Fort Bend ISD Should Convert To Single-Member Districts

From FBN: Fort Bend ISD Should Convert To Single-Member Districts
Jun 2007,

Noel Pinnock
Missouri City

I am deeply concerned about the lack of equitable representation the schools, parents, taxpayers, and students are receiving in Fort Bend Independent School District. I am requesting some support and would greatly appreciate any assistance you can provide me in reconfiguring FBSID’s electoral voting system to a single-member district to promote diversity, equity, and equality in this fast-growing county in our great nation.

Historically and currently, FBISD trustees are voted in a seat on the dais by residents who pay FBISD school taxes (largest tax item on our annual tax bill). The voting canvass includes Missouri City, Fresno, Vicksburg, and Sugar Land proper as well as parts of Houston, Katy, and Alief. Additionally, several other ETJ areas such as Teal Run, Sienna Plantation, New Territory, Shadow Creek Rank, Mission Bend, Hodges Bend, etc. are aggregated in FBISD’s electoral process.

With such a large and diverse voting pool, FBSID residents rely on a seven-member board to represent over 60 schools. This number will increase by approximately by a third in the next 5 years due to projected growth and the construction of much needed schools.

In accordance with the Texas Elections Code, Fort Bend ISD calls board elections for the first Saturday in May of each year. Vacancies occurring after the election are filled by appointment until the next election is conducted. Trustees are elected to three-year terms on a rotating basis. Two are elected each year, one from each side of the district (Position 1, 2 and 3 on the West, and Positions 5, 6 and 7 on the East). Also, every third year, the “at large” Position 4, is elected.

Many of the surrounding school districts of smaller, larger, or equal size have historically or recently adopted the single-member district electoral system; whereby, taxpayers in a geographical area can vote for 1 person who will best represent their schools, parents, and children needs. In the absence of single-member districts, it is very difficulty to hold an elected trustee accountable, thus thousands of citizens and students are disenfranchised and the FBISD electoral process is diluted and malapportioned. . . (read the full story at http://www.fortbendnow.com/opinion/3006/fort-bend-isd-should-convert-to-single-member-district-system)