Elections for the Austin School Board may change from odd years to even election years in an effort to reduce the budget for judges, machines and staffing. If the board decides to move to even years, joining the majority of school districts, it would align their election with the general election.

Board members discussed the possibility during a work session Monday with Lori Volz, director of finance and operations.

Volz explained that switching over would be a “long process.”

“When looking at the next two elections, they would be three-year cycles (terms), not four-year,” Volz said.

Most districts are in the process of or have converted to general year elections, which means the school board candidates would be on the same ballot as other local, state and national candidates for office.

However, if the district holds an operating referendum election on an odd year, they would still “need to know how to hold an election,” Volz said.

The disadvantages to having elections on even years include the possibility of the school board election becoming “lost” on the ballot, or the election becoming “political,” board members said.

Interim superintendent Bruce Anderson said that districts who have moved to even years have not reported their elections being “lost.”

A primary election beforehand could reduce that possibility, board member Kathy Green said. A primary is called when three or more candidates run for a seat.

“We’ve had years when we’ve had 17 candidates for school board,” Green said.

The board will vote on the issue at their next regular meeting, Monday, April 13.