School board issues clarifying statement regarding proposed policy change to Student Advisory Board representative.

In response to criticism of a Matanuska Susitna Borough School District (MSBSD) school board’s proposed policy change to the Student Advisory Representative’s role within the school board, the MSBSD school board released a statement to social media on Monday, hoping to clarify the proposed changes.

“Reporting and subsequent social media posts have painted a picture regarding these changes that are not entirely accurate. Specifically, the changes the Board is considering are not designed to ‘silence’ student voices. Rather, the changes being considered are primarily about defining the mechanics and venue with which the Board solicits input from the students,” read part of the statement.

During the August 16 MSBSD board meeting, in which the proposed change was introduced, Ben Kolendo, the current Student Advisory Board Representative to the school board, asked the school board for the reasoning behind the changes as many policies the school board addresses affect the students themselves.

“The policies affects students so much more than the people up on this board. So, shouldn’t I be able to answer questions with the policy as well as bring to attention some things that board members might not notice? Because they don’t sit in a classroom all day, every day. They don’t see their teachers that they employ all day, every day.”

No one from the school board answered his questions nor made a reply.

The current MSBSD board policy regarding board membership, which was first adopted in 1995, then revised in 2006, and again in 2018, does state that board believes it is important to seek out and consider students’ ideas, viewpoints, and reactions to the educational program, and to do that the Mat-Su Student Government Association shall select a student advisory member to serve on the Board.

The current policy also states that Student Board members shall have the right to attend public meetings of the Board, be recognized at meetings, participate in questioning witnesses and discussing issues and shall receive all materials presented to Board members except those related to executive sessions. They could only cast preferential votes prior to the official Board vote, and their votes would not affect the outcome of the vote.

The proposed change would remove the provision that says the Student Advisory Board Representative would serve “on the Board.”

It would add that, “the student advisory member may, as determined by the Board President, present a brief report regarding the actions of the MSBSD Student Advisory Board during the reports section of the meeting agenda.”

Removed from the proposed policy was a section, in its entirety, that stated that read “student board members shall have the right to attend public meetings of the Board, be recognized at meetings, participate in questioning witnesses and discussing issues and shall receive all materials presented to Board members except those related to executive sessions.”

Also removed was the section that says the student board members may cast preferential votes on all matters except those subject to executive session discussion or personnel matters.

The school board statement says that the new proposed language provides an opportunity for the student advisory board representative to speak during the reports section of each board agenda consistent with the MSBSD Student Advisory Board Constitution.

“Rather than silencing students this change seeks to clarify when and what the student advisory board representative will report to the board.”

The statement also says that if adopted, the proposed changes would serve 2 additional purposes. First, it would ensure that student reports are given near the beginning of the school board meetings, thus would “allow them the freedom to return home at a reasonable hour.”

The second purpose would bring the MSBSD board policy more closely in line with the Mat-Su Borough Code, Chapter 19:04, which addresses the make-up of the school board. The statement says there is no provision for a student advisory representative to sit as an advisory member of the school board.

School board member Ted Swanson made motion to amend the policy that would have put back in the removed portions of the policy, but it failed to get a second from any of the other board members.

“I believe that the student advisory board representative is a valuable voice to have up here and participate in the meetings, and ask questions,” he said.

Meanwhile, school board member Jacob Butcher said that he sees the student advisory representative role in a different light.

“It’s more of a privilege for the student body than an elected official to serve on the board and be privy to access the documents and questioning witnesses and delving into executive session matters.”

The student advisory representative is not allowed to attend executive sessions.

According to Alaska Statute 14.14.300 (c), “Involvement of Young People in Governance,”

“An individual appointed to a district committee or advisory body under this section is entitled to the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of other members, and the appointment is subject to confirmation by the board when required by law.”