Varun McCullough sworn in as student member of Moline-Coal Valley School District 40 board

Varun McCullough was sworn in as a student board member of the Moline-Coal Valley School District 40 Board of Education during the Aug. 25 meeting. The oath was read aloud and recited at the public meeting in accordance with the Illinois School Code. During the oath, McCullough (the student board member) and district leaders recited commitments that included encouraging and respecting free expression, serving as an advocate for students, striving to work with the superintendent to lead the district toward its vision and accepting responsibility for the role. The oath text read at the meeting referenced the district’s vision of "fostering excellence for every student in the areas of academic skills, knowledge, citizenship and personal development." The meeting record shows the board performed an ‘‘honorary roll call’’ for the student board member before the oath, and the pledge of allegiance followed the ceremony. The public transcript does not record any separate formal duties or voting rights conferred to the student member in this session beyond the swearing-in oath.