Ind. Code ch. 20-23-7

Ind. Code ch. 20-23-7
in effect

Ind. Code § 20-23-7-1 Purpose

Sec. 1. It is the purpose of this chapter to provide for the organization of public schools in Indiana to: (1) promote the best interests of the students of Indiana; (2) provide for the organization of additional forms of local school government; (3) preserve and ensure an economical and efficient school system in accordance with the desires of the people in local communities; and (4) improve the education of the students of Indiana as guaranteed by the laws and Constitution of the State of Indiana. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-4-8-1.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.7.

Ind. Code § 20-23-7-2 Metropolitan school district; consolidation procedure

Sec. 2. (a) In any county or adjoining counties at least two (2) school corporations, including school towns, school cities, consolidated school corporations, joint schools, metropolitan school districts, township school districts, or community school corporations, regardless of whether the consolidating school corporations are of the same or of a different character, may consolidate into one (1) metropolitan school district. Subject to subsection (h), the consolidation must be initiated by following either of the following procedures: (1) The board of school trustees, board of education, or other governing body (the board or other governing body is referred to elsewhere in this section as the "governing body") of each school corporation to be consolidated shall: (A) adopt substantially identical resolutions providing for the consolidation; and (B) publish a notice setting out the text of the resolution one (1) time under IC 5-3-1. The resolution must set forth any provision for staggering the terms of the board members of the metropolitan school district elected under this chapter. If, not more than thirty (30) days after publication of the resolution, a petition of protest, signed by at least twenty percent (20%) of the registered voters residing in the school corporation is filed with the clerk of the circuit court of each county where the voters who are eligible to sign the petition reside, a referendum election shall be held as provided in subsection (c). (2) Instead of the adoption of substantially identical resolutions in each of the proposed consolidating school corporations under subdivision (1), a referendum election under subsection (c) shall be held on the occurrence of all of the following: (A) At least twenty percent (20%) of the registered voters residing in a particular school corporation sign a petition requesting that the school corporation consolidate with another school corporation (referred to in this subsection as "the responding school corporation"). (B) The petition described in clause (A) is filed with the clerk of the circuit court of each county where the voters who are eligible to sign the petition reside. (C) Not more than thirty (30) days after the service of the petition by the clerk of the circuit court to the governing body of the responding school corporation under subsection (b) and the certification of signatures on the petition occurs under subsection (b), the governing body of the responding school corporation adopts a resolution approving the petition and providing for the consolidation. (D) An approving resolution has the same effect as the substantially identical resolutions adopted by the governing bodies under subdivision (1), and the governing bodies shall publish the notice provided under subdivision (1) not more than fifteen (15) days after the approving resolution is adopted. However, if a governing body that is a party to the consolidation fails to publish notice within the required fifteen (15) day time period, a referendum election still must be held as provided in subsection (c). If the governing body of the responding school corporation does not act on the petition within the thirty (30) day period described in clause (C), the governing body's inaction constitutes a disapproval of the petition request. If the governing body of the responding school corporation adopts a resolution disapproving the petition or fails to act within the thirty (30) day period, a referendum election as described in subsection (c) may not be held and the petition requesting the consolidation is defeated. (b) Any petition of protest under subsection (a)(1) or a petition requesting consolidation under subsection (a)(2) must show in the petition the date on which each person has signed the petition and the person's residence on that date. The petition may be executed in several counterparts, the total of which constitutes the petition. Each counterpart must contain the names of voters residing within a single county and shall be filed with the clerk of the circuit court of the county. Each counterpart must have attached to it the affidavit of the person circulating the counterpart that each signature appearing on the counterpart was affixed in that person's presence and is the true and lawful signature of each person who made the signature. Any signer may file the petition or any counterpart of the petition. Each signer on the petition may before and may not after the filing with the clerk withdraw the signer's name from the petition. A name may not be added to the petition after the petition has been filed with the clerk. After the receipt of any counterpart of the petition, each circuit court clerk shall certify: (1) the number of persons signing the counterpart; (2) the number of persons who are registered voters residing within that part of the school corporation located within the clerk's county, as disclosed by the voter registration records in the office of the clerk or the board of registration of the county, or wherever registration records