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.
Petition
High school students may submit a petition to the Board requesting the appointment of at least one student Board member. (Education Code 35012)
To qualify for Board consideration, the petition for student representation shall contain the signatures of no less than 500 regularly enrolled high school students or no less than 10 percent of the number of regularly enrolled high school students, whichever is less. (Education Code 35012)
Within 60 days of receiving a student petition, or at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting if no meeting is held within those 60 days, the Board shall order the inclusion of at least one student member on the Board. (Education Code 35012)
Election of Student Board Member
Student Board member positions shall be filled by a vote of students enrolled in the high school(s) in accordance with procedures prescribed by the Board. (Education Code 35012)
(cf. 0410 - Nondiscrimination in District Programs and Activities)
(cf. 5121 - Grades/Evaluation of Student Achievement)
(cf. 6145 - Extracurricular and Cocurricular Activities)
The term of student Board member(s) shall be one year, commencing on July 1. (Education Code 35012)
Role and Responsibilities of Student Board Members
Student Board member(s) shall have the right to attend all Board meetings except closed (executive) sessions. (Education Code 35012)
(cf. 9321 - Closed Session Purposes and Agendas)
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 voting 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. (Education Code 35012)
(cf. 9322 - Agenda/Meeting Materials)
Student Board member(s) shall be recognized at Board meetings as full member(s), shall be seated with other members of the Board, and shall be allowed to participate in questioning witnesses and discussing issues. (Education Code 35012)
Student Board member(s) shall be allowed to 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 cast before the official vote of the Board. Preferential votes shall not affect the final numerical outcome of a vote. (Education Code 35012)
(cf. 9324 - Minutes and Recordings)
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. (Education Code 35012)
A student Board member shall not be liable for any acts of the Board. (Education Code 35012)
(cf. 9323.2 - Actions by the Board)
(cf. 3350 - Travel Expenses)
(cf. 9250 - Remuneration, Reimbursement and Other Benefits)
Student Board Member Development
The Superintendent or designee may, at district expense, provide learning opportunities to student Board members through trainings, workshops, and conferences, such as those offered by the California School Boards Association and other organizations, to enhance their knowledge, understanding, and performance of their Board responsibilities.
(cf. 9240 - Board Training)
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.
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. (Education Code 35012)
Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
33000.5 Appointment of student member to State Board of Education
35012 Board members; number, election and terms; student members
35160 Authority of governing boards
GOVERNMENT CODE
3540-3549.3 Educational Employment Relations Act
Management Resources:
WEB SITES
CSBA: http://www.csba.org
California Association of Student Councils: http://www.casc.net
California Association of Student Leaders: http://www.caslboard.com
National School Boards Association: http://www.nsba.org
Bylaw KINGS CANYON UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
adopted: May 8, 2018 Reedley, California