What's happening
This bill allows school districts that are not directly adjacent but are in close proximity to a city school district to consolidate with it.
Why it matters
Expands consolidation options for rural and suburban schools. By allowing districts that are "in close proximity" (not just directly adjacent) to a city school district to consolidate, the bill creates new pathways for smaller or struggling schools near cities to merge resources and potentially improve educational offerings.
Could stabilize finances and address enrollment challenges. Districts facing declining student numbers or financial pressure may benefit from joining with a nearby city district, which could help maintain programs, staff, and facilities that might otherwise be at risk.
May impact local identity and governance. Consolidation decisions can affect community identity, school traditions, and local control over education, so the bill’s broader consolidation eligibility could spark debate among residents about the balance between efficiency and preserving unique local schools.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Make School Mergers Easier
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
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History
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1439
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 9, 2017
Introduced by Sen. RITCHIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to consolidation with city school districts
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 1524 of the education law, as amended by chapter 461 of the laws of 1996, is amended to read as follows:
1. Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter or any other general, special, or local law to the contrary, whenever the qualified voters of a school district which is contiguous to the city school district or in close proximity to the city school district of a city with less than one hundred twenty-five thousand inhabitants, according to the latest federal census, by a majority vote taken at an annual or special meeting of such district shall adopt a proposition to consolidate such school district with such city school district, and the board of education of such city school district shall by resolution duly adopted consent thereto, the commissioner [of education] may by order consolidate such school district with such city school district; provided, however, that where several school districts are contiguous to each other and at least one of such school districts is contiguous to such city school district or in close proximity to such city school district, such vote may be taken in each of such school districts at the same time, and if the proposition to consolidate is adopted by a majority vote in each such district, including any votes cast by absentee ballot as provided under section two thousand eighteen-a or two thousand eighteen-b of this [chapter] title, whichever shall apply, and upon the consent of the city school district board of education, the commissioner [of education] may include each such district in one order of consolidation; provided, further, however, that if the proposition to consolidate is not adopted
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07354-01-7
S. 1439 2
by a majority vote in each such district, but is so adopted in one or more of such districts, upon the consent of the city school district board of education, the commissioner may include in one order of consolidation only such district or districts as, either singly or as a group, are contiguous to such city school district or in close proximity to such city school district. Such order shall specify a date on which the same shall take effect, and shall have the same effect as an order made by a district superintendent dissolving two or more common school districts and forming a new district therefrom, or dissolving one or more common school districts and uniting the territory thereof to a union free school district under the provisions of article thirty-one of this chapter. A copy of such order shall be filed with the clerk of each school district affected thereby.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to consolidation with city school districts
Purpose
To allow for the voluntary consolidation of a school district in close proximity with a city school district within the education law.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends section 1524 of the education law to allow a school district in close proximity to a city school district, to voluntarily consolidate with that city school district.
Section 2 provides for the effective date.
Existing law
Currently, the Education Law allows for the voluntary consolidation of a school district or districts contiguous to a city school district. It does not allow a school district in close proximity to a city school district to pursue such consolidation.
Justification
New York State law provides school districts contiguous to city school districts, with the option to pursue consolidation, with the potential of achieving greater efficiency and cost savings. However, a school district which is in close proximity to a city school district, yet not contiguous to that city school district cannot pursue consolidation under the current law. The ability to consider consolidation among school districts should be expanded so that those school districts in close proximity to a city school district might also have the benefit of considering consolidation as an option.
School districts in New York State face problems including declining enrollment, escalating costs and limited resources. As a result of such pressures, school districts are forced to look at the configurations of their schools with the objective of seeking efficiencies and strategies to control ever increasing costs, while still providing a high quality education for students.
The option to consolidate should not be limited to only those school districts contiguous to city school districts. Broadening the law to allow schools in close proximity to city school districts to consider consolidation gives these schools one more tool to use as they try to operate as efficiently and effectively as possible.
Legislative history
2015-2016: 5.2467 Referred to Education. 2013-2014: S.7189
Fiscal implications
This bill may result in savings to those school districts that chose to consolidate their operations.
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.