Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: David J. Canepa, Board President
Subject: Resolution Prescribing District-Based Elections as the Method of Selection of San Mateo County Board of Education Members
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution prescribing district-based elections as the method of selection of San Mateo County Board of Education ("SMCBOE") members.
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BACKGROUND:
The SMCBOE seeks to finalize its transition from an "at-large" election system to district-based elections.
Education Code Section 1000 provides that, as a chartered county, the County must prescribe either in its charter or by action of the Board of Supervisors the manner of selection of the SMCBOE. Thus, in 1956, the Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution No. 10228 calling for a special election to elect seven members to the SMCBOE pursuant to an at-large election system. Four years later, in 1960, the Board of Supervisors adopted Ordinance No. 1388 for the purpose of clarifying that future members of the SMCBOE would also be elected at-large.
On March 17, 2021, the SMCBOE adopted a Resolution of Intent directing staff to begin the process of moving the SMCBOE from an at-large to a district-based election system within the meaning of California Elections Code Section 14026(b), under which each candidate for the SMCBOE must reside within an election district and is elected only by voters residing within that election district.
Elections Code Section 10010 provides that, before transitioning from at-large to district-based elections, a jurisdiction must hold at least four public hearings to receive input on the transition. Specifically:
* Before drawing a draft map (or maps) of the proposed district boundaries, the jurisdiction must hold at least two public hearings over a period of not more than 30 days at which the public is invited to provide input regarding composition of the propos...
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