On Monday, the Antioch Unified School District Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting of the school board to discuss its board policy on outlining a Student Board Member.
The meeting was called by new board president Ellie Householder was appointed during the Dec. 16 meeting.
Meeting Details:
- Dec. 21 at 12:30 pm
- This meeting will be held via teleconference and can be viewed on livestream video at https://youtu.be/CHqeO15RdEI
For a look at the Staff Report on the Bylaws, click here.
Bylaw 9150-B: 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 members may, at the Board’s discretion, receive elective course credit for service as a student Board member based on the number of equivalent daily instructional minutes for the student Board member’s services provided. (Education Code 35012, 35120)
A student Board member shall not be liable for any acts of the Board. (Education Code 35012)
Selection of Student Board Member
Student Board Members will submit to the Board an application, including: 1) a resume,2)one letter of recommendation from a staff member or teacher from their school, and 3) a cover letter outlining why they want to become a Student Board Member.
Within 30 days of receiving a student’s application, or at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting if no meeting is held within those 30 days, the Board shall elect at least one student member on the Board. (Education Code 35012)
The term of student Board member(s) shall be one year, commencing on July 1. (Education Code 35012)
In the event there is a mid-year vacancy, the Board has the discretion to nominate and elect a student of their choosing.
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)
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. (Education Code 35012)
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)
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)
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. (Education Code 35012)
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. (Education Code 35012)
Student Board members shall not be considered members of a legislative body for purposes of the Brown Act. (Education Code 35012)
A student Board member shall not be counted in determining whether a quorum of the Board is in attendance.
Student Board Member Training
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 leadership skills and their Board responsibilities.
The Superintendent or designee may periodically provide information to student Board member candidates to give them an understanding of the position. Once elected 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.
Alternate Student Board Member
If the Board determines that the student Board member’s duties are not being fulfilled, the Board may appoint another student to serve as an alternate student Board member. If an alternate student Board member is appointed, the Board shall suspend the prior student Board member’s rights and privileges related to service on the Board. (Education Code 35012)
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 3501
3 comments
Why is this a special meeting of the board? This couldn’t wait until its next regular meeting? If this is how Householder and this board plan to govern the next year or two, glad I retired. We really need a student trustee during a pandemic and no one is at school?
This agenda item is a low grade attempt to camouflage the real mission of Ms. Householder. She seeks to create a public set up and controversy on a superintendent who has led with common sense, trust, and stellar leadership- concepts unknown to Ms. Householder. Are trustees’ Hernandez and Clyde complicit in this effort?
The proposed change to board policy is in direct conflict with California Ed. Code. The controversy created over having a Student Board Member was a misinterpretation of Ed Code, either intentional or unintentional. There is a process outlined by Ed Code for the creation of a student board member. It is a straightforward process that requires the students of the district to vote for their own representative. The Board would be circumventing a democratic process and violating the law if they approve Trustee Householder’s revision to board policy attempting to give the board the ability to appoint a student board member.
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