S.L. 1969-887

1969 SESSION

CHAPTER 887

HOUSE BILL 1201

AN ACT CREATING A COMMISSION TO STUDY THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM OF ROBESON COUNTY.

The General Assembly of North Carolina do enact:

Section 1. There is hereby created the Commission on the study of the public school system of Robeson County.

Sec. 2. (a) The Commission shall consist of thirteen members, none of whom shall be professional educators, appointed by the following boards in the numbers designated: Five by the Robeson County Board of Education; two by the Robeson County Board of Commissioners; two by the Lumberton City Board of Education; one by the Fairmont City Board of Education; one by the Maxton City Board of Education; one by the Red Springs City Board of Education; and one by the Saint Pauls City Board of Education. The members shall be appointed within fifteen days following the ratification of this Act and shall serve until the termination of the Commission.

(b) If a vacancy occurs in the membership of the Commission, the Board of Education or Board of County Commissioners of the member causing such vacancy shall appoint another member to serve until the termination of the Commission.

(c) Within thirty days after ratification of this Act, the Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners shall call a meeting of the Commission for the purpose of organization. At this meeting the Commission shall elect from its membership a chairman and such other officers as it deems necessary.

Sec. 3. (a) The Commission shall make a thorough study of the possibilities of merger of the six school administrative units in Robeson County. It shall examine the advantages and disadvantages of such a merger, including the changes required or needed in the school organization, curriculum, financial support, location of new school plants, transportation and other aspects of school operation by a merger of the school administrative units in Robeson County.

(b) On or before July 1, 1970, the Commission shall file with the Robeson County Board of Commissioners and the boards of education for the six administrative school units of Robeson County a written report summarizing the information obtained in the course of the study. If it shall recommend a merger, it shall also set forth a general plan for the merger of the school units in Robeson County.

(c) The Commission shall meet with the board of commissioners and the boards of education, either separately or jointly, in order to present the report and recommendations to these bodies. The Commission shall publish its report, or summary thereof, for such public distribution and take such further steps as it deems desirable to acquaint the public generally with its recommendation.

Sec. 4. (a) The Commission may hold meetings and hearings at such times and places as it deems convenient. At least one public hearing shall be held in each administrative unit.

(b) The Commission may adopt rules governing its proceedings.

(c) The Commission may employ such professional, technical, and clerical assistance and may contract for such materials and services as it deems necessary.

(d) Upon request of the Commission, each school administrative unit and all other local governmental units or agencies in Robeson County shall provide the Commission with any information, records, or reports in its possession that the Commission deems pertinent to its inquiry.

Sec. 5. The members of the Commission shall not receive per diem or other compensation for their services, but they shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in performance of their official duties with the Commission.

All expenses of the Commission shall be paid by the six administrative school units on a per capita basis of their school enrollment for the 1968-69 school year.

Sec. 6. If the Commission recommends a merger of some or all of the school administrative units, the County Commissioners shall call an election at such time as they shall determine, which election shall be not later than March 1, 1971, for the purpose of submitting to the qualified voters of Robeson County the question of whether or not any or all of the school administrative units shall be merged.

Sec. 7. The Commission shall terminate upon its own motion, but not later than ninety days after the filing of its report.

Sec. 8. All laws and clauses of laws in conflict with this Act are hereby repealed.

Sec. 9. This Act shall be in full force and effect from and after its ratification.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 16th day of June, 1969.