Tulsa School Board Elections

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© 1998
Cathy Newsome. 
All rights reserved.
Last update: 02/09/04

How Are Board Members Chosen?*

Voters in seven geographic election districts elect a school board member from their respective areas to serve a four-year term. 

School board elections, held each February, are subject to state election laws.  County election boards generally serve as the best resource for answers to questions about state laws governing these elections.  

The filing period for school board elections begins on the first Monday of December and ends the following Wednesday.  A candidate must file between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.  All required applications and notarized forms must be submitted before 5:00 p.m. on the final date of filing.    

Requirements for school board candidates are stipulated by Oklahoma law.  In order to qualify, an individual for election or appointment to the Tulsa School Board, an individual: 

• must have resided within the geographical boundaries of the election district for at least six months prior to the first day of the filing period
• must have been a registered voter with the county election board at an address within the geographical boundaries of the election district for six months preceding the first day of the filing period
• must hold a high school diploma or certificate of high school equivalency
• must agree and pledge in writing to attend twelve hours of instruction school board member training within fifteen months of election or appointment to the school board, as required by state law
• must complete fifteen hours of continuing education during any full term of office
• cannot have been convicted of a misdemeanor involving embezzlement or a felony under the laws of Oklahoma of of the United States
• cannot have been convicted of a crime in another state which would have been a misdemeanor involving embezzlement or a felony under the laws of Oklahoma and cannot have entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to such crime
• cannot have entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to such misdemeanor involving embezzlement or a felony
• cannot be currently employed by Tulsa Public Schools
• cannot be related within second degree by affinity or consanguinity to any other member of the Tulsa Board of Education or to any employee of the Tulsa School District

Resignations and Appointments
Should a Board member resign or leave office before the end of a term, the Board of Education is responsible for appointing a replacement once the office is vacated.   Only candidates who meet state requirements for school board candidates may be considered. 

The Board establishes a process for selection and must make the appointment at a scheduled board meeting.  The designated appointee then serves until the next annual board election, when qualified candidates--including any appointee wishing to remain in office--may file for the February election during the December filing period. 

Tulsa and Osage county election boards conduct Tulsa School Board elections, since the school district includes sareas of both counties.  County election board also provide official information on boundaries for school board election districts.  Election expenses are shared.  The state election board provides poll books and ballots.   The school district reimburses the county election board for expenses incurred.   Payment is made on the same basis as charges prescribed by law for city elections.  

For additional information visit the Oklahoma State School Boards Association Web site.

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*Portions based on Your School Board, Your Family, and You by the Oklahoma School Boards Association, with permission, and "Requirements of a Candidate for Election or Re-Election to a School Board," a publication by the Oklahoma State Election Board based on Titles 26 and 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes.