37-7-109 - Annexation of territory to different district or reorganization into new district pursuant to petition filed by electorate; effect upon outstanding bonds or other indebtedness. - Mississippi Statutes

§ 37-7-109. Annexation of territory to different district or reorganization into new district pursuant to petition filed by electorate; effect upon outstanding bonds or other indebtedness.
 

If a petition signed by a majority of the qualified electors of specifically described territory of an existing school district shall be filed with the school board requesting that said described territory be taken from such existing district and annexed to an adjacent district, or reorganized into a new school district, the said school board, after consideration thereof, and with the consent and approval of the school board of the district to which such territory is to be annexed, if such be the case, shall have the power and authority, in its discretion, to take such territory from the existing district and annex same to the adjacent district, or to create a new school district of such specifically described territory. However, before doing so, the school board must find and determine that the taking of the territory from the existing school district will not seriously interfere with or impair the efficiency of such school district, and all orders adopted under the provisions of this section shall be invalid unless such finding and determination be made. Any order adopted under the provisions of this section shall become final without publication thereof upon such date as may be fixed by the school board but not later than the first day of July next succeeding the date of such order. The taking of territory from existing school districts under the provisions of this section shall not release the property in such territory from assessment and liability for the payment of the outstanding bonds or other indebtedness of the district from which the territory is taken and it shall be the duty of the board of supervisors to continue to levy taxes on such territory in an amount sufficient to pay such territory's pro rata part of all outstanding bonds or other indebtedness existing at the time the territory is taken from such district. In addition thereto, the territory involved shall become liable for its pro rata part of the outstanding bonds or other indebtedness of the district to which it is annexed and taxes shall be levied thereon for the payment thereof to the same extent as taxes are levied upon the other territory of such district. 
 

Sources: Codes, 1942, § 6274-06; Laws,  1953, Ex Sess, ch. 16, § 6; Laws, 1986, ch. 492, § 55, eff from and after July 1, 1987.