duty of the board of county commissioners and the trustees of the high school district to perform the duties prescribed in the school budgeting and bond redemption provisions of this title for the redemption and interest payments of the county high school bonds in the same manner and by the same means as though the county high school had not been unified.
History: En. 75-6539 by Sec. 198, Ch. 5, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6539; amd. Sec. 17, Ch. 219, L. 1997.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 3. High School Districts › 20-6-314. Time limitations for boundary changes

20-6-314. Time limitations for boundary changes.
A high school district may not be created and a high school district boundary may not be changed between the first day of January and the fourth Monday of August of any calendar year except when:
(1) the entire territory of a high school district is annexed or attached to another high school district;
(2) the entire territory or portion of a joint high school district located in one county is annexed or attached to another high school district; or
(3) two or more districts are consolidated in their entirety.
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 617, L. 1983; amd. Sec. 10, Ch. 22, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 403, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 8, Ch. 237, L. 2001.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 3. High School Districts › 20-6-320. Repealed

20-6-320. Repealed.
Sec. 7, Ch. 151, L. 2003.
History: En. Sec. 7, Ch. 617, L. 1983; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 299, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 517, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 403, L. 1997.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 3. High School Districts › 20-6-321. Repealed

20-6-321. Repealed.
Sec. 12, Ch. 510, L. 2005.
History: En. Sec. 8, Ch. 617, L. 1983; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 15, L. 1985.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 3. High School Districts › 20-6-322. Boundary adjustments in high school districts

20-6-322. Boundary adjustments in high school districts.
The trustees of a high school district may, by resolution, request a change in the boundaries between their district and an adjacent district. If the trustees request a transfer by resolution, the territory proposed for transfer must conform to the provisions of 20-6-105(1) and (2) and the resolution must include information outlined in 20-6-105(3). The resolution must be addressed to the county superintendent of schools who, upon receiving the resolution, shall proceed to a hearing as provided in 20-6-105(6).
History: En. Sec. 5, Ch. 403, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 6, Ch. 151, L. 2003.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 3. High School Districts › 20-6-325. Repealed

20-6-325. Repealed.
Sec. 22, Ch. 219, L. 1997.
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 585, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 226, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 371, L. 1987.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 4. School District Reorganization › 20-6-401. Repealed

20-6-401. Repealed.
Sec. 1, Ch. 36, Sp. L. November 1993.
History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 125, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6541; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 205, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 185, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 337, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 13, Ch. 11, Sp. L. June 1989.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 4. School District Reorganization › 20-6-402. Repealed

20-6-402. Repealed.
Sec. 1, Ch. 36, Sp. L. November 1993.
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 125, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6540; amd. Sec. 11, Ch. 617, L. 1983.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 4. School District Reorganization › 20-6-403. Repealed

20-6-403. Repealed.
Sec. 1, Ch. 36, Sp. L. November 1993.
History: En. Sec. 3, Ch. 125, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6542; amd. Sec. 12, Ch. 617, L. 1983.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 4. School District Reorganization › 20-6-404. Repealed

20-6-404. Repealed.
Sec. 1, Ch. 36, Sp. L. November 1993.
History: En. Sec. 4, Ch. 125, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6543.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 4. School District Reorganization › 20-6-405. Repealed

20-6-405. Repealed.
Sec. 1, Ch. 36, Sp. L. November 1993.
History: En. Sec. 5, Ch. 125, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6544.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 4. School District Reorganization › 20-6-406. Repealed

20-6-406. Repealed.
Sec. 1, Ch. 36, Sp. L. November 1993.
History: En. Sec. 6, Ch. 125, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6545; amd. Sec. 30, Ch. 703, L. 1985.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 4. School District Reorganization › 20-6-407. Repealed

20-6-407. Repealed.
Sec. 1, Ch. 36, Sp. L. November 1993.
History: En. Sec. 7, Ch. 125, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6546.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 4. School District Reorganization › 20-6-408. Repealed

