7 benefits of student school board members |
On Board Online • April 7, 2025
By Mark Snyder
Senior Leadership Development Manager
This is part one of a three-part series that will address many of the concerns and questions NYSSBA has been hearing regarding student board members.
Part 1 (April 7) - 7 benefits of student school board members
Part 2 (April 28) - Ways to welcome student BOE members
Part 3 (May 19) - The student voice in school governance
Beginning July 1, 2025, all school districts with high schools and BOCES will be required to include at least one student member on the governing board. About a third of districts currently have student members, but a new state law makes it mandatory and specifies possible methods of selecting student members.
Although they do not vote and do not attend executive sessions or any other meeting that is not open to the public, student board members can be assets to any school board. In general, their presence tends to strengthen the work of school boards by fostering more inclusive decision-making processes.
Many districts report that having a student on the board provides district decision-makers with a clearer understanding of school climate and how district initiatives are playing out from a student perspective.
But much depends on the attitude of the governance team (school board members and key administrators). If they view student board members as having little to contribute, that may become the case. Ideally, this change will be viewed as an opportunity to build rapport with student leaders and improve governance in the process.
Potential benefits of having a student on your school board include:
1. Opportunities for mentorship, leadership and civic development. Our mission is education. Your school board can play a pivotal role in mentoring student board members and helping them grow as leaders and potential public servants. The National Student Board Member Association reports that student board members become leaders in their schools, communities and beyond. Some have gone on to careers in education policy, local government and nonprofit leadership, crediting their board experience as a foundation for their civic engagement. Some even return as elected school board members!
2. Better-informed decision-making. Student board members can help bridge generational gaps between adults and the students they serve. The student voice can be particularly enlightening when board members try to understand the issues and feelings involving topics such as cellphones, the code of conduct, social/emotional needs and many others. While it's important to base decisions on data, personal anecdotes and reports from a student school board member can energize board discussions and help boards better understand the student experience. Hearing a student's perspective should lead to better-informed decisions on policies, programs and priorities.
3. Improved community engagement. Some school boards have reported an increase in board meeting attendance and more positive feedback from parents after a student board member was added. In general, being consultive and inclusive builds trust within the school community, and this applies to students and any other stakeholder group.
4. More effective policy development. Student board members can provide a unique perspective when the board develops or reviews school policies. Their first-hand experiences and feedback can help the board craft policies that are practical, relevant and likely to succeed. They can also identify unintended consequences or impractical aspects of policy implementation.
5. Greater responsiveness to trends and emerging issues. No one wants to be out of touch. Even casual observations by student board members can help a school board understand what issues and trends are emerging. Who first told you about TikTok? Probably a young person.
6. A more collaborative board culture. While school board discussions should always be civil, it's especially important when a student is sitting at the table. Generally, the presence of students encourages a more open, discussion-based approach to decision-making. It also fosters a culture of continuous learning where board members engage with fresh perspectives that challenge conventional thinking.
7. Enhanced alignment with district goals. Many school districts identify student-centered learning and engagement as key priorities. Student board members can help the board ensure that their decisions are closely aligned with those priorities.
NYSSBA has developed a sample policy and is working on other resources to help member school boards understand their options and make the most of having student school board members. For more information, go to www.nyssba.org/studentrep .