The Ann Arbor school board is considering changing its election cycle to save money.
The board was presented with four options at its meeting Wednesday night.
The district currently holds elections in May. The May 2009 election cost the district $85,000.
The board's options are:
- Change the election date every year to November.
- Hold a biannual odd-year May election.
- Hold a biannual odd-year November election.
- Hold a biannual even-year November election.
The district could see savings up to $90,000 per year under a change.
The biggest savings would come from going to a biannual even-year November election. That would put the school board election on the same ballot as state and national elections. As a result, the bulk of the cost of the election would be picked up by other municipalities.
Right now, the only Washtenaw County school districts with school board elections in November are Whitmore Lake and Lincoln. But the Ypsilanti and Saline school districts are also considering making the switch to November.
Board members had a number of questions about the options and how the change would play out.
Trustee Randy Friedman said as the school district looks at budget cuts and tries to stay away from cutting the classroom, the amount of savings should be a big factor in the decision.
The board could vote on the plan on Dec. 16.
David Jesse covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at davidjesse@annarbor.com or at 734-623-2534.
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