20-6-408. Repealed.
Sec. 1, Ch. 36, Sp. L. November 1993.
History: En. Sec. 8, Ch. 125, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6547.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 4. School District Reorganization › 20-6-410. Tenure protected -- hiring preference for employees

20-6-410. Tenure protected -- hiring preference for employees.
(1) Whenever two or more school districts consolidate or join through annexation to organize into a single district in the manner provided for in Title 20, chapter 6, a principal, teacher, or other certified employee of the school districts who has a right of tenure under Montana law must be given absolute preference in hiring for the first school fiscal year for any vacant position with the consolidated or enlarged district for which the employee is qualified with the required certification endorsements. Upon acceptance of a position, the certified employee continues to have tenure in the consolidated or enlarged district and the board of trustees of the consolidated or enlarged school district in which the person will perform duties shall recognize and give effect to the right of tenure.
(2) A noncertified, nonprobationary employee of a school district that consolidates or joins another district through annexation must be given preference in hiring for the first school fiscal year for any vacant position with the consolidated or enlarged district for which the employee has substantially equal qualifications and, upon acceptance of a position, may not be given probationary status.
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 497, L. 1991.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 4. School District Reorganization › 20-6-411. Bonded indebtedness to remain with original territory except when assumed by election

20-6-411. Bonded indebtedness to remain with original territory except when assumed by election.
Whenever district boundaries are changed in any manner prescribed in this title, the existing bonded indebtedness against any district or territory affected by a change of boundaries remains the indebtedness of the original territory against which the bonds were issued and must be paid by levies on the original territory, except when districts are consolidated with the mutual assumption of bonded indebtedness or when a district is annexed with a joint assumption of the annexing district's bonded indebtedness. Any money to the credit of the debt service fund of a district when its boundaries are changed must be used to pay the existing bond principal and interest of the original territory issuing the bonds as it becomes due or for bond redemption under the bonding provisions of this title.
History: En. 75-6529 by Sec. 188, Ch. 5, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6529; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 60, L. 2009.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 4. School District Reorganization › 20-6-412. Property tax valuation after district boundary change

20-6-412. Property tax valuation after district boundary change.
The property tax valuation used under the provisions of 20-9-142 for the purposes of fixing the tax levies, except the debt service fund tax levy, for a district that has had a boundary change at any time before the fourth Monday in August shall include the property tax valuation of any territory added to the district by such boundary change or exclude the property tax valuation of any territory detached from the district by such boundary change.
History: En. 75-6530 by Sec. 189, Ch. 5, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6530; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 133, L. 1993.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 4. School District Reorganization › 20-6-413. Cash disposition when district ceases to exist -- special levy for tuition debt

20-6-413. Cash disposition when district ceases to exist -- special levy for tuition debt.
Whenever a district ceases to exist in any manner prescribed in this title, except when districts are consolidated, the cash on hand to the credit of the funds of the district and the debts of the former district must be allocated in the following manner:
(1) Any cash to the credit of the district must be used to pay any debts of the district, including bonded indebtedness, except that any cash available in the debt service fund must be used first to pay bond interest and all outstanding bonds.
(2) If any cash remains to the credit of the district after paying its debts, the cash must be transferred by the county treasurer to the credit of the district or districts assuming its territory. When the territory is assumed by more than one district, the remaining cash must be prorated between the districts on the basis of the taxable value of the territory assumed by each district as determined by the county superintendent.
(3) If any tuition debt remains as an obligation of the district, the tuition debt is the obligation of the taxable property of the discontinued district, except when the tuition debt has been assumed by the consolidated or annexing district. The tuition debt must be financed by a mill levy on the property of the discontinued district and paid from these proceeds by the county superintendent.
(4) If any debts, other than bonded indebtedness and tuition, remain as an obligation of the district after the cash has been utilized under the provisions of subsection (1), the debts must be assigned in the same manner prescribed for the transfer of cash under subsection (2).
History: En. 75-6532 by Sec. 191, Ch. 5, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 137, L. 1973; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6532; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 127, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 214, L. 1999.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 4. School District Reorganization › 20-6-414. Cash disposition when districts consolidated

