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)
Student Board member(s) shall be entitled to be reimbursed for mileage to the same extent as other members of the Board, but shall not receive monetary compensation for attendance at Board meetings. (Education Code 35012)
(cf. 3350 - Travel Expenses)
(cf. 9250 - Remuneration, Reimbursement and Other Benefits)
A student Board member shall not be liable for any acts of the Board. (Education Code 35012)
(cf. 9323.2 - Actions by the Board)
Election of Student Board Member
Student Board member positions shall be filled by only junior and senior students enrolled in the MUSD comprehensive high schools and, a junior or senior student from Alternative Education (excluding Adult Education) in accordance with procedures prescribed by the Board. (Education Code 35012)
(cf. 0410 - Nondiscrimination in District Programs and Activities)
(cf. 5121 - Grades/Evaluation of Student Achievement)
(cf. 6145 - Extracurricular and Cocurricular Activities)
The term of student Board member(s) shall be one year, commencing in August of each year. (Education Code 35012)
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)
(cf. 9321 - Closed Session)
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)
(cf. 9322 - Agenda/Meeting Materials)
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)
(cf. 9324 - Minutes and Recordings)
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)
(cf. 9130 - Board Committees)
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.
(cf. 9240 - Board Training)
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.
(cf. 9230 - Orientation)
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 35012)
Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
33000.5 Appointment of student member to State Board of Education
35012 Board members; number, election and terms; student members
35120 Course credit for student board members
35160 Authority of governing boards
GOVERNMENT CODE
3540-3549.3 Educational Employment Relations Act
54950-54964 Ralph M. Brown Act
Management Resources:
WEB SITES
CSBA: http://www.csba.org
California Association of Student Councils: http://www.casc.net
California Association of Student Leaders: http://www.caslboard.com
Bylaw MADERA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
adopted: February 25, 2020 Madera, California