Sec. 11. (a) A county committee for the reorganization of school corporations consists of nine (9) members. All the members of the committee are appointed by the judge of the circuit court of the county. Appointments under this subsection are subject to subsections (f) through (h).

     (b) Before the time specified in this section, the judge of the circuit court shall call into a county convention each of the township trustees of the county and the members of each local board of school trustees or board of school commissioners in the county to advise the judge in the selection of the members of the county committee. Except as provided in subsection (c), the judge must give at least ten (10) days notice of the convention by publication in:

(1) one (1) newspaper of general circulation published in the affected area; or

(2) if a newspaper is not published in the affected area, in a newspaper having a general circulation in the affected area.

     (c) In a county having a population of more than four hundred thousand (400,000) and less than seven hundred thousand (700,000), the judge of the circuit court shall publish the notice referred to in subsection (b) in two (2) newspapers of general circulation published in the affected area or having a general circulation in the affected area. The notice must specify:

(1) the date, time, place, and purpose of the county convention; and

(2) that the county convention is open to all residents of the county.

     (d) At the county convention, the judge of the circuit court shall:

(1) explain or have explained; and

(2) afford an opportunity for attendees to discuss;

the provisions of this chapter.

     (e) Not later than ten (10) days after the date of the county convention, the judge of the circuit court shall select the appointive members of the county committee.

     (f) One (1) member of the county committee:

(1) must be a member of:

(A) the board of school trustees if the county has a board of school trustees; or

(B) the board of school commissioners if the county has a board of school commissioners; and

(2) may not be a township trustee.

     (g) One (1) member of the county committee must be:

(1) a superintendent of schools;

(2) a principal of:

(A) a school city;

(B) a school town; or

(C) a consolidated school or corporation; or

(3) a superintendent of a community school corporation.

     (h) The members of the county committee not referred to in subsections (f) through (g):

(1) may not be members of or employed by a governing body;

(2) may not be:

(A) township trustees; or

(B) employees of township trustees; and

(3) are appointed without regard to political affiliation.

     (i) The judge of the circuit court shall give written notice immediately to each person selected for appointment to the county committee. Each person selected shall notify the judge of the circuit court in writing not later than ten (10) days after receipt of the notice whether the person accepts the appointment. If a person:

(1) refuses an appointment; or

(2) fails to notify the judge of the circuit court of the person’s acceptance or refusal of an appointment;

the judge shall select a qualified replacement for appointment to the county committee.

     (j) Not later than thirty (30) days after the date of the county convention, the county committee shall meet to organize and to elect from its membership:

(1) a chairperson;

(2) a treasurer; and

(3) a secretary.

The secretary may be the county superintendent or the superintendent of one (1) of the school corporations in the county.

     (k) The chairperson and the members of the county committee serve without compensation. Subject to approval by the state board, the chairperson of the county committee shall:

(1) secure necessary office space and equipment;

(2) engage necessary clerical help; and

(3) receive reimbursement for any necessary expenses incurred by the chairperson with respect to duties in connection with the county committee.

     (l) Members of the county committee hold office for terms of four (4) years until the reorganization program in the county is completed, subject to replacement as prescribed in this chapter. An appointed member who ceases to be a resident of the county may not continue to serve on a county committee.

     (m) An individual appointed member of a county committee or the appointed members as a group are not disqualified from serving on a county committee because they fail at any time to meet the qualifications for appointment by the judge of the circuit court, other than county residence, if they met the qualifications at the time of their appointments.

     (n) Vacancies shall be filled by the remaining members of the committee without regard for the qualifications for appointment by the judge of the circuit court.

     (o) Meetings of the county committee shall be held:

(1) upon call of the chairperson; or

(2) by a petition to hold a meeting signed by a majority of the members of the committee.

     (p) A majority of the committee constitutes a quorum.

[Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-4-1-5.]

As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.233-2015, SEC.53; P.L.11-2023, SEC.63.