Antioch School Board to Establish Process for Selecting Student Board Members

The Antioch Unified School District is set to finalize its bylaws to allow for a student board member to serve on the school board.

If approved, it will allow the school district to move forward with appointing a student board member for the 2025-26 school year. The bylaws will now include a selection process. The original bylaw (9150) was approved on September 14, 2022.

Roles and Responsibilities of Student Board Members

As a member of the official governing body of the District, the Student Board Member:

Is a trustee for students
Hears the views of the public
Establishes and maintains positive relationships with other Board members and the Superintendent
Works with the Board to set District policies and goals
Provides student voice in determining how to prioritize and spend District funds
Maintains relationships with other school boards and related organizations
Provides student voice in the adoption of curriculum and standards
Has preferential voting rights
May attend/present at Back-to-School Night events
Represents students at District Governing Board meetings and possibly other civic meetings where student input is needed or requested
Gives sufficient time to review Board agenda items coming before each Board meeting

NEW Exhibit 9150-E: Student Board Member Selection Process

Purpose: To enhance student voice and strengthen the connection between students and the Governing Board, the Antioch Unified School District (AUSD) will include student representatives on the Board. These student members will provide input on Board matters and share student perspectives.

Composition: The Board of Education endeavors to have three student Board members:

One from the district’s comprehensive high schools
One from its alternative schools of choice (per EC § 48430–38)
One from its continuation schools (per EC § 58500–12)

Responsibilities of Student Board Members: Student Board Members will:

Provide input and participate in Board deliberations (preferential voting only)
Represent all AUSD students
Communicate regularly with student councils or student leadership at all district high schools to gather and share student concerns and feedback

Eligibility: To be eligible, students must:

Be entering their junior or senior year
Be enrolled in an AUSD high school
Be in good academic standing
Meet eligibility criteria for extracurricular activities
Obtain parental/guardian consent (if under 18).

Selection Process:

Each year, the district will rotate which comprehensive high school, which alternative school of choice, and which continuation school will have a student Board representative.
That school will then hold an election for the position among its student body.
The election and identification of a student board member from each school must be completed by May 30 of each academic school year.
Selected student Board members will be announced no later than May 30.

Election Process:

Required Materials

Any eligible student interested in becoming a student board member must have the following:

Completed application form
Personal statement (why the student wants to serve)
One staff recommendation (optional but encouraged)

Election Format

Voting will be conducted electronically via secure district platform (e.g., Microsoft Forms or a voting software).
Paper ballots will be available at sites with limited tech access.

Voter Eligibility

All high school students in the district may vote.
Voting links/codes distributed through district emails and school announcements.

Ensuring Equity in Participation

Site-based support (staff leads at each school).
Promotion through school events, student governments, flyers, and social media.
Focused outreach at alternative/continuation sites to ensure engagement.

This exhibit supports Board Bylaw 9150 and shall be reviewed and updated as needed to ensure effective student representation on the Governing Board.

If You Go
Antioch Unified School District Board of Trustees Meeting
Location: District Office Board Room
510 G Street, Antioch, CA 94509
April 16, 2025
Closed Session: 6:00 p.m.
Open Session: 7:00 p.m.
Agenda: Click Here

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