California Assembly Bill AB2907

California 2021-2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/18/22

Caption

School districts: governing boards: elections.

Impact

If passed, AB 2907 would facilitate a change in the governance structure by allowing districts to expand their boards, which could foster greater representation and diversity in decision-making processes. It also establishes a more formal procedure for districts to request voter approval for such membership increases, thereby enhancing community involvement in local governance. The bill requires that requests to increase board membership must be submitted to the county superintendent, aligning the election process with established dates as per the Elections Code.

Summary

Assembly Bill 2907, introduced by Assembly Member Cunningham on February 18, 2022, aims to amend Section 5018 of the Education Code which pertains to the governance structure of elementary school districts. The bill enables elementary schools with a governing board of three members to increase their membership to five members under certain conditions. Specifically, districts with an average daily attendance of 300 or more in the previous fiscal year are mandated to consider increasing their governing board size. The bill is largely technical in nature, making nonsubstantive amendments to existing provisions.

Contention

While the bill primarily addresses procedural changes, there may be implications for districts with smaller student populations that could be adversely affected by a mandate to increase their board size. Critics could argue that the additional requirements may introduce unnecessary complexity or financial burdens for smaller elementary districts. The voting process for electing new members, contingent on a community vote, may also introduce delays in filling board positions, which can impact timely decision-making and governance.