Board authorizes waiver application to shift District 1 election timing to presidential cycle

The East Side Union High School District board on Nov. 20 authorized staff to apply to the California State Board of Education for a one‑time waiver to alter the sequencing of trustee elections so that the newly created District 1 (Alum Rock area) aligns with the presidential election cycle.

Philip Gideon, coordinator for charter school oversight, summarized the background: the board adopted a map on Oct. 3 to move from at‑large elections to five single‑member trustee areas and set a sequencing preference that would align District 1 with the presidential cycle. Gideon said the district must apply for a waiver because, under the Education Code, board members normally serve four‑year terms and sequencing adjustments require State Board approval.

Trustee Manuel Herrera moved approval of the reauthorization; the motion was seconded by Trustee Cortesi and passed unanimously. The board recorded an affirmative vote and the motion passed without recorded public opposition.

The public hearing required by statute was held as part of the item; no written or online comments opposing the waiver were offered on the record. The district will submit the waiver application to the State Board of Education as provided in the staff report.