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Wayzata student group launches School Board Spotlight to boost turnout, supports student board representative
Summary
A Wayzata High School senior presented a new student civic‑engagement project at the Aug. 11 board meeting, saying the group will produce nonpartisan summaries, interview candidates and support a proposal to place a student representative at the table.
Ankita Kumar, a rising senior at Wayzata High School, told the board on Aug. 11 that she founded Wayzata School Board Spotlight to increase public knowledge of the school‑board election and to advocate for a student representative on the board.
Kumar described the initiative as nonpartisan and said the group has gained traction quickly: in three weeks it had more than 250 Instagram followers and about 18,000 views on educational posts. She said the group will produce student‑focused candidate interviews, work with the League of Women Voters and is preparing a proposal that outlines a student‑representative role, including a pros‑and‑cons table and an outline of responsibilities.
Kumar said board member Dan Genestra has advised the project to date and that the group supports an initiative under discussion to have a high‑school student sit “up at the table” with the board. "We are on your side, and we want to do everything we can to ensure excellence for each and every student," Kumar said, summarizing the group's aim to increase civic participation and provide a student voice in school governance.
The board did not take action on the proposal during the meeting. Kumar said the group will publish interviews with candidates, continue civic‑engagement work and attend a candidate forum on Sept. 30 organized with the League of Women Voters.
