A bill that would make it easier for towns to withdraw from cooperative school districts will face its final test Thursday before heading to the desk of Gov. Kelly Ayotte.
The proposal from state Rep. Mary Murphy, a Francestown Republican, grew out of her town’s quest for independence from the Contoocook Valley School District. Francestown successfully withdrew at this year’s town meeting after years of opposition from the other towns that share its district.
Murphy’s legislation, House Bill 1374, would allow towns to withdraw as long as they secure a three-fifths supermajority vote by residents at town meeting. It takes the rest of the cooperative district out of the equation, removing the barrier that stymied Francestown’s efforts.
Murphy views the legislation as “liberating,” but said withdrawing still calls for a solid plan and significant buy-in from residents.
“I think it’s really important that the supermajority of the townspeople are behind it,” Murphy said. “Otherwise, you’re not going to get the support you need to properly fund the school and staff it and also have the community involvement that really makes these schools thrive.”
The House and Senate will vote on the final version Thursday. It includes Senate-added provisions requiring cooperative school districts such as ConVal, Jaffrey-Rindge, Mascenic Regional and Wilton-Lyndeborough to review their bylaws and agreements every three years.
The Senate also added separate language requiring a vote by school district residents on the potential closure of any school.
The bill has broad support from Republicans. If Ayotte signs it, it would become law 90 days later.
Francestown isn’t the only municipality in the Monadnock region to explore withdrawal. Dublin considered leaving ConVal last year, though the effort didn’t draw widespread support at the polls. The discussion has also surfaced in Deering, Rindge and Temple.
