HUNTINGTON BEACH Union High School District serves several cities (Orange County Tribune photo).

The Huntington Beach Union High School District is poised to make an historic change.

At Tuesday’s meeting of the HBUHSD Board of Trustees, a resolution is on the agenda to begin the process of ending the election of board members on an at-large basis and initiate a switch to a by-district system.

Most Orange County city council and school boards have long used the at-large model, in which all representatives are chosen by all voters within the jurisdiction.

But the California Voting Rights Act of 2001 has called this tradition into question on the premise that it might unfairly dilute the influence of minority groups.

Now, most governments in Orange County – either voluntarily or under threat of legal action – are making the switch. If the resolution is approved, as expected, the district will proceed to prepare to change to the by-district area process in time for the November 2024 election.

The district has retained legal and demographic experts to guide the process. Districts must be roughly equal in population, not disadvantage any ethnic group and follow recognizable boundaries such as major streets. Candidates and board members must be residents of the district they wish to represent.

Members of the public are typically invited to submit their own maps, and the board will make the final decision.

The HBUHSD board will meet in closed session at 4:30 p.m and in the regular session at 6 p.m. at 5832 Bolsa Ave. in Huntington Beach.

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