1. (a) A plan is subject to the following limitations:

   1. (1) A member of the governing body may not serve for a term of more than four (4) years, but a member may succeed himself or herself in office. This limitation does not apply to members who hold over during an interim period to effect a new plan awaiting the selection and qualification of a member under the new plan.

   2. (2) The plan, if the members are:

      1. (A) to be elected, shall conform with one (1) of the types of board organization permitted by IC 20-23-4-27 ; or
      2. (B) appointed, shall conform with one (1) of the types permitted by IC 20-23-4-28 .
   3. (3) The terms of the members of the governing body, either elected to or taking office on or before the time the plan takes effect, may not be shortened. The terms of the members taking office under the plan may be shortened to make the plan workable on a permanent basis.

   4. (4) If the plan provides for electoral districts, where a member of the governing body is elected solely by the voters of a single district, the districts must be as near as practicable equal in population. The districts shall be reapportioned and their boundaries:

      1. (A) changed, if necessary; or

      2. (B) recertified, if changes are not necessary;

         by resolution of the governing body not later than December 31 of the year next following the year in which a decennial census is taken to preserve the equality of the governing body.

   5. (5) The plan shall comply with the:

      1. (A) Constitution of the State of Indiana; and

      2. (B) Constitution of the United States;

         including the equal protection clauses of both constitutions.

   6. (6) The provisions of IC 20-23-4-26 through IC 20-23-4-33 relating to the board of trustees of a community school corporation and to the community school corporation, including provisions relating to powers of the board and corporation and provisions relating to the mechanics of selection of the board, where elected and where appointed, apply to a governing body set up by a plan under this chapter and to the school corporation.

2. (b) The limitations set forth in this section do not have to be specifically set forth in a plan but are a part of the plan. A plan shall be construed, if possible, to comply with this chapter. If a provision of the plan or an application of the plan violates this chapter, the invalidity does not affect the other provisions or applications of the plan that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application. The provisions of a plan are severable.

   [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-4-10.1-3.]

As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.2-2006, SEC.99; P.L.219-2013, SEC.81.