(1) A proposed change in school district organization by transfer of territory from one school district to another may be initiated by a petition in writing presented to the educational service district superintendent:

     (a) Signed by at least fifty percent plus one of the active registered voters residing in the territory proposed to be transferred; or

     (b) Signed by a majority of the members of the board of directors of one of the districts affected by a proposed transfer of territory and providing documentation that, before signing the petition, the board of directors took the following actions:

     (i) Communicated the proposed transfer to the board of directors of the affected district or districts and provided an opportunity for the board of the affected district or districts to respond; and

     (ii) Communicated the proposed transfer to the registered voters residing in the territory proposed to be transferred, provided notice of a public hearing regarding the proposal, and provided the voters an opportunity to comment on the proposal at the public hearing.

     (2) The petition shall state the name and number of each district affected, describe the boundaries of the territory proposed to be transferred, and state the reasons for desiring the change and the number of children of school age, if any, residing in the territory.

     (3) The educational service district superintendent shall not complete any transfer of territory under this section that involves ten percent or more of the common school student population of the entire district from which the transfer is proposed, unless the educational service district superintendent has first called and held a special election of the voters of the entire school district from which the transfer of territory is proposed. The purpose of the election is to afford those voters an opportunity to approve or reject the proposed transfer. A simple majority shall determine approval or rejection.

     (4) The superintendent of public instruction may establish rules limiting the frequency of petitions that may be filed pertaining to territory included in whole or in part in a previous petition.

     (5) Upon receipt of the petition, the educational service district superintendent shall notify in writing the affected districts that:

     (a) Each school district board of directors, whether or not initiating a proposed transfer of territory, is required to enter into negotiations with the affected district or districts;

     (b) In the case of a citizen-initiated petition, the affected districts must negotiate on the entire proposed transfer of territory;

     (c) The districts have ninety calendar days in which to agree to the proposed transfer of territory;

     (d) The districts may request and shall be granted by the educational service district superintendent one thirty-day extension to try to reach agreement; and

     (e) Any district involved in the negotiations may at any time during the ninety-day period notify the educational service district superintendent in writing that agreement will not be possible.

     (6) If the negotiating school boards cannot come to agreement about the proposed transfer of territory, the educational service district superintendent, if requested by the affected districts, shall appoint a mediator. The mediator has thirty days to work with the affected school districts to see if an agreement can be reached on the proposed transfer of territory.

     (7) If the affected school districts cannot come to agreement about the proposed transfer of territory, and the districts do not request the services of a mediator or the mediator was unable to bring the districts to agreement, either district may file with the educational service district superintendent a written request for a hearing by the regional committee.

     (8) If the affected school districts cannot come to agreement about the proposed transfer of territory initiated by citizen petition, and the districts do not request the services of a mediator or the mediator was unable to bring the districts to agreement, the district in which the citizens who filed the petition reside shall file with the educational service district superintendent a written request for a hearing by the regional committee, unless a majority of the citizen petitioners request otherwise.

     (9) Upon receipt of a notice under subsection (7) or (8) of this section, the educational service district superintendent shall notify the chair of the regional committee in writing within ten days.

     (10) Costs incurred by school districts under this section shall be reimbursed by the state from such funds as are appropriated for this purpose.

[2008 c 159 § 1; 2006 c 263 § 502; 2003 c 413 § 2; 1999 c 315 § 401.]

NOTES:

     Findings -- Purpose -- Part headings not law -- 2006 c 263: See notes following RCW 28A.150.230.