Last Monday, following a student-led initiative the Rapid City Area School District held its first meeting of the Student Education Board. The board, formed of a constituency of 15 students selected by academic record and interest from nearly every Rapid City school. This comes after a motion which passed during the November 19th meeting of the Board of Education.
Bishop Troy Carr, president of the existing Board of Education stated that while change is a slow process, “The value they can have out of [the board] is that they have an avenue to be heard”. He also stated that his hope for the Student Board’s future was that “I really want them to eventually be involved in eventually [sic] the board writing a policy… I want one of those school board members or any student to look at any policy for the Rapid City Area School District and be able to say ‘That was us,’ I think that would be so neat for them”.
As of now, the board exists in an advisory capacity to the main board of education, but allows a direct avenue for students to speak on issues and suggestions during meetings. Students are also expected to be able to directly contact their school’s board member to voice concerns and comments.
