School Board's Student Panel Begins Work

Two of the main issues the Student A d v i s o r y School Board is presently looking inte are vocational education, for those not involved in college preparatory courses, and [sexual discrimination in the schools. Last spring, the Ann Arbor Board of Education approved a recommendation for the Student A d v i s o r y School Board to "study issues, assess student concerns; make suggestions for consideration, j and improve two-way communications between students f ind trustees." According to Human Relations Ombudsman Dr. Robert Potts, "The board has indicated that it is pleased to have the personal participation of students and an opportunity Eor the in-put of student con:erns." The Human Relations office )perates as the liaison between the Student Advisory Board and the Board of Education. The students meet each Tuesday at 5 p.m. in the Public Library to discuss the agenda for the board meeting ind other concerns. "It's like a dream come true," said David Sandelow, 3ne_of the students on the i Ivisory board and also one of Ithe students involved in the planning for the recommendation last year. The student board, which began functioning last month, had two of its representativos attend their first board meeting on Nov. 24. The student board members attend the weekly Wednesday night 2ssions on a rotating basis. The members themselves decide each week which three members will attend the school board meeting. There are four members f r o m each high school and two members from the junior highs and they will serve a one-year term. Elections for the student group were held last month with the exception of Slauson 'I which has not elected its representatives at this date. Elections were handled entirely by the student governments with the Black Student Unions handling the eleetion of a black representative to the board. A member of the human relations staff, Carol Koterski, serves as a resource person for the students. The Student A d v i s o r y School Board is responsible essentially to the student electors. Some of its duties include; advocating the needs of students before the Board (over please) SCHOOL BOARD 'S STUDENT (con t.l of Education, keeping fully abreast of student opinions and feelings, working cooperatively with all student governments, and encouraging student Communications. In developing recommendationj for the board the student group will study and report on issues requested by the trustees, the superintendent _and student board itself. It will report directly to the board of education in briefing ssesions. Student members also sit directly with trustees at the meetings. The students will also advisé the Board of Education on such items as the relevance and adequacies of instructional programs, improvements within the human rel&tions environment, tent and administration of discipline policies, student rights anrl responsibilities, and appropriateness of student grievance procedures. Although these student members do not have any voting power, all recommendations publicly presented by the Student Advisory School Board to the Board of Education will be referred to the superintendent for administrativo review before they are considered for action at a regular business meeting of the board. The superintendent will also consider -forwarding recommendations to the appropriate administrative councils and committees for review. "It will be the responsibility of the Stud ent Advisory I School Board to keep itself appraised of the issues and items coming before the trustees," said Potts," and it is my hope that the administration will inform the students of the various upcoming issues so that they will have time to study ahead." Potts also said that such concerns as graduatioj requirements and school boundaries, curriculum and textbook selections will be of importance to the student group. Students with specifie topics of importance to them should either contact their student representative or attent1, the weekly student advisory board meeting which is open to the public. Student representares are: Huron- Michael Fabjr, John Cariton, Charles Moody and Nick Kerestesi; P i o n e e r - Dave Sanalow, Mary Armstrong, Ann McLarty and Steve Huhter; Tappan - Pat Szynwelski and Anita Turner Scarlett - Celeste VaughM and , Hank Savage ; Forsythel - Mark Wilson and Jackie Cumbly; Tappan - Claudia Baler and Bridgett McFadden.