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

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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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 years
Chowan Commissioner 4 years
Edenton Town Councilperson 4 years
Edenton Chowan BOE member 6 years

7. 115 School Districts in North Carolina 100 Counties in North Carolina

8. 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?

9. ZERO

10. 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

11. 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.

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

13. Current election cycles of the Edenton-Chowan Board of Education
Ricky, Jean, Win
Gil, John
Kay, Gene
Elections are currently held each even year in November
Terms are for 6 years

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

15. Scenario 2
Election year Number of members Term yrs yrs yrs yrs yrs 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.

16. Scenario 3

17. 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

18. QUESTIONS/COMMENTS