Board outlines plan to select required student board member; recommends application, interviews and an alternate

The Yorktown Central School District Board discussed implementation steps April 7 to identify an ex officio student board member required by law effective July 1.

Cheryl (board member leading the policy discussion) presented a recommended process: students would apply, interview and be reviewed by the superintendent’s student council; the superintendent (or superintendent’s council working with the superintendent) would forward a recommended candidate to the board. Cheryl said the approach ‘‘helps them go through interviewing’’ and would result in a candidate who is prepared and interested.

Dr. Ron Hatter said the selection timeline aims to have a student in place by July 1 and that he would circulate an application within weeks, with vetting by the student council and a recommendation to the board before the second meeting in June. Hatter described the selection as an administrative recommendation ultimately made by the superintendent.

Board members discussed eligibility and logistics. The board agreed the position would be a one‑year term, with current ninth, tenth or eleventh graders eligible (so they would be tenth, eleventh or twelfth graders in the coming school year). The policy will allow at least one alternate to attend when the primary student cannot, and the board asked staff to confirm the requirement that a student must have attended high school in the district for one year prior to selection.

Members also requested that the policy language be more positive in tone and that orientation and training for the student be provided, using resources such as the Westchester-Putnam School Boards Association and the New York State School Boards Association as guides. The superintendent said internal procedures will be developed to implement the policy and that he will share the application and timeline with the board for review.