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Board directs study of student board member and reviews draft district communications plan
Summary
Board members heard a staff briefing on creating an honorary student board member (preferential recorded vote, selection criteria and orientation) and a draft communications plan that would use QR-code feedback, stakeholder councils and a RACI matrix; staff were asked to research best practices and return a draft proposal.
The JEMEZ VALLEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS board discussed a proposal to create an honorary or advisory student board member and reviewed a draft district communications plan designed to increase transparency and engagement.
The staff member described options for a student representative, including eligibility criteria (grade level, GPA, attendance and disciplinary standards), a selection/screening process, orientation and training, and the likely legal constraint that a student’s recorded preference would be nonbinding (a "preferential" or advisory vote that is recorded in meeting minutes but does not count as a legal board vote). The staff member said the position would most commonly be appointed and recommended a clear criteria set and orientation that includes training in Robert's Rules and expectations for confidentiality and attendance.
Board members discussed practical questions — whether to appoint one or two student reps (suggestions included one junior and one senior), whether a student should be an 11th‑grade elective leader, how to handle quorum and closed‑session participation, and how to ensure student input reflects peer feedback rather than a single viewpoint. One board member urged a focus on relationship and accessibility rather than a burdensome workload for the student representative.
Separately, the staff member presented a draft communications plan that calls for a stakeholder engagement table, a RACI (responsible/accountable/consulted/informed) matrix, public‑comment follow‑up procedures and QR‑code feedback options on the website and at events. The draft recommends establishing advisory councils, clarifying points of contact for different types of inquiries and publishing board‑staff communication protocols.
The board directed staff to research best practices and return with a draft policy, comparative examples from other New Mexico districts, templates and a pilot proposal for potential one‑year trials. The record shows direction to prepare a draft proposal and study rather than a formal policy adoption at this meeting.
