Students praise district advisory councils; board lauds student voice

At the Verona Area School District board meeting on May 19, two student leaders addressed the board to describe work done by the superintendent’s advisory councils and to thank the superintendent for creating structured student voice opportunities across grade levels.

Faith, a high school junior and longtime advisory member, said the council provides “a safe space to speak openly and honestly” and credited the superintendent with listening and taking action. She told the board the advisory participated in revising the district mission statement to ensure identities are affirmed and noted the superintendent’s responsiveness during a December discussion about how a principal had acknowledged a community shooting.

Aaron Yarbrough, a fellow junior who has served on advisories since seventh grade, said members have been given latitude to select topics to discuss with the superintendent and that the experience has “allowed me to see how much goes into every decision that is made by the school district.” He described student leaders’ role in reviewing communications to ensure messages resonate with intended student audiences.

Superintendent Doctor Clarity and several board members thanked the student leaders and recognized the broader advisory structure, which the superintendent said includes elementary, middle and high school representatives and a parent advisory. Clarity said the district now has more than 60 students participating in advisory roles and that the program creates a “solid pipeline” of student leaders.

No formal board action was taken; the remarks were part of student recognition on the agenda.