20-9-903. (Temporary) Establishment of geographic regions and large districts -- innovative educational program. (1) (a) Geographic regions are established on the basis of county boundaries and are designed to achieve approximate statewide equity among the 11 regions in terms of the number of trustees on school boards located within the applicable regions. The equity must be reviewed periodically by the superintendent of public instruction by dividing the number of trustees serving on school boards located within the applicable region, including trustees on school boards referenced in subsection (2), by the total number of geographic regions and large districts.

(b) The geographic regions are established as follows:

(i) 1st region: Flathead, Lake, and Lincoln Counties;

(ii) 2nd region: Blaine, Hill, and Phillips Counties;

(iii) 3rd region: Daniels, Roosevelt, Sheridan, and Valley Counties;

(iv) 4th region: Dawson, Garfield, McCone, Prairie, Richland, and Wibaux Counties;

(v) 5th region: Cascade, Fergus, Golden Valley, Judith Basin, Musselshell, Petroleum, and Wheatland Counties;

(vi) 6th region: Mineral, Missoula, Ravalli, and Sanders Counties;

(vii) 7th region: Beaverhead, Deer Lodge, Granite, Jefferson, Madison, Powell, and Silver Bow Counties;

(viii) 8th region: Broadwater, Gallatin, Meagher, Park, and Sweet Grass Counties;

(ix) 9th region: Big Horn, Carbon, Stillwater, Treasure, and Yellowstone Counties;

(x) 10th region: Carter, Custer, Fallon, Powder River, and Rosebud Counties; and

(xi) 11th region: Chouteau, Glacier, Lewis and Clark, Liberty, Pondera, Teton, and Toole Counties.

(2) (a) Large districts are established as each of the seven largest school districts in the state based on combined pupil enrollment from kindergarten through the 12th grade.

(b) The seven largest school districts are established as follows:

(i) Billings;

(ii) Butte;

(iii) Bozeman;

(iv) Great Falls;

(v) Helena;

(vi) Kalispell; and

(vii) Missoula.

(3) The superintendent of public instruction shall make recommendations to the education interim committee regarding any adjustments to the regions and large districts necessary to preserve equity and fairness. (Terminates December 31, 2023--sec. 33, Ch. 457, L. 2015.)