Student Voice Team Testifies in Front of Senate Education Committee

FRANKFORT — Members of the Student Voice Team testified today before the Senate Education Committee. House Bill 236, drafted by the group and sponsored by Representative Derrick Graham (D-Frankfort), amends KRS 160.352 to add an optional, peer-elected high school student to superintendent screening committees.

Gentry Fitch, Nicole Fielder, Ashton Bishop, and Ross Boggess testified for the Student Voice Team. The middle and high school students addressed confidentiality concerns about minors handling personnel information. “A cursory look at the history books and headlines proves that, in the realm of public policy, students are capable of doing remarkably high-level work,” said Nicole Fielder.

The bill was recommended favorably to the floor by the Senate Education Committee with two friendly amendments.

In November, students from the group asked the Fayette County School Board to include a student on the superintendent screening committee. The Board informed the students that a student representative could not be included because of state law and a strict interpretation of it by the Attorney General’s office. The law currently limits the committee to two teachers, one principal, one classified employee, one parent, one board member, and, in some cases, one minority member.

Last week, the students testified in front of the House Education Committee. The bill was unanimously recommended favorably to the floor. Later that week, on Thursday, the House passed HB 236 with a vote of 88 to five.

The Kentucky Association of School Councils, Center for Teaching Quality, Hope Street Group, Kentucky Center for Education Policy, Soundout, Inspire Kentucky and Student Voice are among local and national advocacy groups that have formally endorsed the Student Voice Team’s efforts.

The Kentucky Student Voice Team is a statewide organization of young people who are co-creating more just, democratic Kentucky schools & communities as research, policy & advocacy partners. From 2012 to 2021, KSVT was incubated at the Prichard Committee, a nonpartisan, citizen-led organization working to improve education in Kentucky for all ages.