Mount Vernon High School senior Nicholas Justino was appointed to serve as the first student ex officio member of the Mount Vernon Board of Education at its Oct. 1 meeting. He will serve as a non-voting member of the board through June 30, 2020.
In the May election, voters overwhelmingly approved a referendum authorizing the board to appoint a student to serve as an ex officio member. Under state law, a school district may only appoint a student to the Board of Trustees after receiving voter authorization.
To be eligible for appointment, the student member must be a rising senior at one of the district’s high schools and must have attended one of the district’s high schools for at least two years prior to the selection.
Students meeting these criteria were nominated by their principal and interested candidates were interviewed by the superintendent of schools. Following the interviews, the students were asked to submit a letter to the superintendent describing their interest in serving in this role. The superintendent then made a recommendation to the Board of Education.
“The appointment of Nicholas Justino enables the board to receive feedback in real time from a representative of the students we value and serve,” said School Board President Arlene Torres. “As a volunteer Board of Education, civic engagement is a priority we model and promote. Nicholas’ participation and advocacy as a trustee will motivate and encourage other students to become actively involved in community affairs. We are excited for this opportunity to nurture future leaders who will enhance the quality of education for all students in Mount Vernon.”
Justino is a hospital volunteer and shadows a doctor. He is also a member of Mount Vernon S.T.R.O.N.G., a program that is a collaboration between the Mount Vernon Youth Bureau, the district, the Guidance Center, Inc., and WestHab, Inc., designed to provide structured educational assistance, creative enrichment opportunities and youth development activities; and NYGEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs), a federal initiative designed to increase the number of students who are prepared to enter and excel in postsecondary education, among others.
“Knowing that I could bring forth information on what is happening at the high school from a student perspective, and discuss it with the board, would be honoring,” said Justino.
Justino, a lifelong student of the district, is submitting applications to 23 colleges this fall. He intends to major in biomedical science or biology, and his top college choices are the University of Connecticut, Syracuse University and the University at Albany.
“Engagement has been the cornerstone of this administration,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kenneth Hamilton. “From parents to community stakeholders, we know the key to the success of our school system is through engagement. Nicholas’ appointment is yet another step in that direction. Our Board of Education and the community recognized the importance of engaging our students in the decision-making process and, most importantly, giving them not only a voice, but a seat at the table.”