may be kept; (3) the total number of registered voters residing within the boundaries of that part of the school corporation located within the county, as disclosed in the voter registration records; and (4) the date of the filing of the petition. Certification shall be made by each clerk of the circuit court not more than thirty (30) days after the filing of the petition, excluding from the calculation of the period any time during which the registration records are unavailable to the clerk, or within any additional time as is reasonably necessary to permit the clerk to make the certification. In certifying the number of registered voters, the clerk of the circuit court shall disregard any signature on the petition not made within the ninety (90) days immediately before the filing of the petition with the clerk as shown by the dates set out in the petition. The clerk of the circuit court shall establish a record of the certification in the clerk's office and shall serve the original petition and a copy of the certification on the county election board under IC 3-10-9-3 and the governing bodies of each affected school corporation. Service shall be made by mail or manual delivery to the governing bodies, to any officer of the governing bodies, or to the administrative office of the governing bodies, if any, and shall be made for all purposes of this section on the day of the mailing or the date of the manual delivery. (c) The county election board in each county where the proposed metropolitan school district is located, acting jointly where the proposed metropolitan school district is created and where it is located in more than one (1) county, shall cause any referendum election required under either subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2) to be held in the entire proposed metropolitan district at a special election. The special election shall be not less than sixty (60) days and not more than ninety (90) days after the service of the petition of protest and certification by each clerk of the circuit court under subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2) or after the occurrence of the first action requiring a referendum under subsection (a)(2). However, if a primary or general election at which county officials are to be nominated or elected, or at which city or town officials are to be elected in those areas of the proposed metropolitan school district that are within the city or town, is to be held after the sixty (60) days and not more than six (6) months after the service or the occurrence of the first action, each election board may hold the referendum election with the primary or general election. (d) Notice of the special election shall be given by each election board by publication under IC 5-3-1. (e) Except where it conflicts with this section or cannot be practicably applied, IC 3 applies to the conduct of the referendum election. If the referendum election is not conducted at a primary or general election, the cost of conducting the election shall be charged to each component school corporation included in the proposed metropolitan school district in the same proportion as its assessed valuation bears to the total assessed valuation of the proposed metropolitan school district and shall be paid from the operations fund of each component school corporation not otherwise appropriated, without appropriation. (f) The question in the referendum election shall be placed on the ballot in the form prescribed by IC 3-10-9-4 and must state "Shall the school corporations of _________ be formed into one (1) metropolitan school district under IC 20-23-7?" (in which blanks the respective name of the school districts concerned will be inserted). (g) If: (1) a protest petition with the required signatures is not filed after the adoption of substantially identical resolutions of the governing bodies providing for or approving the consolidation as described in subsection (a)(1); or (2) a referendum election occurs in the entire proposed metropolitan district and a majority of the voters in each proposed consolidating school corporation vote in the affirmative; a metropolitan school district is created and comes into existence in the territory subject to the provisions and under the conditions described in this chapter. The boundaries include all of the territory within the school corporations, and it shall be known as "Metropolitan School District of _______, Indiana" (the name of the district concerned will be inserted in the blank). The name of the district shall be decided by a majority vote of the metropolitan governing board of the metropolitan school district at the first meeting. The metropolitan governing board of the new metropolitan school district shall be composed and elected under this chapter. The failure of any public official or body to perform any duty within the time provided in this chapter does not invalidate any proceedings taken by that official or body, but this provision shall not be construed to authorize a delay in the holding of a referendum election under this chapter. (h) If the governing body of a school corporation is involved in a consolidation proposal under subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2) that fails to result in a consolidation, the: (1) governing body of the school corporation may not initiate a subsequent consolidation with another school corporation under subsection (a)(1); and (2) residents of the school corporation may not file a petition requesting a consolidation with another school corporation under subsection (a)(2); for one (1) year after the date on which the prior consolidation proposal failed. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-4-8-12.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.233-2015, SEC.66; P.L.244-2017, SEC.26.

