Tennessee Senate advances student board member policy amendment

The White County School Board meeting on April 10, 2025, focused on the implications of House Bill 1199 and Senate Bill 161, which pertain to the inclusion of student board members in school governance. The bills have progressed through the legislative process, with updates indicating that they have passed the Senate. However, the legislation will not mandate that every school board in Tennessee must have a student board member; instead, it will require each board to adopt a policy allowing for the possibility of student representation.

Ben Torres from the Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA) expressed concerns regarding the original intent of the bills, which aimed to require all school boards to include student members. Currently, only a small number of districts, approximately 13 or 14, have student board members. The concern is that larger districts, such as those in Shelby or Hamilton counties, could have multiple student representatives, potentially outnumbering the actual board members.

The White County School Board highlighted its proactive approach, noting that it already has two capable student representatives, a junior and a senior. The board emphasized the importance of local decision-making, suggesting that the flexibility to determine student representation should remain at the local level.

As the meeting concluded, the board prepared to transition into a work session, indicating a commitment to ongoing discussions about educational governance and student involvement. The next steps for the legislation will involve review by the House Finance, Ways and Means Committee in the coming week.