BB 9150 — Student Board Members
Section: 9000 - Board Bylaws
Status: Active
Adopted: 2013-05-28
Revised: 2022-11-17
Policy text
STUDENT BOARD MEMBERS
In order to enhance communication and collaboration between the Governing Board and the student body and to teach students the importance of civic involvement, the Board supports the participation of high school students in district governance.
Student Board member(s) shall be entitled to be reimbursed for mileage to the same extent as other members of the Board, but shall not receive monetary compensation for attendance at Board meetings.
The Governing Board believes that engaging the student body and seeking its input and feedback regarding the district’s educational programs and activities are vital to achieving the district’s mission of educating district students.
To enhance communication between the Board and the student body and to encourage student involvement in district affairs, the Board shall include at least one student Board member selected in accordance with procedures approved by the Board.
A student Board member shall not be liable for any acts of the Board.
Choosing Student Board Members
A student Board member shall be a student enrolled in the district’s high school and chosen in accordance with the Board approved process, which was developed and approved by the Board (see appendix).
The term of student Board member(s) shall be one year, commencing on July 1. However, the Board may adjust the term of a student Board member only if a vacancy occurs or in order to give more students an opportunity to serve on the Board.
Role and Responsibilities of Student Board Members
A student Board member shall not be counted in determining the vote required to carry any measure before the Board or whether a quorum is in attendance at a Board meeting.
Student Board member(s) shall have the right to attend all Board meetings except closed (executive) sessions.
All materials presented to Board members, except those related to closed sessions, shall be presented to student Board members at the same time they are presented to other Board members. Student Board member(s) shall also be invited to attend staff briefings or be provided with a separate staff briefing within the same timeframe as the briefing of other Board members. In addition, all materials given to Board members by the district between meetings, except for materials that pertain to closed session items, shall be distributed to student Board members.
A student Board member shall be seated with other members of the Board. In addition, a student Board member shall be recognized at Board meetings as a full member, and may participate in questioning witnesses and discussing issues.
A student Board member may cast preferential votes on all matters except those subject to closed session discussion. Preferential voting means a formal expression of opinion that is recorded in the minutes and shall be cast prior to the official Board vote and shall not affect the final numerical outcome of a vote.
Student Board member(s) may make motions that may be acted upon by the Board, except on matters dealing with employer-employee relations pursuant to Government Code 3540-3549.3.
Student Board members shall be appointed to subcommittees of the Board in the same manner as other Board members, be made aware of the time commitment required to participate in subcommittee meetings and work, and have the right to decline an appointment. The availability of all subcommittee members, including the availability of student Board members, may be considered when scheduling subcommittee meetings.
Student Board members shall be invited to attend functions of the Board, such as forums, meetings with students and parents/guardians, and other general assemblies.
Student Board members shall not be considered members of a legislative body for purposes of the Brown Act.
Student Board Member Development
As necessary, the Superintendent or designee shall, at district expense, provide learning opportunities to student Board members, through trainings, workshops, and conferences, to enhance their knowledge, understanding, and performance of leadership skills and their Board responsibilities.
The Superintendent or designee may periodically provide an orientation for student Board member candidates to give them an understanding of the responsibilities and expectations of Board service. Once chosen or appointed, incoming student Board members shall be provided an orientation designed to build knowledge of the district and an understanding of the responsibilities and expectations of the position.
Elimination of Position
Once established, the student Board member position shall continue to exist until the Board, by majority vote of all voting Board members, approves a motion to eliminate the position. Such a motion shall be listed as a public agenda item for a Board meeting prior to the motion being voted upon.
Prior Revised Dates
September 25, 2018, April 22, 2021
Legal
EDUCATION CODE
33000.5 Appointment of student members to State Board of Education
35012 Board members; number, election and terms; pupil members
35120 Course credit for student board members
35160 Authority of governing boards
GOVERNMENT CODE