Board reviews student ex officio selection options, agrees to advertise process; approves consent items and adjourns
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Summary
Board reviewed year‑one selection process for the student ex officio board member (500‑word essay, two recommendation letters, interview), discussed student-government vs. superintendent selection and favored adding the outgoing member to the selection committee; the board approved Item D (consent of new business) by voice vote and adjourned.
The Amherst Central School District board revisited its process for selecting a student ex officio board member and agreed to advertise and continue work on the process for next year. The superintendent reviewed year one: five applicants applied under a process that required a 500‑word essay, two letters of recommendation (one from an administrator or teacher/community member) and a personal interview, and Olivia was selected for the current year.
Board members debated who should select the student representative. Speaker 9 suggested that the high school student government run the selection process and involve the outgoing ex officio member in interviews; Speaker 1 and Olivia expressed concerns that a purely student‑elected process could become a popularity contest but said students should have input. Board members proposed hybrid options: a student group could vet candidates and nominate a short list for superintendent interview, or the outgoing student member could serve on a selection committee.
The board discussed giving preference to seniors and to students who meet Seal of Civic Readiness criteria while noting timing and implementation constraints in the spring. The superintendent and board members emphasized keeping the process manageable in year one while adding student voice by including the outgoing ex officio member in the selection process.
Procedurally, Speaker 2 moved to approve Item D (consent of new business); Speaker 9 seconded. The board approved the motion by voice vote; the transcript records vocal votes of "aye" but does not provide a roll-call tally. Speaker 2 then moved to adjourn, received a second and the board adjourned by voice vote.
Next steps recorded during the meeting: advertise the student ex officio role, solicit applications under the existing rubrics (essay, recommendations, interview), and include the outgoing student member in the selection process as a recommended addition. The transcript does not record any formal change to the board’s policy; the board instructed staff to advertise the position and continue the item as part of the superintendent’s report and future board topics.