PRINTER'S NO. 1008
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
840
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY MAHONEY, COHEN, D. COSTA, HELM AND D. PARKER,
MARCH 24, 2015
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MARCH 24, 2015
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," providing for county consolidation of
school districts of all classes, except of the first class.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding an
article to read:
ARTICLE II-A
COUNTY CONSOLIDATION OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS
Section 201-A. Scope of article.
This article provides for county consolidation of school
districts.
Section 202-A. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this article
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
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"Department." The Department of Education of the
Commonwealth.
"Identifying characteristics." Includes school name, school
facility name, school song, school mascot and any other indicia
of school identity.
"School district." Includes school districts of all classes,
except of the first class.
Section 203-A. Establishment of county school districts.
(a) Establishment.--
(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 224, all
school districts shall be consolidated at the county level
and be governed by a single county school board under section
204-A.
(2) The school board of each county shall appoint a
single county superintendent for all schools within the
county consolidated under this article and may appoint a
solicitor and such other appointees and employees as it may
deem proper in carrying out the provisions of this act.
(3) Each school consolidated under this article shall
maintain its own identifying characteristics in the new
county district as long as it is operational.
(b) Division.--In instances where the boundaries of a school
district encompass multiple counties, the department shall
divide the district and schools into the appropriate county
under section 205-A.
Section 204-A. Countywide school board.
(a) Election.--At the first municipal election occurring
more than 30 days subsequent to the formation of a countywide
school district under this article, a board of school directors
for the district shall be elected, as provided in this section.
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(b) Directors.--
(1) When two or more school districts are combined into
a single county district under this article, the directors
then in office in each component school district shall, until
the end of their respective terms, be directors of the newly
formed school district. Vacancies occurring in such incumbent
positions shall not be filled.
(2) At the first municipal election following the date
of establishment of the new county school district, three
directors shall be elected by region for an initial two-year
term, three directors shall be elected by region for an
initial four-year term and three directors shall be elected
by region for an initial six-year term. Terms of office shall
begin on the first Monday of December following the election.
For subsequent municipal elections, all school directors of
the newly formed school district shall be elected by region
for a term of six years.
(c) Regional election.--Each school director shall be
elected by region, as determined by the department under section
205-A.
(d) Powers and duties of board.--The new county school board
shall be classified based on countywide population as provided
under section 202 and shall have all the powers and duties of
other similarly classified school boards under this act.
Section 205-A. Departmental responsibilities.
Within one year of the effective date of this section, the
department shall:
(1) Distribute schools of school districts that
encompass multiple counties into the county in which the
individual school is located for the purpose of county
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consolidation under this article.
(2) Divide each county into nine regions of equal
population, with consideration of current school district
lines. Each region shall elect one member to the county
school board under section 204-A. The department shall
determine the initial term length of each region established
under subsection 204-A(b).
(3) Provide advisors and legal counsel to school
districts mandated to consolidate under this article.
Section 206-A. Collective bargaining agreements.
The provisions of this article shall not be construed as
abrogating any provision of a collective bargaining agreement or
employment contract that exists prior to the effective date of
this section.
Section 2. This act shall take effect as follows:
(1) The addition of section 205-A of the act shall take
effect immediately.
(2) This section shall take effect immediately.
(3) The remainder of this act shall take effect in two
years.
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