20-9-441. Redemption of bonds -- investment of debt service fund money. (1) Whenever there is a sufficient amount of money in any school district debt service fund available to pay and redeem one or more bonds of the school district held by the state of Montana, the county treasurer shall apply the money in payment of as many of the bonds as can be paid and redeemed. The county treasurer shall give notice not less than 30 days before the next interest due date to the board of investments that the bonds will be paid on the interest due date. Before the interest due date, the county treasurer shall remit to the state treasurer the amount of money that is necessary to pay the bonds that are being redeemed and the interest due on the bonds. When the state treasurer receives the payment, the treasurer shall cancel the bonds and any unpaid coupons of the bonds and return the canceled bonds and coupons to the county treasurer.

(2) Whenever there is a sufficient amount of money in any school district debt service fund available to pay and redeem one or more optional bonds of the school district not held by the state of Montana, not yet due but then redeemable or becoming redeemable on the next interest due date, the county treasurer shall apply the available money in payment of as many of the bonds as can be paid and redeemed. The county treasurer shall give notice to the holder of the bonds, if known, or to any bank or financial institution at which the bonds are payable, at least 30 days before the next interest due date, that the bonds will be paid and redeemed on that date. If the bonds are payable at some bank or financial institution, the county treasurer shall remit to the bank or financial institution, before the interest due date, an amount sufficient to pay and redeem the bonds. If the bonds are not presented for payment and redemption on the interest due date, the accrual of interest ceases on the interest due date.

(3) Whenever there is money available in any school district debt service fund sufficient to pay and redeem one or more outstanding bonds not yet due or redeemable and not held by the state of Montana, the trustees of the school district may direct the county treasurer to purchase the bonds of the district if this can be done at not more than par and accrued interest or at a reasonable premium that the trustees may feel justified in paying, but not exceeding 6%.

(4) Whenever the trustees cannot purchase outstanding bonds of the school district at a reasonable price, the available debt service fund money must be invested by the trustees under the provisions of 20-9-213(4). The investments must be sold in ample time before the debt service fund money is required for the payment of the bonds of the school district.