Transition to By-Trustee Area Elections

(Blue button above with Board-approved Map (Map F) added on Nov. 16, 2023)

On Tuesday, January 11, 2022 the County Committee on School District Organization approved NUSD’s proposal. To read more, click here.

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You may provide feedback on this process and draft maps at any time, 24/7, by emailing trusteeareas@natomasunified.org

Background

The Natomas Unified School District, like many other cities and school districts in the state, is in the process of changing how members of the Board of Education are elected to office. Last December, the Natomas Unified Board of Trustees directed staff to begin the process of moving Natomas Unified (NUSD) from at-large elections to by-trustee area elections. The district hires an outside demographer to help us during this process. The information below, including the timeline, will help you understand the process in more detail.

At-Large vs. By-Trustee Area

Since its unification, the five (5) board members in Natomas Unified are elected by all of the voters in the district. This is known as an ‘at-large’ election. When there are multiple board seats up for election, voters choose multiple candidates from those who are running when they complete their ballot.

When elections are held through ‘by-trustee areas,’ the district is divided into smaller areas and candidates for the board seat representing that district area must reside in that specific district area. Voters select one candidate from those who are running to represent their area of the district and do not vote on the seats representing other areas of the district.

At the January 20, 2021 Board Meeting, the Board approved a resolution (“letter of intent”) 5-0 to direct staff to lead the school district to the change from at-large elections to by-trustee area elections. Trustee areas will include five (5) areas that make sure the 5 areas are each represented by an elected NUSD Trustee who will live within a specific Trustee Area. Below is a graphic that helps explain the transition.

Determining Trustee Areas

Trustee areas must be roughly the same size in terms of the number of residents. Using the latest Census data available, a demographer generates maps that balance the size of each area along with requirements to ensure protected classes of voters are not divided in a manner that would make it more difficult for them to elect candidates of their choice or influence the outcome of an election. The demographer may also take into consideration local conditions such as major roadways, natural barriers, and other factors.

Trustee Area Map Options

The district’s demographer generated draft maps after the September 1, 2021 regular board meeting (second ‘pre map’ public hearing). In accordance with statute, these draft maps (scenarios A-E) were published on October 20 for public review and input. The first ‘map consideration’ public hearing was held on October 27, 2021.

In accordance with statute, a 6th draft map (scenario F) was published on November 1, 2021 for public review and input. The second ‘map consideration’ public hearing was held on November 8, 2021.

During the second ‘map consideration’ hearing the Board of Trustees gave direction to consider draft map scenarios C, E, and F moving forward (and not consider draft map scenarios A, B, or D as we move forward).

The final ‘map adoption’ public hearing was scheduled for November 17, 2021, and the Board of Trustees unanimously voted to select Map F.

Sharing Your Voice

There have been, and will continue to be, multiple opportunities and ways for members of the community to share their feedback throughout this process.

In December 2020 the NUSD Board of Trustees received a presentation from legal counsel on the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) and unanimously approved the next steps of adopting a “letter of intent” to begin the transition process. The letter of intent (a resolution) was adopted at the January 20, 2021 regular board meeting.

During the summer and fall of 2021 the district launched four surveys to the Natomas community, and also met with various stakeholder groups throughout the month of August. These opportunities allowed stakeholders to learn more about the process and provide feedback that could be shared with the board and/or demographer for their consideration.

Draft map scenarios of what Trustee areas could look like initially became available for public viewing on Wednesday, October 20, and then again on November 1, 2021. Members of the public may provide public comment, watch our livestream, and watch the recorded Board Meeting(s) at their convenience starting the day after each meeting. The live stream and board meeting recordings can be accessed here. Please check each board agenda for specific information about the public comment process for each meeting. eComments may also be submitted to publiccomment@natomasunified.org..

Please see the timeline below for more information.

Information for the ‘Map Adoption’ Hearing
DRAFT MAP SCENARIOS AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING

During the second ‘map consideration’ public hearing on November 8, 2021 the Board of Trustees gave direction to consider draft map scenarios C, E, and F moving forward (please note that draft map scenarios A, B, and D will no longer be considered).

