(a) The state board of education shall undertake a comprehensive study of the organization of school districts in this state to determine if the public school system could be more efficiently and effectively operated under a different configuration. In making the study of school district organization, the state board of education shall: (1) Review grade level and school district enrollment and projected enrollment, pupil transportation requirements including the distances pupils must travel to attend the schools of a district and the proximity of schools in adjoining districts with respect to pupils having lengthy bus commutes, the capacity and condition of existing school facilities in each district, communities of interest in matters such as commerce and tradition, property tax bases of districts, and other matters deemed appropriate to the study; (2) determine and document the existence of problems with respect to matters reviewed and provide suggestions for solution or alleviation of such problems; (3) envision a configuration of school districts that would serve the needs of Kansas children, Kansas taxpayers, and Kansas society in the most efficient and effective manner attainable and design a comprehensive plan for attainment of such optimal configuration; (4) formulate recommendations for actualization of the comprehensive plan for attainment of the optimal school district configuration and for legislation deemed necessary for actualization of the plan; and (5) present findings of the study, the comprehensive plan for attainment of the optimal school district configuration, and recommendations with respect to actualization of the plan to the committee on education of the house of representatives and the committee on education of the senate on or before January 15, 2001.

(b) The state board of education may establish advisory committees and secure consultant services for assistance in performing the duties imposed in the foregoing subsection.