Two additional districting options were presented to the Los Lunas School Board Tuesday night by Francisco Apodaca of Information Strategies Group LLC.

The school board looked at the two options, which presented a Peralta and Valencia combination to keep the communities intact.

The options proved that the first four options previously presented showed the majority of district areas right in line with demographics of “what’s on the ground,” Apodaca said.

“One through four kept the same mix with Hispanics as the majority. Options five and six combine the Hispanic area and dilute that voting strength. I was surprised when I came to see it happened. Demographics don’t lie.”

Board Member John Kern responded with a negative reaction to option three, which divides Isleta Pueblo into two districts.

Kern addressed the issue of combining non-traditional areas. “That’s a problem. I’m very uncomfortable with that,” he said.

Apodaca said, over the next 10 years, when the next census takes place, the rate of growth will get closer to redrawing districts as a whole.

Apodaca said the census is the most official demographic source. “Are people answering honestly as to what they are? That is a whole other question.”

Board Member Pam Thomas said Option Two remains her favorite.

The school board will face another set of options before the June 11 meeting at 6 p.m. The regular meeting begins at 7 p.m.

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Jennifer Harmon