HANSEN’S BILL TO ALLOW AT-LARGE ELECTIONS FOR SOUTH ST. PAUL SCHOOL BOARD MOVES TO HOUSE FLOOR AFTER COMMITTEE APPROVAL

ST. PAUL – The House Government Operations Committee on Tuesday approved legislation introduced by Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL-South St. Paul) that will permit the South St. Paul School District to dissolve its election districts and change to at-large elections of school board members.

Currently, the South St. Paul School District elects board members by a ward system. It has three wards, from which two board members are elected. The remaining seat on the board goes to an at-large candidate.

That is different from the how the city of South St. Paul elects its City Council members; it uses at-large system.

“Conducting an all at-large election system for school board members will be more cost-effective for the district,” said Rep. Hansen. “School districts have to watch every penny, and this change will save South St, Paul schools significant money. It will also cut down on incidents of candidates running unopposed or no candidates at all seeking a seat in a particular ward. Going to an at-large system will allow the residents of South St. Paul to select from a field of willing and qualified board of education candidates.”

The legislature took this action at the request of the South St. Paul School District. Ann Counihan, Chair of the South St Paul School Board, testified in favor of the bill.

“We have been asked by the city and county to move towards an at-large election. It’s our intention that we will eliminate barriers and encourage more people to run.”

The bill now moves to the House floor.