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Student‑voice ad hoc recommends board create student advisory council and pilot student board representative
Summary
An ad hoc student‑voice committee recommended Aug. 6 that the APS board create a student advisory council and pilot a pathway for two elected student representatives to serve after a preparatory advisory year, with an initial focus on student mental health and safety.
The Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education’s student‑voice ad hoc committee on Aug. 6 recommended the board create a standing student advisory council to advise trustees and to launch a leadership pipeline that could culminate in two elected student representatives on the board. Committee members said the work would begin with a preparatory year so student participants gain governance experience before any voting role is considered.
Recommendation details: Board Member Janelle Estorga and Member Courtney Jackson, who co‑chaired the ad hoc committee, presented an intern’s summary of student input. The students’ top priorities included mental health and school safety. The committee recommended a student advisory council (a “board‑level” student council) to provide regular, structured feedback to trustees and suggested that a two‑step model — a year of advisory experience followed by a student election for board representation — would prepare students for board work.
Board discussion: Members praised the idea and asked the committee to further develop details including selection processes, training, meeting cadence and administrative support so the new body does not duplicate the superintendent’s existing student advisory panels. The board asked the committee to continue work and coordinate with district staff to avoid creating extra operational burden on staff.
Why it matters: The recommendation would create a permanent mechanism for student perspectives to inform district governance, particularly on issues students prioritize such as mental health and safety.
Next steps: The student‑voice ad hoc committee will continue to draft operating details and consult with the superintendent’s office about alignment with existing student engagement structures; the committee will return recommended procedures to the board for consideration.
Ending: The board signaled general support and the committee will move forward with detailed design work to present in a future meeting.
