School board approves powers of student representatives

NLMUSD approved the bylaws detailing the powers of student board members by a four to three vote during their meeting on Monday. (Photo by Vincent Medina)

NORWALK — The rights and powers of student board members were ratified in a 4-3 vote during the Norwalk La Mirada Unified School District board of education meeting on Monday.

Under the new student representative bylaws, each school in the district would elect a peer representative to serve on the board of education. The student board member would have the right to cast preferential votes on all matters except those discussed in closed session, be recognized at the board meeting as full members, serve on subcommittees and participate in questioning witnesses and discussing issues.

However, student board members will not be considered members of a legislative body in accordance with the Brown Act and shall not be counted in determining whether a quorum of the board is in attendance.

Board member Lorena Vidaurre questioned whether it was “developmentally appropriate” for a student representative to have similar powers as full board members, questioning students’ maturity. She also advocated for student representative rights and responsibilities to differentiate between elementary, middle and high school students.

“Even at the high school level, for the students to be able to exercise all of those rights, it seems not appropriate,” Vidaurre said. “They would be serving on the board and the rights they would be exercising as a full adult seems like too much.”

Board member Robert Cancio countered her argument, expressing how students could learn and participate in democracy. He also criticized Vidaurre for questioning if students could understand their role on the board.

“I think it’s inappropriate to say our students don’t have the cognitive ability to practice and learn about democracy,” Cancio said. “I think as [the bylaw] stands is appropriate, and I faith in the cognitive ability of our students to give a report and celebrate their school.”

Vidaurre questioned Cancio’s experience and credentials to express his confidence in the student board members’ abilities. Her questioning prompted a brief heated discussion where Cancio reminded the board of his time in the service, and directed focus back to the bylaw.

The board continued to debate appropriate powers for student representatives. Viduarre suggested the Youth in Government program model, which allows students to practice democracy and work in a group amongst their peers.

“Students are not thrown into an environment like this with all the rights we exercise as adults,” Vidaurre said. “[Youth in Government] provides more scaffolding that’s appropriate for their ages, and I know that as an educator of 16 years and my degrees in education and the teaching certificates and the credential and being a parent.”

Cancio reminded the board that students in the district advocate for representation and their powers as full members. He also expressed student representative votes would be preferential.

“A fifth grader is not going to have a grotesque motion and even if they do, the motion still needs a second. A preferential vote will not make any change,” Cancio said. “The board still has the opportunity to exercise its rights, but the education code allows for students to participate in the board, but not so much as to change our vote. It was great to hear from students.”

After thorough discussion, a vote was called, resulting in a 4-3 decision to keep the student board member rights and responsibilities as is, including participation from elementary, middle, and high school students.

Board members Karen Morrison, Norma Amezcua, Jose Rios and Robert Cancio voted in the affirmative.

Board president Chris Staples with members Narcis Brasov and Lorena Vidaurre voted against the existing bylaws.

Rios clarified for staff that younger representatives while having these powers, would have different expectations on the board and would be taught by staff members how to proceed.

“We could do where the elementary student does a small report and we review the reports to guide them on things to elaborate on,” Rios said. “The principal or the activities director would work with the student to guide them on what they should include in the report if they’re preparing one.”

The board expects student representatives to be elected in their school by October.