LA Voters Will Decide On Creating An Independent Redistricting Commission for LAUSD

Los Angeles voters will decide if an independent redistricting commission should be created for the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Board of Education in the upcoming election.

The independent commission would redraw LAUSD district boundaries at least every 10 years — without the involvement or approval of the L.A. City Council and the Board of Education — according to a report from the L.A. city attorney’s office.

The L.A. City Council on Tuesday approved the ballot language in a 13 to 0 vote, with Councilmembers Nithya Raman and Bob Blumenfield absent.

Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez also added an amendment with a series of language changes that she said is designed to connect with young people, a particular population “that is very much impacted by the redistricting of LAUSD.”

What this means for LAUSD

LAUSD is the largest school district in the nation with an elected school board, with Los Angeles voters deciding who leads K-12 education in the city.

If the LAUSD commission is approved, you’d need to be at least 18 years old to serve on it, unless a lower age requirement is set in the future.

Hernandez said at Tuesday’s meeting that they wanted to have youth on the commission, as the L.A. City Council originally requested a minimum age requirement of 16, but they learned that “was impossible.”

The participation of people under 18 is limited under state law, according to the L.A. City Attorney’s Office.

For example, those members would be able to cast a preferential vote, but their decisions wouldn’t count towards the final tally. They also wouldn’t be able to fully participate in closed-session discussions, or personnel and contracting decisions.

Hernandez said they’re working on changing certain ordinances and policies in light of those limitations, but her amendments are designed to make sure there’s “intentional engagement with young people.”

Next steps for the city

The city attorney’s office has been asked to come up with an outreach plan and encourage participation from all LAUSD stakeholders, including people 25 and younger, those enrolled in the school district including adult education programs, parents or guardians, as well as administrators, teachers, and staff.

There should also be efforts to include people involved with the foster system and those experiencing homelessness.

Council President Paul Krekorian said those changes were consistent with the discussions they’ve had in the Ad Hoc Committee on City Governance Reform, and seconded the amendment along with Councilmember Heather Hutt.

Applicable voters will get to cast their ballots on LAUSD’s independent redistricting commission on Nov. 5. The lines were last redrawn in 2021.