(a) Any board of trustees may adopt and implement, in the manner provided in this section, a seven member board of trustees plan. The board of trustees may resolve upon its own motion its intention to adopt a seven member board of trustees plan. The resolution shall be published once each week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper having general circulation in the community college district. The board of trustees may adopt the plan and provide for implementation thereof at the next community college elections unless, within 30 days after the last publication of the resolution, a petition in opposition to the plan, signed by not less than 5% of the qualified electors of the college district, is filed with the board of trustees. If such a petition is filed, the board of trustees shall request the county election officer to submit the question of whether a seven member board of trustees plan should be adopted to the qualified electors of the college district at an election which shall be called for such purpose. All qualified electors of the college district may vote at the election. If a majority of those voting at the election are in favor of adopting the plan, the board of trustees shall adopt and implement the same at the next community college elections. If a majority of those voting at the election are not in favor of adopting the plan, the same shall not be adopted and no like plan shall be proposed by the board of trustees within a period of two years from the date of the election.

(b) In college districts where a district method of election is in effect, a seven member board of trustees plan shall provide for the seventh member to be an at-large member.