AI Generated Summary
Purpose
The bill would give school districts more flexibility to adjust the size of their school boards through voter referenda. It sets up a process for districts to change the number of board members (between 5, 6, and 7) while keeping a core structure of elected directors plus an ex officio member.
Main Provisions
Baseline structure: Independent districts have a board of directors with six elected directors and an ex officio member; terms are four years, starting on the first Monday in January.
Board size changes by referendum:
- From six to seven: Districts with a six-member board may ask voters to increase to seven. If the majority votes yes, a seventh member is elected at the next board election for a four-year term, and the board thereafter has seven members.
- From seven to six: Districts with a seven-member board may ask voters to reduce to six. If the majority votes yes, three members are elected at the next board election, and thereafter the board has six members.
- From six to five (enrollment-based): Districts with a six-member board and 1,000 or fewer students enrolled on October 1 of the preceding calendar year may ask voters to reduce to five. If the majority votes yes, only two members are elected at the next board election for a four-year term, and thereafter the board has five members.
- From five to six: Districts with a five-member board may ask voters to increase to six. If the majority votes yes, three members are elected at the next board election (subject to a requirement that the referendum be held at least 150 days before the next election), and thereafter the board has six members.
Election timing for changes:
- Some changes (to seven or to six) can be voted on at any school election.
- Changes involving moving to or from six or five members with enrollment rules specify timing (e.g., at least 150 days before the next election for certain changes).
Enrollment threshold for 5-member option: The option to reduce to five members applies only to districts with 1,000 or fewer students enrolled on October 1 of the preceding calendar year.
Ex officio member: The board remains six elected directors plus an ex officio member as provided by law, with the referenda changing only the number of elected directors.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a voter-approved mechanism to alter the number of board members from the current fixed structure, rather than requiring a standard, statutory size.
- Establishes specific thresholds and timing for when a district can switch between 5, 6, and 7 members, including an enrollment-based limit for the 5-member option.
- Maintains the four-year term for any newly elected seats and the ongoing ex officio member provision.
What this bill aims to accomplish
- Allow districts to tailor board size to local needs and population, potentially improving governance, representation, and efficiency by letting voters choose the board size.
Relevant terms - school board - board of directors - elected directors - ex officio member - four-year term - first Monday in January - electors - school election - majority - six-member board - seven-member board - five-member board - enrollment - October 1 - 1,000 or fewer students - enrollment threshold - 150 days before the next election - next election - referendum - ballot measure
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 05, 2026 | House | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Education Policy | |
| March 09, 2026 | House | Action | Author added |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Allows districts with a six-member board and 1,000 or fewer students enrolled on October 1 of the preceding calendar year to submit to the electors the question whether the board shall consist of five members; if the majority favors a five-member board, only two members shall be elected at the next election and thereafter the board shall consist of five members.",
"Allows districts with a five-member board to submit to the electors the question whether the board shall consist of six members; if the majority favors a six-member board, three members instead of two shall be elected at the next election and thereafter the board shall consist of six members."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill amends Minn. Stat. 123B.09, subd. 1 to provide flexibility in school board membership by allowing districts to operate with five, six, or seven members, subject to elector approval, and detailing the transition rules for elections when changing board size.",
"modified": [
"Expands the range of permissible school board sizes (five, six, or seven) and establishes elector-approved transitions between these configurations, in addition to the existing seven-member option."
]
},
"citation": "123B.09",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
}
]