The question of whether the Holy Family Roman Catholic Separate School board should have student trustees involved was discussed at the board鈥檚 monthly meeting on Wednesday, with a suggestion to involve the school-community councils (SCCs).
Education director Gwen Keith obtained information from the Regina Catholic School Division where student trustees are involved, along with information from other divisions across the country.
鈥淢y feeling is as we don鈥檛 have a high school, it makes it a lot more difficult to do this,鈥� said board chair Bruno Tuchscherer. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 have a problem with Grade 8 or 9 students coming to the meeting, but I wonder if we shouldn鈥檛 talk to the SCCs to see if they鈥檇 be interested in having a student at their meetings.鈥�
He noted that it would take some work to bring a student up to speed on school board business, and it might be easier for a student if they attended an SCC meeting for their town or school.
鈥淚 personally don鈥檛 see that it would be very practical for us,鈥� said trustee Jerome Sidloski.
鈥淲e can offer the opportunity to students, as the meetings are open at any time to the public,鈥� said Tuchscherer, adding that it鈥檚 possible Grade 8 or 9 students might want to sit in on a board meeting for a class project or paper.
鈥淎s small as we are, and being spread out and not having any high schools makes it more difficult,鈥� he added.
Keith noted that she could talk to principals and the presidents of the school-community councils about the possibility of having students more involved, and pointed out, 鈥淣ot all SCCs have students sitting at the table.鈥�
She also pointed out that in Ontario it鈥檚 a legislated position to have student trustees at the school board table.
