Notice of Public Hearing-March 6, 2014, 6:00 p.m.

The San Diego County Office of Education Board Trustees are holding public hearings at the Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) Admin offices to determine five specific areas in the District in which future Board candidates reside in order to run for a seat.  This totally changes how voters will select Board Members as seats become vacant and could be in effect as early as the November 2014 election (three seats will be open at that time).
This Thursday,  the San Diego County Board of Education (SDCOE)   will be holding a public meeting.   None of the current SUHSD Board members or Superintendent Brand are present.  The meetings are held and run by the SDCOE Board.
 
Instead of an at large election (everyone may vote for candidate running for a seat) , the District will be divided into five trustee areas. Candidates running for election for a seat on the board must reside in the trustee area of that seat.   In order to have this in place for the November Election the SDCOE Board must demonstrate to the State that they have received the input of all stakeholders who would be affected by the change.  They are receiving public testimony on the criteria to be used to establish boundaries of the true areas and adopt districting critera.  They also are considering approval of a waiver to implement this change for November 2014 election.  Criteria is in part dictated by law, but there are criteria that may be used in addition to legislation.  Criteria may be: topography, geography, cohesiveness, income, housing (ex:  # of rentals), age, education (ex:  # of high school graduates), immigrant status, communities of interest, future population shifts.
 
Please consider this a priority as it will affect the future of our children, schools and communities.  Information and minutes on previous meetings are found at the SDCOE website: http://www.sdcoe.net/Board/Pages/Agendas-and-Minutes.aspx