Student advocates tell Santa Cruz County board to lift up student voice

Multiple students representing the Superintendent’s Student Advocacy Council urged the Santa Cruz County Board of Education during public comment to make student voice central to district decision-making. Maximiliano Baras Hernandez introduced himself as a junior at PV High and said students often ‘‘don’t feel like anything meaningful is coming out of it’’ when adults solicit their views. "I believe that the most important thing when it comes to student advocacy is to make sure that students' voices are heard," he said.

Other students echoed that concern and gave specific examples of what they want to see changed. Michelle Barroza, a sophomore at Pajaro Valley High, called for equal opportunities and even distribution of resources across schools. Joe McGinty, a senior and a student trustee at Delta Charter High School at Cabrillo, emphasized that classes should teach critical thinking and source evaluation. Several speakers described absenteeism and disengagement in particular classes and urged more hands-on, tailored instruction and earlier student input on schedule changes. The board thanked the students and said staff and trustees welcome ongoing engagement.