Board begins preliminary work on adding ex officio student board member under state requirement

The Somers Central School District board held a preliminary discussion about implementing a state requirement to adopt a policy by July 1 to provide for an ex officio student member on the board. Trustees said the policy must be in place by the statutory deadline and discussed selection methods that other districts use, including student‑government selection, a schoolwide student vote, or an application and interview process run by the high school.

Board members noted options for term length and whether to appoint one or two students (a junior/senior pairing was discussed so one student could provide continuity). The board said an ex officio student would be nonvoting but would provide a student voice at the dais, likely attend regular board meetings, and could serve as a liaison to student groups. Brenda O’Shea, described in the meeting as responsible for high‑school student government, was identified as a staff contact to work with board officers and student leaders on design and timeline.

Trustees asked the policy committee to review sample policies (including materials WestPUT had provided) and to clarify the role, responsibilities and time expectations before the policy is drafted. Board members discussed timing for recruitment and interviews, noting an application process would likely be run in September/October for students serving the next school year, and that the district must have policy in place by July 1, 2025 to meet the statutory timeline.

The board agreed to meet with Brenda O’Shea and student‑government officers in a smaller meeting and to send the item to the policy committee for drafting.