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Liaison committee withdraws motion to appoint student board member; officials to explore alternatives
Summary
The committee discussed creating a formal student board member role but withdrew a motion after the student who had been proposed preferred an invitation model and suggested other candidates. Members asked staff to develop alternative options for bringing student voices to the liaison committee.
The City of Newark–Newark Unified School District liaison committee discussed appointing a student board member to the committee but the motion was withdrawn and staff were asked to return with alternatives.
Committee members said they want a consistent youth perspective in meetings. Member Hill said the idea is to “create an opportunity for someone that is already familiar with…issues at the high school,” while other members said a broader approach — such as inviting student leaders — may better match community preferences.
A student who had been discussed for the role, identified in the meeting as Jaslene, told a committee member that she preferred an invitation model rather than a formal appointment and offered names of other students at Newark Memorial High School to contact. One committee member said Jaslene “appreciated the fact that we went from an appointment to an invite” and had suggested other student leaders, including ASB officers, as candidates.
Some members supported limiting the representative to a student who already sits on the Newark Unified School District board, arguing that person would have familiarity with district goals and prior presentations. Others said elected student leaders such as the ASB president could bring valuable, campus-level perspective and that the idea merits more planning.
The committee’s chair withdrew the original motion and directed follow‑up with district leadership to develop clearer options and logistics for including a student voice on the liaison committee. No appointment was made.
Committee members said any future proposal should define eligibility and expectations for the student role before a final decision is taken.
