The Olympia School District Board of Directors will accept applications for high school juniors or seniors to serve as student representatives on the board in the 2024-25 school year. Applications will be accepted from Wedneday, May 1 through Friday, May 19, 2024.
One student representative is selected from Avanti, Capital, Olympia and Olympia Regional Learning Academy (ORLA) each spring to serve on the board for the following school year (July 1-June 30).
Student representatives serve in an advisory capacity at board meetings and may cast non-binding, advisory votes on motions before the board. They contribute to discussion by providing student insight and are encouraged to comment about policies, procedures and decisions that affect students. They also serve as a liaison for student leadership at their schools and report to fellow students about the work of the board and district activities.
Eligibility Requirements
Student representatives must be:
- Entering their junior or senior year at the time of selection and in good academic standing, and maintain good academic standing throughout their term. Selected students should also have a history of leadership and involvement in extracurricular and civic activities;
- Willing to communicate with fellow students about the activities of the board and to gather input about issues facing the board;
- Willing to commit the necessary time to attend meetings and perform the duties and responsibilities of a student representative. Board meetings are generally scheduled two evenings each month (2nd and 4th Thursday from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.), one monthly work session (1st Thursday from 6 – 8 p.m.), a summer retreat in the month of August (1/2 day); and a winter retreat in the month of January (1/2 day)
- The student representative is preferred to be a resident of the district.
Student representatives serve a one-year term on the board through June 14, 2025. If you are interested, please fill out the application.
Student Board Representative 2024-25 Recruitment Timeline
- May 1-19: Accepting applications
- May 6: Informational Session on Zoom - 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. (30 minute sessions each) Sign up to participate in the online Informational Session. The deadline to submit the form is noon on Monday, May 6, 2024.
- May 9: Informational Session on Zoom - 4 p.m. The deadline to submit the form is noon on Monday, May 6, 2024. Applicants interested in applying are also encouraged to attend the May 9 school board meeting to shadow current student representatives. Those interested should arrive at the Knox Administrative Center at 6 p.m. in advance of the 6:30 p.m. meeting start time.
- May 28: Interviews begin
For more information about being a student representative, contact Nicole Gonzalez, executive assistant to the superintendent, at [email protected], or call (360) 596-6114.