As used in this section, "school board member" means a member of a city, local, exempted village, or joint vocational school district board of education and a "governing board member" means a member of an educational service center governing board.

(A) Within thirty days of a school board member's or a governing board member's initially taking office, the board member shall elect whether to become a member of the school employees retirement system for the particular period of holding office just commencing by filing an election in writing with the school board or governing board treasurer. The election shall be irrevocable while the board member continuously holds office. If the board member does not elect membership in the system, the person shall forever be barred from claiming or purchasing membership rights or credit for the particular period of holding office for which the election and notice was required. If the board member elects membership in the system, the treasurer shall file notice of the person's election with the school employees retirement board on a form provided by the retirement board. The person electing membership in the system shall have all rights, privileges, and obligations of membership in the system for the particular period for which the election was required. Any board member failing to make the election required under this division shall be considered to have elected not to become a member of the system for the particular period for which the election was required.

(B) Within ninety days of November 23, 1995, each school or governing board member on the day immediately preceding that date shall elect, by filing an election in writing with the school board or governing board treasurer, whether to become a member of the school employees retirement system for the particular period commencing on the date on which the election under this division is filed with the treasurer and continuing as long as the person continuously holds office as a board member. The treasurer shall file written notice of each board member's election under this division with the school employees retirement board on a form provided by the retirement board. The election shall be irrevocable while a board member continuously holds office. If a board member does not elect membership in the system, the person shall forever be barred from claiming or purchasing membership rights or credit for the particular period of holding office for which the election was required. If the board member elects membership in the system, the person shall have all rights, privileges, and obligations of membership in the system for the particular period for which the election was required. This period of membership shall be effective on the date on which the election is filed with the school board or governing board treasurer. Any board member who elected membership in the system under this section prior to November 23, 1995, and who fails to make the election required under this division shall be considered to have elected to be a member of the system for the particular period for which the election was required. Any board member who elected not to be a member of the system under this section prior to November 23, 1995, and who fails to make the election required under this division shall be considered to have elected not to become a member of the system for the particular period for which the election was required.

Effective Date: 03-06-1996.