Quick look: Student board members from across Orange County gathered in Fullerton last week for the inaugural Student Board Member Summit, a first-of-its-kind event to connect, collaborate and build a countywide network of student leaders.
In California, school boards that serve high schools typically include student trustees who serve as the voice of their peers.
Their votes aren’t binding, but they are recorded in the minutes and help inform board discussions by adding students’ perspectives to local decision-making.
Last week, OC’s student leaders came together for what was billed as the county’s first Student Board Member Summit, hosted by the Fullerton Joint Union High School District.
Held in the district’s boardroom, the event featured Fullerton Joint Union High School District student board member Arianna Machado, along with peers from the Anaheim Union High School District and the Brea Olinda, Capistrano, Laguna Beach, Newport-Mesa and Santa Ana unified school districts.
Members of Fullerton’s Student Advisory Committee also took part and were joined by FJUHSD administrators and activities directors who support student leadership.
According to organizers, the Sept. 19 summit focused on three goals: connecting with peers, learning what’s happening in other districts and building a countywide network of student leaders.
“The Student Board Member Summit was empowering because it gave me the chance to step into a leadership role and share my work with other student leaders,” said Arianna, a Sonora High School senior. “Being surrounded by peers and adults who share the same passion reminded me that our generation has a powerful role in shaping the future of education, and it inspired me to keep advocating for meaningful change.”
Fullerton school board members Marilyn Buchi and Joanne Fawley were among the adult attendees, along with Superintendent Steve McLaughlin, who praised the event as a model for elevating student voice.
“This Summit represents the very best of what education can offer — students leading students, sharing their voices and building connections that extend far beyond their own districts,” McLaughlin said. “Our hope is that this becomes an annual tradition, carried forward by other districts, so that together we can continue to grow and inspire student board members across all of Orange County.”
For those interested in learning more about the role of student board members in California, Ed100 offers an online primer that explains how student trustees are selected, what rights they hold and how they can influence local decision-making.
