Yorktown introduces ex officio student board member; students propose brief post-meeting videos and raise cell-phone policy concerns

The board formally introduced Hunter Mezzatesta as the district—s ex officio student board member and Luke Evangelista as the alternate. Hunter said he will serve as a student voice, report on athletics, school events and student sentiment and represent students at the table. Luke described an idea to create a short Instagram-style video (one to two minutes) after each board meeting to summarize actions and explain how decisions affect students.

Hunter reported that fall athletics began strongly, listed recent home games and encouraged community attendance at the Friday night football game vs. Somers on Charlie Murphy Field. He also noted five Yorktown students had been named National Merit semifinalists.

On the statewide cell-phone policy, Hunter said students initially worried about the policy but have found classrooms more focused; however he asked that students be permitted phone use during free periods. Board members welcomed the students and praised the communication idea; the superintendent said Brian (district communications staff) will work with Luke to produce short videos.

Why this matters: student representation and direct communication to students can affect student engagement and board transparency. The students also flagged a classroom management issue with practical implications for school policy.

Discussion vs. decisions: remarks were informational and advisory. No vote was taken to change student access, the district—s cell-phone policy or to adopt the student video formally; the board directed staff to help produce the student videos.