A bill aimed at clarifying how a vacancy on a school board would be filled made it out of the House Education committee unscathed on Friday (2/6).

 

“We’re not changing any conditions in which a school board member would be replaced,” ASBSD Executive Director Wade Pogany said. “We’re just trying to clarify (state law).”

 

Under HB 1100, a vacating school board member would participate in the process of filling a vacated school board seat, when:

• No individual is elected to the vacated seat;
• An elected school board member fails to meet the qualifications necessary to serve on the school board;
• When a school board member resigns prior to the end of the term which they were elected to.

The bill would also clarify instances when only the remaining school board members would fill a vacated school board seat. Those instances include, when a board member:

• Dies;
• Is removed from the board;
• Ceases to be a resident of the school district or representation area where elected;
• Is convicted of any infamous crime or of any offense involving a violation of the member’s official oath;
• Has a judgment obtained against the member for breach of the member’s official bond;
• Is incapacitated and is unable to attend to the duties of the position;
• Assumes the duties of an office incompatible with the duties of a school board member;

Rep. Fred Deutsch said the Watertown School Board dealt with the appointment issue when he was set to resign from the board to assume his role as a legislator and noted HB 1100 helps clarify confusion.

 

ASBSD supports the bill, which will now move to the Senate floor for review and vote.