HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

149th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 278

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SCHOOL BOARDS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend § 1052, Title 14 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 1052. Number; qualifications of members; 1 member elected each year; term of members.

(a) Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, each school board shall be composed of 5 members.

(b) Each member shall be a citizen of the State and resident of the school district in which elected or appointed and shall be qualified to vote at a school election in that district at the time of such election or appointment.

(c) Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, 1 school board member shall be elected each year except where an unexpired term of a former member is also to be filled.

(d) Unless otherwise provided in this chapter each school board member shall be elected for a term of 5 years 4 years except when such election is to fill an unexpired term, said term commencing on July 1 following such member's election.

Section 2. This Act is effective for all school board member elections taking place on or after January 1, 2018.

SYNOPSIS

This Act changes the term of a school board member from 5 years to 4 years. While longer board member terms enable school board members to have more years as experienced board members, this must be weighed against the goal of providing the community with sufficient opportunities to run for school boards, and to replace school board members. In addition, shorter board member terms can increase the number of candidates who run for office, as a longer term can prevent some individuals from choosing to run for this office.