This bill amends the current law governing the composition and election of cooperative school boards. It mandates that representatives from pre-existing districts must be elected solely by voters within their respective districts, replacing the previous requirement that all members be elected at large. Specifically, the bill introduces new language stating that members of the cooperative school board shall be domiciled in and represent a pre-existing district, with each district having at least one resident representative who is elected within their own district. Additionally, the bill stipulates that when a vacancy occurs in a seat elected at large, the successor must be domiciled in the same municipality as the outgoing member.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the process for filling vacancies on cooperative school boards. It requires that any member appointed to fill a vacancy must satisfy the new domicile requirement established in the bill. If there are not enough remaining members from the same town to fill the vacancy, the selectmen of the involved towns will have the authority to make the appointment. This change aims to ensure that the representation on cooperative school boards is more localized and reflective of the communities they serve. The act will take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 195:19-a, 671:33