Wayzata Public Schools — Transcript
Monday, September 22, 2025
Student Representation on School Boards
Votes (1)
Exploring the Concept of Student Representatives on the School Board
The work session featured presentations from the MSBA on the history and various models of student representation, and from the Hopkins School Board and a student representative on their established and evolving model. Key discussion points included the benefits of direct student input on policies (e.g., gender inclusion, cell phone use, district calendar), methods for student engagement across different grade levels, and the commitment required from student representatives. Challenges such as scheduling committee meetings and ensuring broad student representation were also addressed.
Notable Quotes (7)
this discussion is intended to gather input, review possible models and consider the potential benefits and challenges of student participation at the board level. Please ask as many questions as you will as you wish after the presentation. There is no recommendation and there will be no resolution on this this evening.
But it did bring more recognition to the possibility of doing that. And then in 2025 we saw that again it was being looked at as a possibility. We also in there are other states that I think believe there are two now that actually require a school board a student representative to be on the school board. one is New York when it ju and it just passed in July of 2025.
Hopkins was one of the first districts in the state to adopt a student board representative program 26 years ago. Um the model uh originally had um two to three uh student board representatives and even with that small group um it got a little lonely uh for our student board reps because sometimes it would just be one board student board rep at the table giving their report. they kind of rotated through and this was the am the the model that was there when I first joined the board and our student board reps um really just came and gave reports. They weren't serving on committees of the board.
So we like to go around and collect data and just opinions from different students all across ages and schools from the district so that we can kind of build on that student perspective and bring that to the board.
If we say we value student voice then we need to make space for it. We need to believe what our students are telling us. And of course, after doing our own research and analysis in collaboration with our student board representatives, we have to make decisions um that take into account what they're bringing to us. So, it's it's really been a leadership learning experience for me.
And I also think that the way that we make it rep our opinions and us speaking at the school board representative of students as a whole is like I said before um going to the different schools and getting those opinions and data and just having that in mind when we're speaking at the schoolboard table and putting in our opinion because it's not only our opinion, everybody else's opinion.
But if you community members are upset about this decision, talk to me. Don't talk to Claire about it.
Ordinances & Resolutions (7)
State law that initially required a student representative on school boards, later removed in 1996.
Proposed legislation in 2000 to allow, but not mandate, student board members; did not pass.
Hopkins School District's strategic vision, which identifies student voice as a key component.
Hopkins School Board policy where student representatives were instrumental in development.
Hopkins School Board policy where student representatives provided critical input.
Hopkins School District calendar redesigned for greater inclusivity of religious and cultural groups, directly influenced by student advocacy.
Hopkins model for school safety where student perspectives had a significant impact.