Student Voices Take A Seat At The School Board Table In Briarcliff

Press release from the Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District:

When Briarcliff High School seniors Sofia Cruz and Hannah Tashiro were recently sworn in as student ex officio members of the Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District Board of Education, they stepped into a new kind of leadership role.

The longtime student leaders are accustomed to planning events, coordinating fundraisers, and building connections throughout the high school. Now, they also have a seat at the Board of Education table, where they will share student perspectives and learn more about the decisions that shape the entire district.

“It’s a big shift from our traditional Student Government roles,” Hannah said. “Last year, we picked our prom venue and planned car washes and bake sales, and now we’re sitting on the Board of Education listening to much broader decisions.”

The Latin term ex officio means “by virtue of one’s office.” Sofia and Hannah hold their positions on the Board because of their current roles as Student Government co-presidents.

As student ex officio members, they will sit with Board members during public meetings, provide updates about life at Briarcliff High School, share student perspectives, and participate in open discussions. They do not vote or attend executive sessions.

For Sofia and Hannah, attending their first meeting offered an eye-opening look at the scope of the Board’s work and the consideration behind each decision.

“They are community-based policymakers,” Hannah said.

Both students were particularly struck by the range of issues Board members consider and the responsibility of representing the needs of the entire district.

“There is so much going on all the time,” Sofia said. “They are taking in perspectives from all of the schools.”

The students will contribute to those conversations while also helping Board members stay connected to what is happening at the high school.

“Our responsibility, as outlined, is to give brief summaries of what’s happening in the high school,” Hannah said.

“At last week’s meeting, we talked about the first day of school, the AI guidelines, and fire drills,” Sofia added.

Although they are nonvoting members, Sofia and Hannah are encouraged to take an active role in public discussions.

The role builds upon the leadership experience they have developed throughout high school. Through their experience as class co-presidents and now Student Government co-presidents, Sofia and Hannah have learned that leadership grows with community, connection, and collaboration.

“I admire the leadership Sofia and Hannah have shown over the years in making Briarcliff High School more fun, welcoming, and engaging,” said Superintendent Dr. James Kaishian. “They have a real gift for making sure their classmates’ voices are heard.”

Sofia especially values the relationships she has formed with students, teachers, and administrators through her leadership role.

“Student Government gave me a community and the ability to connect with different students,” she said.

For Hannah, the planning, organization, and coordination involved in Student Government are especially rewarding because she can see the results of the group’s work.

“It’s incredibly satisfying to see it all come together,” she said.

Their new positions also reflect this year’s districtwide Graduate Attribute, personal agency, which Hannah describes as choice, empowerment, and the ability to make a difference.

“Personal agency, to me, is about choice and the ability to enact change or identify problems and work to solve them,” Hannah said.

She believes Briarcliff encourages students to become independent problem-solvers by giving them opportunities to explore ideas and determine how to move forward.

Sofia sees that same quality in an environment where students feel supported enough to take chances.

“The environment is comfortable enough that you are not afraid to fail,” she said. “You are able to take risks and see what happens.”

Now, Sofia and Hannah will bring that sense of agency and the voices of their fellow students to the Board table.

“When making policy decisions that affect students, I think it’s important to get input from students as well,” Hannah said. “We are encouraged to ask questions, raise our hands, and chime in.”

This press release was produced by the Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.