Student members report LYAC initiatives on school safety, digital service hours and minor work permits

Two student members of the Legislative Youth Advisory Council updated commissioners on projects intended to improve student experiences and school operations.

John Parker, a junior at Covington High School and LYAC parliamentarian, described committee work on digital service-hour tracking, expanded access to AP self-study for students not enrolled in AP courses, and a K'12 school-safety task force chaired by Senator Rick Edmonds that recommended routing serious threat reports to the state fusion center and offering physical security assessments through state police. "From that work we collaborated with Senator Edmonds to file Senate Bill 450 which would require serious threats to be reported to the fusion center and allow schools to receive physical security assessments from state police," Parker said.

Brandon Rauton, a senior and LYAC member representing Gina High School, described outreach to local JAG programs, efforts to standardize superintendent advisory councils, and challenges with statewide representation on the incoming LYAC roster. He encouraged future members to voice opinions and summarized his co'chair experience on the education committee.

Chair Manning and commissioners thanked the students for their service and encouraged commission members to attend LYAC orientation in July. No formal action was taken on the student reports.