South Glens Falls High School students board members Ysabella Marie Porillo and Natalie Quick are ready to step into their leadership roles this year after attending the Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex Board of Cooperative Educational Services (WSWHE BOCES) Regional Student Leadership Day earlier this month.
Hosted through a partnership between WSWHE BOCES and the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA), the Regional Student Leadership Hybrid Event brought together nearly 40 student board members from component school districts and WSWHE BOCES. The event provided students with opportunities to develop leadership skills, collaborate with educational leaders, and strengthen their ability to represent and elevate student voice within their schools and communities.
For South Glens Falls’ student board members, the experience offered a behind-the-scenes look at how boards of education operate and the important role student representatives play in the decision-making process.
“The most surprising thing for us was how complex of a process meetings are, and all the policies we have in place so that the public can voice their input,” Porillo said.
As student board members, they believe their role is an important bridge between students and district leadership.
“We feel it is important for students to have a seat at the table because so many of these decisions are affecting us every day, and we can help relay the student perspective that the Board may not have otherwise,” Quick said. “We can also help explain to students why these decisions are made in a way that is more tailored to their concerns because we often are going through the same reaction.”
This year, the duo hope to expand what it means to serve as a student representative. Beyond providing updates on activities and events taking place throughout the district, they want student board members to play a more active role in discussions by sharing perspectives on district issues through the lens of current students.
“Our goal is to clearly define the responsibilities and expectations of a student representative,” Porillo said. “We want to expand the role so that at board meetings we are not just presenting what is happening in our schools, but also offering student input on different topics. We also hope to establish a strong foundation for future student representatives so they can continue building on the work we start.”
Throughout the school year, the student board members will provide regular reports to the Board of Education, share student perspectives on district initiatives, and help strengthen communication between students and district leadership. Their participation ensures that student voices remain an important part of conversations that help shape the future of South Glens Falls schools.
The pair noted that many people may not realize student board members are expected to consider the experiences of students throughout the district, not just those at the high school.
“One responsibility that might surprise people is that we are expected to provide insight into not just the perspectives of high school students, but also middle school and elementary school students,” Quick said.
As they move further into their term, both representatives want students to know they are available and eager to listen.
“If there is any point in time where you, as a South Glens Falls student, feel unsupported by our school, please do not hesitate to contact either one of your student representatives,” Quick said.
Porillo agreed stating, “We will always be open to sitting down with you and seeing what steps we can take to help if it is achievable. Let’s have a great year, Bulldogs!”