House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014 Regular Session

Posted:	June 27, 2014 02:24 PM
From:	Representative Margo L. Davidson
To:	All House members
Subject:	School Board Elections

In the near future, I am planning to introduce legislation which amends the Public School Code regarding school board elections. This change will end the practice of someone running for election to school board as a “proxy,” only to resign shortly after the election and have someone other than the candidates in the last election appointed. This practice shows a lack of respect for the election process. Currently, with the exception of Philadelphia, when there is a vacancy in the board of school directors (due to death, resignation, removal, etc.), the remaining members of the board of school directors must fill the vacancy by majority vote within thirty days. My legislation will amend this provision so that, if a vacancy occurs by resignation, the candidate from the most recent election of school directors with the second highest number of votes would fill the vacancy. In the event that person declines, the candidate with the third highest number of votes would fill the vacancy. In the event that person also declines, or there exists no second or third candidates, the school board would either select another candidate from the most recent election or hold a special election among the qualified electors of the district. Please join me in ensuring that school board elections remain streamlined and effective, and best reflect the will of the residents of the school district.
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Introduced as HB2509