CCS SCS HB 1272 -- SPRINGFIELD SCHOOL BOARD

Elections for the Springfield School Board will be held annually
at the time of the general municipal election in any year when a
school board term expires.  Terms will be 3 years, instead of
the current 6 years.

HB 1272 -- SPRINGFIELD SCHOOL BOARD (Holand)

This bill reduces the term of school board members in
Springfield from 6 to 4 years, beginning with the first election
after the effective date of the bill.  The terms of school board
members in other urban districts remain at 6 years.

The bill contains an emergency clause.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

HB 1272 -- SPRINGFIELD SCHOOL BOARD

CO-SPONSORS:  Holand, Wooten

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee
on Education-Elementary and Secondary by a vote of 22 to 0.

This bill reduces the term of school board members in
Springfield from 6 to 4 years, beginning with the first election
after the effective date of the bill.  The terms of school board
members in other urban districts remain at 6 years.

The bill contains an emergency clause.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that by shortening the terms of the
Springfield School Board from 6 to 4 years, it will be easier to
get candidates to run for office.  A shorter term length will
also improve accountability.  The emergency clause is included
in the hope that the bill can be passed in time to take effect
for the April election.  The Springfield Chamber of Commerce
expressed its support of the bill in a letter to Representative
Holand, in which it cited the length of term as the major reason
given for potential candidates who declined to run.

Testifying for the bill were Representatives Holand and Wooten.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Becky DeNeve, Legislative Analyst

HB 1272 -- Springfield School Board

Co-Sponsors:  Holand, Wooten

This bill reduces the term of school board members in
Springfield from 6 to 4 years, beginning with the first election
after the effective date of the bill.  The terms of school board
members in other urban districts remain at 6 years.

The bill contains an emergency clause.