Board approves formation of student advisory group after new state law

The Marion County Board of Education approved creation of a Student Board Advisory Group at its June 16 meeting to comply with a recently passed state law that takes effect July 1, 2025. The approval was included in the consent agenda the board approved unanimously.

Dr. Mark A. Griffith, secretary, told the board the state law requires each school board to have a Student Board Advisory Group after July 1, 2025. “We have three high schools therefore; we are requesting three students to be in this group,” he said, adding that the students were nominated by their principals and that he would serve as the liaison between the students and the board.

Board members did not record additional debate on the item; it was listed in the consent agenda under "Request Approval of Student School Board Advisory Group" and passed as part of the consent vote. The minutes do not name the nominated students; they say principals submitted the nominations and the board expects the group to bring student concerns to administration via Dr. Griffith.

Next steps: the district will accept the principal‑nominated representatives from each high school and Dr. Mark A. Griffith will act as the administrative liaison to the board for the advisory group.