Of the handful of school districts I've covered in the Portland area, Forest Grove is the only one I've come across that allows a student to sit on its school board -- and vote.
Some school districts have no student representatives. Others invite a few students from various schools to give updates, which usually are comprised of sports scores, prom turnout, academic awards and the like. There may even be a few districts that allow students to sit with the board, but I don't know of any others that let the students vote.
In Forest Grove, Molly Shields not only sits in the comfortable chairs alongside the five board members, she prepares for the meetings, reading the same packet of information -- some of it tedious, some of it interesting -- as the adults. Her vote doesn't count, of course, but the school board takes notice of her opinion.
Maybe I'm more aware of it this year because it's obvious that Shields is an exceptional kid. She knows her stuff. At the December 14 meeting, she asked for data related to students getting their GEDs and wondered about out-of-district placement for students with severe special needs. Perhaps most importantly, she laughs when board members tease her.
Shields is a senior at
this year and was voted on to the board by her Associated Student Body classmates. She doesn't claim any credit for her understanding of school district policy and procedures. She points to her parents, who both work for the district. Her mother handles payroll and her father works at an alternative school. Family discu
ssions usually revolve around education.
"I'm pretty well-versed on the school district," she said. "I think it's important to be involved and know what's going on."
She wants to be an English teacher, but she's not sure if she would prefer teaching traditional high school classes, special education or English Language Learner courses. She plays the stand-up bass in the Pacific University orchestra and spends time in the summer working with students with special needs, including the Special Olympics.
Forest Grove School Board Chairman Fred Marble said Shields is the best student representative the board has had in five years.
"She thinks big picture not just student picture," he said.
What is your opinion about students sitting on school boards?
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