Board considers student board member pilot following AB 824; discusses roles and timeline

The Palmdale Aerospace Academy Board of Directors discussed the possibility of adding a student board member under Assembly Bill 824, which the presenter said became effective July 1, 2023. The presenter told the board that AB 824 allows students to serve on school boards if they petition and are selected by peers.

The presentation outlined that student members can attend and participate in open meetings and receive open-meeting materials but may not join closed sessions. The presenter said student votes are "preferential," meaning the student's expressed position is advisory and does not count toward the board's official vote tally. "They can cast votes, but they're considered preferential so they can share their opinion," the presenter said.

Board members discussed training and timing. Several members suggested students would need orientation on complex issues and that mentoring by board members could help. The board discussed a likely timeline to recruit and train a student in spring for service the following school year so the student could participate in summer reorganization activities. One board member recommended drafting policy language and preparing sample policies before bringing the matter back for formal consideration.

No final decision was made; the board directed staff to return with draft policy language and a proposed schedule for implementation.