Friday, December 6, 2024
For over a century, school boards have been crucial in shaping education across the country, and particularly on Long Island.
Their governance originated in the early 1800s, according to the New York State School Boards Association, when New York state established school districts and allowed citizens to elect boards of education that were responsible for levying taxes.
By the mid-19th century, these local bodies aimed to give citizens a direct voice in the education system. In the early 20th century, educator Jesse H. Newlon advocated for a separation of roles, positioning school boards as legislative entities and superintendents as executives, according to the association. Over time, school boards have included parents and community leaders focused on school success.
One group, however, was often excluded from this process: the students themselves. Despite being directly affected by board members’ decisions, students rarely had the chance to influence them. Recently, the idea of including a student member on school boards gained traction in New York.
Districts recognized that students could offer invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities in their schools.
Even though I wasn’t an official school board member, I understood the importance of having a voice in decision-making processes. The experience solidified my belief in the power of student involvement and the positive impact it can have on shaping educational policies and fostering a sense of community.
Historically, student board members were required to be seniors, limiting representation from younger students with fresh perspectives. A law recently signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul changes this requirement, allowing any student who has attended high school for at least a year to serve on a board.
This broadens the potential for diverse representation, and emphasizes that all students have valuable contributions to make. Additionally, the law removes the requirement that a student member seat be authorized by popular vote. While student members cannot vote on decisions, they can still voice concerns, ensuring that their perspectives are heard starting as early as age 14 or 15.
This is a significant win for New York state education and Long Island. The new law encourages innovative thinking in shaping our educational system, and fosters leadership and civic engagement from an early age. By involving students in discussions about grading policies, curriculum changes, disciplinary actions and mental health concerns, we empower them to influence aspects of school life that directly affect them.
Overall, this is a fantastic opportunity for young voices in our community to be heard and valued. As an assemblywoman who proudly supported this transformative bill, I am excited about its future positive impact on our schools and communities. The law is a major step in empowering students, and I hope it inspires future policies that further enhance their role in shaping their educational experiences and nurturing the next generation of leaders. I look forward to seeing the contributions from these young board members.
Taylor Darling represents the 18th Assembly District.
