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SB 1336

Local Education Agencies - As enacted, authorizes a local legislative body for a county that has adopted a charter form of government to require elections for the county board of education to be held at the same time and on the same election cycle as elections for members of the local legislative body for the county, members of the county board of education to have successive terms of office if members of the local legislative body for the county have successive terms of office and members of the county board of education to have the same term limits as members of the local legislative body for the county. - Amends TCA Title 2; Title 5; Title 7; Title 8 and Title 49.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Brent Taylor

SB 1336 allows Tennessee charter counties to synchronize school board elections with county elections and align school board term lengths and limits to match county commissioners' terms.

Comp. became Pub. Ch. 527
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Bill Summary · SB 1336

Legislative bill overview

SB 1336 allows Tennessee counties with charter governments to align school board elections with county government elections—holding them simultaneously on the same election cycle. The bill also permits school board members to have the same term lengths and term limits as county commissioners.

Why is this important

This change affects how local education governance operates in charter counties by creating unified election schedules and standardized term structures. It potentially increases voter participation by consolidating election dates and may influence school board composition through synchronized term limits with county leadership.

Potential points of contention

  • Education independence concerns: Critics may argue that aligning school board elections with county politics could subordinate educational governance to broader county political dynamics, potentially reducing school autonomy in budgeting and policy decisions
  • Term limit implications: Synchronizing school board term limits with county commissioners (often 4-year limits with restrictions) could reduce institutional knowledge on education-specific issues if experienced board members are term-limited out
  • Voter choice fragmentation: Combined elections may reduce focus on school-specific issues, as voters making choices about county commissioners simultaneously may give less consideration to school board candidates and education platforms

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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