June 27, 2024 – The Houston Chronicle reports that Brewer Storefront filed a lawsuit on behalf of plaintiff Laura Jaso against the Angleton Independent School District (AISD), alleging that it is violating the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and denying fair representation to Hispanic voters by using an at-large election system to elect trustees.
The article notes that Brewer Storefront is the advocacy arm of Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors. In a statement, William A. Brewer III, founder and partner at Brewer Storefront, said the at-large election system used by the district denies Hispanic voters a fair opportunity to elect school board candidates of their choosing.
“Obviously, change is needed to address the needs of Hispanic children attending Angleton ISD schools, and to position the parents to address academic outcomes for the students being failed by the District," Brewer said in a statement.
As reported, the lawsuit points to a lack of diversity among Angleton ISD’s school board and teachers, and an achievement gap between white and Hispanic students. The article reports that the lawsuit says that based on the district’s demographics, there should be at least one Hispanic board member. Jaso, a Mexican American, ran for Position 6 on the school board in May 2021 and lost to a white candidate.
"Hispanic candidates who run for the Board are disadvantaged due to the at-large voting system, which illegally dilutes the votes of ethnic minorities," the lawsuit reads. "Hispanic children, who are the majority of AISD students, are failed by this system and the Board."
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