Student perspective
The Spokane Public Schools Board had a fresh new face at its Aug. 9 meeting. Rachae Mason, a 17-year-old senior from North Central High School, was sworn in as one of two student advisers. The second adviser, Alec Petrie, a senior from Ferris, will be sworn in later.
Mason’s mom, Leanne Mason, and grandmother, Donna Mason, watched proudly as she stood before Superintendent Brian Benzel and took the oath of office. She promised to discharge her duties as a student adviser to the best of her ability.
“I hope to have an influence in decisions,” Mason said. She wants the board to take an honest look at how their decisions affect the students.
At her first meeting, Mason listened while Mark Anderson explained the proposed budget for the 2006-2007 school year. Board member Rocky Treppiedi helped her sort through the paperwork.
Mason and Petrie will each serve a term, one this fall and one in the spring. They’ll attend all meetings, and though the students are nonvoting members, they will have an important role in shaping the policies of the district.
Petrie is excited about his term and the opportunity to learn how the board functions. He feels it’s important for them to stay in touch with what’s going on inside the schools. As Petrie pointed out, “They’ve all been out of school awhile.”
School board president Don Barlow was in agreement. “This program gives us a chance to see the school district from the students’ eyes. It’s very effective in giving us their perspective,” he said.
Alaina Smith from North Central served as an adviser last spring. One issue during her term was changing nutrition guidelines.
“They needed input on what kids will or will not eat,” Smith said. “I felt like I was listened to, and my opinions were heard.” Smith said having teens involved helps the board understand how their decisions affect the student’s daily experiences. She said she received a warm welcome and was impressed by the amount of work it takes to oversee the district.
Barb Richardson, a current board member, was instrumental in launching the student advisory program four years ago. She believes that having young people serve with elected members helps create the next generation of community leaders.
“I value their creativity and fresh perspectives,” she said. “It’s not a token job. We really value their participation. What students think is important.” She found the advisers to be great advocates when budget decisions were made about things like extracurricular activities.
“A huge part of the school board is teamwork,” said Jordan Clark, a recent Lewis and Clark graduate and former student adviser. “I was amazed at how well everyone works together. I got to know each member.”
Clark said his opinions were actively solicited. When they debated the value of student access time, Clark was able to tell them how much he and his friends needed access time. Though he found the financial reports boring, Clark is sad that his tenure is over. “I’m really going to miss it,” he said.
Mason hopes to let the board know the impact of its decision to stop selling candy and sodas in school vending machines. ASB organizations got part of the profit from those machines. As an ASB representative, Mason has witnessed the impact from this loss of revenue.
Barlow says the student adviser program is great for the relationship between students and the school board. “We don’t often have a chance to interact with students. It’s a good process,” he said.