Private Acts of 1971 Chapter 50

SECTION 1. Beginning with the August 2016 general election, Wilson County shall be divided into seven (7) school districts of substantially equal population, which shall be established by resolution of the county legislative body of Wilson County. One (1) member of the Wilson County board of education shall be elected by the qualified voters in each school district. Board members shall be elected to staggered four-year terms so that every two (2) years the terms of approximately one-half (1/2) of the members of the board shall expire, with the odd-numbered districts expiring at the same time, and the even-numbered districts expiring at the same time. Persons elected in the regular August 2016 elections shall take office on September 1 following the election and shall serve until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

During the transition from five (5) districts as provided under prior law, to the seven (7) districts as provided for in this act, all incumbent board members shall remain on the board until the expiration of their current terms. After the approval of this act, as provided in Section 5, the two (2) new members to the board shall be elected in the regular August 2016 election and qualified according to law. In order to maintain a board with staggered four-year terms, one (1) member of the board shall be elected at the August 2016 general election to a four-year term to fill one (1) of the newly created offices and one (1) member of the board shall be elected to a two-year term to fill the other newly created office. Thereafter, board members shall be elected to four-year terms as the term of each respective board member expires.

SECTION 2. The county board of education shall consist of seven (7) members who shall be elected by the qualified voters of the county.

One (1) member of the county board of education shall be elected from each school district by the qualified voters thereof. Members must reside in the school district from which they are elected.

Each member of the County Board of Education shall be paid a sum equal to the per diem paid to a member of the Quarterly County Court of Wilson County for each day's attendance at regular or special meetings of the Board. The chairman of the County Board of Education shall be paid for his services as chairman a sum equal to three (3) times the per diem paid to a member of the Quarterly County Court of Wilson County.

The Quarterly County Court of Wilson County shall have the right to reapportion the school zones and to designate the voting districts comprising each school zone.

SECTION 3. If a vacancy occurs in the membership of the County Board of Education, the Quarterly County Court, at its next regular meeting, shall elect a qualified person from the zone in which the vacancy occurs to serve on the Board until the next August General Election, at which a successor shall be elected by the qualified voters of the zone from which the vacancy occurs. If such a successor is so chosen at a mid-term election, he shall serve for the unexpired term of his predecessor.

Vacancies shall be declared to exist on account of death, resignation, or removal of the member from residence in the zone from which elected.  

SECTION 4. Chapter 124 of the Private Acts of 1965 is repealed.  

SECTION 5. This Act shall have no effect unless it is approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Quarterly County Court of Wilson County within six (6) months after the passage of this Act. Its approval or non-approval shall be proclaimed by the presiding officer of the Quarterly County Court and certified by him to the Secretary of State.  

SECTION 6. For the purpose of approving or rejecting the provisions of this Act, as provided in Section 5, it shall be effective on becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it. For all other purposes, it shall become effective upon being approved as provided in Section 5.

Passed: April 7, 1971.