School District 27 trustees are researching the idea of appointing student trustees for the district.
During their regular meeting Tuesday, Nov. 26 a report on the idea initiated by Trustee Sheila Boehm was forwarded to the education committee for further examination and consideration.
According to Boehm’s researche two other B.C. school districts have appointed student trustees and many student trustees have been appointed in Ontario. The student trustees act as liaisons between the board and students at their respective schools.
The Sunshine Coast SD 46, for instance, has established a district student leadership team to act as liaison between the student trustees and the student body.
As non-elected representatives the student trustees are not entitled to vote on the elected boards or sit in on meetings of the boards that are closed to the public.
But the student trustees can sit in on committee and board meetings to provide student perspective and suggestions on matters before the board.
And while they can’t vote on motions they may be able to make suggestions for potential motions made by the board.
The student trustees are also not permitted to participate in discussion where there is a conflict of interest or an apparent conflict of interest, such as a parent or sibling having a direct or indirect financial interest in the matter being discussed.
