A vacancy occurs when a board member dies, resigns, forfeits, or otherwise leaves the office. A vacancy also includes, but is not limited to, the following: failure to be properly elected, failure to qualify within the time fixed by law, failure to reside in the school district or director district, a court order declaring the seat vacant, conviction of a felony, three violations of the open meetings law, or conviction of a public offense in violation of the oath of office.
If a vacancy occurs prior to the expiration of a term of office, the vacancy will be filled by board appointment within 30 days of the vacancy. The board shall publish notice stating that the board intends to fill the vacancy by appointment, but the elector of the school district have the right to file a petition within 14 days of the publication of the notice requiring the vacancy be filled by a special election. The newly-appointed board member will hold the position until the next scheduled school election.
A person appointed to fill a vacancy shall hold office until a successor is elected and qualified at the next regular school election, unless there is an intervening special election for the district, in which event a successor shall be elected at the intervening special election.
If the board is unable to fill a vacancy by appointment within 30 days after the vacancy occurs or if a valid petition is submitted, the board secretary will call a special election to be held no sooner than 60 days and not later than 70 days after the vacancy occurred. A board member elected at the special election will serve the remaining portion of the unexpired term.
Approved March 26, 2018
Reviewed September 18, 2024
Revised October 16, 2024
