(a) The consideration of the question of the consolidation or annexation of two (2) or more school districts, or parts thereof, in their entireties, kindergarten through twelfth grade (K-12), may be made at the annual school election with the issue of combining the school districts and the levying of a specified tax millage to support the new school district placed on the ballot as a single issue in order to assure that when the two (2) or more school districts, or parts thereof, are combined into one (1) school district, a single millage will be levied for support of the new school district.

(b) The boards of directors of the school districts may, by resolution duly adopted and with the approval of the Commissioner of Education, set a date for the annual school election in that year for the school districts involved on a date other than the date set in § 6-14-102 for all school districts, provided only one (1) annual school election may be held in any school district in one (1) calendar year.

(c) If the State Board of Education is petitioned by the board of directors of a school district or districts, by resolution duly adopted by majority vote of each of the local boards of directors, or when petitioned by at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the qualified electors of a school district or districts as certified in writing by the county clerk of each county where the school district or districts are located, the state board may call a special election to be held in accordance with § 7-11-201 et seq. to consider the question of consolidation or annexation of the school districts as otherwise allowed for in subsection (a) of this section.

(d) The special election on consolidation or annexation shall be held by the same officials at the same polling places, and the returns shall be made, canvassed, and published in the same manner as is provided by law for annual school elections.

(e) If an election is not held in the newly formed school district, the vote on the millage for the newly formed school district will be held at the next annual school election.