20-6-414. Cash disposition when districts consolidated.
Whenever two or more districts are consolidated without the mutual assumption of bonded indebtedness, all cash and debts, other than cash credited to the debt service fund and debts for bonded indebtedness, must be credited or debited to the same types of funds of the consolidated district as the funds from which they were transferred by the county treasurer. In addition, when two or more districts are consolidated with the mutual assumption of bonded indebtedness, the cash credited to the debt service fund and the bonded indebtedness also must be transferred to a similar fund of the consolidated district.
History: En. 75-6533 by Sec. 192, Ch. 5, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6533; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 60, L. 2009.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 4. School District Reorganization › 20-6-415. Repealed

20-6-415. Repealed.
Sec. 22, Ch. 219, L. 1997.
History: En. 75-6534 by Sec. 193, Ch. 5, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 6, Ch. 137, L. 1973; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6534.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 4. School District Reorganization › 20-6-416. No cash disposition when territory transferred

20-6-416. No cash disposition when territory transferred.
Whenever only a portion of the territory of one district is transferred to another district, all cash and debts, other than bonded indebtedness, shall be retained by the district originally realizing the cash or debt.
History: En. 75-6535 by Sec. 194, Ch. 5, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6535.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 4. School District Reorganization › 20-6-417. Property disposition when district boundaries changed

20-6-417. Property disposition when district boundaries changed.
Whenever district boundaries are changed, title to the real and personal property of the districts involved in such boundary change shall vest in the district which encompasses the territory where such real or personal property was located at the time the legal procedure to authorize the boundary change was introduced. The disposition or utilization of such property will be in the discretion of the trustees of the district encompassing the territory of its location, as provided by law.
History: En. 75-6536 by Sec. 195, Ch. 5, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6536.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 4. School District Reorganization › 20-6-418. Surrender of records when district ceases to exist

20-6-418. Surrender of records when district ceases to exist.
Within 10 days after any district ceases to exist, the trustees shall surrender all minutes, documents, and other records of the district to the trustees of the district assuming its territory or, if more than one district assumes its territory, to the county superintendent.
History: En. 75-6537 by Sec. 196, Ch. 5, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6537.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 4. School District Reorganization › 20-6-421. Conditions for district annexation

20-6-421. Conditions for district annexation.
(1) An elementary district may be annexed to a contiguous elementary district under the provisions of 20-6-422 when:
(a) a third-class district where a high school is not located is annexed to a third-class district where a high school is located, to a first-class district, or to a second-class district;
(b) a third-class district where a high school is located is annexed to a first-class district or to a second-class district; or
(c) a second-class district is annexed to a first-class district.
(2) A high school district may be annexed to a contiguous high school district or a K-12 school district may be annexed to a contiguous K-12 school district under the provisions of 20-6-422 when:
(a) a third-class district is annexed to a first-class district or to a second-class district; or
(b) a second-class district is annexed to a first-class district.
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 510, L. 2005.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 4. School District Reorganization › 20-6-424. Interim governance of consolidated district

