Thirteen public school students from across Idaho have been named to the Student Advisory Council. The group will meet quarterly to give input to State Superintendent of Public Instruction Sherri Ybarra and others in the State Department of Education.
“Their perspective and insights on Idaho’s public education experience are invaluable, especially as we work to recover from the pandemic’s impacts on schools,” Ybarra said in a news release sent out on Wednesday.
While the group was originally planned to consist of 12 members, Ybarra said it was too hard to choose between the 58 applicants. She said some of students’ priorities included school funding, eliminating cliques in schools, mental and emotional health, social issues and meeting the needs of students with disabilities.
The first meeting of the council will be on Sept. 20 in Boise. Attendance will be limited to the advisory council members, their parents/guardians, Ybarra and other SDE staff members.
None of the 13 members represent a charter school.
Ybarra was looking for students of a variety of ages and “with different backgrounds, cultures, interests, school sizes and parts of Idaho.” According to SDE spokesperson Kris Rodine, 34 of the 58 applications came from outside Ada and Canyon counties.
The selections were made by Ybarra, with recommendations coming from a screening committee.
The students who have been named to the advisory council are:
