2245 - Ex Officio Student Member of the Board Policy
2245 - Ex Officio Student Member of the Board Policy
Pursuant to law, the Board will designate at least one ex officio student member for the purpose of providing regular and direct communication between the Board and the student body.
Good faith actions, mutual respect, and the cooperative effort of all parties are essential to fostering a positive and meaningful partnership and bringing about meaningful change. The Board believes that an ex officio student member will:
- Provide students with an opportunity to express their voices, take ownership of their education, and impact Board decisions;
- Serve as a vehicle for the Board and students to exchange information and learn from one another;
- Provide an opportunity for students to gain experience in governance and leadership;
- Broaden the base of information available to those ultimately responsible for educational decision-making; and
- Develop an environment that encourages inclusion, understanding, trust, and respect.
The student ex officio board member will attend the regularly scheduled business meetings and other scheduled meetings should their schedule allow, with attendance at Board meetings being optional during July and August. This member will represent the students in all six buildings during the business meetings and be prepared to provide updates on activities at all schools once per month during the President’s report.
The student ex officio board member will serve for a one-year term from July 1-June 30th.
The ex officio student members of the Board shall be entitled to sit with board members at all public meetings and hearings of the Board and may participate in other board activities and responsibilities at the discretion of the Board.
The ex officio student members shall not be allowed to vote, shall not be allowed to attend executive session or any other meetings or hearings not open to the public, and shall not be entitled to receive compensation of any form for participating at board meetings.
Student Requirements & Application Process
Students interested in serving as an ex officio board member must complete a petition process similar to that of current annual school board election candidates, including obtaining signatures from classmates.
- A minimum of 50 signatures is required.
- Signatures may be solicited from K–12 students.
Students must submit an essay for review (500 words or less) that articulates:
- Why they are seeking this seat
- What they hope to gain from the experience
Students must participate in an interview process conducted by designees of the Board of Education.
Petitions and essays must be submitted to the Board of Education through the District Clerk by a date predetermined by the Board.
The Board will select and appoint the ex officio student board member from a group of candidates presented by Board designees.
The ex officio student member must have attended Horace Greeley High School for at least one year prior to selection.
The ex officio student member:
- Represents the student body
- Serves as a role model for students in the District
- Is expected to abide by all applicable Board policies, including the Student Code of Conduct
- May be removed from the position for violations of Board policies, including the Student Code of Conduct , as determined by the Board
Ex officio student members may resign in writing to the District Clerk. The Board may declare the seat vacant if the student member fails to attend three consecutive regular Board meetings without a sufficient excuse. If a vacancy occurs due to resignation or removal and no alternate is available, the position will remain vacant until the next term begins.
The Superintendent or designee is responsible for arranging an orientation for the ex officio student member.
Ref: Education Law §§1702(3)
Adopted: May 7, 2025