All right kids, let’s quiet down; school board is in session.
The school board is one of the highest authorities in the school system. Charged with statures of Virginia and the regulations of the Board of Education, they decide what needs to be done and their word is law in FCPS. They also establish guidelines for all the schools in Fairfax County.
The job of being a school board member is a serious one, but if a student was on the board, what, if anything, would change? As it turns out, if a student is eighteen years of age, they have the option to run and serve on the school board.
“I probably wouldn’t want to be a part of the school board,” said senior Reagan Hunter. “Personally, I have no interest in the added responsibility.”
Being a member of the school board could be more or less time consuming depending on what part of the board a student is on. There are the twelve members, one student representative and then audit and standing committees.
The main 12 members, however, are the ones who call the shots, organizing and holding meetings that the public is free to come and attend. It would take a dedicated senior to step up and take on this difficult and time-consuming challenge.
Not only does the school board deal with long hearing and meetings but they also manage finances in the county and SR&R violators. It may be difficult for a student to decide if another student should be expelled or not, especially if they know them.
Then again, if one day WS has a student on the board, that may change how the school board functions altogether.
“I think the students have good insights to what is going on in the school,” said government teacher Elizabeth Jackson.
Those insights could change day-to-day life in WS or any FCPS high school. Who knows, maybe a rewritten renovation list or a new dress code could go into effect. It all depends on the student and their priorities on the board.
“I would encourage our students to take part in the political process,” said Jackson.