Online survey deadline is Sunday at 5:00 pm
Lincoln County School District #2 is asking for public input regarding redistricting the boundaries of school board trustee areas. The Board of Trustees has been discussing redistricting since the summer months following the release of the 2020 census data.
Two proposals are being discussed. The first would keep the current format of five trustee areas and two at-large bids, but with new boundaries for the trustee area’s based on shifts in population. The second proposal would create two trustee areas, a north and south, with the dividing line being The Narrows area of Star Valley. In this proposal two trustees would come from each area with three at-large bids. More details on the proposals and discussion can be found in the October 20, 2021 edition of the Star Valley Independent or online at SVInews.com.
A public survey is available online at LCSD2.org. The survey is open until 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 31. The “Trustee Area Map Survey” includes links to the two different proposed maps along with a link to a video that explains the options and includes a conversation between board members during the October school board meeting.
“I would strongly encourage people to watch the video. Take some time to educate yourself and listen to the explanation by Chairman Hirschi, as well as the dialog back and forth and discussion with all seven board members,” stated Superintendent Matt Erickson during a live interview on SVI Radio. “Please spend a little time making sure that you know the facts and how it all works before you take the survey.”
The survey itself is brief and only takes a few minutes to complete. It asks if you have students attending school in LCSD#2, if you live within the LCSD#2 district boundaries, which option you prefer and to explain why you selected the option you choose.
“We’re looking for narrative as to why you select the option that you do and why you back that option so that we can further understand different perspectives,” stated Erickson. “We want a diversity of opinions, and to look at several different angles of this so the board can make an educated decision because this decision will be in effect for the next ten years until the next census is certified.”
After the survey period closes this Sunday, the Board of Trustees will have ten days to review the data before the next board meeting, which is scheduled for November 10. A final vote is expected to take place during the November board meeting, although the board does have until the end of the year to make a decision.
LCSD#2 School Board meetings are open to the public and can be attended in person or via video broadcast at LCSD2.org or the Lincoln County School District #2 Facebook page.
