HB1771

House Bill 1771 proposes comprehensive changes to the administration of school board elections in Arkansas. The bill standardizes the terms for all school board directors to four years. It modifies the process for staggering board terms to ensure an equal number of positions are filled at each election. The bill mandates that school board elections be held concurrently with the state’s preferential primary election. It updates candidate filing procedures, including deadlines and ballot placement protocols for unopposed candidates. Additionally, it revises the process for handling board vacancies and defines how districts should manage the transition of terms during consolidations or annexations. The bill also establishes updated procedures for rezoning districts with significant minority populations to ensure equitable representation.