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The Pleasanton school board met in person last week and voted 3-2 in favor of the boundary map dubbed “Scenario 4” for the district’s conversion to trustee area-based elections.
Maher, who voted for Map 4, said the schools are divided more competently in Map 4 making it easier for members to individually watch over them. “It would be spread too thin,” he said referring to the other map option.
Trustees Mary Jo Carreon and Kelly Mokashi joined Maher in voting for Scenario 4
Board President Mark Miller and Trustee Joan Larsen dissented, agreeing that Scenario 5 was homogeneously spread out in all aspects. Additionally, Larsen said she preferred Map 5 because of the larger percentage of Asian population in this area which will help with equal representation during elections.
“It’s great to be represented in your leadership, a reflection of the community,” Laursen said. “That’s kind of one of the reasons why I prefer Map 5.”
With Pleasanton Unified School District moving away from at-large elections this November, the boundary map divides the community into five trustee areas with populations as close as possible, among other criteria, including school attendance area representation. A candidate can only run for school board in the trustee area they reside in.
The board adopted the resolution in October last year indicating its intent to switch to by-trustee-area elections, and after four public meetings and one additional meeting, in addition to public input, the choices were narrowed down from five to two — “Scenario 4” and “Scenario 5” — for final consideration at the March 24 board meeting.
The primary differences between the maps, geographically, could be seen in the northeast and southwest corners, as well as the central part of town.
Just before the voting last week, Mokashi raised concern with the two choices but after a brief discussion, she conceded and made a motion in favor of Scenario 4 seconded by Student Trustee Saachi Bhayani.
Mokashi had suggested the board consider a third map choice — Scenario 2.
“Maybe some other thoughts might have been considered to consider Map 2 and Map 4, because Map 4 and 5 are very, very similar. So I’m just going to pose that question for reconsideration for Map 2,” Mokashi said.
Board members did not show enthusiasm to reconsider or include another map after months of deliberation leading to the vote.
“What that does is every time a vote is taken, then the person who loses can just keep bringing stuff back,” Laursen said.
Members agreed that introducing another map at this stage could present problems under the Brown Act, California’s public meeting law.
Members agreed to move with two choices and a vote was cast, making Map 4 the final winner of the night.
The deliberations also focused on how to sequence the election schedule for the new trustee areas. Under both final scenarios, Trustee Area 2 and Trustee Area 5 would be on the November 2022 ballot.
Miller, who lives in Area 5, previously said he would not run for re-election after his term ends this fall. No current trustee lives in Area 2.
Laursen, whose term is up this year and also is not seeking re-election, resides in Area 3 as does Mokashi. Area 3, like Carreon’s Area 1 and Maher’s Area 4, would be on the November 2024 ballot, in line with when those three trustees’ current terms expire.
With the November election on the horizon and Laursen and Miller not running again, both agreed to conduct informational workshops for potential candidates.
“So it’d be nice to gauge interest and give people an idea of all the really great things about serving on a board, and I’d like to make that suggestion,” Laursen said at last week’s meeting.
A variety of other items were considered during the meeting that lasted over four hours. Among the approved items were topics like upgrading school buildings, constructions, painting, furniture in classrooms and computer purchases.
The evening started with presenting character awards to Pleasanton school students who were nominated by school staff for demonstrating one of the six traits like compassion, honesty, respect, responsibility, integrity and self discipline at school.
That was followed by recognition and honoring the work of the PUSD pandemic services team.
During the non-agenda public comments session, various issues were raised where residents implored for action by the board.
Residents pleaded with board members to scrap plans to construct a building in open field space behind Donlon Elementary School that students often use.
Liza Cruz Haff, mother to a kindergartner at the school, said, “It’s about child development, mental health, emotional health and a sense of belonging to a community.”
Other parents joined in the plea too, saying green space is crucial for the overall growth and well-being of children who deserve to have a place to play and enjoy.
Another concern was raised by Annabelle Kim, a junior at Foothill High School who spoke about the current lack of adequate information about Title IX among school students and inefficient protection against sexual harassment.
“My sincerest hope is that by the time I graduate, the new grades of students will be fully aware of their Title IX rights,” Kim told the board. “Will know how to report sexual harassment, and will be able to trust the trusted adults at our school enough to truly feel safe.”
Editor’s note: A previous version of this article stated an incorrect vote count for the districting map. The Board of Trustees voted 3-2 in favor of Scenario 4, with Laursen and Miller in dissent. The Weekly regrets the error.
