The Board of Education of Fairport Central School District seeks two interested students to serve as Ex-Officio Student Members of the Board of Education, hereby referred to as student representatives. On September 5, 2024, Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law Bill S.9018A/A.9855A, which requires that all school districts operative a high school and all BOCES establish procedures to designate at least one high school student as an ex officio, non-voting member of their Board of Education. The law, which goes into effect on July 1, 2025, aims to provide an opportunity for students to build skills and habits of civic engagement while providing student voice to the work of the Board of Education. 

For the academic school year 2025-2026, the Board seeks one rising junior (current sophomore) and one rising senior (current junior). Students must have been enrolled at Fairport High School (FHS) for at least one academic year, per law. There is no compensation for this position. This will be a one year position with an option for the Junior Board Member to renew without reapplying for senior year based on student and Board interest. The Board hopes that in future years, candidates will desire to serve in the position for two year terms, creating a succession plan, where the Senior member would be able to help mentor the joining Junior member. 

Student representatives represent the student body and act as examples for the students of the District. Such students are expected to abide by all applicable Board policies including the Code of Conduct. Violations may result in removal from the position as determined by the Board. The Board may also declare the seat vacant if the student member fails to attend three consecutive Board meetings without sufficient excuse. 

It is the expectation of the Board that the student representatives will attend monthly business meetings and workshops. We understand that student schedules are often packed and subject to conflicts, but it will be the responsibility of the students to ensure at least one of them is present at all meetings. The Board asks that the student representatives sit with or near the Board of Education during the meetings. During the communication portion, student representatives will be asked to give a summary of current happenings in the district as well as detailed information about one school in the District, ensuring all schools are covered over the course of the academic year. It will be the responsibility of the student representatives, with support from their Board mentor and the Superintendent, to contact the administrators of the school of the month to gather information for their summary, including but not limited to celebrations, traditions, academic insights, and other relevant information as determined by the student representative in partnership with the administrator. 

In addition to the summary, the Board asks that the student representatives provide pertinent information and student insight on agenda items within reason. The Board asks that student representatives share questions, concerns, insights, and thoughts that they are hearing from their peers that may help inform the Board in determining the direction of the district. Student representatives will have support from a designated Board mentor as they prepare for the monthly agenda items to support them in organizing their thoughts. 

Student representatives will not attend executive sessions, vote, or count towards the official quorum, nor will they be able to make motions during the meetings. Student representatives will be invited to attend Board retreats (learning sessions) at the discretion of the Board and interest of the students.

Nomination and Application Process 

Students who wish to nominate themselves for this position must completed the following requirements: 

1. A nominating petition, including signatures from 10 students each from grades 10, 11, and 12
2. An essay of no more than 500 words describing why they are interested in this position and how they demonstrate leadership abilities; strong academic standing and involvement; and the willingness and ability to fulfill the roles and responsibilities of the position

Once the deadline for submissions has passed, the Vice President of the Board of Education, in partnership with the Superintendent, will convene a committee of at most three board members, the Superintendent or their designee, an administrator from the high school, the District Clerk and the outgoing student representative. The committee members will blindly score each essay. The top four candidates (two rising juniors and two rising seniors) will participate in an interview with the committee. 

The Board of Education expects this process to occur in the fourth quarter annually. It will be the responsibility of the Superintendent to put out the call for candidates in the third quarter along with a deadline for the materials to be received by the Board Clerk. The expectation is the process will be finalized and student representatives determined by the annual reorganization meeting in July. 

In instances of vacancies, the Board will direct the Superintendent to facilitate a replacement. 

OnBoarding and Mentoring 

In order to ensure this position is meaningful for the student representatives as well as the Board of Education and district, the Superintendent will designate an administrator to serve as a mentor to the representatives. The administrator will provide opportunities for the representatives to meet outside of official Board meetings in order to help them prepare building updates and monthly summary as well as give an overview to upcoming meeting agendas. Additional topics to be reviewed include, but are not limited to: 

• Understanding the roles and responsibilities of Board of Education members, 
• Exploring how to share insights from peers at official meetings, 
• Explaining expectations for meeting attendance and participation, 
• Developing professional relationships with administrators to partner with for monthly updates, 
• And connecting with building admin and respectful time management and communication 

Ex Officio Student Board of Education Member Essay Instructions

Students who wish to nominate themselves for the 2025-26 Ex Officio Student Board Member position must submit a completed essay and nominating petition via the online application form or to administrative assistant Becky Rhoades at the Fairport High School main office by 3 p.m. Friday, May 23, 2025.

Please write an essay of no more than 500 words describing why you are interested in this position and how you demonstrate the following three criteria.

• Leadership Abilities, including but not limited to: 
  • Awareness of diverse student perspective, 
  • Willingness to engage with students from different backgrounds, 
  • Problem-solving skills,
  • Clear and concise communication,
  • Ability to effectively convey the student experience,
  • Comfortable speaking in public ,
  • Responsible and reliable, and/or
  • Positive attitude and enthusiasm. 
• Strong academic standing and involvement, including but not limited to:
  • Maintaining a good academic record, 
  • Demonstrating a commitment to learning, 
  • Participation in extracurricular activities (this is not limited to school-sponsored activities), and/or
  • Demonstrated experience in leadership roles 
• Willingness and ability to fulfill the roles and responsibilities of this position as detailed in the position description. 

Once the May 23 deadline for submissions has passed, the Vice President of the Board of Education, in partnership with the Superintendent, will convene a committee that will blindly score each essay against the below rubric.