PSBE Seats Two Students

Meet the new members of the state board of education: two students.

High School Students to Advise State Board of Education

Last update: 1:00 p.m. EDT Sept. 8, 2008

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept 08, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Two Pennsylvania high school students have been selected to advise the State Board of Education by serving a one-year term as non-voting student representatives.

"We are thrilled about having real student voices on the State Board of Education," Education Secretary Gerald L. Zahorchak said. "The board's decisions have direct implications on students across the commonwealth; therefore it makes perfect sense to have representation from these young people."

The addition of student representatives to the board is a historic step for Pennsylvania. The students will serve as diplomats from the student community, gathering concerns from students across the state and sharing them with the board.
Elizabeth Williams, a senior from Pocono Mountain West High School, who is active in student government, was selected to serve as the high school student member. Additionally, Gardiner Kreglow, a junior from Bethlehem Area School District, will serve as the high school student member-elect. Kreglow will shadow Williams, with plans to be her successor next year.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for the students to impact the policies that directly affect what happens in their classrooms and those of their fellow classmates," State Board of Education Chairman Joseph Torsella said. "I have no doubt that their participation will add valuable perspective to the board's deliberations and the views of the other board members."

The student representatives' first meeting will be at the State Board of Education's Sept. 17 meeting. The representatives were selected from a pool of nearly 50 applicants. Additionally, the board is in the process of appointing a college student member and college student member-elect to the board. The announcement of these candidates will be made in the fall.

This opportunity was made possible through a grant provided by the National Association of State Boards of Education and funded by the MetLife Foundation.