Rep. Chris Banning, R-Bixby, today passed House Bill 1151 through the House Elections and Ethics Committee today.

HB1151 would shift school board elections to June and November from the current February and April election dates. The measure also standardizes term lengths for board members by making both elementary district boards and independent district boards four-year terms. 

State law requires school districts to cover the expenses of school board elections. In 2023, these elections totaled $16.8 million of taxpayer money that Banning believes could be more effectively invested in education.

“Aligning school board elections with legislative cycles makes sense for taxpayers and voters,” Banning said. “This change will increase turnout, save school districts millions, and ensure board members are elected in a way that better reflects community engagement.”

Banning said low voter turnout has also been an ongoing concern. In April 2024, just 146 people voted in the Union Public Schools Board election for Zone 4. He said moving these elections to larger election cycles will help increase engagement and ensure greater community representation in school board races.

Banning ran a similar bill, House Bill 3563, that passed the House Elections and Ethics Committee last year but was not heard on the House floor. With today’s committee approval, HB1151 advances to the House Government Oversight Committee.