NY S05846

Allows boards of education in union free school districts and central school districts to establish school election wards (3-9 wards per district) for electing individual trustees or board members by resolution.

Requires public hearing and majority voter approval by referendum at the next general election before wards can be established, with ward boundaries defined and published within five months of voter approval.

Ward boundaries must be contiguous and contain approximately equal populations, with redefinition allowed only upon each federal decennial census at least eight months before the next school board election.

School board members elected from wards serve three-year terms, with existing trustees serving out their current terms before the ward-based election system takes effect.

Vacancies in ward trustee positions must be filled by majority vote of remaining board members within thirty days, with appointees meeting the same qualifications as candidates from that ward.