OCR Text |
Show IMuiKBaaitflaDnQ The Park Record Section A : Thursday, October 21, 1993 D Page A7 Student representatives advise School Board on issues by SUSAN VITT1TOW Record staff writer It's not uncommon to hear these involved with the schools say me children should be at the heart of all decisions. In the Park City District, the School Board and superintendent are putting this concept to the test by involving students in the decision-making process. The Board of Education now has a student scat, occupied by ;'yi V i H't . - ' J. i I - - . r -.. i Photo by Susan Vittitow KnAc of Eyewitness Treasure Mountain t?W3 dt News received the Utah ppVP1 Broadcasters Association Award for trcver best children's programming. Program Coordinators MacKenzie Holt (left) and J.J. Gerber (right) are shown here with their award. Both are in Betsy Bacon's fifth grade class. Park City High School senior Anna Truxcs. Her alternate is Catherine Ethcrington, who fills in for Truxcs when she cannot attend. The scat is an advisory position only. The student member cannot vote, introduce motions, attend executive sessions or accept payment for her services. The member can, however, receive reimbursement for expenses, should she attend a conference, and can receive social studies credit upon successful completion of her term. The student government will receive 52,000 at the end of the year, in lieu of a board member salary, to use for the benefit of all the kids in the district. "It really does help us keep tabs on how the kids feel about issues that affect them," says board member Nikki Lowry. She explains that every decision should be weighed against the children's well-being, but the process of meetings tends to isolate board members from those kids. When faced with budget figures, tax rates and seemingly endless maintenance decisions, it can be hard to recognize how individual students will be affected. Lowry was instrumental in establishing the student position. ' ' ' f , , I 1 4 1 v If' Anna Truxes She first came across the idea at a National School Boards Association conference in Anaheim, Calif. She proposed the idea to the other board members, who were very much in agreement with it. The district then researched policies from other school systems with student representation and used the information to write a policy for Park City. It was approved on Sept. 14, 1993. Truxes and Ethcrington represent the entire student body, from kindergartners to high school Catherine Etherington seniors. They both see the new position as an asset for the students. "I'm excited about it, but I understand there arc some restrictions on it," says Truxcs. She sees a need to be conservative and diplomatic. This is the first year a student has been allowed on the board, and she docs not want to jeopardize the position for future classes. Before the position was approved, Truxcs attended two board meetings to observe procedures. She is pleased that new proposals, such as the one on PCHS seniors earn commendation for academic excellence from NMSC Principal Mike Andrews of Park City High School announced that Sarah B. Matsumoto and Peter J. Nichols have been named Commended Students in the 1994 National Merit Scholarship Program. A Letter of Commendation from National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), which conducts the program, will be presented by the school to these outstanding seniors. About 35,000 Commended Students throughout the nation arc , being honored for their outstanding performance on the 1992 Preliminary SATNational Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which was the route of entry to the 1994 Merit Program. Commended Students have shown exceptional academic promise by placing among the top five percent of more than one million program entrants; however, their qualifying test scores arc slightly below the level required to continue in the competition for Merit Scholarships to be awarded in 1994. An NMSC spokesperson stated, "Being designated a Commended Student in this keen competition is a credit to these young people as well as to their schools, which play a key role in their development. We hope that the recognition these scholastically able students receive will encourage them to develop their talents and abilities to the fullest, and that the example they set will inspire other young men and women to strive for academic excellence. Commended Students represent a valuable intellectual resource crucial to our nation's well-being." suspensions, will have student input. Already, Truxcs says, the students have had some influence. According to her, the high school is considering changing its block scheduling to reduce the homework load on certain nights. Truxcs docs not plan to raise any big issues in the near future. She says she will focus on the board's proposals, sharing the information with fellow students and obtaining their opinions. The first Board of Education meeting for a student in an official capacity was on Oct. 12, which Ethcrington attended. "I didn't really know what to expect," she said. Ethcrington didn't realize she would be seated at the table with the other members, and found it slightly unnerving to be the only student up there. The other board members made her feel wanted. She felt they took her opinions seriously and valued her input. "I think that's basically my job, giving the board the opinions of students and teachers," Ethcrington commented. Although Ethcrington is the alternate board member, she foresees sharing some of the responsibility for the position with Truxes. "I thought the student member at the last board meeting was a plus," says Superintendent Don Fielder. Etherington, he said, gave a different perspective and offered information that the other board members did not have. Fielder has included students on his Superintendent Advisory Council. The council is made of teachers, classified personnel, parents and other community members. It includes a PCHS junior, and a Treasure Mountain Middle School seventh grader. It will serve as a bridge between the superintendent and the larger community. Fielder also sees potential for students to be involved in site-based decision making. one Regularly $110 Spcci.il $69.95 Good Thru December 5 : t Uf V iSvM 111 iAs' L.alo.:-"'-li' " lrttii i r jj. mm- . i, , ... . i , . .,. Overhaul Includes: I3ik:e completely disassembled Frame cleaned and waxed Overhaul of bottom bracket, headset and hubs Clean, reassembleand adjustment of derailleur anitrakes Wheels trued (Additional parts not included) v o u n - A ! ' O 1.1 T f i T I - S ELECT ROGER HARLAN FOR CITY COUNCIL I t '1 I " am convinced that the City needs the humane, consensus-building leadership offered by Roger Harlan. Roger's ability to acknowledge differing views and then find common ground make his election to the Park City Council critical at this point in the city's life. Former City Attorney, Jim Carter ROGER HARLAN'S CAMPAIGN POSITIONS Growth - My top priority! The city must grow to prosper but we must control the RATE of growth. Tax Base - I continue to support the responsible expansion of our tax base so we may continue to provide the amenities we enjoy. Youth - I will continue to promote the city's interest in our youth in areas such as the new library and youth center. Housing - The city can, and should be, a driving force in promoting affordable housing. County - We must work with the county to ensure they take their share of the responsibility of an expanding population. 1600 Park Averue 649-4949 |