SUBDISTRICTS IN SEVEN-DIRECTOR AND URBAN SCHOOL DISTRICTS

This act allows seven-director school districts and urban school districts to divide into seven subdistricts for the purposes of the election of board members or directors.

The county election authority may divide the school district into subdistricts by December 1st of the year prior to the election. The subdistricts shall be contiguous, compact, and as nearly equal in population as is practicable. The act provides procedures for reapportionment of subdistricts based on population changes reflected in the federal census.

Any resident of the school district may challenge the division or reapportionment of subdistricts in state court by filing a petition within ten business days of the election authority giving notice of the division or reapportionment.

The act provides procedures for subdistrict elections. If no candidate who is a resident of a subdistrict files for candidacy in that subdistrict, the ticket will be extended to candidates who are residents of other parts of the school district, in which case the seat will be elected at large by all voters in the district.

Board members and directors shall serve terms of three and six years, respectively, except for initial appointments of candidates to even-numbered subdistricts, who shall serve terms of two and five years, respectively. (Sections 162.261, 162.281, 162.291, 162.471 and 162.491)

These provisions are similar to SB 583 (2021) and HB 164 (2021).

SUBDISTRICTS IN THE SPRINGFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

This act shall apply to school board members of the Springfield Public School District elected on or after April 4, 2023. The school district shall be organized into five subdistricts, and the school board shall also include two at-large district seats. Before December 1, 2022, the county election authority shall divide the school district into the five subdistricts. The subdistricts shall be contiguous, compact, and as nearly equal in population as is practicable. The act provides procedures for reapportionment of subdistricts based on population changes reflected in the federal census.

The act provides procedures for at-large district and subdistrict elections. If no candidate who is a resident of a subdistrict files for candidacy in that subdistrict, the ticket will be extended to candidates who are residents of other parts of the school district, in which case the subdistrict seat will be elected at large by all voters in the district. Beginning on the 2023 general municipal election day, the at-large districts and subdistricts shall fill expired school board seats in the following sequential order: subdistrict 1, subdistrict 3, subdistrict 5, subdistrict 2, subdistrict 4, and then each at-large district.

Any vacancy on the board more than 6 months before the next election for new board members shall be filled by a resident of the district selected by the remaining board members. Vacancies occurring within 6 months of the next election shall not be filled except through the election.

Each school board candidate shall be a resident of the school district for the two years during the two years prior to the election. Candidates for a subdistrict seat shall be a resident of the subdistrict for at least one year prior to the election.

No person not elected pursuant to the procedures in this act shall serve on the school board for more than 9 consecutive years. (Section 162.481)

ENROLLMENT FOR CHILDREN OF NONRESIDENT PROPERTY OWNERS

Beginning in the 2022-23 school year, any person who owns residential real property or agricultural real property and has paid a school tax in the two most recent tax years in any school district in which such person does not reside may send his or her children to a public school in any such district. For purposes of calculating state aid to school districts, such children shall be counted in the average daily attendance of the school district where they attend. To enroll children this way, the person shall send written notice to all school districts involved specifying the school where his or her children will attend at least thirty days prior to enrollment, providing proof of payment of school taxes for the last two years.

(Section 167.151)

These provisions are similar to provisions in HS/HCS/HB 543 (2021).

MATT KIMMINAU