The New Rochelle City School District Board of Education held a first reading of a state-required policy to create an ex officio student member of the board, with trustees saying the change could strengthen student voice but warning it could place students in a vulnerable public role.

Board members said the state requires districts to adopt an ex officio student-member policy by July 1 and that the position, as drafted, would be non‑voting and excluded from executive sessions and nonpublic documents. "The law states ex officio ... the definition of an ex officio member is someone who does not have voting rights," said Dr. Reynolds, Superintendent of Schools.

Trustees said they will adopt the New York State School Boards Association (NYSBA) model as a starting point and develop local procedures afterward. "We're adopting what's considered to be the New York State School Boards Association foundation policy, and then we will build it as we go along to make it more near Sheldon," the superintendent said. Trustees discussed orientation, training, student support, and equity in selection.

Discussion focused on how the student should be chosen and supported. Trustee Rachni Ross urged meaningful student engagement and training, saying the role could be "a powerful model for democracy" if implemented with supports. Another trustee proposed wording that shows a preference for an elected student representative rather than an appointment by school administrators; several trustees asked that the district solicit proposals from the high school over the summer so the board can narrow selection and implementation details in the fall.

Board members emphasized safeguards in the draft policy: the student would not attend executive session or receive nonpublic documents, and the position is explicitly nonvoting. Trustees asked administration to develop an orientation plan, communications supports and an equity framework for selection and to return with more detailed proposals at a subsequent meeting.

The board did not vote on the policy at this meeting; trustees scheduled further work and a second reading at a future session.

Next steps: district staff will accept input from the high school and policy committee over the summer, prepare orientation and support plans, and present a revised policy for a second reading at a subsequent meeting.