20-6-424. Interim governance of consolidated district.
(1) Upon passage of a consolidation proposition under the provisions of 20-6-423, an interim board of trustees made up of all of the members of the boards of trustees of the districts that consolidated shall serve as the trustees for the consolidated district from the date of the consolidation order until the newly elected board of the consolidated district is organized under 20-3-321. The interim board of trustees shall elect a presiding officer from among its members.
(2) The trustees of each district incorporated in the consolidation order shall continue to perform those duties related to the operation of their individual districts until the effective date of the consolidation. The interim board of trustees shall perform those duties related to the formation of and transition to the consolidated district, including but not limited to:
(a) calling an election of the new board of trustees for the consolidated district to be held on the regular election day preceding the effective date of the consolidation; and
(b) if necessary, calling an election under 20-9-353 for the ensuing budget year of the consolidated district.
(3) At the next regular school election following the consolidation election, trustees for the consolidated district must be elected in accordance with the election provisions of Title 13 and Title 20. The term of office is 3 years, except that the initial terms of the newly elected trustees must be selected by lot in order to comply with the provisions of 20-3-302.
(4) The interim board of trustees must be dissolved upon the organization of the newly elected trustees pursuant to 20-3-321.
History: En. Sec. 4, Ch. 510, L. 2005.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 5. Opening and Closing of Schools › 20-6-501. Definition of various schools

20-6-501. Definition of various schools.
As used in this title, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the term "school" means an institution for the teaching of children that is established and maintained under the laws of the state of Montana at public expense. The trustees of a district shall designate the grade assignments for the schools of the district, but for the purposes of this title each school is known as:
(1) an elementary school when it comprises the work of any combination of kindergarten, other preschool programs, or the first eight grades or their equivalents. A middle school is a school comprising the work of grades 4 through 8 or any combination of grades 4 through 8 that has been accredited as a middle school under the provisions of 20-7-102. When an accredited junior high school is operated by the district, grades 7 and 8 or their equivalents may not be considered as elementary grades.
(2) a high school when it comprises the work of one or more grades of schoolwork or their equivalents intermediate between the elementary schools and the institutions of higher education of the state of Montana. Types of high schools are designated as follows:
(a) a junior high school is a school comprising the work of grades 7 through 9 or their equivalents that has been accredited as a junior high school under the provisions of 20-7-102;
(b) a senior high school is a school that comprises the work of grades 10 through 12 or their equivalents and that is operated in conjunction with a junior high school;
(c) a 4-year high school is a school comprising the work of grades 9 through 12 or their equivalents.
History: En. 75-6601 by Sec. 199, Ch. 5, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 352, L. 1974; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6601(1), (2); amd. Sec. 10, Ch. 658, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 18, Ch. 219, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 343, L. 1999.
2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 20. Education › Chapter 6. School Districts › Part 5. Opening and Closing of Schools › 20-6-503. Opening or reopening of a high school

20-6-503. Opening or reopening of a high school.
(1) The trustees of any high school district may open or reopen a high school of the district or a branch of a high school of the district when such opening or reopening has been approved by the superintendent of public instruction; except when a county high school is discontinued by a unification action, the trustees may establish, by resolution, a high school to be operated by the high school district without further action or approval. When the trustees of a high school district resolve to open or reopen a high school, they shall apply to the superintendent of public instruction for approval to open or reopen such school by June 1 before the school fiscal year in which they intend to open or reopen the high school. Such application shall state:
(a) their reasons why the high school should be opened or reopened;
(b) the probable enrollment of such high school;
(c) the distance and road conditions of the route to neighboring high schools;
(d) the taxable value of the district;
(e) the building and equipment facilities available for such high school;
(f) the planned course of instruction for such high school;
(g) the planned methods of complying with high school standards of accreditation; and
(h) any other information that may be required by the superintendent of public instruction.
(2) The superintendent of public instruction shall investigate the application for the opening or reopening of a high school and shall approve or disapprove the opening of the high school before the fourth Monday of June preceding the first year of intended operation. If the opening is approved, the high school district trustees may open such high school.
(3) Whenever the opening or reopening of a high school is approved for the ensuing school fiscal year, the county superintendent shall estimate the average number belonging (ANB) after investigating the probable enrollment for the high school. The ANB determined by the county superintendent shall be used for budgeting and BASE funding program purposes.
(4) Nothing herein contained shall be construed so as to preclude the trustees of a high school district from establishing more than one high school in the district.
History: En. 75-6603 by Sec. 201, Ch. 5, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 75-6603.