FINAL BILL REPORT

                   SB 5911

                          C 194 L 99

                      Synopsis as Enacted

 

Brief Description:  Changing school director eligibility provisions.

 

Sponsors:  Senators Eide, Hochstatter and McAuliffe.

 

Senate Committee on Education

House Committee on Education

 

Background:  School directors are elected by registered voters in regular elections.  To be eligible for candidacy in a school district election, candidates must be citizens of the United States and the state of Washington.  In addition, candidates must be registered voters in the school district or, if the school district has director districts, the candidates must be registered voters in the director district.

 

Directors are automatically disqualified from office if they no longer satisfy the eligibility criteria.  The school board must appoint a successor to serve the remainder of the term of the disqualified director.

 

Summary:  If the elected school board director continues to be a citizen of the United States and of the state of Washington and a registered voter in the school district, but no longer resides in the director district due to a boundary change, the director may complete the remainder of the term of office.  If, however, the director=s change in status results from a voluntary change in residence, the director may only remain in office until a successor is elected to serve the remainder of the term.

 

Votes on Final Passage:

 

Senate 46 0

House     54 42 (House amended)

Senate    47 0 (Senate concurred)

 

Effective:  July 25, 1999