Legislative hearing on SB 287 examines move to partisan school board elections and pay change

A state legislative committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 287 at a committee hearing on the bill that would require school board candidates to run with party designations, move districts into a primary and general election process, and allow school board salaries to increase to no more than 10% of the lowest-paid teacher in a district.

The bill’s sponsors and supporters said the changes would increase transparency and voter turnout. Senator Byrne, the bill’s author, said school boards “are 1 of the most important elected offices in our state.” Representative Prescott, who introduced the bill as the House sponsor, described the proposal as one that “simply moves school board elections into the exact same elections process as every other elected official.” The measure would also change the compensation structure for board members, replacing the longstanding flat $2,000 stipend with a cap tied to the district’s lowest teacher salary.

Supporters cited examples and research. Dr. Juanita Albright, president of the Hamilton Southeastern School Board, said school board elections are already political in practice and that a…