Change Coming to School Board Elections: Five Areas to be Created

FEATURED COLUMNIST Change Coming to School Board Elections

Five Areas to be Created to Comply with Voting Rights Act

By Scott J. Turnbull, Superintendent, Soquel Union Elementary School District

Soquel Union Elementary School District’s Board of Trustees is currently engaged in a process that could potentially move us from “at-large” elections to “by-area” elections.

The issue is well documented in our board agendas, dockets, and minutes. Still, I wanted to dedicate this space to informing you about the process. It is very important to us that this issue does not fly under the radar.

The crux of this work is based on the California Voting Rights Act so let’s start there.

The thrust of the CVRA is equity.

In simple terms, it’s designed to ensure decision-making influence is spread out over an entire voting area (in our case, a school district).

This approach is intended to make certain that the makeup of a decision-making body, a school board in our case, is representative of the school community as a whole.

Or, as the actual legislation reads, “Existing law, the California Voting Rights Act of 2001 (CVRA), prohibits the use of an at-large election in a political subdivision if it would impair the ability of a protected class, as defined, to elect candidates of its choice or otherwise influence the outcome of an election.”

Our school board members are currently elected via at-large elections. When one of the five seats on our board of trustees is up for election, the entire voting population within our school district votes. In a by-area election, on the other hand, only voters in an identified area would weigh in on a board representative from that particular section of the district.

Our school board proactively looked into this issue in 2019 by passing a resolution to go through the process of transitioning to by-area elections.

At the time, it was determined that waiting until we have the full data from the 2020 Census would be wise. Census data is crucial to one of the most important parts of the process and that is working with a demographer to determine by-area voting maps.

Now that we have that Census data our board has passed a resolution to restart the process.

Public input on this process, of course, is also essential. The most direct and practical input will come during what’s called the “Map Consideration” Hearings. These are two public hearings at board meetings to consider proposed by-trustee area maps. Additionally, we are in the process of scheduling additional map input sessions. As soon as those sessions are scheduled, I will be posting to our website and social media outlets.

The overall required hearing procedures include two “Pre-Map” Hearings, two “Map Consideration” Hearings, and a “Map Adoption” Hearing.

Once we do that work in our district, the County Committee must hold at least one hearing to consider changing the method of election. You can probably tell from the number of hearings that this is very deliberate work designed to ensure that there are plenty of opportunities for public input and awareness. Below are the specific dates we have identified for the process in our district:

Pre-Map Hearing #1: Held Oct. 6, 2021 Pre-Map Hearing #2: Held Oct. 20, 2021

Map-Review Hearing #1: Nov. 17, 2021

Map-Review Hearing #2: Dec. 15, 2021

Adopt final map: January 19, 2022

County Committee: February 2022

Again, those Map-Review Hearings are the critical opportunities to provide input on our potential maps from members of the public.

Going through this process does not change the terms of our current board members. All incumbents retain their seats for the duration of their elected term. Once our by-area maps are determined, they must be revisited and, if needed, updated after each federal census.

We want your input.

“School Board” page 30

THE RED CROSS STILL NEEDS YOU Thousands have answered the call to give to the American Red Cross, but 10,000 donors are needed before the holidays.

Donors of all blood types — especially type O — are urged to make an

appointments: Use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Donors who give from Nov. 1-12 will automatically be entered to win a trip for two to Hawaii, courtesy of Amazon Prime Video. Donors from Nov. 1-23 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. Locations:

Watsonville

Nov. 3: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley, 85 Nielson St.

Santa Cruz

Nov. 4: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 220 Elk St.

Ben Lomond

Nov.19: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 9545 Lovecreek Road.

Scotts Valley

Nov. 20: 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., St Philip’s Episcopal Church, 5271 Scotts Valley Drive.

READING TUTORING RETURNS TO LIBRARIES 3-5 p.m., Wednesdays: Capitola / La Selva Public Libraries • Thursdays: Downtown Santa Cruz Public Library The Santa Cruz Public Libraries’ reading comprehension program, R.E.A.D. (Reach Every Amazing Detail) has returned.

R.E.A.D. offers one-on-one reading comprehension instruction for students in grades 2 to 12 with 25-minute sessions with a California-credentialed teacher. Appointments are required. Call Telephone Information, 831-427-7713, to make an appointment.

Holiday breaks will take place on Veterans Day, Nov. 11; Thanksgiving, Nov. 24 and 25; Winter break, Dec.13 to Jan. 25, resuming Jan. 26; and Spring break, April 5 & 6.

