Vacancies in school boards; how filled
Wis. Stat. § 17.26
in effect(1g) Except as provided in s. 9.10, vacancies in a school board shall be filled as follows:
(a) Except as provided in sub. (1m), in a common, union high, or unified school district, by appointment by the remaining members. An appointee under this paragraph or sub. (1m) shall hold office until a successor is elected and takes office under s. 120.06 (4) or 120.42 (2). When a vacancy occurs in the office of a board member who is in the last year of his or her term, or when a vacancy occurs after the spring election but on or before the last Tuesday in November in the office of a board member who is not in the last year of his or her term, the successor shall be elected at the next spring election. When a vacancy occurs after the last Tuesday in November and on or before the date of the next spring election in the office of a board member who is not in the last year of his or her term, the successor shall be elected at the 2nd following spring election.
(b) In a 1st class city school district, by special election as provided under s. 119.08 (4).
(c) In boards where the first annual meeting of the district has failed to elect school board members, by appointment by the state superintendent of public instruction.
(1m) If the remaining members of a school board do not appoint an individual to fill a vacancy under sub. (1g) (a) within 60 days of the date on which the vacancy first exists, the remaining members of the school board may fill the vacancy in accordance with the school board’s policy under s. 120.12 (28).
(3) Any person selected under sub. (1g) (a) or (1m), upon being notified of his or her selection, shall be deemed to have accepted the selection unless within 5 days after notification he or she files with the clerk or director a written refusal to serve.
Source: WI Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/17.26Fetched: 10/7/2026