HB424 Summary

• Requires the Gadsden City Council to call a referendum on changing the Gadsden City Board of Education from appointed to elected status, with ballot question: "Do you favor changing the Gadsden City Board of Education from an appointed to an elected board?"

• Establishes a seven-member elected board of education with members elected from the same districts and at the same times as Gadsden City Council members, after an initial special election.

• Sets candidate qualifications at minimum age 21, one year residency in respective district, and no record of conviction for crimes involving moral turpitude.

• Specifies board member compensation at $600 per month, with initial terms matching remaining city council terms elected in 2018, subsequent terms aligned with 2022 city council elections, and all future terms at four years.

• Provides for vacancy filling by majority vote of remaining board members within 60 days, or appointment by State Superintendent of Education if unfilled, and authorizes removal of members with excessive unexcused absences after written notice.