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469 <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati reiterated that we do not have a ward system now, as told to us by <br />the State Board of Elections, and we do not have the opportunity now to have a ward <br />system. He said we have been told it is impossible to get new legislation and have the <br />election based on that in May. He said some have suggested that might be wrong. He <br />said currently by law we have an at large system and that is why we have to have at large <br />elections in May. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling asked for clarification as he said he understands we have been told <br />we have neither a ward nor at large system. <br /> <br /> Mr. Brown said that School Board members in Charlottesville have not been <br />appointed by election districts, and what the City has requires us to have at large <br />elections. He said Mr. Caravati is correct about the election in May. He said if the <br />General Assembly granted the legislation, which he feels could have an earlier effective <br />date as suggested, we would have to draw ward boundaries. Those would need to be <br />submitted to the General Assembly and it could not be done by May. <br /> <br />Mr. Schilling said he is hearing that we do not have an at large system. <br /> <br />Mr. Brown said not for all seven seats. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said he appreciates the public's perspectives. He said personally he <br />thinks that an at large system would be better, but he would like to discuss it further and <br />perhaps his mind could be changed, though not tonight. He said his concern with an <br />elected School Board is that there could be a loss of diversity and that it could result in <br />polarization or fractualization of the electorate, but he thinks those things could be <br />overcome. He said he thinks School Board members will be more accountable if they <br />have to get out there and knock on doors and get to know the community. He said he <br />would vote for a School Board member because of their educational philosophies and <br />their ability to carry out meaningful change in the system, not because he sees them at <br />neighborhood barbecues. He said the current problems in the School system, such as the <br />achievement gap, are city wide, not confined to neighborhoods. He said that a myth that <br />needs to be exploded is that running for office takes a lot of money. He said he does not <br />think it takes a lot of money, but it does take time. He said it takes history in the <br />community. He said candidates can ask people to help them. He said he does not think it <br />is difficult to raise money. He said time will be a barrier, but he thinks it would <br />Balkanize us to limit candidates to neighborhoods. He said it is going to be more work <br />now for candidates for the School Board. He said we will have to do some aggressive <br />recruiting. He said he agrees with the suggestion that we may want to see instant runoff <br />elections. He said we may also want to compensate School Board members better. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling asked that the following comments be entered verbatim into the <br />minutes. <br /> <br /> "We have heard from the public tonight, regarding their preferences for a ward- or <br />mixed-ward based system of School Board elections and many compelling arguments <br />have been made. ! do thank all of you who took the time tonight to address the Council <br />this evening. But ! must wonder, was this Council listening to your needs and desires? <br />Will this Council use the authority at our disposal to act decisively in helping to achieve <br />the type of representation and diversity demanded by our citizens? First, let me preface <br />my comments with the following; there is a misconception that Council was required to <br />send a pre-clearance letter today, before the public hearing, but this is not true. November <br />21 was not a deadline for submitting the pre-clearance. I'd now like to explain what we <br />could have done, and still could do differently in this process. In beginning any <br />discussion about diversity on the School Board, it is important to be aware of the <br />shameful history of appointed school boards, in general, in Virginia, wherein the General <br />Assembly on two occasions legally prohibited localities to elect school board members, <br />in order to disenfranchise minorities. In a 1989 court case brought by African American <br />plaintiffs challenging Virginia's appointed school board system, the district court found <br />that: <br /> <br />"[r]ace was a 'substantial' or 'motivating' factor.., behind the 1901-02 <br />Constitutional Convention's decision to retain an appointive system. Several <br /> <br /> <br />