Amador County – The Amador County Unified School District discussed the option Wednesday of moving forward with a 5-member board for both the District and the County Office of Education, in part because of concerns over violating the California Voting Rights Act of 2001. The agenda states “the intent of this process would be to elect Governing Board members by trustee area, with only that area’s residents voting on the respective area’s/district’s representative.” ACUSD Attorney David Girard said trustee areas would be coterminous with supervisorial districts to ensure more accurate representation. He said the readjustment would require multiple steps, including the assembly of a new County Committee on School District Organization, a public hearing, committee approval by a two-thirds vote, approval from the Board of Supervisors and final approval by public vote during the next election of board members. Under state education code, the governing board itself would constitute the committee because the county is included in a single school district. Girard said the potential savings from all this could be upwards of $10,000 annually in governing board personnel costs. He said that under law, the board may, after public review, may request the State Board of Education waive public election requirements. Board member Walser recommended they submit for state approval rather than wait for the next election because the “process should begin as soon as possible.” Board member David Dutra disagreed, saying “the voters 20 years ago set up these districts and they should…have their word on it.”
Dutra asked if they were currently in violation of the California Voting Rights Act. Girard said he is “not aware this board has any exposure to litigation.” He made the board aware of the possibility that minority groups falling into “protected classes” can sue under the California Voting Rights Act if they feel “a majority, voting along racial or ethnic lines, would be able to elect all members of the governing body.” Board member Wally Upper said that “regardless of the legal implications, I think it’s a good idea (so we can) save some money.” Girard also said there is no specific provision as to how to determine which two trustee seats would be eliminated, but the change would only occur after those trustees had served out their terms. The board tabled the item for further discussion. A proposed reduction in board members must be made in writing to the Board of Supervisors no later than March 1st. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Amador County – The Amador County Unified School District discussed the option Wednesday of moving forward with a 5-member board for both the District and the County Office of Education, in part because of concerns over violating the California Voting Rights Act of 2001. The agenda states “the intent of this process would be to elect Governing Board members by trustee area, with only that area’s residents voting on the respective area’s/district’s representative.” ACUSD Attorney David Girard said trustee areas would be coterminous with supervisorial districts to ensure more accurate representation. He said the readjustment would require multiple steps, including the assembly of a new County Committee on School District Organization, a public hearing, committee approval by a two-thirds vote, approval from the Board of Supervisors and final approval by public vote during the next election of board members. Under state education code, the governing board itself would constitute the committee because the county is included in a single school district. Girard said the potential savings from all this could be upwards of $10,000 annually in governing board personnel costs. He said that under law, the board may, after public review, may request the State Board of Education waive public election requirements. Board member Walser recommended they submit for state approval rather than wait for the next election because the “process should begin as soon as possible.” Board member David Dutra disagreed, saying “the voters 20 years ago set up these districts and they should…have their word on it.”
Dutra asked if they were currently in violation of the California Voting Rights Act. Girard said he is “not aware this board has any exposure to litigation.” He made the board aware of the possibility that minority groups falling into “protected classes” can sue under the California Voting Rights Act if they feel “a majority, voting along racial or ethnic lines, would be able to elect all members of the governing body.” Board member Wally Upper said that “regardless of the legal implications, I think it’s a good idea (so we can) save some money.” Girard also said there is no specific provision as to how to determine which two trustee seats would be eliminated, but the change would only occur after those trustees had served out their terms. The board tabled the item for further discussion. A proposed reduction in board members must be made in writing to the Board of Supervisors no later than March 1st. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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