School Board Members, Superintendents Weigh Change to November Elections

Local school districts' boards of education have been weighing the value of moving school elections to November, but the ultimate decision likely will belong to state officials. Proposed legislation would amend Michigan law to have school elections in November, beginning in 2012.

With the change, school elections would take place every other year, in November. , and Linden schools held their election on May 3. Superintendents and some board members for the three districts discussed the issue at Wednesday's Three District Board meeting, at Lake Fenton Community Schools' administration building.

There is money to save by changing school district elections to November, Lake Fenton board President Bob Grubbs said. Linden Community Schools board President Laura Starrs said it cost her district $10,000 for its election.

With school board ballot questions added to the full November ballot, the school issues could end up printed on the last page, Grubbs said. People might lose interest and not vote on the school districts' questions. In addition, some voters don't fill out ballot questions beyond what they can select as a straight-party ticket.

But school officials also need to consider the number of voters who come out for school elections in the spring, he said.

Secretary Sandra Mathews-Barnes of Fenton Area Public Schools said, for school district funding questions, there is a fear that November voters are those who tend to vote "no" on everything.

Secretary Alberta Martin, of Lake Fenton Community Schools, said November school elections will not cost as much for local residents. But, if school districts don't have millage or bond proposals approved, "We will lose out," Martin said.

There is a question of whether school districts will get informed voters for November elections, said Superintendent Wayne Wright, of Lake Fenton Community Schools.

Wright said some current board members' terms could be extended by as much as a year and a half, if November school elections begin in an even-numbered year. Districts could have four- or six-year terms for their board members.

With six-year terms, two to three board members would be up for election in one year, Wright said. With four-year terms, either four or three school board members would be up for election at a time.

"Every fourth year, the majority of your board could turn over," he said.

Mathews-Barnes said she can see how this could make six-year terms for board members beneficial.

On the other hand, Starrs said a six-year term is a big commitment for someone.

With November elections, terms for board members would begin in January, Wright said. This is the middle of school districts' year, Starrs added.

The state's fiscal year already is not the same as school districts', Mathews-Barnes said.

They can discuss it, but the state is giving them direction on the course of action it wants schools to take, Grubbs said.

The legislature is telling districts it favors school elections in November, for efficiency and cost savings, Mathews-Barnes said.