Frederick, MD (December 4, 2012)

– High school sophomores and juniors who attend Frederick County Public Schools may apply to serve as the 2013-14 Student Member of the Board of Education. The nomination deadline is January 4, 2013 for the term beginning in July 2013.

The role of the student member is to bring a student viewpoint on educational issues to BOE meetings, generally held two evenings per month. The function is not to represent any particular special-interest group of students on an issue, but rather to respect the diversity of students’ points of view, to improve communication between the student body, staff and BOE members and to inform students of policies and decisions executed by the BOE.

Interested sophomores and juniors should contact their student government advisor for a nomination packet or visit http://sites.fcps.org/fcasc/node/24#attachments <redir.aspx?C=58GmpMuZi0eDmTScQ8FPluFifpbXpc8InE0LpbFBEofnqs27ZSlc1-Qm-2DFoNm93bpCRhRZFUw.&URL=http%3a%2f%2fsites.fcps.org%2ffcasc%2fnode%2f24%23attachments>. Principals and student government advisors may also nominate a student. Applicants must complete the entire student packet, including nomination form, letter of recommendation and response to four questions in paragraphs of no more than 250 words per question (not bulleted lists). Completed applications are due by Friday, January 4, 4 p.m., to FCPS Social Studies Curriculum Specialist Michael Bunitsky, 191 South East Street, Frederick, MD 21701.

This is the second year that the selection process will include online student voting. Here’s how it works. First, a selection panel including the Frederick County Association of Student Councils (FCASC) Board and Student Government Association (SGA) advisors will review applications and narrow the field to five candidates on January 11. Next, at a January 31 meeting (snow date: February 21), each candidate will answer questions in a Town Hall format, 5-6:30 p.m. at the FCPS Central Office Board Room. They will also submit a one-page platform statement to post online. Then on February 7 (snow date: February 21), nominees will participate in a Candidate Forum, answering moderator questions from 5-6:30 p.m., also at the FCPS Central Office Board Room.

Online voting will occur March 8-15 for students in all middle and high schools. Voting will determine whom the school’s SGA representatives support in an April 16 General Assembly. Student enrollment determines a school’s number of representative delegates.
Finally, the FCASC will submit the name of the candidate with the majority of representative votes cast by school delegates to the FCPS Superintendent.

For further information, please call 301-644-5265.