Board swears in student members

By Harold Gwin

The student school board member program is entering its third year.

YOUNGSTOWN — Brianna Watson may be just 15, but she wants to have a voice in what happens in her school.

It was that desire to be a leader that prompted her, Aiesha Ethridge and Mallory Kimble to apply for the post of student member of the Youngstown City School Board.

All three took the oath of office as members at a board meeting last week. They will sit with the board during regular meetings and make public reports about events in their schools.

Watson is a sophomore and represents Youngstown Early College. Ethridge, 17, is a senior at East High School, and Kimble, 16, is a junior at Chaney High School.

Youngstown is one of the few school districts in the state to have students serve as appointed members of the board, said M. Mike McNair, supervisor of community relations and public information for the district.

The district launched the program three years ago, selecting a student from each high school, and it has proved to be beneficial for the elected board members, the public and the students who have served, said Shelley Murray, board president.

“The students have really responded. They like being part of the process,” she said, explaining that they provide information at board meetings about what is happening in the schools, things that the elected board members and the public might not know.

“It’s leadership. It’s service learning,” said Superintendent Wendy Webb. “Democracy is a participatory process. These kids will make great board members somewhere, someday. They learn the importance of giving to the community.” “I see no downside to it,” Murray said, adding that it is a positive thing for them to be involved in.

Getting picked is a competitive process.

Interested students must fill out an application and then submit to an interview.

Kimble said she decided to apply because she wants to convey the concerns of her school to the board.

Ethridge said she wanted to be more involved as an active participant in the district.

“I wanted to have a say in what is going on in our school and to make it better,”’ Watson said.

Ethridge said her goal is to keep the board in touch with what is happening at East High School — what the students are doing and how they are improving their education.

Watson said she wants to keep the board informed about Youngstown Early College, and Kimble wants to share the good things that are happening at Chaney with the board and the public.

All three feel it is an honor to have been selected to represent their respective student bodies as school board members.

“This is going on my r sum ,” Ethridge said.

All three also said they would recommend the process to other students.

gwin@vindy.com