San Diego Unified School District School Board Elections Time for a Change

The San Diego Unified School District election process does not always result in board members who reflect the diversity of the district’s population. Fact: The cost to run two campaigns, one in the sub-district primary election and one in the citywide general election, can be prohibitive for candidates.

Because of the high cost of competing in two election campaigns, support and financial backing is often required from special-interest groups. Fact: Incumbents enjoy an 80 percent chance of reelection by name recognition alone. Fact: There are no term limits for San Diego Unified School District board trustees. Fact: The San Diego City Councilmembers, Mayor, and County Board of Supervisors have term limits. Fact: In general, surveys show term limits are favored by 67 percent of voters nationwide. Fact: The Sweetwater Union School District voted in the November 2016 election to have term limits for its school board members. Fact: Limiting the terms that one member can serve on the board invites new community members and new ideas.

Term limits enable more citizens to take part in school governance.

By instituting sub-district elections and term limits, a large part of the elections process will be returned to the people.

Term limits broaden the pool of people involved in the schools boards.

School board positions were not intended to be a long-term career position. The 2016/2017 San Diego County Grand Jury recommends that the San Diego City Council: 17-28: Consider placing a measure on a future ballot to allow the voters to decide whether to amend the San Diego City Charter to change the election process for the San Diego Unified School District School Board Elections, allowing only citizens in their sub-districts to elect representation directly from their sub-district. 17-29: Consider placing a measure on a future ballot to allow the voters to decide whether to amend the San Diego City Charter to allow a San Diego Unified School District board candidate who receives a majority of the votes in their sub-district during the primary election be considered elected. 17-30: Consider placing a measure on a future ballot to allow the voters to decide whether to amend the San Diego City Charter to limit the number of terms San Diego Unified School District School Board Trustees can serve. REQUIREMENTS AND INSTRUCTIONS The California Penal Code §933(c) requires any public agency which the Grand Jury has reviewed, and about which it has issued a final report, to comment to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court on the findings and recommendations pertaining to matters under the control of the agency. Such comment shall be made no later than 90 days after the 6 Grand Jury publishes its report (filed with the Clerk of the Court); except that in the case of a report containing findings and recommendations pertaining to a department or agency headed by an elected County official (e.g. District Attorney, Sheriff, etc.), such comment shall be made within 60 days to the Presiding Judge with an information copy sent to the Board of Supervisors. Furthermore, California Penal Code §933.05(a), (b), (c), details, as follows, the manner in which such comment(s) are to be made: (a) As to each grand jury finding, the responding person or entity shall indicate one of the following: (1) The respondent agrees with the finding (2) The respondent disagrees wholly or partially with the finding, in which case the response shall specify the portion of the finding that is disputed and shall include an explanation of the reasons therefor. (b) As to each grand jury recommendation, the responding person or entity shall report one of the following actions: (1) The recommendation has been implemented, with a summary regarding the implemented action. (2) The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future, with a time frame for implementation. (3) The recommendation requires further analysis, with an explanation and the scope and parameters of an analysis or study, and a time frame for the matter to be prepared for discussion by the officer or head of the agency or department being investigated or reviewed, including the governing body of the public agency when applicable. This time frame shall not exceed six months from the date of publication of the grand jury report. (4) The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not reasonable, with an explanation therefor. (c) If a finding or recommendation of the grand jury addresses budgetary or personnel matters of a county agency or department headed by an elected officer, both the agency or department head and the Board of Supervisors shall respond if requested by the grand jury, but the response of the Board of Supervisors shall address only those budgetary or personnel matters over which it has some decision making authority. The response of the elected agency or department head shall address all aspects of the findings or recommendations affecting his or her agency or department. Comments to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court in compliance with the Penal Code §933.05 are required from the: 7 Responding Agency Recommendations Date San Diego City Council 17-28 through 17-30 8/7/17 8