Williamsburg-James City County students will soon have new opportunities to voice their opinions about their schools.
The WJCC School Board will vote Tuesday to approve the first members to serve on a new Student Advisory Committee, which will advise the board on matters of concern for their primary stakeholders – the students.
Board member Jim Kelly, newly elected to the Jamestown seat, has championed the idea of creating a Student Advisory Committee since last fall. At that time, the development of a new committee was put on hold as the administration worked to come up with a nomination process that would attract a wide variety of student voices.
“We have been missing the voice of our students and I believe it is important for the students to have a voice in their education,” Kelly told WY Daily in October. “I look forward to seeing how this is implemented and what our students will do with this opportunity.”
The administration decided to have students apply for seats on the committee during the student government election period at the division’s high schools. Students completed application packets in September that included an essay of intent, parental consent and teacher recommendations. Applicants were then vetted by principals, and one was chosen for each grade level at all of the high schools.
At a work session on Nov. 13, Senior Director for Accountability, Quality & Innovation David Gaston said he anticipates the applicant pool will grow every year as more students find out about the opportunity.
The committee will be composed of the superintendent, two School Board members and 12 students, along with the Senior Director for Student Services or a designee serving as staff liaison. The students will serve terms ending in June 2013.
The nominated committee members are:
- Lafayette High School: Kayla Poller, Peyton Kilgore, Anthony Vaccaro and Joshua Roberts
- Jamestown High School: Larry Wells, Rebecca Jacobs, Annie Robitalle and Kathy Sharp
- Warhill High School: Mason Henderson, Jordan Canaday, Samantha Ermatinger and Erika Bridges
- Staff: Superintendent Steven Constantino, Stephanie Bourgeois
At the same meeting, the board will also approve the committee members for the Affirmative Action Advisory Committee, Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee, Gifted Advisory Committee, Minority Student Achievement Advisory Committee, School Health Advisory Committee and Special Education Advisory Committee.
The board will also vote Tuesday on Constantino’s proposal to form a 15-person committee to study the space needs for middle school students and the administrative offices. The board meeting begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Building F of the County Complex on Mounts Bay Road.
