Even Year November Elections
There are a number of questions a change of this magnitude raises, specifically as it relates to what actions local boards
need to take. The most common questions on how to make this transition are answered below:
Q. What if my term expires in June 2012?
All terms that end in June 2012 will automatically extend
until Dec. 31, 2012. If you plan on running again you’ll be
running in the November election. A similar extension also
applies to terms ending in June 2014.
Q. What if my term expires in June 2013?
All terms (June or December) that end in 2013 will extend
until December 31, 2014, with reelection bids in
November 2014. That’s an 18 month extension for many
school board members, but state law can’t shorten terms.
A similar extension will also apply for terms ending in
2015.
Q. What if our district already switched to an everyother-year election in November of odd years?
You won’t have an election in 2012 (unless terms expire in
2012) and all odd year terms will extend until the end of
the next even year.
Q. With four year terms, will a majority of the board be
up for election every four years?
Yes, if a district has four year terms a majority of a seven
member board will be up for election every four years.
Q. Are there districts that have a majority of board
members turn over in an election?
Yes. A number of districts that made the switch to the
November general election in past years continued their
four year terms. Other districts were uncomfortable with
that outcome and made other changes, such as the one
noted below, to prevent the situation.
Q. Is there a way to prevent a majority of the board from
being up for election?
Yes. A board can pass a resolution to change the length of
term to six years for all board members. You must also
submit a transition plan to your county election
coordinator to move to six year terms.
Q. Is moving to six year terms complicated?
It doesn’t have to be. MASB has worked with a number of
districts to map out their transition plans, but it also can
be done at the local level without too much trouble. Each
district will have a different scenario based on the election
intentions of each member, the ending of certain terms
and other considerations.
You’ll likely encounter other questions about the implementation of these bills and MASB is happy to work with districts
on making this transition as easy as possible. Both Brad Banasik, 517.327.5929, [email protected], and Don Wotruba,
517.327.5913, [email protected] have worked on transition plans for districts.