A school board consists of five, seven, or nine members whose terms are from one to three years initially, and three years thereafter; provided that each school board member is entitled to complete the term of office to which the member was elected. A school board may, by resolution, increase the length of terms from three to four years or decrease the length of terms from three to two years for the purpose of holding joint elections pursuant to § 13-7-10.3. Terms may not be increased or decreased unless the school board conducts a public hearing thereon, after having given notice of the hearing by publication at least twice in its official newspaper at least ten days before the hearing. At the hearing, the board may approve the resolution or may refer the matter to the voters of the district.
SDCL 13-8-2