SENIOR CENTER WITHOUT LIMITS This new program from Community Bridges brings enrichment activities like yoga, art, music, tai chi, cooking, tech and support groups to seniors age 60 and up in their homes at no cost.

To participate, you need an internet connection and a computer, tablet or smartphone. To participate, view the calendar at https://communitybridges. org/SCWOL/ and find a class. That day and time, click on the link in the calendar to be connected. If you have a problem connecting, call Clara Munoz at (831) 458-3481.

MONARCH BUTTERFLY COUNT BEGINS The annual monarch count (November through February) at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History started early when clusters of the orange-and-black butterflies were spotted in the Pacific Grove Monarch Sanctuary. On Oct. 15, volunteers counted 1,316 monarchs.

The program facilitates weekly counts at the sanctuary, where adults alongside middle, high school, and college students record the numbers of butterflies they spy in their overwintering grounds, which is full of eucalyptus, Monterey cypress and pine trees. The data collection is part of the statewide Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count covering nine other sites in Monterey County.

The butterflies feed and huddle to keep warm before mating and moving on in their annual migration to Baja. Pacific Grove has celebrated the annual return of the butterflies with a festival and parade since 1939. Since the 1980s, however, the western population has declined by more than 95 percent.

In 2020, only 2,000 butterflies were spotted from Mendocino County to the Mexican border, compared to the tens of thousands seen in the past. Last year, none were seen in Pacific Grove. For information visit www.pgmuseum.org.

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote? Send your information to info@cyber-times.com by November 16

PROPERTY TAX BILL DUE The Santa Cruz County has mailed out property tax bills, and the first due date is approaching.

Your bill can be paid in two installments. The first installment is due on Nov. 1 and becomes delinquent after Dec. 10, and a penalty is charged. The 2nd installment is due Feb. 1 and becomes delinquent after April 10. Penalties will be incurred if not paid before becoming delinquent.

ONLINE SEMINARS ABOUT NURSING HOME LAW California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform offers three recorded legal seminars:

Wednesday, Nov. 3: Medi-Cal Updates and the Future of Estate Planning for Long Term Care

Wednesday, Nov. 10: The Role of Counsel for a Conservatee

Wednesday, Nov. 17: Elder Financial Abuse Litigation: A Panel of Experts

To register, visit http://www.canhr.org/ CANHR, a nonprofit, offers consumers a free fact sheet on nursing homes at http://www.canhr.org/factsheets/index.html, and will host The Elder Law Conference April 29-30, 2022, in Monterey.

SUPPORT FOR MOTHERS OF SURVIVORS Survivors Healing Center is offering online women’s support groups and mothers of survivors of childhood sexual abuse support group. The goals are to empower through a healing process and prevent sexual abuse of children and youth.

You are not alone. You are not to blame. More information: (831) 423-7601 or www.survivorshealingcenter.org

TWO NEW GRACE HARBOR SHOPS The Rustic Table Restaurant and Lighthouse Treasures Shoppe are open at 55 Brennan St., Watsonville, sharing space with Grace Harbor Women’s Center, a satellite of the nonprofit faith-based Teen Challenge Monterey Bay and Pajaro Rescue Mission.

Grace Harbor is a shelter and recovery program for women (and their children) facing life controlling issues such as drugs and alcohol.

Hours at Rustic Table, a professionally trained studentrun restaurant with dine-in and pick-up options, are Monday through Saturday 8 am-3 pm.

Hours at Lighthouse Treasures Shoppe, a secondhand retail store run by Teen Challenge students and staff, are Monday through Saturday 10am-5pm. The phone for both places is 831-761-3191. CABRILLO STAGE PRESENTS ‘CHARLEY’S AUNT’ Fridays-Sundays, Nov. 5 thru 21, Black Box Theater, Cabrillo College, Aptos Cabrillo College Theatre Arts’ fall production of “Charley’s Aunt” will take place on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. in the Black Box Theater. This wacky and hilarious farce, directed by the masterful Joseph Ribeiro, features love, deception, confusion, and a guy disguised as an old lady, nutty as a Brazil nut!

