Board supports student representative plan; work session to draft policy

Board members and student-cabinet representatives discussed a plan to add a student member of the board. Administration summarized responses from about a dozen nearby school districts: approaches vary, with some boards appointing or receiving recommendations, others using student-government elections.

District student leaders told the superintendent they want a participating representative (not a token appointment), teacher recommendations to reduce popularity-contest selection risk, and a selection process that includes public meetings and a student vote. The superintendent proposed a combined approach: interested students sign up, receive teacher recommendations, attend a board meeting to demonstrate commitment, then the student body votes; the highest vote-getter would serve as the student representative.

Board members said administration should not unilaterally pick the student member and favored a student vote with staff recommendations and a verification interview. The board asked administration to prepare a formal policy and hold a work session with the district’s policy service and NISBA guidance; staff said the policy would be ready in time for a July 1, 2025 start and that elections would align with existing student government timelines.

Why it matters: A student representative gives a voice to the student body and requires policy clarity on expectations, term, confidentiality and attendance.

Next steps: Administration will schedule a work session to draft a student-representative policy with the board, consult policy services, and plan a spring election so the representative can take office July 1, 2025.