You asked about the authority under which New Haven could have a hybrid board of education, with some members elected and some appointed. You wanted to know if the city could amend its charter to provide for the hybrid board.

The Office of Legislative Research is not authorized to give legal opinions and the following should not be considered one.

Connecticut law contemplates an elected board of education unless a town charter provides otherwise. New Haven's charter provides for an alternate manner of selecting members, and whether that manner is to appoint all members or use a combination of appointment and election does not appear to make a difference under the law. No state law prohibits a hybrid board of education. Board of education members must be elected unless a special act or city charter provides otherwise (CGS § 9-185). New Haven's current charter allows the board members to be appointed. Connecticut law states that a charter supersedes any inconsistent special act, although we have found none prohibiting hybrid boards of education (CGS § 7-188).

JG: ro