Schoharie Adds Student Reps to School Board

By David Avitabile

SCHOHARIE - The Schoharie school board is getting some new and younger voices.

Earlier this year, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a bill that will require every school district and BOCES board in the state to have at least one student representative. The law will take effect on July 1, 2025. Under the new law, student school board members would not vote or attend executive sessions but could join discussions.

Instead of waiting a year, Schoharie Central School has named two student representatives, high school seniors Ivy Wray and Sophia Watson. The two, the senior class president and student government president, both attended last Thursday evening's meeting.

The two are "student representatives (who) will bring student voice to our board meetings. It’s something we’ve been missing," SCS Superintendent David Blanchard said.

At the beginning of Thursday's meeting, Mr. Blanchard welcomed the two students "not only as guests" but as student representatives to the board.

"We are preempting her ruling. We always wanted student representation on the board."

The students will likely alternate attending meetings. Though they cannot vote, they will relate the feelings of the students and will help board members make decisions, Mr. Blanchard added.

"All in all, we're very happy to have you here." the Superintendent said Thursday.

At future meetings, the students will have their own nameplates like other board members.

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In other action, board members:

* Heard high school special education teacher Michelle Haverly detail the elementary and high school events and activities for September. Those included a new exchange student in the high school, a new music technology course, and a new elementary class, Ms. Langan's life skills class.

* Made the following changes to the 2024-25 calendar: removed June 4, 2025 as a Regents date, added June 11, 2025, as a Regents date, and revised the elementary early dismissal days to dismiss at 11:30am instead of 11 am.

* Approved a list if assets as surplus/obsolete.