TO ESTABLISH A PROCESS WHEREBY A VACANCY IS FILLED ON A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

New public rules for school board appointments

Arkansas law sets a public process for filling school board vacancies. Remaining directors can appoint someone by majority vote within 90 days after a vacancy occurs. The county quorum court must fill the vacancy if vacancies leave only a minority of directors or the deadline passes. This responsibility goes to the county representing most district residents covered by the vacant seat. If the board votes not to appoint, authority immediately passes to the quorum court where most district residents live. Appointees must be qualified voters living in the district and, for zone-specific seats, the affected zone. At least 30 days before either body's appointment meeting, the district must publish the vacancy, meeting date, and candidate requirements. Notices must appear in a local newspaper and on the district homepage, with blank copies of required forms. Districts must also contact student guardians through existing text, phone, and email channels. They must promptly file proof of publication with the county clerk where the district's administrative office is located. Candidates generally must submit a petition at least 10 days before the meeting. It must state their intent to seek appointment and have signatures from at least 20 qualified district or affected-zone voters. The board or quorum court must acknowledge receipt and explain any problems and how to fix them. Only candidates with timely, valid, sufficient petitions can be appointed through this process. They get at least five minutes to present their candidacy before the public vote. The district or board can request reasonable information, including written answers before the meeting. All vacancy discussions and actions must occur in open public meetings, not closed sessions. The district can use another process only after substantially following the required steps and receiving no valid, sufficient petition.