Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, there shall be a board of education elected by the people.

Number: The Shelby County Board of Education shall consist of seven (7) members.

Qualifications: Members of the board shall be residents and voters of the district in which they are elected and shall be citizens of recognized integrity, intelligence and ability to administer the duties of the office.

Only persons who are residents of the area served by the Shelby County school system are eligible to serve on the Shelby County Board of Education.

It is desirable that members of the Board have a genuine interest in and devotion to public education, a willingness to give time and effort to the work, a capacity for understanding people, and the ability to work cooperatively with others.

No person seeking a position on a board shall campaign as the nominee or representative of any political party.

No member of the county legislative body nor any other county official shall be eligible for election to the Board. If a member moves from the county, the position becomes vacant.

No person shall qualify as a candidate for a position on the Board until the person has filed with the County Election Commission proof that the candidate graduated from high school or received a GED, evidenced by a diploma or other documentation satisfactory to the Commission.

Terms of Office: The members of the board shall be elected for a term of four (4) years, and may succeed themselves.

Method of Election: A seven (7) single member district plan as adopted by the Shelby County Board of Commissioners shall be utilized for the election of Board members by the voters residing solely within the Shelby County school district with each voting district to be composed of the areas encompassed by the wards and precincts of Shelby County as designated. The member of odd-numbered districts shall be elected for terms of four years beginning September 1, 1998, and the members from even-numbered districts shall be elected for terms of two years, beginning September 1, 1998, and thereafter for terms of four years.

Vacancies: When a vacancy occurs, the unexpired term shall be filled at the next regular meeting of the Shelby County Board of Commissioners or at a special meeting of the Shelby County Board of Commissioners. Any person so appointed must meet qualifications for a board member and shall serve until a successor is elected at the next election occurring after the vacancy.

T.C.A.§49-2-201
T.C.A.§49-2-202
CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE