BY-TRUSTEE AREA ELECTION SYSTEM

Click to view PVSD Board-Adopted Map 3B

Per board-adopted resolution #22-03 at the February 10, 2022 school board meeting: Beginning in November 2022, the District shall use a by-trustee area method of election to elect the District’s Trustees. The Board has adopted and recommends plan 3B. At the District’s next election in 2022, seats in trustee areas one, two and three (1/2/3) will be up for election, and in November 2024, seats in trustee areas four and five (4/5) will be up for election. The District’s transition to by-trustee area election was a decision made by the Board of Education in furtherance of the purposes of the California Voting Rights Act of 2001.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Pleasant Valley School District (PVSD) Board of Education members have historically been elected by registered voters using an At-Large Election System where candidates campaigning for the PVSD Board of Education are permitted to reside anywhere in PVSD's area of service.  

A demand letter was provided to the District and claimed that the District’s process of electing Board of Education members through an At-Large Election System violates the California Voting Rights Act (“CVRA”). The demand letter contended the District’s election process “may be occurring by polarized voting,” and threatened litigation if the District does not adopt a By-Trustee Election System. Under a By-Trustee Election System, PVSD's area of service is divided into five trustee areas that appropriately represent Camarillo residents. Registered voters residing in each trustee area are able to elect their Board of Education representative by voting for a candidate that resides in the same trustee area.

On October 21, 2021, during the regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting, the Pleasant Valley School District Board of Education adopted a resolution asserting the District’s commitment to transitioning from an At-Large Election System to a By-Trustee Election System.

In accordance with Election Code Section 10010, the District oversaw a series of public hearings to solicit community input on the creation of proposed election trustee areas for Board of Education appointments. Community members were welcomed to submit comments online.