1250 School Board Student Representatives

The Seattle School Board recognizes the value of student representation to ensure student voice and input informs the Board’s work. The Board will appoint four Student Representatives—consisting of two high school Juniors and two Seniors—to provide student perspectives on Board decisions and discussions. As representatives of the District’s students, School Board Student Representatives will communicate with other District students to receive their insight and experience to contribute to Board discussion. The Board will annually select two rising Juniors for two-year terms.

Student Representatives will not make or second motions, hold Board offices, or participate in Executive and Closed Sessions. Student Representatives will not participate in official votes on Board Action Items, however each of the student representatives will provide an advisory position on Board Action Items.

Term of Office

Two students entering their Junior year will be appointed annually by the Board at a public meeting in the Spring as Student Representatives. Each Student Representative will serve a two-year term beginning in August of their Junior year and concluding in July of their Senior year.

Qualifications

Applicants for the Student Representative positions must be Seattle Public Schools students entering their Junior year of high school at the time of selection and continue to be enrolled in Seattle Public Schools for the duration of their term. Exceptions will be made for students graduating at the end of the school year during which they served as a School Board Student Representative, so they may complete the final months of their term. School Board Student Representatives should reflect the diversity of the District and represent a variety of interests, perspectives, and backgrounds and should have an awareness of the challenges and barriers that they or others experience in education and in society. Additional qualifications may be required in an accompanying procedure and/or application.

Selection Process and Onboarding

Eligible students will be required to submit an application to apply. The selection process will be led by a diverse student selection committee that is representative of the District. The student selection committee will recommend two Student Representatives for Board approval at a public meeting.

After new School Board Student Representatives are selected and approved by the Board, they will receive a Student Representative Handbook, and an orientation provided by the Superintendent or their designee, at least one Board Director, and one or both of the rising Senior Student Representatives.

Responsibilities

Student Representatives

Student Representatives on the Board are expected to attend all regular and special meetings of the full Board. Student Representatives will actively participate in Board discussions, serve as liaisons between the student body and the Board, and communicate the work of the Board and District activities to students.

Student Representatives will be provided with all agendas, materials, and minutes, for regular and special meetings of the full Board to review in preparation for their attendance and participation.

Student representatives will come prepared to participate and will provide an update under the standing agenda item Student Representative Reports during each regular board meeting. Student Representatives will offer their opinions on motions and resolutions before the Board in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order as followed by the Board of Directors, participate in discussions, and are welcome to ask questions and communicate their opinions, suggestions, and concerns. For agenda items that include voting, the Student Representatives will provide an advisory position. After discussion and immediately before the Board votes, Student Representatives will provide their advisory position – Pro, Con, or No Position Taken.

Student representatives will be provided with information to be part of the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA) Student Rep Network and will have the opportunity to attend the WSSDA Annual Conference with School Board Directors.

School Board Directors

All Directors should maintain professional working relationships with each of the School Board Student Representatives. All Directors are expected to consider the opinions of the School Board Student Representative before making decisions on District matters and to engage with and provide guidance to the School Board Student Representatives.

Removal and Filling of Vacancy

The Board may remove a Student Representative during their term if they become ineligible or fail to fulfill their responsibilities as described in this policy and the Student Representatives Handbook.

Student Representatives may also resign from their position prior to the end of their term by notifying the Board President and Superintendent in writing.

In the event a vacancy arises, prior to the expiration of the term, an alternate from the candidates recommended by the selection committee will be selected and appointed by the Board. In the event no previous candidates are able to fill the position, the position will remain vacant until the next annual selection process. In the event that a Senior Student Representative vacancy needs to be filled, the Board will open the application process to students entering their Senior year to fill the vacancy.

The Superintendent is directed to regularly review and maintain the Student Representative Handbook associated with this policy with the Student Representatives.

Policy Cross References

Management Resources

WSSDA Student Board Reps Resource Guide

Last Board Review

January 21, 2026

Revisions

February 11, 2026
July 2, 2025 (Administrative Update per Policy No. 1310)
April 2, 2025 (Administrative Update per Policy No. 1310)
June 7, 2023
October 26, 2022 (Partial Suspension)
May 11, 2022 (Administrative Update per Policy No. 1310)

Adopted by the Board

March 10, 2021