Turns out that the HCC Trustees have done some work on redistricting for themselves. Their meeting agenda for May 19 lists “Resolution Accepting Draft Plans for Redistricting of HCCS Board of Trustees Districts and Confirming Public Hearings” as the fourth item under the Consent Agenda. You can see a copy of the draft plans here. There are three drafts, all of which looks pretty similar to me. If you’re wondering what North Forest and Alief ISDs have to do with anything, the answer is that they were annexed into the HCC system, in 2009 for North Forest and 2008 for Alief. That has the effect of enlarging HCC’s territory, so those areas must be incorporated into the new map.
There will be three public meetings to solicit feedback on the redistricting plans. Details about these hearings are here. I would presume, though I cannot say for sure, that some variant on one of these maps will be adopted at the next Board meeting on June 16. That’s all I know – if I hear any more, I’ll let you know.
What’s with all those lengthy ribbons running from the core of all those districts in Plans A and C? I assume the two distinct parts of the district 7’s in those two plans are actually connected, but how can they justify such districts? Are these what pass for serious proposals? I guess no one involved has heard of the concept of neighborhood integrity. they certainly have never understood the meaning of compact. I don’t know much about the current board members for these proposed district, but, judging from recent news stories, they’ve been flying under the radar for far too long. I would say drawing these lines should be taken out of the hands of the board and the administration and given to some responsible group appointed by outsiders.
Districts 1 and 4 in both Plans A and C clearly violate Shaw v. Reno. How does nutty stuff like this get past legal counsel?
Districts 1 and 4 in both Plans A and C clearly violate Shaw v. Reno. How does nutty stuff like this get past legal counsel?