Term limits for school board members (Ordinance 2026-26)

Ordinance 2026-26 sets term limits for Kenai Peninsula Borough school board members. A person who has served two consecutive full terms could not be reelected until 180 days have passed. The first terms counted toward the limit are those of members elected in the November 3, 2026 regular election, and the first election subject to the limit is 2032. A YES vote ratifies the ordinance and sets this limit. A NO vote rejects the ordinance, so this term limit does not take effect.

Background: The 34th Legislature passed Senate Bill 143 which amends State law to include a provision allowing the local governing body of a municipality to alter the terms of office for school board members by an ordinance approved by the voters. Senate Bill 143 became law on August 11, 2026.

Purpose: Ordinance 2026-26 amends the Kenai Peninsula Borough (KPB) Code of Ordinances, to establish term limits of school board members.

Key Provisions: Section 1 of Ordinance 2026-26 amends KPB 1.20.100 adding a paragraph that reads, “A person who has served on the school board for two consecutive full terms may not be reelected to that office until 180 days have intervened.”

Section 2 of Ordinance 2026-26 amends KPB 4.30.120(C) by adding additional language that reads, “A person who has served on the school board for two consecutive full terms may not be reelected to that office until 180 days have intervened. A full term of office means the regular term of office for school board and does not include portions of a term served by appointment or election to the remainder of an unexpired term vacated by another person.”

The first term counted towards the two-term limit on terms served by School Board members, as set forth in Section 1 and Section 2 above, will be for School Board members elected to office in the regular election held November 3, 2026. The first regular election that will be subject to the two-term limitation for School Board members is the 2032 regular election.