275.1   Definitions — declaration of policy — surveys.
  1.  As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
  a.  “Eligible elector” means eligible elector as defined in section 39.3, subsection 6.
  b.  “Initial board” means the board of a newly reorganized district that is selected pursuant to section 275.25 or 275.41 and functions until the organizational meeting following the third regular school election held after the effective date of the reorganization.
  c.  “Joint districts” means districts that lie in two or more adjacent area education agencies.
  d.  “Marginally adjacent district” or “marginally adjacent territory” means a district or territory which is separated from a second district or territory by property which is part of a third school district which completely surrounds one of the two districts.
  e.  “Registered voter” means registered voter as defined in section 39.3, subsection 11.
  f.  “Regular board” means the board of a reorganized district that begins to function at the organizational meeting following the third regular school election held after the effective date of the school reorganization, and is comprised of members who were elected to the current terms or were appointed to replace members who were elected.
  g.  “School districts affected” means the school districts named in the reorganization petition whether a school district is affected in whole or in part.
  2.  It is the policy of the state to encourage economical and efficient school districts which will ensure an equal educational opportunity to all children of the state. All areas of the state shall be in school districts maintaining kindergarten and twelve grades. If a school district ceases to maintain kindergarten and twelve grades except as otherwise provided in section 28E.9, 256.13, 280.15, 282.7, subsection 1 or 3, or section 282.8, it shall reorganize within six months or the state board shall attach the school district not maintaining kindergarten and twelve grades to one or more adjacent districts. Voluntary reorganizations under this chapter shall be commenced only if the affected school districts are contiguous or marginally adjacent to one another. A reorganized district shall meet the requirements of section 275.3.
  3.  If a district is attached, division of assets and liabilities shall be made as provided in sections 275.29 to 275.31. The area education agency boards shall develop detailed studies and surveys of the school districts within the area education agency and all adjacent territory for the purpose of providing for reorganization of school districts in order to effect more economical operation and the attainment of higher standards of education in the schools. The plans shall be revised periodically to reflect reorganizations which may have taken place in the area education agency and adjacent territory.
[C97, §2798; SS15, §2794-a; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §4152, 4154; C46, 50, §274.37, 275.1, 276.1; C54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §275.1; 82 Acts, ch 1113, §1]
83 Acts, ch 31, §2; 84 Acts, ch 1078, §1; 85 Acts, ch 212, §7; 88 Acts, ch 1263, §2; 92 Acts, ch 1246, §41, 42; 93 Acts, ch 160, §3; 94 Acts, ch 1023, §100; 94 Acts, ch 1169, §65; 2008 Acts, ch 1115, §11, 21; 2010 Acts, ch 1069, §75; 2013 Acts, ch 90, §67