(1) If the school district filing official is presented with petitions signed by school electors in each school district in a number at least equal to 5% of the number of school electors residing in each school district, the school district filing official shall submit the question of consolidation to be submitted to the vote of the school electors of the school districts at the next regular school election or a special election.

    (2) Petitions are not required in a school district operating 12 grades if a resolution adopted by the board of the school district requesting consolidation of school districts has been filed with the intermediate superintendent.