ICHABOD CRANE 2245
EX-OFFICIO STUDENT MEMBER ON THE BOARD
The Board of Education believes that it is important to include students’ voices in its deliberations, the Board, therefore, supports the appointment of an ex officio student member to the Board for the purpose of providing regular and direct communication between the Board and the student body.
Good faith actions, mutual respect, and cooperative effort of all parties are essential to a positive and meaningful partnership and bringing about meaningful changes. to the Board believes that an ex officio student member will:
1.provide students with an opportunity to express their voices, take ownership of their education, and impact Board decisions;
2.provide for the Board and students a vehicle through which they may exchange information and learn from one another;
3.provide an opportunity for a student to gain experience with governance and leadership;
4.broaden the base of information available to those ultimately responsible for educational decision making; and
5.develop an environment that encourages inclusion, understanding, trust, and respect.
Establishment of Position of Ex Officio Student Member of the Board
As submitted by the Board and approved by the district voters, the Board will have an ex officio student member. The ex officio student member will be entitled to sit with Board members at all public meetings of the Board, participate in all Board public hearings and meetings, but will not be required to participate in mandatory training for elected or appointed Board members.
The ex officio student member will NOT: be allowed to vote; be allowed to attend executive sessions; or be entitled to receive compensation of any form for participating at Board meeting. Neither will they have the authority to call a special and/or emergency meeting of the Board; be considered a “member” of the Board for the purpose of establishing a quorum for conducting business; or be allowed to see or discuss documents or information regarding individual district personnel, collective bargaining negotiations, individual student records, or any other confidential matters.
The ex officio student member will serve for a term of one (1) year, commencing on July 1 and ending on the succeeding June 30. Attendance at Board meetings will not be expected for the ex officio student member during July and August.
Qualifications and Selection of the Ex Officio Student Member of the Board
The ex officio student member must be a senior at the high school and will have attended such high school for at least two years prior to selection. The selection process will take place at the end of the school year preceding the next term. All qualified students interested in being the ex officio student member should contact the Building Principal.
An alternate ex-officio student member may be selected in accordance with the above process at the same time as the selection of the primary, ex-officio student member and shall remain available to serve in the event that the primary, selected ex officio student member is unavailable to attend a meeting of the Board, resigns the position, is removed, or is no longer able to serve.
The Superintendent shall recommend for Board approval the student representative selected from one of the following:
- a student duly elected president of the high school,
- a student duly elected by the student body,
- a student selected by the high school student government,
- a student selected by the high school principal,
- a student selected by the Superintendent, or
- a student selected by majority vote of the Board.
Additional Provisions
The ex officio student member represents the student body, and acts as an example for the students of the district. Such students are expected to abide by all applicable Board policies including the student Code of Conduct. Violations may result in removal from the position as determined by the Board. The Board may also declare the seat vacant if the ex officio student member fails to attend three consecutive Board meetings without sufficient excuse.
Ref: Education Law §§1702(3), (3-a); 1709; 1804(12), (12-a); 1901(2), (3); 2109; 2502(8), (10), (10-a)
Effective Date: December 7, 2021