(1) Existing law requires that a county board of education consist of 5 or 7 members to be determined by the county committee on school district organization, except in a city and county. Existing law specifies that when a county committee on school district organization resolves to reduce from 7 to 5 or increase from 5 to 7 the number of members of the county board of education, the resolution shall be presented in a ballot to the electors of the county in a prescribed manner.

This bill would require the Orange County Board of Education to, instead, after the next redistricting process takes place in 2030, consist of 7 members, as provided. To the extent that this bill would create new duties for local educational agencies or local officials, it would constitute a state-mandated local program.

(2) Existing law authorizes, and in some circumstances requires, a political subdivision to consolidate its elections with statewide elections.

This bill would require an election for the Orange County Board of Education to, beginning in 2026, be consolidated with the statewide general election in November of each even-numbered year. To the extent that this bill would create new duties for local educational agencies or local officials, it would constitute a state-mandated local program.

(3) This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the Orange County Board of Education.

(4) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.