Board of education student member position to be on ballot

Fayetteville-Manlius School District voters will decide whether the F-M Board of Education will continue the practice of including a non-voting student member.

The board approved a policy in 2015 that allows the board to add a student member, pending voter approval. In 2016, voters approved the proposition, and four students, including the 2019-20 school year member, have held the position.

Voters must reauthorize the measure every two years.

There is no financial compensation for any board member, including a student member, for serving on the board of education. The student member attends all public board meetings and is allowed to participate in all public discussions and voice his or her opinions.

The student member is not allowed to attend executive or exempt sessions, which are portions of the meeting in which the law allows board members to privately discuss such matters as proposed, pending or current litigation.

Voting will take place by absentee ballot only, and ballots will be accepted until 5 p.m. June 9. If voters approve the proposition, the board would appoint an F-M High School senior who has attended the school for at least two years prior to the appointment for the 2020-21 school year.