Ind. Code § 20-23-7-3 Metropolitan school district; duties

Sec. 3. (a) The metropolitan school district shall conduct the educational activities of all the schools in the district in compliance with: (1) state law; and (2) the laws of the state of Indiana with reference to public education. (b) The control and administration of the schools of the metropolitan school district are vested in a governing body whose: (1) composition; (2) duties; (3) manner of election; and (4) powers; are described in this chapter. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-4-8-13.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.7.

Ind. Code § 20-23-7-4 Metropolitan school district; division into board member districts; redistricting; recertification of boundaries

Sec. 4. (a) At the first meeting of the board of commissioners of the county after the creation of the metropolitan school district as provided in this chapter, the board of commissioners shall divide the district into three (3) governing body districts approximately equal in population. During the first year after a year in which a federal decennial census is conducted, the board of commissioners shall: (1) readjust the boundaries of the districts to equalize the districts by population; or (2) recertify that the boundaries of the districts as drawn comply with this subsection. (b) Instead of the division provided under subsection (a), any resolution or petition provided in section 2(a) or 2(b) of this chapter may: (1) provide that the metropolitan school district to be created shall be divided into two (2) or more governing body districts; (2) describe the governing body member districts; (3) provide that one (1) or more members of the governing body must reside within each of the governing body member districts; (4) set out the number of members to serve from each designated district; (5) provide that the governing body member districts need not be equal in size or population, and that one (1) board member district may include all the area in the metropolitan school district; (6) specify that the number of governing body members to be resident in each district need not be an equal number; and (7) eliminate all requirements that there be governing body member districts. (c) If the resolution or petition: (1) does not provide for governing body member districts and designate the number of governing body members to be resident in each district; or (2) provides for the elimination of governing body member districts; subsection (a) controls. If either subsection (a) or (b) applies, candidates shall be voted upon by all the registered voters of the metropolitan school district voting at any governing body member election. (d) The limitations set forth in this section are part of the plan, but do not have to be specifically set forth in the plan. The plan must be construed, if possible, to comply with this chapter. If a provision of the plan or an application of the plan violates this chapter, the invalidity does not affect the other provisions or applications of the plan that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application. The provisions of the plan are severable. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-4-8-14.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.271-2013, SEC.38.

Ind. Code § 20-23-7-4.5 Copy of school corporation plan filed with circuit court clerk; certification of election districts; redistricting; recertification of districts; amendments of plan filed with circuit court clerk; time for filing

Sec. 4.5. (a) Not later than December 31, 2013, the board of commissioners shall do the following: (1) Send a copy of the school corporation's plan to the circuit court clerk of each county in which the school corporation is located. (2) If any members of the governing body are elected from election districts voted upon by only the registered voters residing within the election district, certify that the election districts comply with section 4 of this chapter. (b) This subsection applies during the first year after a year in which a federal decennial census is conducted. The board of commissioners shall amend the plan under section 4 of this chapter if an amendment is necessary to reestablish the districts in compliance with section 4 of this chapter. If the board of commissioners determines that a plan amendment under section 4 of this chapter is not required, the board of commissioners shall recertify that the districts as established comply with section 4 of this chapter. (c) Each time the school corporation's plan is amended, the board of commissioners shall file the following with the circuit court clerk of each county in which the school corporation is located: (1) A copy of the amendment. (2) Either of the following: (A) A certification that the plan amendment does not require reestablishment of the school corporation's election districts to comply with section 4 of this chapter. (B) If the plan amendment requires reestablishment of the school corporation's election districts to comply with section 4 of this chapter, a map of the new district boundaries. (d) A plan amendment or recertification under this section must be filed not later than thirty (30) days after the amendment or recertification occurs. (e) IC 3-5-10 applies to a plan established under this section. As added by P.L.271-2013, SEC.39. Amended by P.L.169-2022, SEC.5.

