SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS IN NOVEMBER

House Bill 4506 

House Bill 4507

Sponsor:  Rep. Chris Ward

Committee:  Education

Complete to 5-22-07

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILLS 4506 - 4507 AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

The bills would amend the Revised School Code, and the Michigan Election Law, respectively, to require that school board elections be held in November.  A more detailed explanation of each bill follows.

House Bill 4507 would amend the Michigan Election Law (MCL 168.302 and 168.644g) to require that beginning January 1, 2008, a school district hold its regular election for the office of school board member, on one of the following dates:

·                    the odd (numbered) year general election.

·                    the general November election

·                    the November regular election date in both even and odd (numbered) years.

House Bill 4506 would amend the Revised School Code (MCL 380.4, 380.5, and 380.614) to change the references to the Michigan Election Law that are found within the Code, so they refer to the new section of the law that would be created if House Bill 4507 were enacted into law.  The bill would take effect January 1, 2008.  House Bill 4506 is tie-barred to House Bill 4507, so it could not go into effect unless House Bill 4507 also were enacted into law.

  

FISCAL IMPACT:

A fiscal analysis is in process.

POSITIONS:

            The Michigan Education Association supports the bills.  (5-22-07)

            The Office of the Secretary of State supports the bills with changes.  (5-22-07)

            The Kalamazoo, Muskegon, Ottawa ISD opposes the bills.  (5-22-07)

            The Middle Cities Education Association opposes the bills.  (5-22-07)

            The Michigan Association of School Boards opposes the bills.  (5-22-07)

            The Wayne RESA opposes the bills.  (5-22-07)

            The Michigan Association of School Administrators opposes the bills.  (5-22-07)

The Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators opposes the bills.  (5-22-07)

The Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals' Association opposes the bills.  (5-22-07)

Oakland Public Schools opposes the bills.  (5-22-07)

The Michigan Small & Rural Schools oppose the bills.  (5-22-07)

The VanBuren & Allegan ISD opposes the bills.  (5-22-07)

The Detroit Public Schools are neutral on the bills.  (5-22-07)

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   J. Hunault

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Mary Ann Cleary

                                                                                                                           Bethany Wicksall

                                                                                                                           Robin Risko

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.