Why the Board of Education Needs More Student Representation

I can't help but notice how we vote people in to serve on Toms River's Board of Education, we listen what they have to offer, they handle the finances, budgets etc. Yet, it seems there's one group of people's opinions that are missing, the ones that matter most: the Students.

Yes, there are student representatives from the three high schools that serve on the Board of Education, and they are very fine and exceelent students. But it's not enough.

What truly goes on in the schools, weather negative or positive, seems to not be told in these meetings. Mostly because the students who have a problem are not able to speak. I've had my ups and downs in the district...but the Board of Education doesnt know what those ups and downs are. As these Board of Education meetings are public, I believe that students need to be alerted of these meetings as well.

Whether or not the Board of Ed. wants to hear what they have to say, they should listen to what they want to say. The Board of Education is not in every school classroom, they are not in every gym period, they have not seen every incident, or every valuable lesson.

A slang is thrown around here where everything is "for the children," well then if that is true, let the "children" speak. If I was able to, I'd round up every teenager I could and bring them to these meetings. The fact is, the board needs more student representation, 3 students isn't enough, there's aproximatley 4,500 students combined in all three high schools. I think we should give them a voice.