Quincy asks voters to approve at-large position

QUINCY — The Quincy School Board hopes to establish a new at-large board position through a redistricting process.

The board plans to ask voters for their approval of the proposal on the February ballot, members said Tuesday night. The board voted unanimously to move forward with the process of placing it on the ballot.

Instead of dividing Quincy into five parts with a board member serving from each area, the district wants to divide Quincy into four parts with an at-large position. Every section of Quincy would still be represented on the board.

Board member Lisa Mickelson said four board member terms are up in 2007 and would run for re-election in November 2007, making the February ballot an ideal time to bring the at-large position issue to voters.

Business Manager Chris Martin said the district would need to approve a resolution at its Dec. 19 meeting to get the redistricting proposal on the February ballot. Running the election would cost $7,000, Martin said. The district would also need its maps redrawn, which costs $250.

The board had the option of creating two at-large positions but decided against it.

Board member Myrna Blakely said with two at-large positions, three people could serve on the board from the same part of Quincy.

"I can see that as a disadvantage," Blakely said.