Battle Ground board keeps student representation at two, adds mentoring language

The Battle Ground School District Board of Directors voted unanimously May 11 to amend a proposed revision to Policy 12.50, keeping the number of student representatives at two and adding language that a board legislative representative will serve as a mentor to those student liaisons.

The discussion began after Director Debbie Johnson introduced a proposed change to expand student representation from two to four to broaden student voice from alternative and comprehensive programs. Johnson said the intent was to "get diverse perspectives" and give more students a chance to participate in governance. "It gives them a more of a voice, promoting interest and needs," she said.

Public commenters and the student representatives themselves pushed back on the timing and logistics. Mary Mendoza Hansel, president of the Battle Ground Education Association, warned that the district is facing budget constraints and that expanding representation raises questions about equitable access and oversight. "How can we say we're committed to high quality instruction and reaching each and every student while simultaneously eliminating the very educators who make that possible?" she said, referring to proposed position reductions.

Student representative Toby Wynne told the board the idea of adding two more reps "might help" but would increase workload and mentoring needs, particularly in a year with staffing and fiscal challenges. Student Itzel Contreras Flintil and other student speakers suggested alternative approaches, such as a student advisory council, to broaden input without adding recurring board stipend costs.

Board members debated cost and implementation: the district currently pays student reps about $50 per meeting plus conference stipends, which Superintendent staff estimated at roughly $1,500 per student annually; doubling the reps would increase the budgeted stipend costs to an estimated $5,000 a year. Several board members favored reinstating a student advisory committee to solicit broader student input while keeping two official student reps at board meetings.

Director Marshall Merritt moved to amend the proposal to strike the change from two to four student representatives and retain two; that amendment and the revised policy language—keeping the two-student representation and adding mentorship/reporting language—were adopted by roll call vote 5-0.

The board also directed staff to refine procedures for mentoring and to explore student-advisory mechanisms that could expand student input without increasing recurring costs. The revised policy specifies that the board's legislative representative will serve as a mentor to student liaisons, a role described in the policy as supportive and advisory rather than supervisory.

The amendment was the final action on Policy 12.50 for the evening; board members said further procedural details would be developed by the superintendent and administrative staff.