Committee adopts substitute to allow contiguous city school systems to consolidate

Representative Garrett presented a substitute for House Bill 178 that would permit two or more contiguous city school boards to consolidate into a single school system. The sponsor emphasized the change is optional and intended to reduce administrative overhead and direct more dollars into classrooms rather than mandate consolidation.

Representative Collins asked whether consolidation requires contiguous boundaries; the sponsor and staff confirmed the substitute requires contiguity. Members also asked whether counties could consolidate or whether the bill only applies to city systems; staff clarified current law provides for some county school consolidations in certain circumstances but not governing‑board mergers for city systems. A member raised concern about indebtedness, noting the substitute language "shall not operate to relieve any board" and asking whether debt responsibility would transfer; the sponsor said details would need to be worked out in implementation and the bill does not spell out the particulars of how boards or indebtedness would be handled.

The committee adopted the substitute and later moved and gave the bill a favorable report by voice vote. Several members expressed support for the principle of reducing duplicate overhead; others noted practical and political challenges such as board seats and local control.

The substitute does not mandate consolidation, does not set a detailed process in committee testimony for dissolving boards or reallocating indebtedness, and requires contiguous city systems for eligibility. Committee records do not show a roll‑call tally by name in the transcript. The bill will proceed with the substitute language attached for further consideration.