The Southwestern College Governing Board this week selected the final maps that will separate the college’s election areas into five distinct districts. The Board also selected the sequence in which the new district seats will be elected.
In a unanimous vote, the board selected Map B2 for the final election boundaries. Additionally the board unanimously approved trustee areas 1, 4 and 5 to be up for election in November, 2022. Trustee Areas 2 and 3 will be up for election in November, 2024.
“This is a huge step for us,” Governing Board President Roberto Alcantar said at the Monday meeting. “Community College trustee seats are launching pads for folks to go into bigger political careers. Making the seats more accessible where candidates no longer have to do massive campaigns will hopefully diversify our board. I’m proud for having made this happen.”
The final map selection was the result of work that began in August, 2021. Southwestern College students, employees and community members provided feedback all along the way through surveys and map preferences.
Four maps were examined based upon results of the 2020 Census. Each map was designed based upon the principles of districting: relatively equal size, compact, maintaining “communities of interest,” and following city/county/local government lines.
In the end, the governing board members chose a map that kept high school attendance areas as contiguous as possible, while meeting all the other key principles of districting principles.
The sequencing of seat elections was partially determined by terms that were currently expiring this year and in two years.
Trustees Don Dumas, Kirin Macapugay and Leticia Cazares’ at-large seats are up for election this year. They can choose to run to represent trustee areas 1, 4, or 5 if they live within area boundaries. Board President Roberto Alcantar and Trustee Griselda Delgado’s at-large seats are up for election in 2024. They can choose to run to represent one of the three trustee areas that are open in 2022 or choose to serve the remainder of their term in an at-large capacity.
The final maps and sequencing must formally be approved by the California Community College Board of Governors. They are scheduled to meet on Monday, March 21
