TO AMEND ACT 185 OF 1997, RELATING TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 4 OF MCCORMICK COUNTY, TO PROVIDE THAT IN THE EVENT OF A VACANCY ON THE BOARD OCCURRING FOR ANY REASON OTHER THAN EXPIRATION OF A TERM, THE BOARD SHALL CALL A SPECIAL ELECTION TO FILL THE UNEXPIRED TERM, AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL CHANGES.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Act 185 of 1997 (codified as Section 21-3550 of the 1962 Code) is amended to read:

"Section 21-3550.    The County Board of Education of McCormick County is hereby constituted as the Board of Trustees of School District No. 4 of McCormick County, with all powers and duties prescribed by law for such board of trustees. The board shall consist of seven members to be elected in the general election commencing with the general election of 1976 for terms of fours four years and until successors are elected and qualify, except that of those first elected three shall serve for terms of two years only. The four members receiving the greatest number of votes shall serve for four years and those receiving the least number of votes shall serve for two years. If the members receive the same number of votes, the length of terms shall be determined by lot.

All candidates shall be qualified electors of McCormick County and shall file and qualify as candidates, to be voted on at the time of the general election, by filing and/or registering a statement of candidacy with the Board of Election and Registration of McCormick County not later than twelve o'clock noon on September 1st first or, if September 1st first falls on Sunday, not later than twelve o'clock noon on the following Monday of the year in which the general election is to be held.

In the event that candidates do not offer in the general election for any full-term vacancies on the board as specified above, the Governor shall appoint the trustee or trustees to fill any vacancies upon the recommendation of the McCormick County Council. Any vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired portion of a term by appointment by the Governor upon recommendation of the McCormick County Council. In making recommendations for appointments to fill full-term or unexpired-term vacancies, the McCormick County Council may request and receive recommendations from the Board of Trustees. In the event of a vacancy on the board occurring for any reason other than expiration of a term, the board shall call a special election to fill the unexpired term. However, if the vacancy occurs within ten months of a regular trustee election, the vacancy must be filled for the unexpired term or for a full term as appropriate at the next regular election.

The board shall elect a chairman who shall serve for one year."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.