HEAR OUR RADIO INTERVIEWS: OPPONENTS OF GUHSD REDISTRICTING PLANS SPEAK OUT

Hear our interviews with Craig Beswick, Nick Marinovich and Priscilla Schreiber:  https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...

East County News Service

March 16, 2016 (San Diego's East County) --  The Grossmont Union High School District Board majority's proposed redistricting plan is among the most controversial actions taken by a board long mired in contention over a variety of issues -- many of which stand to be influenced by the outcome of redistricting.  East County Magazine's radio show on KNSJ sat down with several individuals who have voiced strong opposition to the plan approved by the board and now awaiting action by the County Department of Education's Committee on School District Organization.

Click the link above this story to listen online now to a podcast of  our interviews and comments from trustee Priscilla Schreiber, Diego Valley Charter Net principal Craig Beswick, former Citizens Bond Oversight Committee member Nick Marinovich, and Chaldean Chamber President Ben Kalasho on this important issue (originally aired on KNSJ 89.1 FM radio).

The County's committee plans five upcoming hearings to get public comment on the proposed redistricting plan, as well as the GUHSD's request to waive a public vote. The five hearings are set for March 17 in La Mesa, March 28 in El Cajon,  April 4 in Alpine,  April 5 in Jamul, and April 11 in Lakeside.  The public can testify at the meetings and also submit written comments up until April 7. 

The GUHSD hired a demographics company to draw up trustee districts, moving away from at-large districts, in response to a letter from an attorney representing Diego Valley Charter school alleging that the district is violating the federal and state Voting Rights Act. The aim of those acts is to assure that large populations of minorities are fairly represented in districts where they can have an opportunity to elect an official to reflect their views.

The County’s committee will vote to approve or disapprove the district’s request at its April 13 meeting.

For details on hearing dates, times, locations and guidelines, click here: http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/alpine-hearing-added-guhsd-redistricti...

For details on the redistricting proposal, public comment at the GUHSD hearing, and maps of the proposed trustee distrticts, see http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/breaking-hard-do-grossmont-board-votes....

East County Magazine invited the GUHSD to send a representative for our radio show, but the district declined, stating that the Superintendent was traveling on that date.  We also invited representatives from Lemon Grove, where a new trustee district is proposed, but they were unable to participate during the time frames available.

We welcome all community members to post your opinions on the redistricting in our comments section below.