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CMCSS proposes non‑voting student board member; selection from student advisory committee recommended
Summary
Dr. Dowdy presented a plan to appoint a non‑voting student member to the CMCSS board selected from the district high school student advisory committee; proposal sets eligibility, term length and liaison arrangements and prompted board discussion about participation in discussions, meeting frequency and use of alternates.
Dr. Dowdy (identified in the record as "Doctor Dowdy") presented a proposal for a non‑voting student member of the Clarksville‑Montgomery County School System (CMCSS) Board of Education and described a selection process, role expectations and liaison support.
Under the proposal, an eligible student would be a current junior or senior and selected from among the CMCSS high school student advisory committee members. Each high school would nominate four students to the district advisory committee; those advisory members would vote to select a student and an alternate, and the board would make the final appointment. The student would serve a one‑year term beginning in October; the director of high schools and Dr. Dowdy would act as liaisons to provide pre‑meeting briefings and ongoing guidance.
Dr. Dowdy said the role would be non‑voting, attend formal public meetings, meet with the director of high schools before each meeting to review the agenda, and "communicate student concerns and perspectives to the school board during the comments section of the agenda." She also proposed the student return to the advisory committee with updates to maintain two‑way communication.
Board feedback and areas for revision
Several board members supported the idea and suggested adjustments. Board member Griffey asked that the student representative be allowed to engage during board discussions, not only during the comments portion, because issues may arise during deliberations when the student’s perspective would be timely. Dr. Dowdy agreed to revisit the wording. Board member Bryant asked why the student would attend only formal meetings; Dr. Dowdy said the intent was to avoid a transportation burden and excessive meeting requirements for students but that students could attend additional meetings voluntarily.
Board members also discussed the use of an alternate or "shadow" student who could learn the role and fill in as needed. Dr. Dowdy said the alternate concept could be used interchangeably with a shadow and that staff will refine the definition.
No formal vote occurred; the item was presented for first reading and further refinement. The administration said it will return with revised language addressing board members’ suggestions on discussion participation, meeting scope and the role of an alternate.
