Haldane is taking an exciting step toward including students in important school decisions with the introduction of student representatives to the Board of Education. This new program, required by a recently enacted New York State law mandating student representatives on each district’s board, gives students the chance to share their perspectives directly with the people who make district-wide decisions. This allows student voices to be heard more than ever before, and many students are curious as to how it works.
Beginning this year, Haldane will invite applications and pick two students to serve as Ex Officio Student Board Members. The chosen applicants this year are senior Max Sanders and sophomore Luke Ruggiero. Chosen for their leadership skills, extracurricular involvement, and willingness to represent the diverse voices of their classmates, they act as a bridge between students and the Board of Education. Both are expected to attend meetings, provide feedback on existing policies, and voice student concerns to the adult board members for their consideration.
“I’m very thankful for the opportunity to represent the student body and voice the opinions of everyone,” said sophomore representative Luke Ruggiero. “As an Ex Officio Student Board Member, we sit in on the BOE meetings and offer input and updates about the High School, Middle School, and Elementary School. It’s an honour to be able to serve my school and community, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity!”
The main role of a student representative is to ensure students’ opinions are heard. By bringing student ideas, suggestions, and questions to the Board of Education, student representatives help leaders understand what’s happening in the school from the students’ perspective. For example, if students have concerns about school policies, extracurricular activities, or campus resources, the representatives can share these insights during board meetings. They also report back to the student body about important decisions or upcoming changes, so everyone stays informed. Ultimately, they are both the voice and the ears of Haldane students in district matters.
“When I first heard about the opportunity to become a student representative, I was thrilled,” senior representative Max Sanders said. “I had been involved in the community in service, athletic, and academic-based ways, but having an actual say in educational policy sparked my interest. I want to bring ideas and concerns from elementary, middle, and high school students—creating a productive environment that fosters real change benefiting not only the students, but the community as a whole.”
The selection process for student representatives involves an application and sometimes an interview. Students who are interested in becoming a BOE student representative must exhibit responsibility, organizational ability, and clear communication skills. The Board of Education, along with school staff, reviews applications and selects students who best demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to representing their peers.
Although only two students officially serve on the Board of Education, every student can still make their voices heard. Students can share their thoughts, ideas, or concerns by talking to their representatives, sending them messages, or filling out the Google Form sent by them on October 1st. The representatives then bring these ideas to the board, ensuring that the student perspective is part of district decisions. This means every student can influence policies, events, and initiatives, even if they are not on the board themselves.
Having student representatives on the Board of Education is a significant step for Haldane. It is a real chance for student voices to be valued and decisions about the school to include input from the people who experience it every day. By staying engaged, communicating ideas, and supporting the representatives, students can help make their school better for everyone.
Even though this program has only just started, it has the potential for students to have a valuable say in decisions made at the district level that shape their everyday lives. With student representatives like Ruggerio and Sanders, Haldane students can take active roles within their school community, ensuring that the student perspective is heard at the highest levels, loud and clear.
