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Board retains two student representatives after debate over expansion and mentorship language
Summary
After public comment and debate about cost and mentorship, the board amended Policy 12.50 to keep two student representatives and added language clarifying a board legislative representative will mentor student liaisons.
The Battle Ground School District board on May 11 considered and amended a proposed revision to Policy 12.50 that would have increased student representation on the board from two to four and added language naming a board legislative representative as the students’ mentor.
Director Debbie Johnson introduced the policy update, saying the expansion aimed to broaden student voice, especially from alternative learning programs. "We do have alternative schools that have different perspectives and different experiences than kids at comprehensive schools," she said, framing the expansion as an equity measure to bring under‑represented viewpoints into board conversations.
Public commenters and the current student representatives raised concerns about timing, cost and mentor oversight. A public commenter, Jessica Cole, urged strengthening how current student reps are supported before expanding the number. One student representative said adding two new seats would increase training workload and could lengthen meetings, while another student suggested an alternate model — a student advisory council led by the current student reps — to gather broader input without increasing board costs.
Board debate focused on two issues: the fiscal impact of additional student reps (stipends and conference attendance) and whether mentoring language could unintentionally subordinate student voices. Directors proposed an amendment to retain two student reps and add clearer language that the board’s legislative representative provide mentorship and support rather than supervise or control student input. Carla (board clerk) clarified Robert’s Rules procedures before the amendment vote.
The board voted to strike the increase to four and adopt the revised wording to preserve mentorship and support structures while keeping the representative count at two. The motion passed on voice vote with no recorded opposition.
What’s next: board members suggested reinstating a student advisory committee or other mechanisms for broader student outreach; staff said the superintendent will draft procedures to operationalize mentorship and logistics.
