Reorganization order
Wis. Stat. § 117.17
in effect(1) Contents; effective date.
(a) Every order of school district reorganization under s. 117.08, 117.09 or 117.105 that creates a new school district shall state the school districts which are dissolved or from which territory is detached to create the new school district, name the new school district, state the type of school district and the grades to be taught by the new school district pursuant to s. 115.01 (2), (3) and (5), designate the number of school board members under s. 120.01 or 120.41, designate the terms of initial members of the school board under s. 120.02 (3) (a), designate the method of election of school board members under s. 120.06 or 120.42, direct the election of school board members under s. 120.06 or 120.42, insofar as applicable, designate the date of the first election of school board members, as provided under s. 117.22 (2) (b), and fix the time and place for the first annual meeting of the new school district, if one is to be held. The secretary of the board shall give notice of the first annual meeting, if one is to be held, under s. 120.08 (1) (c), and shall designate a person to act as temporary chairperson of the annual meeting until a chairperson is elected.
(b) Every order of school district reorganization under s. 117.10 that dissolves a school district shall state the school district that is dissolved and describe the territory, assets and liabilities of the school district. Every order of school district reorganization issued under s. 117.10 (4) shall describe the territory, assets and liabilities allocated to each other school district under that subsection.
(bm) Every order of school district reorganization under s. 117.105 shall describe the territory of the school districts from which territory is detached to create the new school district, state the school district created by the order and describe the territory of the school district created by the order.
(c) Every order of school district reorganization under ss. 117.11 to 117.132 shall state the school districts from which any territory is detached and the school district to which any territory is attached and describe the territory.
(d) Every order of school district reorganization and every order under s. 117.35 (3) shall state the date on which it is to take effect. The date shall be as specified under ss. 117.08 to 117.132, 117.27 (1) and 117.35 (3). If an appeal is made to court under s. 117.14, the court may stay enforcement under s. 227.54 of the order if a showing is made that there is substantial probability that the party seeking review will prevail on the merits and will suffer irreparable harm if a stay is not granted.
(2) Filing. A certified copy of any resolution or order granting, affirming or denying a reorganization or resolving a boundary dispute shall be filed, within 5 days after it is adopted or issued, with the secretary of the board. Upon receipt of the resolution or order, the secretary of the board shall immediately place on it the date upon which it was received. If the resolution or order affirms or grants a reorganization or resolves a boundary dispute, within 5 days after receipt of the resolution or order the secretary of the board shall send a certified copy of the resolution or order by certified mail to the following:
(a) Except as provided in par. (b), the clerk of each city, village, town, or county, any part of which is contained within an affected school district, or any part of which is contained within an interested school district if the resolution or order resolves a boundary dispute.
(b) If the order is issued under s. 117.12 or 117.13, the clerk of each city, village, or town in which any part of the territory is located, and the clerk of each county in which any part of an affected school district is located.
(3) Presumption; validity of order.
(a) A reorganization order or order resolving a boundary dispute shall be presumptive evidence of the facts recited therein and of the proceedings preliminary to the issuance of the order.
(b) The failure of any officer to perform a duty imposed upon him or her by this chapter does not affect the validity of a reorganization order or order resolving a boundary dispute otherwise lawfully made, but the officer is subject to s. 946.12.
Source: WI Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/117.17Fetched: 10/7/2026