Section 1.04. Reorganization proceedings initiated by the board.

 

(1)   Initiation of proceedings. All reorganization proceedings commenced by the board on its own motion shall require adoption, by a two-thirds vote, of a resolution authorizing the proceedings. At a minimum, the resolution shall:

(a) Set forth the board's initial proposal for reorganization.

(b) Establish a 45 day public comment period commencing 10 days after adoption of the resolution.

(c) Establish a date, time and place for one or more public hearings as required under sub. (5) .

(2)   Notice of commencement of proceedings. Following adoption of the resolution under sub. (1) , the board shall:

(a) Publish a notice in the newspaper selected by each affected district for the publication of proceedings under s. 38.12 (4) , Stats., informing the citizens of each affected district of the institution of the reorganization proceedings, the board's initial proposal for reorganization, the public comment period and the address to which the comments should be sent, and the date, time and place for the public hearing. If no newspaper is published in an affected district and an alternative method for publicizing proceedings under s. 38.12 (4) , Stats., has been adopted by the affected district, the board shall use a similar method to provide the notice required by this subsection. All notices under this paragraph are class 1 notices under ch. 985 , Stats. , except that they shall be 8-point type or larger.

(b) By certified mail, return receipt requested, provide a copy of the board's resolution to the district director and district board chairperson of each affected district along with a notice requiring each affected district to comment as provided in sub. (4) .

(3)   Studies and investigations. The board may conduct, or cause to be conducted, such studies and investigations as it deems necessary.

(4)   District comment. Each affected district board shall, during the public comment period established under sub. (1) (b) , comment on all of the following:

(a) The estimated fiscal effect of the proposed reorganization upon the district.

(b) The impact of the proposed reorganization upon the educational needs of students enrolled in the district.

(c) Any alternatives to the board's initial proposal for reorganization. For each alternative proposed the affected district shall provide the information required under pars. (a) and (b) .

(d) Any other information the affected district desires to bring to the attention of the board.

(5)   Public hearing.

(a) Upon adoption of the resolution authorizing reorganization proceedings under sub. (1) , the board shall schedule one or more public hearings to be held at least 14 days following the expiration of the public comment period. A hearing shall be held in each affected district which, based upon the board's initial proposal for reorganization, would be dissolved, merged or have property detached.

(b) At least 14 days prior to the date scheduled for the hearing the board shall:

1. Publish a notice of hearing and a summary of the board's initial proposal for reorganization in the same manner as the notice of commencement of proceedings under sub. (2) (a) . The notice shall inform the public of the time, place, date, and general subject matter of the hearing.

2. By certified mail, return receipt requested, provide a copy of the notice to the district director and district board chairperson of each affected district.

(c) At the hearing, and prior to taking testimony, the board shall summarize the comments obtained from the affected districts and comments obtained pursuant to the public comment period.

(d) The hearing shall be recorded either stenographically or electronically.

(6)   Final reorganization proposal.

(a) At the conclusion of the public hearing, or at any time thereafter, the board may adopt a final district reorganization proposal to alter, dissolve, create, or merge any district or districts after considering all of the following:

1. The estimated fiscal effect of the reorganization including the effect of the apportionment of assets and liabilities.

2. The educational needs of students enrolled in the affected district and the impact of the reorganization upon those needs.

3. The information obtained from the public hearing and any studies and investigations, comments received pursuant to the public comment period and from the affected districts, and any other information which the board determines to be relevant to its decision.

(7)   Final public hearing.

(a) Upon adoption of a final reorganization proposal the board shall schedule a public hearing in each district in which a public hearing was held under sub. (5) .

(b) At least 14 days prior to the date scheduled for each hearing, the board shall:

1. Publish a notice of the public hearing and a summary of the board's final reorganization proposal in the same manner as the notice of commencement of proceedings under sub. (2) (a) .

2. By certified mail, return receipt requested, provide a copy of the notice along with a copy of the board's final reorganization proposal, to the district director and district board chairperson of each affected district.

(c) At the hearing, and prior to taking testimony, the board shall summarize the final reorganization proposal.

(d) The hearing shall be recorded either stenographically or mechanically.

(8)   Final board action. At the conclusion of the public hearing or at any time thereafter, the board may, by a majority vote, modify the final reorganization proposal and adopt, upon a two-thirds vote, a district reorganization order under s. TCS 1.06 .

(9)   Termination of proceedings. At any time following initiation of reorganization proceedings under sub. (1) , the board may, upon a majority vote, terminate the reorganization proceedings.

History: Cr. Register, September, 1990, No. 417 , eff. 10-1-90; correction in (8) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, June, 1994, No. 462 .