On her second try, Sen. Mary Souza, R-Coeur d’Alene, persuaded the Senate State Affairs Committee this morning to introduce legislation to shift school board elections from May of odd years to the November general election of even years, and also to make other changes to school board elections, including giving school boards a one-time option, between now and Oct. 1, to switch to district-wide voting for trustees rather than by zone; and booting out current school board members early as the state makes the shift to the new election date. “They would have a shorter term as we transition from one date to the next,” Souza told the committee.

Souza, who is co-sponsoring the bill with Sen. Jim Rice, R-Caldwell, says she believes the change would increase turnout levels in school board elections.

The panel had put off a decision Monday on whether to introduce Souza’s bill because of questions about a date that she said has since been corrected.

Sen. Bart Davis, R-Idaho Falls, said, “As a courtesy, I have no problem printing the RS. I’m not sure that I support the legislation, but I do support having the conversation.” He moved to introduce the bill, Sen. Chuck Winder, R-Boise, seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously; that clears the way for a possible committee hearing on the bill.

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