Below are the three (3) draft map scenarios that will be considered moving forward. The final ‘map adoption’ public hearing is scheduled for November 17, 2021.

Scenario C
(posted October 20, 2021)

Scenario E
(posted October 20, 2021)

Scenario F
(posted November 1, 2021)

Precinct Data

Potential Election Sequencing Schedules
(draft map scenarios C, E, and F only)

Note: To view all draft scenario maps that have been reviewed / considered throughout this process, including potential election sequencing please click here.

Timeline

Date	Action
December 16, 2020 (Regular Board Meeting)	Presentation on the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) and Board approval on next steps Click here to view the board presentation Click here to view the recording of the Board Meeting Livestream Views: 84 Recorded Meeting Views: 133 (as of week after board meeting)
January 20, 2021 (Regular Board Meeting)	Board adopted Resolution 21-03 of intent to initiate transition from at-large to by-trustee area elections beginning with the 2022 governing board election Click here to view the recording of the Board Meeting Livestream Views: 106 Recorded Meeting Views: 143 (as of 1 week after board meeting)
July 14, 2021	Launched a survey to the Natomas community to gather initial input on this transition. The questions were a combination of multiple choice and short answer questions. 173 surveys were submitted, and 83.5% of NUSD stakeholders who responded stated that Trustee areas are of medium importance to very important. 57.3% stated that this is important or very important. Click here to view the survey questions. Click here to review the feedback from this survey.
July 21, 2021 (Regular Board Meeting)	Present timeline for transition to by-trustee area elections Click here to view the board presentationClick here to view the recording of the Board Meeting Livestream Views: 57 Recorded Meeting Views: 21 (as of 1 week after board meeting)
July 26, 2021	Launched a second community survey to gather input about the possibility of NUSD seeking a waiver from the State Board of Education. Click here to view the survey questions 2,419 responses were received, and 78.7% of responses indicated they wanted the district to seek a waiver, as opposed to having a special election. Note: After this survey concluded the passage of Senate Bill 442 removed this requirement
August 4, 2021 (Regular Board Meeting)	Demographer presents on map development process, criteria, etc. Pre-map public hearing #1 Click here to view the board presentation Click here to view the recording of the Board Meeting Note: No eComments were submitted for this item Livestream Views: 31 Recorded Meeting Views: 19 (as of 1 week after board meeting)
August 5 – August 31, 2021	District meets with key stakeholders Associations – CSEA & NTA – August 16, 2021 Charter Leaders – August 16, 2021 District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC) – August 19, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. Zoom Link: [no longer active] Community Advisory Council (CAC) – August 23, 2021 at 3:30 p.m. Zoom Link: [no longer active] Superintendent’s Parent Advisory Council – August 25, 2021 Natomas Chamber of Commerce – August 25, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. Zoom Link: [no longer active] Natomas Schools Foundation – August 25, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. Zoom Link: [no longer active] Click here to view the presentation in english. Click here to view the presentation in spanish.
Estimate – Late August 2021	Federal census data received by the State of California
September 1, 2021 (Regular Board Meeting) Note: a continuance of the September 1, 2021 board meeting was held on September 14, 2021	Pre-map public hearing #2 Click here to view the board presentation Click here to view the eComments submitted for this public hearing Click here to view the recording of the Board meeting Livestream Views: 61 Recorded Meeting views: 815 (as of 1 week after board meeting)
September 23, 2021	Launched a third community survey to gather additional input prior to the map hearings Click here to view the survey questions Click here to review the feedback from this survey
October 13, 2021 (Regular Board Meeting)	Click here to view the presentation on stakeholder engagement & update on census data Click here to view the recording of the Board meeting Note: No eComments were submitted for this item Livestream Views: 215 Recorded Meeting views: 46 (as of 1 week after board meeting)
