Student school board members from across the state gathered virtually and in-person for the first-ever Board of Education Training. Held at Capital Region BOCES’ administrative building in Albany, the New York State Education (NYSED) Department and New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) held the training in response to a new law which took effect on July 1, requiring districts with a high school and BOCES to elect at least one ex officio, non-voting student representative to its school board.
This event marked a historic step in ensuring that student perspectives are formally included in school governance. By preparing students for their new roles, the event underscores New York State’s commitment to elevating student voice, strengthening civic engagement, and fostering effective school board leadership.
The event, which was live-streamed to districts statewide, kicked off with greetings by emcee and panel moderator Bob Schneider, NYSSBA Executive Director, who spoke of hope and optimism and the students’ role in helping preserve democracy. Remarks were also given by bill sponsors Senator Shelley Mayer and Assemblymember Carrier Woerner, as well Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr., and NYSSBA President Sandra Ruff. Their comments were followed by a conversation with NYSED Commissioner Betty Rosa and Jay Worona, NYSBBA Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel.
Students also had the opportunity to have their most probing questions about school board membership answered through a curated Q&A drawn from statewide submissions.
“When students have a seat at the table, our schools grow stronger, and our communities become brighter,” New York State Commissioner of Education, Betty A. Rosa said. “This event is about more than training—it’s about empowering the next generation of leaders to raise their voices, engage in civic life, and help shape the future of education. By preparing student board members to lead with confidence, we affirm our belief that the wisdom and perspective of young people are vital to building a better tomorrow.”
Although students were previously allowed to serve as non-voting representatives on local school boards, the law makes it a requirement and also makes clear student roles, rights responsibilities.
Chancellor Young said of the new law, “this is not just a policy change, it’s a powerful affirmation in our belief in the student voice.”
Senator Mayer, who chairs the Senate Committee on Education, reiterated that students should experience and practice democracy. Having visited schools across the state, Mayer said having students on the board has been a “universally positive experience,” but that far too often their voices weren’t included when high-stakes decisions were made.
Bill co-sponsor Assemblymember Woerner congratulated the students for being chosen to serve on their school boards and shared that being a school board member was her first experience of civic engagement.
Following the discussion and Q&A, students participated in an interactive training session facilitated by NYSSBA, which focused on increasing students’ confidence through knowledge and encouragement. New student board members learned about the structure and function of school boards, meeting protocols and effective communication strategies, building professional relationships and administrators and representing student interests with clarity and professionalism.
“I was nominated in June, so I’ve been to a couple meetings, but I don’t really have a super clear idea of what my role is. So this training today is going to help me define what I need to do, and how I can be most efficient and effective,” said Elliott Chismark, a student at Voorheesville High School.
“I really want to figure out how to communicate most effectively with the rest of my student body. My superintendent has been great about teaching us the policies and likes the specifics about how to present our ideas. I just need to get a little bit better about learning how to voice those opinions for the rest of the students. I’m hoping we can actually make some real changes, because we have so much time to prepare and get ready for them.”
As a critical piece of advice, Commissioner Rosa stressed the importance of students’ sticking to the issues, using qualitative and quantitative data to support elevating those issues from a solutions orientated approach, and operating within the boards’ codes of conduct.
Students also received insights from former school board member Luke Lippitt, who is now a freshman at New York University (NYU), and George-Constantinos Charonis, a representative of the National Student Board Member Association, who shared resources and leadership opportunities for active and prospective student board members.
“I look forward to knowing how to represent and express all the ideas that my community has. I think I’m just really excited to be able to express all the students’ ideas to the board. This is my first year and I’m really excited to make a difference,” said Claire Aliggayu, a student at Bethlehem High School. “I think it’s really important to be able to listen to different perspectives and find a solution to all these problems. And I think it’s very important to communicate and to have a conversation to make the community a better place.”