Introducing a Student Representative Position to the School Board
From YRN
This page has been locked to prevent it from future vandalism. If you would like to update this page, please contact me. --Adam K 19:28, 29 Jun 2006 (CDT)
There are several important steps one should and must do to create a position on the school board for a student representative.
Contents |
Checklist
- Work out exactly what you are looking for in having a student advisor on the school board. Outline the specifics of your proposal, compare it to other existing school boards with student advisors, and determine what you are seeking to accomplish. Run your ideas by others for input. Be sure to do your research.
- Write a letter to the members of the school board explaining why you believe the school board should consider adding a student advisor.
- Bring your proposals to your school's student council. It would be more influential to say that your proposal has the support of the student body if the student council endorses your ideas. However, if they do not support your proposal, move on to the next step.
- Try talking to your school's principal about your ideas and request his or her support. Your school's principal might gladly support your ideas, but on the other hand, he or she may be completely against having a student advisor. If you obtain the support of your school's principal, seeking the support of your school's teachers will be much easier.
- Begin seeking the support of teachers by first asking the teachers who know you well. As you get more support, ask other teachers within the school.
- Ask all the administrators and teachers in favor of your proposal to sign a petition that outlines your proposal. If you have the support of your school's administrators, be sure to have them sign the petition before any teachers. Teachers will feel more comfortable signing a document if they see their bosses' signatures on it as well.
- After you have established a solid base of support at your school, contact the student councils and principals from other high schools in your school district to gain support and popularity for your proposal.
- As you gather support, write a simple press release outlining your efforts and the amount of support thus far. Give a copy of the press release to your school's newspaper, and send it all of the local media outlets by fax or email. Be sure to include newspapers, television stations, and radio stations of all sizes.
- Contact local and state politicians explaining your efforts. Be sure to ask for their support. Although these government officials have little control over the school board, it is a good idea to get their endorsements.
- Research the process in obtaining formal speaking time at school board meetings. Make sure that you are familiar with the rules of your board, such as the amount of time you are given to speak. Be sure to have enough copies of your documents for every member of the school board. If you cannot obtain formal speaking time, speak during the public comment session.
- Ask students, teachers, and principals in support of your proposal to attend the school board meeting with you. Be sure that the local media outlets are informed of the date, time, and location of the meeting.
Sample Letter Explaining the Idea
Name
Address
City, ST ZIP
Phone Number
Email Address
Date
Dear School Board Members:
As a student, I believe that it is necessary for [Name of School System] to implement the idea of creating a non-voting seat on the school board for one student selected from the district to serve as a student advisor.
I feel that it is necessary for students to have representation in the decisions that affect their education. Students will feel like they are an integral part of making these decisions. By giving a qualified student a non-voting position on the board, youth will be empowered with direct representation and provided an opportunity to experience actual, legal policymaking first-hand. Their knowledge of the local government would also be greatly enhanced.
By creating a direct dialogue between the student body of [Name of County or City] and the school board parents and students will be better informed of important school policy decisions; the school administration will have a source of regular comprehensive feedback from the students affected by their policies; and a spirit of self-education on the behalf of students would be immediately fostered. A non-voting position on the school board would allow students to learn the process that goes into improving education, thus encouraging further interaction between the community and the school board.
I strongly encourage you to consider this proposal as it directly benefits the school board, school administration, teachers, parents, and students. Thank you for you consideration.
Sincerely,
Name
Position (if applicable)
School
Sample Proposal
Student Advisor Position
REASONS FOR POSITION
- Students will be empowered with direct representation.
- Students will be provided an opportunity to experience actual, legal policymaking firsthand.
- Students will have an increased knowledge of local government systems.
- It teaches students that local government is often the level that has the most impact on daily lives.
- Students will learn the process that goes into improving education, thus encouraging further interaction between the community and the school board.
- By creating a direct dialogue between the student body of [Name of County or City] and the school board, parents and students will be better informed of important school policy decisions.
- School administrators will have a source of regular comprehensive feedback from the students affected by their policies.
- School board members are not as involved in all of the issues that face students every day, unlike students who sit in class for nearly 8 hours a day.
- Students often feel more comfortable sharing personal information with other students than with adults they may not know.
- There are countless school boards across the nation that have student advisors. For example, the Washington, D.C., school board has a student advisor.
POSSIBLE SELECTION PROCESS
The Board of Education would be ultimately responsible for deciding how a student is selected. A possible selection method, however, is to make the project a coordinated effort among all [#] high school student councils. The president or other appointed delegate from each student council would sit on a student advisory panel. This student panel would then elect one person to be the district's student advisor. The advisor would attend the school board meetings and voice his or her opinions and the opinions of the student advisory panel. He or she would proceed to report to the student panel after the meeting.
POSSIBLE RESPONSIBILITIES
- The student advisor panel could meet together before a school board meeting. The person who was chosen as the student advisor would gather ideas and feedback from the delegates concerning agenda items. He or she would then present these opinions to the school board.
- After the school board meeting, the chosen student advisor would either have another meeting or contact all of the delegates by some means of communication.
- Be a liaison between the school board and the student councils of the [County or City] high schools.
- Represent the delegates of the [#] high school student councils and his or her peers, just as a school board member would represent his constituents.
- Other duties that the school board deems appropriate for the student advisor to carry out.
Presentation
Presentation is highly important. When you present your proposal to faculty, the student council, and especially the school board, you must remain confident. If you have been invited to speak at a school board meeting, be sure to dress in slacks, a dress shirt, and possibly a tie for men, and a blouse and skirt or dress for women.
When speaking, remain calm. Try not to talk fast, but speak loudly and clearly so that everyone can hear you. Be sure that you are prepared to answer anyone's questions.
Always be prompt. You should arrive a few minutes early to the board meeting if you have never been to a meeting before. Allow yourself enough time to arrive on time while taking traffic or unforeseen incidents into consideration. If you cannot show up for some reason, notify the secretary of the school board as soon as possible. If it is until after the school board meeting has taken place, write a letter of apology and explanation to the school board.
Press
If possible, it is a good idea to inform the press of your efforts. Write a press release and fax or email copies to your local newspaper, local TV news stations, local radio stations, and even your local AP bureau.
If you need help writing a press release, contact Alex Koroknay-Palicz or Adam King.
Clarification
"Student council" is generally synonymous with "student government" or "student senate."
"Board of Education" is generally synonymous with "school board.' Both terms can be used interchangeably.
'Student advisor' is generally synonymous with 'student representative.' Both terms can be used interchangeably.
In some locations, a board of education oversees the county schools (usually defined by political boundaries). The county (political boundaries) is typically divided into districts or regions. However, there are some locations where the geographical county is divided into [political] county schools and [political] city schools. It is still possible for city schools to have districts, but not always.
--Submitted by Adam King with help from Jessica Campbell
