Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Governance Elections topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Act 503 of 2024 forces LRSD to weigh board size, new election zones and term lengths; district begins planning
Summary
Counsel told the Little Rock School District board that Act 503 of 2024 requires districts that fall below a statutory average‑daily‑membership threshold to reconfigure school board elections and adopt single‑member zones; LRSD must decide whether to reduce board size and set term lengths and hire a demographer to draw new zones ahead of the likely March 3, 2026, election.
Legal counsel and staff briefed the Little Rock School District board on the practical effects of Act 503 of 2024 and the planning steps the district must take if the statute applies to LRSD.
Counsel described the law as requiring districts that have fallen below a specified average daily membership threshold to conduct elections for all board positions at the next applicable election and to establish single‑member election zones. The law rescinded some earlier authorities and set new timelines; staff and counsel said the next statewide election window that will affect school boards is March 3, 2026, and described a likely candidate filing period beginning November 3 and early voting beginning Feb. 17, 2026. Counsel advised the board that, to comply with the statute and timelines, the district should quickly decide whether to reduce the board from nine members to seven or five and whether members will serve four‑ or six‑year terms, then commission a demographer or mapping entity to draw proposed zone maps for board review and public notice.
Staff emphasized timing constraints. Counsel and the county clerk’s office indicated the candidate filing period could open in November; some elements of the statute take effect roughly 90 days after sine die of the most recent legislative session. Geographic Information Services and other mapping vendors said preparing legally defensible zone options can take several weeks to months depending on the number of options the board requests.
Board members asked whether there was legal relief or whether the district could avoid the change if enrollment increases above the statutory threshold before the law’s effective date. Counsel said options for legal challenge or relief exist but would require separate legal analysis; staff said they would research further. Board members discussed practical steps: (1) decide board size (five or seven) and term lengths (four or six years), (2) hire or contract a demographer/cartographer to draft zones and (3) set a public process and timeline for comment. Several members said they wanted a rapid timeline so prospective candidates and the community could have clarity. Others urged caution and asked staff to pursue legal questions about applicability and timing before final decisions.
Counsel recommended the board consider placing the size/term questions on the next meeting agenda so the district can commission zone mapping and allow adequate time for public notice if the law applies.
