Depending on what you think of the Dallas school board, a new recommendation being considered by trustees could mean good – or bad – news.

Trustees on Thursday discussed a proposal to extend their terms in office from three years to four years. They will consider whether to approve the change at the Aug. 28 board meeting.

Legislation passed in 2003 allows trustees to extend their terms to four years.

Trustee Carla Ranger voiced concern about the proposed change, but several of her colleagues said it's needed.

"I'm not so sure it's fair to the public," Ms. Ranger said. "It seems an advantage to trustees. Four years seems to be an extraordinarily long time."

But board member Leigh Ann Ellis said new trustees need time to learn the ropes. "I believe it takes about a two-year learning curve," said Ms. Ellis, who joined the board in 2006.

And trustee Ron Price said the change would provide more stability in district administration since the school board hires the superintendent, who leads the district. He also said the change could allow the district to stop holding elections every year, as it does now, which would save money.

"The children need the stability at the top so we can keep moving forward," Mr. Price said, noting that the trustee positions are unpaid. "For a nonpaying job, I think four years is legitimate, so I can concentrate on making a living."

If the board approves the recommendation, the longer terms would take effect a year or two after the 2010 census, when districts will be redrawn and all trustees will have to run for re-election.

The change would bring DISD in line with the Austin and Houston school districts, where school board members already serve four-year terms.

Also Thursday, the board heard recommendations for auditing services.

At its Aug. 28 meeting, the board will consider paying the accounting firm Deloitte and Touche up to $260,000 more for the 2006-07 audit, bringing the total to $2.26 million. The board also will consider paying the firm up to $1 million to conduct the 2007-08 audit.

Trustees also discussed the district's nepotism policy.

Ms. Ranger recommended that no relative of an administrator be employed by the district without approval from the board. Trustee Nancy Bingham called Ms. Ranger's recommendation a "little restrictive," since it could apply to campus-level administrators. Ms. Ranger said her recommendation could be a starting point for more discussion. Trustees plan to discuss the matter at a future meeting.