School seeks public input in redrawing of area boundaries
Staff Report
Hancock College is seeking public input on the redrawing of area boundaries for the district’s Board of Trustee elections.
Every 10 years, following the release of federal census data, local governments and school districts are required to readjust their election areas to ensure balanced voting districts. During the redistricting process, the Board of Trustees will invite the public to participate and share their perspectives on how their neighborhoods are best represented.
“ Our Board of Trustees is responsible for governing the district and ensuring we provide the highest quality educational services for our students,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “It is critical that we hear from residents about how the Board of Trustees can adequately serve their community and ensure the diverse nature of our region is well represented.”
The district is required by state and federal law to follow certain redistricting criteria, including keeping populations as equal as possible, protecting minority voting rights, keeping trustee areas contiguous, and to the extent possible, preserving communities of interest.
The Board of Trustees received several map scenarios based on these criteria and utilizing the 2020 census data on Oct. 12. The board will further discuss these scenarios and welcome public comment at upcoming meetings. It is anticipated that the board will narrow down the map options to a draft proposal in January 2022 and adopt a final map in February 2022. The first elections utilizing the new maps will be held in November 2022.
To view the map scenarios and learn more about the redistricting process, please visit https://www.hancockcollege.edu/board/redistricting.php. In addition, prints of the redistricting map scenarios are available for public viewing in the college’s Boardroom, located in building B on the Santa Maria campus.
