Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Trustee Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board directs subcommittee to draft student‑trustee policy after legal review
Summary
Deputy County Attorney explained two legal pathways — a student petition/countywide election, or Board appointment when no petition exists — and the Board voted to have County Attorney Cho meet with the Board Policy Subcommittee to refine proposed policy language and outreach materials.
Deputy County Attorney Lisa Cho briefed the Board on legal options and procedural pathways for recruiting student board members, noting the jurisdiction covers court and community schools plus public high schools in the county’s 23 districts and excludes charter and private schools. Cho described two parallel paths: a student petition leading to an election or, if no valid petition is filed, Board appointment.
Cho said the statutory language is complex; Board members asked for clarity on petition thresholds, retention when students change districts mid‑term, outreach materials and whether the liaison role should continue. Youth Commission Liaison Bethany Zhao and teacher Janice Pellizzari contributed public and liaison perspectives on accessibility and outreach. After discussion, the Board unanimously approved moving forward with a board policy drafting process and directed Deputy County Attorney Cho to meet with the Board Policy Subcommittee to prepare a clean, student‑facing draft for the retreat.
Cho described petition mechanics and thresholds in statute, including that a petition can require either 500 countywide signatures or a percentage threshold tied to Court and Community Schools in some cases; Board members discussed lowering practical outreach thresholds and reducing barriers to participation. The Board emphasized outreach to alternative education programs and flexibility for students who enroll mid‑year.
The Board’s next steps are for the Policy Subcommittee to review draft language with Cho, produce recommended language (designed to be accessible to students), and return the draft to the full Board for consideration at a future meeting or the retreat.
