County to Act on School District Election-Year Switch in Two Weeks

Would-be school board members in Benicia might have to put their campaigns on hold as sitting trustees get an extra year in office.

The Benicia Unified School District has already voted 4-0 to switch the district's elections from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years, and the Solano County Board of Supervisors will have the final say on the switch later this month.

The county board of supervisors is scheduled to vote on the item April 23, Solano County spokesman Stephen Pierce said.

Almost every Solano County government body has moved to switch its elections from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years, which would postpone the 2013 election and give sitting officials extra time in office to line up with the new schedule.

As for school districts, Benicia Unified, Vallejo City Unified, Vacaville Unified, Fairfield-Suisun Unified and the Solano County Board of Education have all voted to move to even-numbered years.

Only Dixon Unified, citing a lack of public input on increasing the current board members' terms, did not move toward a switch. If the other agencies switch, Dixon's election costs will increase–but officials aren't sure how much.

Many Solano County cities have also moved in favor of switching, but they'll be heard by the board of supervisors at a later date.

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