SB 249: County boards of education: elections: consolidation.

The California Constitution requires the Legislature to provide for the appointment or election of the State Board of Education and a board of education in each county or for the election of a joint county board of education for 2 or more counties.

Existing law requires the regular election to select governing board members in any school district, community college district, or county board of education to be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each odd-numbered year. Notwithstanding that requirement, after the initial election, any subsequent election of governing board members in any school district, community college district, or county board of education may be established, upon the adoption of an appropriate resolution by the governing board or the county board of education, to regularly occur on the same day as the statewide direct primary election, the statewide general election, or the general municipal election, as specified.

This bill, notwithstanding any other law, and commencing January 1, 2026, would require any election for the elected members of a county board of education to instead be consolidated with the statewide general election. The bill would require the term of office of all incumbent elected members of a county board of education to be extended accordingly, and would require the county committee on school district organization to determine the manner in which the county board of education elected shall effect a staggering of terms, if necessary. By imposing additional duties on local officials, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill also would make conforming changes.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.