The SHSD161 Board of Education welcomed Summit Hill Junior High Students Olivia Davis and Sean Stewart Jr. as Seventh Grade Junior Student Board Members during its December meeting. They will join eighth grader Lea Calzaretta, who was seated as a student board member in September, to expand student voice on the Board.
These two students applied through the SHJH Student Council and were interviewed by the full Board of Education in closed session. They were very different candidates, with both bringing several strengths to the table. Together, they are wonderfully prepared to offer additional student perspective into what occurs around the board table. Although they will not take the Oath of Office, they will alternate in offering a few remarks during Public Comment at monthly board meetings.
This is the second year for the SHSD161 Student Board Member Program. The idea behind adding seventh grade junior student board members is to include additional students earlier, so they can get a close-up look at local government. It will also help them decide if it is something they would like to apply for as eighth graders.