Parent urges board to slow proposed student representative policy, citing representation and process concerns

Tompkins, a parent of four district students, addressed the board during public comment and expressed concerns about a proposed policy to add a student representative to the school board.

Tompkins said he supports student voice but questioned what problem a student seat would solve, whether students or parents have asked for the change, and whether a single student could meaningfully represent thousands of students across four schools. He also urged more community engagement before any policy adoption.

"Before adopting this policy, I respectfully ask the board to slow down, talk to students, talk to parents, ask the community, explain the need, why are we doing this, what's the benefit, consider alternatives," Tompkins said during public comment.

Board members responded that a draft policy has been prepared, that it will be discussed at the September work session and may receive a first reading at the September regular meeting, and that the draft is a public document available on request. The board encouraged continued public input as the policy is refined.

The public-comment exchange closed with the board noting the policy is still under board discussion and that more members and the public will have the opportunity to review and comment on the draft.