Four students present to become Carmel Central School District’s first ex officio student board member

CARMEL CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT — Four students gave short presentations June 3 to the school board as finalists for the district’s first ex officio student board member, a role the state Education Department requires beginning July 1.

River Salisbury, a junior at Carmel High School, told the board she wants to bring student perspectives on inclusivity and athletics policy, recounting advocacy around restoring and expanding girls ice hockey opportunities in Section 1. “It became less about us getting to play with the other girls and more about what this meant for younger generations,” Salisbury said.

Isabela Felsenfeld, a junior at Cornwall High School, centered her remarks on student mental health and lifestyle pressures, citing national survey figures (she referenced that about 40% of U.S. high school students reported persistent sadness or hopelessness, 20% reported seriously considering suicide, 70% said they do not get eight to 10 hours of sleep, and 32% reported an anxiety disorder) as context for why students need representation.

Freshman Max Roberts said arts education is a priority: Roberts said he attends many board meetings and would advise the board on policy and budget decisions affecting art and music programs, arguing for adequate equipment and staffing so “all students have the opportunity to make art with proper equipment, resources, and help from teachers.”

Another freshman, identified only as Arav in the transcript, described leadership experience and raised concerns including vaping and reports of hate symbols posted in school bathrooms; he noted an administrative response to lock bathrooms as an example of action taken.

President Orser and several trustees praised the candidates’ preparation and thanked families in the audience. The superintendent’s representative told the board that more than a dozen candidates were reviewed by a high school student advisory board and that the four presenting tonight had scored well on a rubric. Orser said the district previously had a student representative but this is the first time the position will be an ex officio (official) member under new state guidance.

The board did not make an appointment at the meeting; trustees said a selection process will follow and did not state a date for the final appointment. The board expressed appreciation for the students’ willingness to participate.

The students’ presentations and their priorities (inclusivity and athletics access, student mental health, arts resources, and on-campus safety/discipline concerns) will inform the district’s internal selection process for the ex officio student member.