(a)
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, upon recommendation of the county superintendent of schools and with the approval of the county board of supervisors, the election of governing board members of school districts whose boundaries are coterminous with the boundaries of the county, shall be consolidated with the November general election pursuant to Part 3 (commencing with Section 10400) of Division 10.
(1)
The terms of members of the governing board elected pursuant to this section shall begin at noon on the first Monday after the first day in January following the general election and shall end at noon on the first Monday after the first day in January four years thereafter.
(2)
The terms of members of the governing board expiring on March 31 of any odd-numbered year next succeeding any general election shall expire at noon on the first Monday after the first day in January following the general election.
(b)
When the term of an incumbent expires at midnight on March 31 of an odd-numbered year and no successor has been elected because of the provisions of subdivision (a), the members of the board whose terms have not expired shall appoint a successor to serve until a successor is elected and qualifies pursuant to subdivision (a).