Bill Would Force School Board Elections

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Some lawmakers want voters to elect all school board members in Mississippi.

The Senate Education Committee passed Senate Bill 2141 on a split voice vote Tuesday.

Sponsored by Sen. Tony Smith, a Picayune Republican, the measure mandates all board members run for four-year terms beginning at the 2016 presidential election. School districts would be cut into five zones and candidates would run in nonpartisan races.

County school boards are elected, but city school boards are appointed or a mix of elected and appointed. Smith says voters should be able to change boards when they disagree with their policy or performance.

Sen. David Jordan, a Greenwood Democrat, amended the bill to require board members complete at least one year of college.

Lawmakers are also pushing for all superintendents to be appointed.

Categories: Local News

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