As it stands, the Provo City School Board of Education is comprised of seven adults, each one elected by public vote. During their meeting on Feb. 14, the board moved to add student representation to the body.

Students addressed the board, discussing their belief that adding students to the board would better address student’s needs.

McKenna Tetrick, a Provo High School senior and National Honor Society president, spoke in favor of the motion.

“It’s a critical time, now than more than ever, to speak for the minority and give power to the students to encourage change, but in the end (it) will benefit us all for the greater good,” she said. “Student representation is essential to ensuring that the student body — their voices, opinions and perspectives — are all being heard and valued, or even having any sort of consideration.”

Tetrick added that having an opportunity to participate in civic society encourages better connection for young people to the wider community.

“Looking back into history, change was made by people using their voice like you, and me and everyone in this room. Physically voicing what you believe, or just taking part in the attendance today, speaks volumes. As some may say, actions are louder than words,” Tertick said.

Alexa Dodson, a student at the Freedom Preparatory Academy charter school added her opinion on civic engagement.

“Over the past three years, I’ve been able to help run a piece of legislation through the legislature (and) work with my school’s governing board to change policies. … (The) things you can learn just by sitting in a government meeting can’t be learned in the classroom. If we add student members to the board, it will make the board more accessible for students,” Dodson said.

A student-led petition to add two student members to the school board was signed by almost 700 students from both Timpview and Provo high schools.

Rachel Cutler, an English teacher at Provo High School, worked with several of the students. Though she was quick to say she merely added “little feedback” and advice.

“They took this incredible idea and really made something remarkable from it. I’ve seen things like this happen many times so far, but this is maybe one of the most remarkable instances that I’ve seen of student engagement, inspiration and initiative,” Cutler said. “I feel that as the school board works parallel to and in tandem with teachers, this is also a need that the school board has to listen to the voices of these students.”

In 31 states, school districts can decide to include students representatives on their boards. Out of the 495 largest school districts in the United States, only 14% include student board members. Maryland is the only state that allows student members to possess the voting power that adult members have, according to the National School Boards Association.

Provo board member Lisa Boyce made the motion to add student members to the board, which was passed unanimously.

“This is a remarkable opportunity for Provo to have important stakeholders be a voice and a part of our conversation about how to best serve and educate the students in Provo. I’m a big fan of the work they’ve done,” Boyce said. “This is pretty important thing we’re seeing, especially with everything being initiated by students.”

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