BILL NUMBER: S6734

SPONSOR: FAHY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the education law, in relation to providing that
elections to fill an increased number of seats on a school board will be
conducted at the annual meeting after the number of seats was increased

 
PURPOSE:

Following an increase in the number of board members after an annual
meeting, this legislation allows school boards to conduct the election
to fill the new seat within a year, as opposed to the more restrictive
current deadline of between thirty and sixty days after an election.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends section 1703 of the education law to provide that
elections to fill new board vacancies created by increasing the number
of members on the board shall be held at the annual meeting following
the annual meeting where the number of members was increased.
              

Section 2 sets the effective date

 
JUSTIFICATION:

In order to conduct the work of their district, and with the approval of
voters at an annual meeting, certain school boards are empowered to
increase (or decrease) the number of members on their boards.  However,
for union free school districts (and central school districts, which
follow the same process as union frees), districts must hold the
election to add any new members between thirty and sixty days after the
annual meeting. This puts school districts in a difficult position, as
they are subject to other provisions of education law regarding provid-
ing notice of elections, which they must do at least forty-five days
before an election. This effectively gives districts less than a two-
week window to hold an election, whereas other types of school
districts, as well as other local governments, hold the election for the
new members at the next election.

Aligning the requirements of union free and central school districts
with the requirements for other types of school districts will increase
voter participation, save election administration costs, and give school
districts a more navigable path to increase the number of their members.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

A.6849 of 2023-2024 (McDonald), referred to education.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To Be Determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.