By-Trustee Area Election Information
Transition to By-Trustee Area Elections
On August 17, 2026, the Los Altos School District Board of Trustees approved a resolution declaring its intent to transition from at-large to by-trustee area Board elections prior to the 2028 Board elections.
Currently, LASD Board members are elected at large, meaning voters throughout the District may vote for all Board candidates. Under a by-trustee area election system, the District will be divided into five trustee areas. Each Board member must reside within the trustee area they represent and will be elected only by voters who reside within that area.
The transition will not affect the current terms of any members of the Board of Trustees.
Background
On June 18, 2026, the District received a letter from an attorney representing Thomas Yih alleging that the District’s at-large election system violates the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) and requesting that the District transition to by-trustee area elections.
Public Process
Community input will be an important part of developing the trustee area boundaries. The District will work with an experienced demographer and legal counsel to develop proposed trustee area maps and will hold a series of public hearings where community members will have opportunities to provide input.
Information about upcoming hearings, proposed maps and opportunities to participate will be posted on this page as it becomes available.
Estimated Timeline
January 2027
Pre-map public hearings
February-March 2027
Development of proposed trustee area maps with public input and associated public hearings
April 2027
Final public hearing and adoption of trustee area maps
The timeline is estimated and may be adjusted as necessary. Following the District’s process, the proposed transition will be submitted to the Santa Clara County Committee on School District Organization for final approval.