Ind. Code § 20-23-7-5 Metropolitan board of education; membership powers and duties

Sec. 5. (a) The rights, powers, and duties of the metropolitan school district shall be vested in the governing body that must be composed of: (1) three (3); (2) five (5); or (3) seven (7); members who have resided in the district for at least two (2) years before taking office. The resolution or petition provided by section 2(a) or 2(b) of this chapter may designate the number of members of the governing body. If a designation is not made concerning the number of members of a governing body, the governing body is composed of five (5) members. (b) If section 4(a) of this chapter applies to a metropolitan school district, the following rules apply: (1) If the governing body consists of three (3) members, one (1) member shall reside in each residence district. (2) If the governing body consists of five (5) members, not more than two (2) shall reside in any one (1) residence district. (3) If the governing body consists of seven (7) members, at least two (2) shall reside in any one (1) residence district. (c) If a governing body member moves the member's residence within the metropolitan school district from one (1) governing body member district to another or when governing body member district boundaries are moved so that the member's place of residence changes from one (1) governing body member district to another, the member does not on this account become disqualified as a governing body member but may continue to hold office as a member of the governing body. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-4-8-15.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.23-2026, SEC.168.

Ind. Code § 20-23-7-6 First metropolitan board of education; composition; meetings; organization; compensation

Sec. 6. (a) The first metropolitan board of education shall be composed of the: (1) trustees; and (2) members of school boards; of the school corporations forming the metropolitan board of education. (b) The members of the metropolitan board of education shall serve ex officio as members subject to the laws concerning length of terms, powers of election, or appointment and filling vacancies applicable to their respective offices. (c) If a metropolitan school district is comprised of only two (2) board members, the two (2) members shall appoint a third board member not more than ten (10) days after the creation of the metropolitan school district. If the two (2) members are unable to agree on or do not make the appointment of a third board member within the ten (10) day period after the creation of the metropolitan school district, the third member shall be appointed not more than twenty (20) days after the creation of the metropolitan school district by the judge of the circuit court of the county in which the metropolitan school district is located. If the metropolitan school district is located in two (2) or more counties, the judge of the circuit court of the county containing that part of the metropolitan school district having more students than the part or parts located in another county or counties shall appoint the third member. The members of the metropolitan board of education serve until their successors are elected or appointed and qualified. (d) The first meeting of the first metropolitan board of education shall be held not more than one (1) month after the creation of the metropolitan school district. The first meeting shall be called by the superintendent of schools of the school corporation in the district having the largest number of students. At the first meeting, the board shall organize, and each year during the first ten (10) days after the board members that are elected or appointed to a new term take office, the board shall reorganize, by electing a president, a vice president, a secretary, and a treasurer. (e) The secretary of the board shall keep an accurate record of the minutes of the metropolitan board of education, and the minutes shall be kept in the superintendent's office. When a metropolitan school district is formed, the metropolitan superintendent shall act as administrator of the board and shall carry out the acts and duties as designated by the board. A quorum consists of a majority of the members of the board. A quorum is required for the transaction of business. The vote of a majority of those present is required for a: (1) motion; (2) ordinance; or (3) resolution; to pass. (f) The board shall conduct its affairs in the manner described in this section. Except in unusual cases, the board shall hold its meetings at the office of the metropolitan superintendent or at a place mutually designated by the board and the superintendent. Board records are to be maintained and board business is to be conducted from the office of the metropolitan superintendent or a place designated by the board and the superintendent. (g) The metropolitan board of education shall have the power to pay to a member of the board: (1) a reasonable per diem for service on the board not to exceed one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125) per year; and (2) for travel to and from a member's home to the place of the meeting within the district, a sum for mileage equal to the amount per mile paid to state officers and employees. The rate per mile shall change when the state government changes its rate per mile. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-4-8-16.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.179-2011, SEC.13; P.L.233-2015, SEC.67.