Seating is unassigned, first come first served. Tickets are $18.50 with a $2 discount for students, children and senior citizens, at https://cabrillovapa.universitytickets. com/w/event.aspx?SeriesID=1. You can also call the box office: (831) 479-6154

Masks are required. Learn more at https://www.cabrillo.edu/vapa/2021-fallcharleys-aunt

ONGOING EVENTS

Tuesdays GRIEF THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS November 9 thru December 14, phone or online. Hospice of Santa Cruz County offers individual grief support sessions (via phone or Zoom) and a special group, Coping with Grief though the Winter Holidays, meeting virtually via Zoom on Tuesday evenings. Call (831) 430-3000 for more information and to register.

FARMERS’ MARKET AT RAMSAY PARK 2–6 p.m., Ramsay Park, Watsonville El Mercado is a new farmers’ market hosted by Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley.

There will be healthy locally grown produce, a veggie Rx redemption site, cooking demonstrations and wellness screenings. Sponsors include Lakeside Organic, Salud Para La Gente and Kaiser Permanente. Visit pvhealthtrust.org/elmercado for more info. Third Thursday Each Month PET LOSS AND GRIEF SUPPORT VIA ZOOM 6 to 7:30 p.m., virtual meeting BirchBark Foundation’s Pet Loss and Grief Support Zoom group offers a free support group, moderated by a licensed grief counseling therapist, on the third Thursday of each month. Register at https://www.birchbarkfoundation.org/griefsupport or call 831-471-7255. Second Sundays SANTA CRUZ ANTIQUE STREET FAIRE 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Pacific Ave. between Lincoln and Cedar Streets The Santa Cruz Antique Street Faire features more than 40 outdoor vendors. Visit https://www.facebook.com/santacruzantiquefaire/ for more information

DATED EVENTS

Monday November 1 thru Sunday November 7

Capitola Plein Air is back after a year’s hiatus due to the pandemic. During the first week of November, 40 professional artists will arrive in Capitola to paint the village. Artists set up their easels on the wharf, shore, and streets of seaside city to paint live.

On Sunday, the free to the public painting display, sale, and competition takes place at New Brighton Middle School, 250 Washburn Ave., Capitola.

The public votes for the People’s Choice Award. For information, visit www.capitolapleinair.com/

Tuesday November 2

GENEALOGY AT FAMILYSEARCH.ORG 7 p.m., Online Seminar Terry Jackson’s family submitted family histories to what is now called FamilySearch for many years. With information online, it has provided interesting stories and cleared up family mysteries.

A 35-year resident of Seaside and a retired social worker, Jackson will demonstrate how FamilySearch can help locals, sharing examples from his research. The workshop, presented by the Genealogical Society of Santa Cruz County, takes place at 7 p.m. Tuesday Nov. 2 via Zoom. To register, visit or call 831-427-7713.

The descendant of Mormon immigrants, Jackson’s paternal grandmother’s parents arrived in the 1890s; his paternal grandfather’s forebears came in the 1850s.

His maternal ancestors were early converts to Mormonism and were among the first Mormon settlers in what became Utah and Idaho. All the family lines he has traced from the U.S. have gone back to English, Scottish, and Irish roots.

Thursday November 4 and Thursday November 18

TECH TALK AT THE LIBRARY 11 a.m. to noon, Zoom Seminars Santa Cruz Public Libraries offers two free Tech Talks this month for Apple and Android devices. Topics are:

Nov. 4: News Apps and Strategies

Nov. 18: Media Manipulation Check the library’s calendar, top of the website, at www. santacruzpl.org to register and receive the Zoom link.

Friday November 5

LANDLORD APPRECIATION 10-11 a.m., Santa Cruz Police Community Room, 155 Center St., Santa Cruz Santa Cruz County housing officials will host a Landlord Appreciation Event on 10-11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 5, at the Santa Cruz Police community room, 155 Center St., Santa Cruz, to meet property owners and talk about programs to provide money and support for landlords and tenants.

The county’s Rehousing Wave effort aims to permanently house more than 800 people who received temporary shelter during the pandemic. Benefits for landlords include financial incentives such as $1,000 rental agreement signing bonuses, guaranteed on-time monthly payments and 24-hour tenant support services. For questions, email SantaCruzLL@abodeservices.org. Registered landlords will be entered to win $25 gift cards to local businesses.

Saturday November 6

MAYOR’S BIKE RIDE 10 a.m., Noble Gulch Park, Capitola Capitola Mayor Yvette Lopez Brooks will lead a familyfriendly bike ride through our community with Bike Santa Cruz County. Meet at Noble Gulch Park between 9:30 and 10 a.m. to roll out right at 10 and return by 11:30 a.m. Kids welcome (Under 18 years, helmets required). Weather permitting: rain will cancel this event.