Directs that, notwithstanding any provision of law to the Contrary, the Columbus County Board of Education (Board) consists of five members elected to staggered four-year terms. Directs for members to be elected from five single-member residency districts on a partisan basis at the time of the general election in each even-numbered year as terms expire. Requires that one member be elected from each residency district, excluding the area encompassing the Whiteville School Administrative Unit. Requires candidates to be qualified voters and residents of the district where they seek election. Directs that Board members are to be nominated at the same time and in the same manner as other county officers. Directs members to serve until their successors are elected and qualified. Specifies that all members take office on the first Monday in December after the election.
Specifies that the act does not affect the term of any person elected in 2022 or 2024 to the Board. Provides that vacancies of these persons will be filled by the remaining members of the Board until the next election. Specifies that any person appointed to fill a vacancy has to be a resident of the district where the vacancy occurs. Directs that each member of the Board elected in 2022 or 2024, or any member appointed to fill a vacancy for a member elected in 2022 or 2024, will serve until a successor has been elected and qualified.
Requires vacancies to be filled using the process set forth in GS 115C-37.1. Makes conforming change to GS 115C-37.1 to reflect its applicability to Columbus County. Applies to elections held on or after December 1, 2026.
Repeals the following conflicting session law chapters and provisions:

Section 1 of SL 1953-717.
SL 1961-114.
SL 1961-216.
SL 1961-327.
SL 1963-295.
SL 1969-1.
Section 2 of SL 1969-1053.
SL 1973-836.
Sections 1, 2, and 3 of SL 1981-192.

Statutes affected:
Filed: 115C-37.1
Edition 1: 115C-37.1