Ind. Code § 20-23-7-7 Transfer of authority from existing school corporations to metropolitan districts

Sec. 7. (a) The transfer of: (1) powers; (2) duties; (3) property; (4) property rights; (5) other assets; (6) liabilities; (7) contracts, both as to rights and obligations; and (8) other issues connected with the transfer of authority from existing school corporations to the metropolitan school district; shall take place at the time of the first meeting of the metropolitan board of education not more than one (1) month after the creation of the board. (b) The transfer of the items listed in subsection (a) are vested in the metropolitan school district at the time of the first meeting of the metropolitan board of education. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-4-8-17.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.7.

Ind. Code § 20-23-7-8 Repealed

[Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-4-8-18.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.7. Repealed by P.L.179-2011, SEC.34.

Ind. Code § 20-23-7-8.1 Metropolitan board of education; nomination and election of members; tie votes; vacancies; term of office

Sec. 8.1. (a) The registered voters of the metropolitan school district shall elect the members of the metropolitan board of education at general elections held biennially, beginning with the next general election that is held more than sixty (60) days after the creation of the metropolitan school district as provided in this chapter. (b) Each nominee for the board must file a petition of nomination signed by the nominee and by ten (10) registered voters residing in the same board member district as the nominee. The petition must be filed in accordance with IC 3-8-2.5 with the circuit court clerk of each county in which the metropolitan school district is located. (c) Nominees for the board shall be listed on the general election ballot: (1) in the form prescribed by IC 3-11-2; and (2) by board member districts. The ballot must state the number of board members to be voted on and the maximum number of members that may be elected from each board member district as provided under section 5 of this chapter. A ballot that contains more votes than the maximum number allowed from a board member district is invalid. (d) The precinct election boards in each county serving at the general election shall conduct the election for school board members. (e) Voting and tabulation of votes shall be conducted in accordance with IC 3, and the candidates who receive the most votes are elected to the board. (f) If there are more candidates from a particular board member district than may be elected from the board member district under section 5 of this chapter: (1) the number of candidates elected is the greatest number that may be elected from the board member district; (2) the candidates elected are those who, among the candidates from the board member district, receive the most votes; and (3) the other candidates from the board member district are eliminated. (g) If there is a tie vote among the candidates for the board, the judge of the circuit court in the county where the majority of the registered voters of the metropolitan school district reside shall select one (1) of the candidates who shall be declared and certified elected. (h) If, at any time after the first board member election, a vacancy on the board occurs for any reason, including an insufficient number of petitions for candidates being filed, and regardless of whether the vacating member was elected or appointed, the vacancy must be filled under IC 20-23-4-30. (i) At a general election held on the earlier of: (1) more than sixty (60) days after an elected board member vacates membership on the board; or (2) immediately before the end of the term for which the vacating member was elected; a successor to a board member appointed under subsection (h) shall be elected. Unless the successor takes office at the end of the term of the vacating member, the member shall serve only for the balance of the vacating member's term. In an election for a successor board member to fill a vacancy for a two (2) year balance of a term, candidates for board membership need not file for or with reference to the vacancy. However, as required by IC 3-11-2, candidates for at-large seats must be distinguished on the ballot from candidates for district seats. If there is more than one (1) at-large seat on the ballot due to this vacancy, the elected candidate who receives the fewest votes at the election at which the successor is elected shall serve for a two (2) year term. (j) At the first general election where members of the board are elected under this section, the elected candidates who constitute a simple majority of the elected candidates and who receive the most votes shall be elected for four (4) year terms, and the other elected candidates shall be elected for two (2) year terms. (k) Board members shall be elected for four (4) year terms after the first election and shall take office on the date set in the school corporation's organization plan. The date set in the organization plan for an elected member of the governing body to take office may not be more than fourteen (14) months after the date of the member's election. If the school corporation's organization plan does not set a date for an elected member of the governing body to take office, the member takes office January 1 immediately following the member's election. As added by P.L.179-2011, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.219-2013, SEC.79; P.L.195-2025, SEC.26.

