Senate Bill 2038 Summary

• Establishes nonpartisan elections for all school board members (county boards of education, municipal separate school district trustees, consolidated school district trustees, and special municipal separate school district trustees) held concurrently with the November 2016 presidential election and every four years thereafter.

• Changes school board member terms from varying lengths to uniform four-year terms, with all incumbent members' terms expiring January 1, 2017.

• Requires candidates to file nominating petitions signed by at least 50 qualified electors (or 20% if fewer than 100 qualified electors in the area) at least 60-90 days before the election.

• Mandates appointment of all superintendents by local school boards effective January 1, 2016, unless county electors vote by referendum to retain elected county superintendents.

• Establishes procedures for filling school board vacancies through appointment by remaining board members, with elections to fill unexpired terms held at the next general election.