La Conner school board student reps were ‘A’ contributors

 


Recent La Conner High School graduates MacQuaid Hiller and Avery Sloniker enjoyed one last hurrah last week as they closed out their school careers here before taking the next step on their life’s journey.

Hiller and Sloniker, graduated June 18 in commencement exercises at Whittaker Field, but were recognized by the school board June 28 for serving as student representatives during a year marked by on-line and hybrid instructional models employed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Board members expressed appreciation for Hiller’s and Sloniker’s service, thanking them for filling the crucial liaison role linking district leadership and the La Conner high student body.

“Having students participate on the board has been a good opportunity to integrate student voice into the school board meetings,” said La Conner Middle School-High School Counselor Lori Buher.


Hiller, the student body president this past year, facilitated book reviews for board members as they studied sources addressing race and equity issues prior to formulating district policy.

“He was a very positive force during a very challenging year,” Buher said of Hiller.

Sloniker made her presence felt, too, said Buher.

“Avery, as always, stepped forward when others stepped back, even while attending Running Start and working part-time,” said Buher.

Buher said it makes practical sense to have student leaders serve as representatives on the board since school is a place where young people are educated to become citizens of a democratic society.


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“It gives student leaders insight into the reasoning behind decisions that are made by the board,” Buher noted. “The more information students have, the better they are able to address student concerns regarding school policies and procedures.”

The board last week also welcomed new student reps Delaney Cobbs and Eleanor Drews, who were appointed for 2021-22 after completing a formal application process, including interviews coordinated by board member John Agen.

“Delaney,” Buher said, “has always been a motivated student. She is a scholar, an athlete, and focused on a bright future.”

Cobbs, a skilled wrestler, competes at elite national youth tournaments. She trains and wrestles with 2A Burlington-Edison during the season since La Conner does not have a mat program.


Drews likewise has impressive credentials, said Buher.

“I served as advisor to our Green Club this past year and found Eleanor, as co-president, to be a strong leader with the ability to listen thoughtfully and problem solve effectively,” Buher said.

La Conner Schools officials maintain that one way to nurture democratic citizenship is to involve and engage students in the governing process of the school board. Though non-voting members, input from the student representatives is sought during each board session.

While it might seem a logical and routine function in La Conner, the concept of school board student representation is fairly rare nationwide.

About half of the 50 states report having student representatives on their school boards. But that does not mean that 50 per cent of American school boards empanel students. According to a National School Boards Association survey, less than 20 per cent of the country’s 500 largest school districts have student membership on their boards.


La Conner does it the right way, Buher insists.

“The ultimate goal, in my mind, is to assist our students in becoming informed community participants after graduation.”

 

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