The Sherburne-Earlville Central School District is seeking authorization from stakeholders to approve a one-time proposition that would grant four-year terms in office for two of the four Board of Education seats set to expire in June 2027.

During its regular meeting in January, the Board passed a motion recommended by Superintendent Robert Berson to add the proposition to the May 20 ballot. The intention of the proposition is to restore balance in the number of open BOE seats each year.

Since the 1980s, when stakeholders voted to reduce the number of S-E Board seats from nine to seven, BOE members have been elected to serve three-year terms on a 3-3-1 seat rotation. This means three seats were open the first year of a rotation, three more in the second year, and one in the third.

Because of unforeseen circumstances, SECSD is now in a 0-3-4 rotation for open Board seats. S-E’s last rotation ended in 2024, with four open Board seats for the first time. S-E’s next rotation starts this year, with no open Board seats in 2025, three open seats in 2026, and four open seats in 2027.

By law, as best as possible, an equal number of seats must be open for every BOE election. Therefore, S-E is asking stakeholders to vote on a one-time proposition to approve two four-year terms and two three-year terms for BOE seats expiring in June 2027. This would set up a 3-2-2 seat rotation going forward, starting with the 2029 BOE election.

Assuming voters approve the proposition, the timeline for implementation of a 3-2-2 seat rotation would be as follows:

May 2025: Zero open BOE seats; stakeholders to vote on proposition

May 2026: Three open BOE seats, each for three-year terms (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2029)

May 2027: Four open BOE seats, two for three-year terms (July 1, 2027-June 30, 2030) and two (on a one-time basis) for four-year terms (July 1, 2027-June 30, 2031)

May 2028: Zero open BOE seats

May 2029: Three open BOE seats, each for three-year terms (July 1, 2029-June 30, 2032)

May 2030: Two open BOE seats, each for three-year terms (July 1, 2030-June 30, 2033)

May 2031: Two open BOE seats, each for three-year terms (July 1, 2031-June 30, 2034)

Please note that BOE seats open when terms expire but may become vacant for other reasons. BOE members also can run for re-election during the final year of their terms.