LAUSD Redistricting Commission Pre-Draft Hearing at Reseda High School

Frequently Asked Questions

Ø  What is redistricting and why is it important?

Every 10 years, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) boundaries are re-drawn to account for population changes. The Commission makes recommendations to the City Council on adoption of a redistricting plan that sets the boundaries for the Board Members of the LAUSD.  How and where districts are drawn can shape communities’ ability to elect the representatives of their choice. Districts must be made as equal in population as possible and practicable so that communities have equal access to political representation.

Ø  Why does the Commission want to hear from the public?

Speaking up about your community is critical to ensuring district lines are drawn to keep your community whole and grouped with nearby communities with similar interests. This ensures that your voice is heard by your elected leaders in such decisions as to the quality of your child’s school or how high your taxes are.

Ø  What is a “Community of Interest”?

A Community of Interest (COI) is a geographically connected population which shares common social and economic interests. Examples of such shared interests are:

Ø  Will the public be able to see where the lines will be drawn?

Yes, all Commission meetings are open to the public and videotaped (when possible). Along with transcripts and archived videos, these provide unparalleled public transparency in the redistricting process. Draft maps of proposed districts will be posted on the Commission’s website in February.

Ø  How should public testimony at be given and how will the comments be used in line drawing?

At a Commission meeting, each individual will be given up to 2 minutes to talk about their community. It is recommended that the public consider incorporating answers to the questions listed below in an effort to assist the Commission in understanding each Community of Interest.  Along with census data, publicly submitted comments will be used to assist the Commission when it begins drawing district boundaries. The focus of public testimony is to receive information about the unique characteristics of the public’s Communities of Interest from those most familiar with their neighborhoods.

Neighborhood/zipcode where you reside:

Streets/boundaries defining community

Major geographical boundaries/features (freeways, parks, lakes, mountains)

Languages spoken in your community

Major race/ethnic groups in your community

Concerns/Comments about the current boundaries of your LAUSD Board Member District?

LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION www.redistricting2011.lacity.org

200 N. Spring Street, Room 285, Los Angeles, CA 90012