Student Board Members

[Crystal Kaczmarek-Bogner]

For those who currently have student board members, can you please share the process your district uses for selection, any relevant feedback (pros/ cons), and the name of your district? Thank you in advance!

[Debra Kressler]

We in Cincinnatus Central School are also discussing options for selecting an ex officio student school board member as well as how the student fits into our meetings and discussions. Any other districts have selection processes in place that have not responded? And processes in place for the student's participation at meetings?

[Mark DePace]

Hello All - picking up this thread here. I would be curious if anyone has an actual policy on the books?

We have a student rep - in general, it's been great. They are selected by the Student Council, with approval by the High School Admin.

However, this year our student rep gives their report, and then frequently also signs up for public comment where he offers opinions that are critical of the board and superintendent.

How would you all deal with this?

[Paul Haggett]

In Massena, we have had a student board member for almost 10 years. My understanding is the student council selects the student who will serve. I don’t believe the student council president is designated. At first, there was little reporting by or interaction with the student ex officio. Then we hit a period where the student was very active and engaged. This year, we are endeavoring to write a handbook for the ex officio, so they know what is expected of them and how their input can add to our deliberations and influence decisions. We think it is an extremely worthwhile exercise.

[Margaret Nuss]

Allegany Limestone Central School has had a student member for 5 - 6 years. Some have participated more than others, but all have added something. It is a very worthwhile position for the student & the board.
It is always a senior and they serve 1 year, starting in July at our reorg meeting, getting sworn in like any new board member, and serving until the end of June. We have a spot on the agenda for the Student Board Member's report at each meeting.

[Crystal Kaczmarek-Bogner]

Thank you Andrea Randle and Michelle Jacobsen for your responses. Legislation was signed requiring Districts to have a Student Board Members and our District is exploring selection methods for implementation in the 2025-26 school year.

[Andrea Randle]

Our policy is that the Student Council's President will serve in this role, or a student designated by the Superintendent (which could happen if the Student Council President refused, and in this case the Super would look for a student interested in governance or Student Council VP, etc). We are a small district (about 630 students K-12) so this works well for us.

[Michelle Jacobsen]

Happy Friday!
We, Hamilton Central School District, have had a student representative for two years now.
This is what we do:
An application is put out by the Superintendent to all 11 grade students to apply.
The Superintendent and Secondary Principal interview and select the student to be the representative for the following year (senior year only)
In our August meeting we have a Motion to approve XXX as an Ex-Officio Student Board Member for the 2024-2025 school year as recommended by the Secondary Principal and Superintendent.
The student gives a report monthly. The reports are reviewed by the Superintendent prior to the meeting just to ensure no surprises.
We have fully enjoyed having a student on our board and feel it is important to continue.