Ind. Code § 20-23-7-9 Voting method for metropolitan or consolidated school corporations

Sec. 9. (a) This section applies to a metropolitan or consolidated school corporation located in a county containing a consolidated city. (b) The same method used to cast votes for other offices for which candidates have qualified to be on the election ballot shall be used for the school board offices on the election ballot. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-4-8-18.5.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.7.

Ind. Code § 20-23-7-10 Metropolitan superintendent of schools appointment; terms of contracts; term of office; duties of board

Sec. 10. (a) The metropolitan board of education shall appoint a metropolitan superintendent of schools who shall serve under contract in the same manner and under the same laws that govern the employment and service of other licensed school personnel. However, the metropolitan superintendent of schools is not required to hold a license under IC 20-28-5. The metropolitan superintendent of schools' salary and expense allowance is fixed by the metropolitan board of education. The metropolitan superintendent of schools' original contract: (1) must be for a period of one (1) to five (5) years; and (2) may be changed or extended by mutual agreement. (b) Appointments to fill a vacancy for a metropolitan superintendent of schools shall be made under this chapter. (c) The board shall: (1) act upon the recommendations of the metropolitan superintendent of schools; and (2) make other decisions and perform other duties as required by law. (d) A school superintendent in a metropolitan school district shall continue in the superintendents' respective employment at the same salary, paid in the same manner and according to the same terms as agreed to before the formation of the metropolitan school district. (e) A metropolitan board of education shall: (1) assign administrative duties; and (2) designate: (A) one (1) of the superintendents in the metropolitan school district; or (B) a competent and qualified person as determined by the board; to perform the duties of the metropolitan superintendent of the metropolitan school district as set forth in this chapter. (f) A metropolitan board of education shall appoint a superintendent of the metropolitan school district and other administrative supervisory officers as provided in this chapter if: (1) the previous superintendent's term expired; (2) the previous superintendent's contract of employment ended; or (3) the previous superintendent: (A) died; or (B) resigned. (g) The appointment and salary of the metropolitan superintendent of schools appointed under subsection (f) shall be made, set, and paid as provided in this chapter. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-4-8-19.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.167-2013, SEC.3; P.L.233-2015, SEC.68.

Ind. Code § 20-23-7-11 Metropolitan school district in more than one county; special duties

Sec. 11. If a metropolitan school district formed under this chapter includes territory in more than one (1) county, the respective counties, boards, commissions, and officers of each of the counties shall perform duties required to form a metropolitan school district jointly and severally, including: (1) dividing the territory into board member districts; (2) levying and collecting taxes; (3) allocating receipts; (4) filing petitions for nomination; (5) printing and distributing ballots, (6) tabulating and certifying election results; and (7) filling vacancies. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-4-8-22.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.7.

Ind. Code § 20-23-7-12 Repealed

[Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-4-8-24.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.1-2006, SEC.317; P.L.2-2006, SEC.98; P.L.1-2007, SEC.143; P.L.179-2011, SEC.15; P.L.205-2013, SEC.227. Repealed by P.L.233-2015, SEC.69.

Ind. Code § 20-23-7-13 Specification of date of creation of school corporations or school districts in petitions or resolutions

Sec. 13. In the resolution creating a county school corporation or metropolitan school district or in the petitions requesting the creation of or requesting a referendum on the question of creating a corporation or district under section 2 of this chapter, the resolutions or petitions may specify when a school corporation or school district shall be created and the corporation or district shall then be created at the time provided in the resolutions or petitions. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-4-8-25.] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.231-2005, SEC.23; P.L.233-2015, SEC.70.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/20Fetched: 10/17/2026