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Bill would require more school board members to be elected from geographic director districts; OSPI and advocates differ on best approach
Summary
House Education Committee heard House Bill 1683, which would require larger school districts to elect a minimum number of directors by geographic director districts rather than at‑large; witnesses discussed representation tradeoffs, recruitment challenges and alternatives such as multi‑winner proportional methods.
The House Education Committee heard House Bill 1683 on Tuesday, a measure that would require larger Washington school districts to elect a minimum number of school board directors by designated member director districts rather than solely at large. The change would take effect by calendar year 2027.
Under the bill briefed by nonpartisan staff, districts with headcount enrollments of 3,001 to 5,000 would have to elect at least three directors by designated member districts; districts with more than 5,000 students would have to elect at least four directors by such districts. Districts with 3,000 or fewer students are exempt. The bill does not change the total number of board members but sets a minimum that must be elected by geographic director districts.
Ethan Moreno, nonpartisan committee staff, said director…
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