(a)
Notwithstanding Sections 35105 and 5000, in the case of a unified school district formed in an even-numbered year, where in connection with the formation of which the first governing board was elected in that even-numbered year, all of the members of the first elected governing board shall serve until the first Friday in December of the second succeeding odd-numbered year. Their successors shall be elected at an election conducted on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of the second succeeding odd-numbered year. The majority of successors receiving the highest number of votes shall serve until the first Friday in December of the second odd-numbered year thereafter succeeding. The other members’ terms shall expire on the first Friday in December of the first odd-numbered year thereafter succeeding.
(b)
Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the governing board of a unified school district formed in an even-numbered year may provide, pursuant to an appropriate resolution adopted by the governing board, that the majority of the members of the governing board who received the highest number of votes in the first election of governing board members for the district shall serve until the first Friday in December of the third odd-numbered year succeeding that first election, and that the other members’ terms shall expire on the first Friday in December of the second odd-numbered year succeeding that first election. The resolution described in this subdivision shall be adopted on or before March 15 of the second odd-numbered year succeeding the first election of the governing board.