15-392. Formation of district
A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, districts interested in forming a
joint technical education district shall conduct a study to determine the need to
establish a joint technical education district in an area consisting of two or more
school districts. The districts shall also initiate a plan for the establishment and
operation of the joint district, which shall include a proposed budget based on a
reasonable estimate of student enrollment in the new joint district. Any school district
may assist in the preparation and payment of costs of the study and plan. The districts
shall file a copy of the plan with the governing board of each school district included
in the plan for the joint district. The districts shall submit the results of the study
and the plan, along with evidence of approval by the governing board of each school
district included in the selected plan for the joint district, to the state board of
education.
B. If the state board of education determines that the plan submitted for the
proposed joint district has met the requirements of this section, the question shall be
submitted to the qualified electors of the district seeking to become a part of the joint
district at an election held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
The question that is submitted to the qualified electors must describe the tax rate that
is associated with joining the joint district and the estimated cost of that tax rate for
the owner of a single family home that is valued at one hundred thousand dollars. If the
electors in a district approve, that district is authorized to participate in a joint
technical education district. The joint district shall become operational on July 1
following the election held pursuant to this subsection, except as provided in subsection
D of this section.
C. The governing boards of the school districts participating in the joint district
may pay on a proportional basis the administrative, clerical and other expenses necessary
for the establishment and operation of the joint district until monies are otherwise
provided.
D. A joint technical education district after receiving voter approval as provided
in subsection B of this section shall be governed by a joint board consisting of members
elected pursuant to section 15-393, except that the initial composition of the joint
board shall consist of one person who is not currently a board member of any school
district and who is appointed by the governing board of each district participating in
the joint technical education district. The terms of office of the joint board members
shall become effective on January 1 following the election held pursuant to subsection B
of this section. Upon the effective date of the term of office for joint board members,
the joint board may begin necessary operations and activities related to making the
district operational pursuant to subsection B of this section. If less than five
districts are participating in the joint district, the initial composition of the joint
board shall consist of two persons who are not currently board members of any school
district and who are appointed by each participating district's governing board. The
appointed members shall serve until January 1 following the next general election. At
the general election held next following the formation of the joint district and
thereafter, joint board members shall be elected as prescribed in section 15-393.
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