- Azusa Unified School District
- By-Trustee Election
BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR TRUSTEE AREA 1 - ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
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October 13, 2022
The Azusa Unified School District is now accepting applications for those interested in being considered for an appointment to a vacancy on the Board of Education for Trustee Area 1. Any person eligible to hold office may apply. To view a map of Trustee Area 1, see page 5 of the application packet or visit https://www.lavote.gov/apps/precinctsmaps
• The first drop-down will automatically show “District & Precinct Map Look Up by District”
• In the District type drop-down, select “Unified School”
• In the District drop-down, select “Azusa Unified School”
• In the Please Select a Sub District drop-down, select “Azusa Unified School TA1”
• Click submit
Application Deadline: Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, and emailed to aortega@azusa.org, or hard copies can be dropped off at the District Office, attention to Arturo Ortega. In addition to the application, applicants may attach up to three (3) additional pages that may include a resume, letter of interest, and/or letters of recommendation/support. Applications received after the closing time will not be considered.
In accordance with Education Code Section 35107, to be eligible as a member of a governing board of a school district, an interested party must be:
● 18 years of age or older
● A citizen of the state
● An Azusa resident residing within the boundaries of Trustee Area 1
● A registered voter
● Not disqualified by the Constitution or laws of the state from holding a civil office
● An employee of the school district may not be sworn into office as an elected or appointed member of that school district’s governing board unless and until he or she resigns as an employee. If the employee does not resign, the employment will automatically terminate upon being sworn into office.
To download the application packet, click the link below. Hard copies of the application are available in the District Office lobby located at 546 S Citrus Ave. Azusa, CA 91702.
Map Selection For CVRA
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Dear AUSD Community:
The Board of Education has been working to transition to a by-trustee area election system. In December, the Board voted on a proposed trustee area map. The map and selection process were presented to and approved by the county. The first by-trustee area election using map scenario 2, will be the November 2022 election.
Introduction
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The Azusa Unified School District (AUSD) currently elects its Board of Education members through an at-large election system. Under this system, candidates for the Board of Education can reside anywhere in AUSD's area of service and are elected by the registered voters that reside within AUSD's area of service.
A By-Trustee Election System is one in which the district's area of service is divided into By-Trustee areas, and voters in each By-Trustee area choose their Board of Education representative, who must also live in that By-Trustee area.
On January 12, 2021, the AUSD Board of Education declared its intent to transition to a By-Trustee Area Election System.
Pursuant to Election Code Section 10010, AUSD will conduct a series of public hearings to receive community input on the composition of proposed election geographic areas for Board of Education seats. It is of the utmost importance that residents participate and provide feedback during the upcoming public hearings. It is the District’s desire to ensure that the proposed By-Trustee Areas reflect communities of interest and that the community is involved in this process.
CVRA Letter to Community
FAQ
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What is the (California Voting Rights Act) CVRA?
The California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) prohibits the use of any election system “that impairs the ability of a protected class to elect candidates of its choice or its ability to influence the outcome of an election.” Should an individual challenge a public entity’s election system and the court finds against that jurisdiction, the jurisdiction must change its election system and pay the plaintiff’s attorneys, experts, and other expenses. The only safe harbor from a CVRA claim is to implement a by-trustee area election system.
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Does this change where students attend school?
No – this new system for electing Board members has NO IMPACT on your student’s scheduled elementary, middle, or high school attendance areas. Attendance areas are NOT being changed as part of this process.
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How will this transition impact me?
If approved, registered voters in the District boundaries will have the opportunity to vote for a candidate for the Board of Education that lives in their By-Trustee Area on a four-year cycle. Registered voters will not be able to vote for candidates from By-Trustee Areas in which they do not reside.
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How can I help shape the By-Trustee Areas?
Before maps are prepared, the Board will hold two public hearings to solicit feedback. Then, once the maps are prepared by the demographer, they will be released for public review on the Azusa Unified School District’s website in mid-late October 2021. In November and December 2021, the Board of Education will hold a series of public hearings and community meetings in which it will take public testimony regarding the draft maps. Members of the public and interested parties also have the option of submitting written comments on the draft maps, including which map or maps they support.
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What is the difference between “At Large” elections and “By-Trustee Area” Elections?
Azusa Unified School District has an at-large election system, where voters of the entire District elect all members of the Board of Education. A “By-Trustee Area” election system will carve the District into equal population Trustee Areas. Voters in each Trustee Area choose their Board representative, who must also live in that Trustee Area.
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What if there is no candidate in one of the "by-trustee areas"?
There is a limited 25-day window for candidates to file declarations of candidacy with the County Registrar to run for office. This narrow window opens 113 days prior to the election and closes 88 days prior to the election. If no qualified candidate emerges from a "trustee area" up for election, the Board may appoint to fill the vacancy from a resident of that "trustee area."
Unlike ordinary appointments, according to Education Code section 5326, if no candidate has been nominated 83 days prior to the election, the Board is authorized to appoint a qualified person to the Board. Such appointment must occur at a Board meeting prior to election day and the appointed member will be "seated" to the Board at the organizational meeting.
The appointee must be eligible for office and reside within the specific vacant "trustee area." The appointment must be made at a Board meeting prior to election day. The appointed member will serve as if elected in the general election – for four years.
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How and when will the final map be chosen?
The School Board will consider a range of factors when it chooses to select a district map of five geographic areas as part of the transition to a By-Trustee Area Election System. These factors include (but are not limited to) equal population, communities of interest, compactness, contiguity of the districts, visible/natural boundaries, and respect for voters’ wishes and continuity in office. After a series of public hearings, the Board will vote to adopt a map option on December 14, 2021. Thereafter, the Los Angeles County Committee on School District Organization must approve of the District’s adopted map and transition.
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When will the maps be available to the public?
Since the release of the 2020 Census has been delayed until September 2021, the District expects that draft map options prepared by a professional demographer will be available in mid-October 2021.
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Who draws the draft map options?
A professional demographer that specializes in this type of election work will prepare the draft map options for release to the community and Board. The demographer and our legal team will ensure all potential options are legally compliant maps.