Week of October 18	Population Density Maps In preparation for the draft maps that will be posted publicly sometime on Wednesday, October 20, please click here to view population density maps provided by the demographer.These are not maps that identify possible Trustee areas, this is additional information provided by the demographer.Draft Maps Available For Viewing On October 20, 2021 draft maps became available for viewing, and were discussed during the ‘Map Consideration’ Public Hearing at the October 27 board meeting.
October 27, 2021 (Regular Board Meeting)	Demographer presents / reviews proposed maps ‘Map Consideration’ public hearing #1 Click here to view the proposed draft map scenarios that were considered at this public hearing (posted October 20, 2021) Click here to view the board presentation Click here to view the eComments submitted for this public hearing Click here to view the recording of the Board Meeting Click here to view documentation on our outreach efforts Click here to view estimated apartment populations for each draft map scenarios A-E Click here to view a general heat map that shows the general locations of our Punjabi speaking students Click here to view estimated housing growth numbers in Natomas over the next 10 years. Livestream Views: 211 Recorded Meeting views: 54 (as of 1 week after board meeting)
November 4, 2021	Launched a fourth community survey to gather input on six draft map scenarios (maps A – F) prior to the second ‘map consideration’ public hearing on Monday, November 8. Survey was made available in English, Spanish, or Punjabi Click here for the survey questions Click here to review the survey responses I received 653 responses (please see the Nov. 8 board presentation below to view the survey results)
November 8, 2021 (Special Board Meeting at Natomas High School)	Present / review proposed maps ‘Map Consideration’ public hearing #2 Click here to view the proposed draft map scenarios that were considered at this public hearing (posted by November 1, 2021) Click here to view the board presentation Click here to view the eComments submitted for this public hearing Click here to view the recording of the Special Board Meeting Click here to view estimated apartment populations for each draft map scenarios A-F Livestream Views: 140 Recorded Meeting views: 203 (as of 1 week after board meeting)
November 17, 2021 (Regular Board Meeting)	‘Map Adoption’ public hearing Click here to review the proposed map scenarios that will be considered at this public hearing Click here to view the eComments submitted for this public hearing Adopt final resolution Board adopted Resolution No. 21-44, Selecting Proposed Trustee Map, Election Sequencing, and Initiating a Proposal to the County Committee for Adoption of By-Trustee-Area Elections The NUSD Board of Trustees voted to approve and recommend the adoption of Map Scenario F, which can be viewed here Click here to view the recording of the Board Meeting Livestream Views: 158 Recorded Meeting views: 208
January 11, 2022 (Virtual at 5:30 p.m.)	County Committee on School District Reorganization Meeting (Virtual) Agenda Packet Public Notice Update: On Tuesday, January 11, 2022 the County Committee on School District Organization approved NUSD’s proposal to transition to by-trustee area elections; approve Map F, and establish an elections sequencing schedule. To read more, click here.
November 2022	Elections for trustee area seats by trustee-area – Areas 1 and 4
November 2024	Elections for remaining trustee-area seats by trustee-area – Areas 2, 3, and 5

You may provide feedback on this this process and draft maps at any time, 24/7, by emailing trusteeareas@natomasunified.org

In This Section

Transition to By-Trustee Area Elections

(Blue button above with Board-approved Map (Map F) added on Nov. 16, 2023)

———————————————————————————

You may provide feedback on this process and draft maps at any time, 24/7, by emailing trusteeareas@natomasunified.org

Background

At-Large vs. By-Trustee Area

Determining Trustee Areas

Trustee Area Map Options

Sharing Your Voice

Information for the ‘Map Adoption’ Hearing
DRAFT MAP SCENARIOS AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING

Timeline

Date

Action

IN THIS SECTION

Transition to By-Trustee Area Elections

(Blue button above with Board-approved Map (Map F) added on Nov. 16, 2023)

———————————————————————————

You may provide feedback on this process and draft maps at any time, 24/7, by emailing trusteeareas@natomasunified.org

Background

Information for the ‘Map Adoption’ Hearing DRAFT MAP SCENARIOS AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING

Timeline

Date

Action

Information for the ‘Map Adoption’ Hearing
DRAFT MAP SCENARIOS AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING