Students tell board advisory council gives them voice; superintendent outlines outreach and teacher appreciation

Several students representing the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council addressed the board during the employee and student input portion of the meeting, and Superintendent Ayers outlined district outreach and teacher appreciation activities.

Students described the council as a two‑way channel: they bring school concerns to district leaders and carry information back to classmates. Liliana Anthony, a Hillsborough Virtual student, urged the district to prefer human student art over generative AI for official district posts; other students said the council helped them learn about leadership and district operations and encouraged more student opportunities.

Superintendent Ayers praised the council, noted recent visits to schools to mark Teacher Appreciation Week and outlined district initiatives including student scholarships, more than a teacher recruitment advertising and electric‑bus demonstrations. He also highlighted graduation plans and district events, and the board paused to recognize the students with a group photograph.

Multiple teachers and district employees also spoke in the employee input segment to thank the board for retention pay and to raise operational questions about equalized pay and extended‑year payments. Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association representatives referenced ongoing bargaining and urged the district to prioritize employee compensation during budget planning.

No formal board actions resulted from these comments; staff said they would continue to involve student representatives and follow up on employee questions.