HCS HB 1809 -- KANSAS CITY SCHOOL BOARD RECALL ELECTIONS

SPONSOR:  Franklin (Sanders Brooks)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Education-Elementary and Secondary by a vote of 20 to 1.

This substitute creates recall procedures for Kansas City school
board members who have served at least 90 days in office, in
addition to the procedure available under the academic deficiency
statute.  Recall petitions can originate from the voters of a
subdistrict for a member who represents that subdistrict or from
the district at large for an at-large member.  The required
number of signatures for the petition is 25% of the voters who
voted in the last election.  The substitute specifies the
requirements for filing the petition, its physical form and
content, and the procedure for verifying signatures.  If a
majority votes to retain the recalled member, the member remains
in office and cannot be subject to another recall, except as
provided in the academically deficient school statute.  If the
member is recalled, a successor will be chosen at the next date
available for school elections.  If a member resigns after a
recall petition is filed, the position will remain vacant until
the next election date available for school elections.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that many parents in the Kansas City
school district feel that their vote doesn't count; school board
members are not responsive and a recall procedure would help with
accountability.

Testifying for the bill were Representatives Sanders Brooks and
Wilson (42); and Ajuma Webster, resident of the Kansas City
school district.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Becky DeNeve, Senior Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated October 11, 2002 at 9:02 am