TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) –  Kansas lawmakers are scheduled to begin discussion of the controversial subject of school district consolidation next week.

A bill proposed by Rep. John Bradford would require districts to consolidate into countywide school districts. Bradford, a Republican from Lansing, says the bill would affect only central administrations and would not require school closings.

Any county with 10,000 or fewer students would have one countywide district. The Kansas State Department of Education says that would apply to 98 counties, 22 of which already are single-district counties.

The Kansas Association of School Boards estimates the bill would reduce school districts in the state to 132 from the current 286.

The House Education Committee is scheduled to open hearings on the bill Wednesday.

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Associated Press information from: Lawrence Journal-World