Newport-Mesa Trustees Consider Merging Elections
Trustees of the Newport-Mesa Unified School District may consolidate board elections with general statewide voting, a change that would save money but would also give each board member an extra year on their current terms.
The board is expected to discuss the plan on Tuesday.
Board members are elected to four-year terms, with half of the members up for reelection every two years. Board elections are held during odd-numbered years, and the change would consolidate board elections with state races that are conducted during even-numbered years.
Last fall, when three seats were on the ballot, Trustees Jim de Boom, Edward Decker and Martha Fluor were elected. Their seats should be open again in 1995, but that vote would be postponed until 1996 if the proposed change is approved.
Likewise, the seats held by Trustees Roderick H. MacMillian, Judith A. Franco, Sherry Loofbourrow and Board President Forrest K. Werner should be filled at the polls in 1993, but under the change those terms would be extended until 1994.
Trustees and officials favoring the change say it would probably raise voter turnout and lower costs. But some board members argue that it could cost school board candidates more to compete with state lawmakers and other races for the voters’ attention.
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