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History
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Relates to the consolidation of school districts
In Assembly Committee · Education · Sponsor Fred Thiele
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S2115
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to the consolidation of school districts
Purpose
Relates to the consolidation of school districts.
Summary of provisions
The education law is amended by adding a new section 1509-a.
Justification
As communities and taxpayers across the state continue to be subjected to skyrocketing property taxes caused by increases in the school property tax, the Legislature has been seeking ways to reduce this financial burden on New Yorkers. One of the issues that remains as the forefront is the consolidation of local school districts.
Under the current statute, districts normally perform feasibility studies with a neighboring district. However, even if a favorable study is produced, there is nothing requiring or providing additional incentive for districts to follow through on a consolidation. In addition, there are instances where one district wishes to move forward, another does not, and potentially, the community taxpayer's may be missing out on lower property taxes and increased educational opportunities due to a consolidation.
It is the goal of this bill to direct the State Education Department to perform a study to identify school districts with one thousand students or less that could consolidate. Said completed study shall identify the districts that the Department recommends for consolidation. Each proposed consolidation identified in the report shall be the subject of public hearings in each respective school district. Upon completion of the hearings, the Department shall create a final list of school districts which they recommend to consolidate. Each one of these districts shall establish a citizen advisory committee.
The Department will then be authorized to conduct feasibility studies for each proposed consolidation in conjunction with the citizen advisory committee. Public hearing shall be conducted by each school district upon completion of their feasibility study. A referendum to approve or disapprove such consolidation shall occur after the public hearings.
For those districts who receive approved consolidation from the voters, they shall receive an additional ten percent of state aid for twenty years following said consolidation.
Legislative history
2014-15 S.2127/A.2293;
2011-12 S.1758; 2009-10 S.2549.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.