Edenton-Chowan Board of Education Six Year versus Four Year Election Terms

Current Board Make-up District Name Election Yr. 1 Jean Bunch 2012 1 Gene Jordan 2016 2 Ricky Browder 2012 2 John Guard 2014 3 Gil Burroughs 2014 3 Kay Wright 2016 At-Large Win Dale 2012 (Two seats from Districts 1, 2, and 3 plus one At-Large seat)

Why consider changing from 6 year elections to 4 year elections?

PROS AND CONS OF 4 YEAR TERMS Increases competition, encourages challengers Aligns with other elected officials terms Eliminates appearance of “elite or dynasty” board Introduces fresh thinking and new ideas Creates more conversation/discussion Greater rotation in office Greater voter participation

PROS AND CONS OF 4 YEAR TERMS Fewer years to learn “ropes” of the office Majority election every 4 years Additional orientation costs for school system Additional election costs for candidates Potential loss of knowledge and experience

CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING TERMS United States Senator 6 years President of the United States 4 years All State Governors 4 years United States Congressman 2 years NC House Representative 2 years NC Senator 2 years Chowan Commissioner 4 years Edenton Town Councilperson 4 years Edenton Chowan BOE member 6 years

115 School Districts in North Carolina 100 Counties in North Carolina

Of the 100 counties in North Carolina, how many Mayors and Town Councilpersons serve 6 year terms? Of the 100 counties in North Carolina, how many County Commissioners serve 6 year terms?

ZERO

Current School Boards with 6 year election terms Granville County Asheboro City Roanoke Rapids City Pitt Edenton-Chowan Davie County is changing to 4 year terms in 2012 Cherokee County changed to 4 year terms in 2010 Pitt County is currently changing to 4 year terms

Current Method of Selecting School Board Members for Edenton-Chowan Chowan-Edenton Method of Selecting Members Six members are elected from three electoral districts by all the qualified voters in the district, and one member is elected at large by all the qualified voters in the county. In 1990, and every six years thereafter, one member is elected from seat 1 of District 2 and one member from seat 1 of District 3. In 1992, and every six years thereafter, one member is elected from seat 1 of District 1 and one member from seat 2 of District 3. In 1994, and every six years thereafter, one member is elected from seat 2 of District 2 and one member at large. Session Laws – 1989, Ch. 103, Sec.2.

If the School Board decided to switch to 4 year terms, how would it affect the board makeup and election process?

Current election cycles of the Edenton-Chowan Board of Education 2012-2018 Ricky, Jean, Win 2014-2020 Gil, John 2016-2022 Kay, Gene Elections are currently held each even year in November Terms are for 6 years

Scenario 1 Election year Number of members Term 2012-2018 3 6yrs Every 4 years results in possible super majority elected

Scenario 2 Election year Number of members Term 2012-2018 3 4yrs 2014-2016 2 2yrs 2016-2020 4 4yrs 2018-2022 3 4yrs 2020-2024 4 4yrs Gil’s and John’s seat would be up for election in 2014 and 2016 to even out the election cycle. No change in election dates, no term limit.

Scenario 3

If we desire to make this change, how do we proceed? Resolution from the Board of Education Resolution from the County Commissioners Have our House Representative introduce as a Bill in the next Legislative session Passes through Education Committee and others Voted on by both House and Senate

QUESTIONS/COMMENTS