Bill to reduce school board term limits heads to DeSantis’ desk

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – A bill is heading to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk that will limit school board members to two consecutive four-year terms, beginning with the November 2022 election.

The Florida Senate passed a bill that will move the current law for school board members from 12-year term limits to eight-year term limits.

Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, carried the bill in the Senate, which passed 30-7. Rep. Alex Rizo, R-Hialeah, carried the bill in the House, which passed 79-29.

The Senate took up the House version of the bill, which only includes school board members. The Senate version previously included county commissioners, who currently do not have term limits.

Ingoglia said he still wants term limits for county commissioners in the future.

“We are taking up the House’s position this year, but it is still a want and a need for me, personally to make sure that we are including county commission in going forward prospectively, I will be filing a bill to do that,” Ingoglia said.

In February, Ingoglia said serving in the same position in government should “not be a decades long endeavor.”

“Term limits not only ensure better representation, they bring about much needed fresh ideas to tackle public policy challenges. For too long, the lack of term limits have hindered the ability of communities to develop the next set of leaders,” Ingoglia said. “It’s time to change course.”

Ingoglia said the legislation is “necessary” and will “bring about decisive improvement in accountability in local government.”

“This bill aligns with what Floridians want, and this bill will do that, and more and more, we see the Floridians have wanted school board members and other elected offices to align better with those constitutional officers, just like ourselves,” Rizo said during the second House floor reading.

DeSantis previously said he also believes school boards should have eight-year term limits.

“Eight years is enough to get your ideas in and see some of the success or things you need to change,” DeSantis said.