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Middle‑school student urges changes to elective selection; board pledges review
Summary
Eighth grader Aiden Torres told the Ocean View School District board that auditioned electives and fees leave many students without fair access; the board thanked him, committed to gather data and directed staff to return with information.
An eighth grader asked the Ocean View School District Board of Trustees on Sept. 9 to review how students are placed into electives, arguing the current system disadvantages children without private lessons or money for program fees.
"Not all families can afford that," said Aiden Torres, a Marine View eighth grader, describing auditioned electives that he said favor students who have outside-training and listing electives that carry extra costs. Torres asked the district to "limit repeats in electives that don't require them, make audition‑based programs more fair and accessible, [and] reduce or eliminate costs that prevent participation." He also criticized placements such as office aid that he said often lack meaningful learning.
Board President Patricia Singer thanked Torres for speaking and described student voice as "critical," saying the board has heard his concerns. Singer said she and Superintendent Dr. Hofer are aware of issues and will gather information before the board takes any formal action: "There are certain things that we can and can't do, but I want you to know you are heard, you are valued, and you are respected." Trustee Gersage and Vice President Souders also commended Torres’s courage.
The board did not adopt a policy change at the meeting. Trustees described the next step as a data and policy review: the board committed to directing staff to collect enrollment and placement numbers, audit repeat placements, and report back with options for making audition processes and fee structures more equitable. The superintendent and staff were asked to return findings to the board at a future meeting.
The board's response emphasized process limits: President Singer reminded Torres that the board must agendize policy changes and act by majority vote, but said the board will pursue fact‑finding to determine whether current practices align with the district's commitment to broad access to electives.
The board moved on after the public comment period; no formal motion specific to elective policy was made at this meeting.
