§64.1.  Zachary community school system; interim school board

A.  Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, upon the appointment of the members thereof as provided in Subsection C of this Section, there shall be and there is hereby created an interim school board for the Zachary community school system which shall continue in existence until the taking of office of the initial members of the Zachary Community School Board elected in 2000.

B.(1)  The interim school board shall be composed of one member from each of the nine single-member districts provided for in R.S. 17:64(B) who shall be electors and who shall meet the qualifications for office provided for in R.S. 17:52(E).  Additionally, each member of the interim school board shall meet the requirements of R.S. 17:52(D) specifying that school board members be able to read and write.

(2)  Membership on the interim school board shall not disqualify an otherwise eligible person from qualifying as a candidate in the 2000 election for initial members of the Zachary Community School Board.

C.(1)  All members of the interim school board shall be appointed by the governor within ten days after the districts provided for in R.S. 17:64(B) have received preclearance as provided for in the federal Voting Rights Act and shall serve until the taking of office of the initial members of the Zachary Community School Board elected in 2000.

(2)  Members appointed by the governor shall be from a list of nominees provided as follows:

(a)  The members of the Louisiana House of Representatives elected from District Number Sixty-two and District Number Sixty-three each shall nominate three persons meeting the qualifications for office for each position to be appointed by the governor.

(b)  The members of the Louisiana Senate elected from District Number Thirteen and District Number Fifteen each shall nominate three persons meeting the qualifications for office for each position to be appointed by the governor.

(3)  A vacancy on the interim school board shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

D.  The interim school board shall constitute a body corporate in law.  The organization of the interim school board as well as the board's powers, duties, functions, and responsibilities shall be as provided by law generally for city and parish school boards.  Compensation for board members and reimbursement for expenses also shall be as provided by law generally for parish school boards.

E.  The interim school board shall adopt rules, regulations, and procedures consistent with law to effectuate this Section and to administer the duties, functions, and responsibilities of the interim board.  Additionally, the interim school board shall call for a special election to elect the initial members of the Zachary Community School Board.  It shall be held at the time and place of voting for members of congress in 2000.

F.  The provisions of R.S. 42:11 et seq. relative to open meetings and the provisions of  Chapter 1 of Title 44 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950 relative to public records shall be applicable to the interim school board and its members.

G.  All authority granted to the interim school board by this Section shall expire upon the taking of office of the initial members of the Zachary Community School Board elected in 2000; however, the school board may take formal action to continue the interim school board as an advisory body on matters previously under the jurisdiction of the interim board.

Added by Acts 1999, No. 1027, §1, eff. Dec. 27, 1999.