More student ambassadors will be serving in an advisory role to the Naperville School District 203 Board of Education after a policy change was approved Monday by the board.
Each year, two students, one from Naperville Central and one from Naperville North high schools, have served as an advisory member to the school board.
Starting with the 2023-2024 school year, the number of student ambassadors will triple, extending leadership opportunities to more students, district officials said.
The change amplifies student voice, which is a board priority, Superintendent Dan Bridges said.
The superintendent said more students can give feedback and input, and district officials can learn from students who have different experiences.
With the new policy, each high school will have three students serve as advisory student ambassadors.
According to the district, the principal will identify and select juniors or seniors from each school who are members of the student council, student government, the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council or the Principal’s Advisory Council.
The Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council is heading into its second year and represents a diverse group of students, and the Principal’s Advisory Council is a new initiative at the high schools, said Chala Holland, assistant superintendent for administrative services.
Those on student council and in student government represent a significant portion of the student body, Holland said.
“They are also involved in a lot of our student planning and a lot of our student events,” she said. “We’re expanding those efforts to include a variety of perspectives moving forward, which also has other councils involved.”
The ambassadors will participate in meetings with their principals and other ambassadors and collaborate and create a report for the school board.
The principals and ambassadors will review school board agendas to see what topics they should solicit student input so they can advise the board on student perspectives.
“I think the proposal filled out beautifully,” said board Vice President Kristin Fitzgerald. “I think it’s fantastic. I support it.”
Michelle Mullins is a freelancer.
